The Annenberg Community Beach House is pleased to present Helen Lessick, our 2014 Writer in Residence. She'll be starting her tenure on January 6 and working from the Marion Davies Guest House through March 17. Helen will be holding public office hours every Monday and Saturday from 11am-1pm onsite. If you are an artist or arts administrator you may find her extensive experience in the fields of public art, grantseeking and arts engagement to be of great interest! She will be welcoming questions from the public both here and in person.
Please follow this blog - she'll be posting updates and information here; you can also call the Beach House at 310-458-4904 for up to the minute updates.
Reservations for her public events will be available at annenbergbeachhouse.com/beachculture on a rolling basis starting in late December.
Helen Lessick is a conceptual artist, author, and public art consultant who is spending her time as the 2014 Writer in Residence finishing a project called a "Field Guide to Time," writing three essays on art in the public sphere, and leading two discussion groups about art and community as well as a proposal writing workshop for artists. Born and raised near Philadelphia, Helen headed west for her education. She travels widely to write, research, make art in public, participate in the founding of artist-run organizations and work in nonprofit and municipal cultural programs. Her practice is based in Los Angeles. More info at lessick.net
Welcome to the Beach House AiR blog! Every year, local artists works from an office at the Marion Davies Guest House, sharing their progress with the public both in person and online. Content and links posted by artists may include strong language and images, viewer discretion advised. Visit annenbergbeachhouse.com for more information. #ArtSaMo
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
HYPERBOLE:bard - Interview with Derek Petropolis
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| Derek Petropolis |
The talented Derek Petropolis is currently appearing in Rogue Artists Ensemble's HYPERBOLE:bard. As he's gearing up for another week of bard at the Annenberg Community Beach House, he took a minute to talk about his first experience with Rogue Artists Ensemble:
Rogue Artists Ensemble: How did you get involved in creating HYPERBOLE: bard? Have you worked on other Rogue HYPERBOLE shows before?
Derek Petropolis: Well, I'm pretty new to LA and stumbled onto
Rogue by chance. I am a graduate of Cornish College of the Arts in
Seattle, Washington and generally prefer theatre to film. I was
basically perusing for theatre auditions and came across the HYBERBOLE
listing. It stood out because it was a mask audition (something I have
always been quite passionate about.), and I immediately knew that I
wanted to be a part of the show. I have taken classes in mask work but
have never had an opportunity to be in a mask and movement based show,
so it is quite exciting to be a part of HYPERBOLE! I have never worked
with the Rogues before, but after this experience I can say that I
would definitely want to work for this company again. They are all very
close knit, but that didn't stop them to inviting me into their family
with open arms. They are friendly, daring, and talented group.
RAE: What was the process like in developing the piece? How did it challenge (or not challenge) you as an actor?
DP: I feel like the process for this piece was very unique.
When I came into the process, they had already basically made the show.
They knew which scenes they wanted and had a basic layout for each
one. However, that's not to say that every scene hasn't changed
dramatically since we started rehearsals. In each rehearsal we were
encouraged to play around in each scene and just kind of see where the
masks take us. If it went with what had already been established,
great. If it went in a weird and funky new direction, great. We would
play in each mask form and see how it informed the circumstances of each
scene. It was both a total blast, and completely frustrating.
RAE: What is your favorite story or character in the show and why?
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| Derek performing in HYPERBOLE:bard |
DP: I LOVE the Apothecary character. The mask is hilarious,
but also kind of mysterious and devious. It really lends itself to
being a character to steal the show. Not to mention all the possibility
for all the prop comedy! I think Taylor has been doing a wonderful
job with the character and has really brought it to life. I'd be lying
if I said I didn't want to take that mask out for a spin...
RAE: What is it like working at the Annenberg Beach House?
DP: The beach house is an amazing venue for this piece. For a
movement and mask show, I don't think we could have asked for a better
space. The house provides us with lots of different levels, entrances
and exits, and provides us with lots of different ways to stage things.
At first it was a bit of challenge to use the space, but I think that
made us work harder and come up with a better product. It is still a
challenge everyday to use the space with masks, but that's part of the
challenge and fun of the show!
RAE: Why do you think audiences should come see the show?
DP: I think this is an awesome show for everyone to come out and see. There is truly something for Shakespeare newbies and buffs alike. The show is easily accessible to audiences of all ages. Its a delicious cake of physical comedy topped of with the tasty icing of wit. Now the show is a cake. Who doesn't like cake?
Monday, July 15, 2013
Words, Words, Words
by Julia Garcia-Combs
Movement coach & Part of the Development Team of Rogue Artists Ensemble's HYPERBOLE:bard
In the philosophies of Art and Aesthetics, Theater is considered a subcategory of Literature. Edward Hopper said, “If you could say it in words, there would be no reason to paint.” Theater isn’t literature, because it isn’t meant to be read. What makes the theater so exciting as an art form is it’s incorporation of all forms. Theatre is visual, auditory, visceral, experiential, moving and changing. It is the closest artistic approximation to the experience of life itself: as soon as something beautiful has happened, it just as quickly disappears.
Imagine for a moment what it must have been like to go see the latest Shakespeare play. What relationships will we watch unfold? What decisions will they have to make? Will we connect to the character’s desire for love or power? Do we want what they want? Do we feel what they feel?
My favorite hyperbole, “O, I could weep my spirit from mine eyes!” (Julius Caesar), expresses a universally understood emotion; we all know what it’s like to feel betrayed by someone we love and weep our spirit from our eyes. We all know what it is like to ask, “To be or not to be - that is the question;” as artists we make it our pursuit to question the meaning of life.
But today, to the larger majority, it is just poetry. Beautiful poetry. But it’s literature. (Or it’s boring theater.) Why? In Peter Ackroyd’s Introduction to The Complete Works he states:
We must ask: what is this significance that is lost? It is not the plot, but the imagery - the associations of words that create meaning through memories, thoughts, opinions, emotions and beliefs. We must connect with the significance of Shakespeare's plays to our own, visual, real-time culture.
William Shakespeare used his gift with words as a tool in seeking to communicate, to express the full depths of his imagination to his audience. The key to unlocking the significance of Shakespeare's work today is not in speaking the language, but in asking, “What does the language do?” What did it do to the audiences of the day (where it was essentially pop-culture)? What does it do to those of us today who connect to it?
It is an outward expression of the internal experience. It makes us feel and imagine experiences outside of ourselves. It is this act of creating an outward experience to express internal forces. “It is as if we are gazing upon the spectacle of language in the act of expressing itself,” (Ackroyd). The challenge of HYPERBOLE: bard is to communicate a piece of Shakespeare’s imagination to our modern day, visual audience through a visceral theatrical experience.
HYPERBOLE:bard continues at the Annenberg Community Beach House July 17 - 19!
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| HYPERBOLE:bard at Annenberg Community Beach House |
Movement coach & Part of the Development Team of Rogue Artists Ensemble's HYPERBOLE:bard
In the philosophies of Art and Aesthetics, Theater is considered a subcategory of Literature. Edward Hopper said, “If you could say it in words, there would be no reason to paint.” Theater isn’t literature, because it isn’t meant to be read. What makes the theater so exciting as an art form is it’s incorporation of all forms. Theatre is visual, auditory, visceral, experiential, moving and changing. It is the closest artistic approximation to the experience of life itself: as soon as something beautiful has happened, it just as quickly disappears.
Imagine for a moment what it must have been like to go see the latest Shakespeare play. What relationships will we watch unfold? What decisions will they have to make? Will we connect to the character’s desire for love or power? Do we want what they want? Do we feel what they feel?
My favorite hyperbole, “O, I could weep my spirit from mine eyes!” (Julius Caesar), expresses a universally understood emotion; we all know what it’s like to feel betrayed by someone we love and weep our spirit from our eyes. We all know what it is like to ask, “To be or not to be - that is the question;” as artists we make it our pursuit to question the meaning of life.
But today, to the larger majority, it is just poetry. Beautiful poetry. But it’s literature. (Or it’s boring theater.) Why? In Peter Ackroyd’s Introduction to The Complete Works he states:
In recent years it has become all the more necessary to read William Shakespeare. We live in a visual, rather than an oral culture. Shakespeare’s first audiences were used to the long sermon, as well as the ‘mighty line’... The audiences of the twenty-first century are ill-equipped to listen to Shakespeare's plays... They cannot follow the dialogue, even if they can more or less comprehend the plot. Half the significance is lost to them.
We must ask: what is this significance that is lost? It is not the plot, but the imagery - the associations of words that create meaning through memories, thoughts, opinions, emotions and beliefs. We must connect with the significance of Shakespeare's plays to our own, visual, real-time culture.
William Shakespeare used his gift with words as a tool in seeking to communicate, to express the full depths of his imagination to his audience. The key to unlocking the significance of Shakespeare's work today is not in speaking the language, but in asking, “What does the language do?” What did it do to the audiences of the day (where it was essentially pop-culture)? What does it do to those of us today who connect to it?
It is an outward expression of the internal experience. It makes us feel and imagine experiences outside of ourselves. It is this act of creating an outward experience to express internal forces. “It is as if we are gazing upon the spectacle of language in the act of expressing itself,” (Ackroyd). The challenge of HYPERBOLE: bard is to communicate a piece of Shakespeare’s imagination to our modern day, visual audience through a visceral theatrical experience.
HYPERBOLE:bard continues at the Annenberg Community Beach House July 17 - 19!
Sunday, July 14, 2013
HYPERBOLE:bard - Interview with Matthew Hill
HYPERBOLE:bard's Assistant Director Matthew Hill is an Ensemble member and long-time collaborator of Rogue Artists Ensemble. He's been busy at Annenberg Community Beach House this week, but took a minute to discuss his experience with his first HYPERBOLE show with the group:
Rogue Artists Ensemble: How did you get involved in creating HYPERBOLE: bard? Have you worked on other Rogue HYPERBOLE shows before?
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| Cube-masked Hamlet (at Carlson Park) |
Matthew Hill: Well, I'm an Ensemble Member with the Rogues and before that I was an
associate artist. So I've definitely worked on a few Rogue shows. But
this is my first HYPERBOLE, which is pretty exciting. When I heard that
we were developing a HYPERBOLE built around Shakespeare, I knew I had to
find a way to be involved. Sean and I spoke and we agreed that I could
best serve the production as the assistant director.
RAE: What was the process like in developing the piece? How did it challenge (or not challenge) you as a director and artist?
RAE: What was the process like in developing the piece? How did it challenge (or not challenge) you as a director and artist?
MH: I first came in with the development team. It
was 11 of us, I think, in the Rogue space just jamming for a few weeks
on what Shakespeare meant to us, what we liked, didn't like, what
commonalities we saw, why we think Shakespeare is still relevant, what
fun could be had with his work--all that stuff. We played with masks,
puppets, built mockups, and just generally workshopped everything that
came to mind. It was a really wonderful and artistically free time.
And then of course it came time to move on and start
developing the actual performance. I think this was the most
challenging part because you have to start to cut and shape and reign
in. It can be heartbreaking to let things go. Or in the case of one
pieces (that made it into the show actually), I feel like we have been
constantly struggling to recreate the magic from the first time it was
explored in the workshop. However, this part was equal parts exciting.
There was a new energy and fresh perspective that came with the new
faces joining the process. The piece is better for having gone through
this tempering. And it's still getting better every day!
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| Cube-masked Hamlet at Annenberg Community Beach House |
RAE: What is your favorite story or character in the show and why?
MH: I feel like there is a lot to love, but my favorite
is probably the cube-masked Hamlet. It is just so delightful poignant
and simple.
RAE: What is it like working at the Annenberg Beach House?
RAE: What is it like working at the Annenberg Beach House?
MH: Rather fantastic. There is nothing quite like the ocean breeze
lightly blowing into the living room of the guest house. And the facade
that we perform on is really beautiful. It really is just a beautiful
place to be. And I'm grateful that we have been able to create there.
RAE: Why do you think audiences should come see the show?
RAE: Why do you think audiences should come see the show?
RAE: Any funny/interesting/terrifying/
MH: That
is a tough one, strangely. My experience has been thoroughly enjoyable
and I just remembering laughing a lot throughout. There was a wall squat
competition during one rehearsal break. And I did get to climb a treat
to MacGyver our banners up during a preview performance in a park. And
then there was the time when we discovered that we had unintentionally
turned a piece into King Lear. It has just been a great wacky ride.
Friday, July 12, 2013
A Storm, A Sword Fight, A Song, and More!
This first week of performances at the Annenberg Community Beach House has been quite an adventure for the Rogues. The audiences at Annenberg have been super supportive and amazing! HYPERBOLE:bard is constantly in development while we're in residence at the Beach House; we're tweaking designs, jokes, stories and music and really making the show shine. The evolution of a creative endeavor like theater is never ending, as we always want to improve, refine and really pack a punch in each show.
So if you missed HYPERBOLE:bard this week - no need to fret! You'll be seeing an even BETTER version of the show next week! And if you came this week - thank you! If you enjoyed the show, think about coming back (and bringing a few friends) and seeing how the show has changed in just a week of work (on the beach!).
A special thank you to all our audiences this week. Because, boy, were there some crazy things happening!
First there was this weird makeshift band that invaded the stage:
And then this flower started to sing, and, if we're going to be honest, we all got a bit teary eyed:
And then these witches appeared out of nowhere and interrupted the show by bringing some of the audience on stage:
Which, of course, made a sword fight break out...because this is Shakespeare and that's just how Ol' Shakes rolls:
And then this giant storm came in and swept all our actors out to sea. Somehow the audience wasn't affected. There was a weatherman in the audience but he didn't have an explanation for it either:
Wait a minute. Maybe that was all part of the show. Hmm. I guess there's only one way to find out.
See you next week!
So if you missed HYPERBOLE:bard this week - no need to fret! You'll be seeing an even BETTER version of the show next week! And if you came this week - thank you! If you enjoyed the show, think about coming back (and bringing a few friends) and seeing how the show has changed in just a week of work (on the beach!).
A special thank you to all our audiences this week. Because, boy, were there some crazy things happening!
First there was this weird makeshift band that invaded the stage:
And then this flower started to sing, and, if we're going to be honest, we all got a bit teary eyed:
And then these witches appeared out of nowhere and interrupted the show by bringing some of the audience on stage:
Which, of course, made a sword fight break out...because this is Shakespeare and that's just how Ol' Shakes rolls:
And then this giant storm came in and swept all our actors out to sea. Somehow the audience wasn't affected. There was a weatherman in the audience but he didn't have an explanation for it either:
Wait a minute. Maybe that was all part of the show. Hmm. I guess there's only one way to find out.
See you next week!
Thursday, July 11, 2013
HYPERBOLE:bard - Interview with Taylor Coffman
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| Taylor Coffman |
Rogue Artists Ensemble: How did you get involved in creating HYPERBOLE: bard? Have you worked on other Rogue HYPERBOLE shows before?
Taylor Coffman: I had heard murmurings that the Rogues were going to tackle some Shakespeare and as a certified Shakespeare DORK, I knew I had to get in on the fun. I became an associate artist with the Rogues last year after appearing as 'Jane' in D IS FOR DOG and working on Songs of Bilitis at the Getty Villa. I met the Rogues just auditioning as an actor and immediately fell in love with their storytelling methods. It's really been fun to take a look at Shakespeare's stories from new and exciting angles.
RAE: What was the process like in developing the piece? How did it challenge (or not challenge) you as an actor?
TC: Developing
this piece was a lot of fun. As they say "serious art comes from
serious play, " and that was definitely the case with this piece. We
played around in a room with a bunch of creative folk. Some, like me,
were Shakespeare purists and others barely knew the Bard's work but were
amazing creative storytellers - so the result is truly a piece for those
who know the bard well AND for people who might be meeting Shakespeare
for the first time. Especially kids! This is a fun all ages piece and I
love the idea of introducing Shakespeare to young folk!
RAE: What is your favorite story or character in the show and why?
TC: OOOOOOOOO.
Tough question! I think my favorite may be the Witches character from
MacBeth - it's definitely always fun to play with a giant puppet!
I also have a special connection to Sam who is
playing our "Spearcarrier"- I had this idea for a piece that involved
creating a monologue that combines all the one line characters of
Shakespeare's - a sort of homage to the small roles of the canon. So I
went and researched those characters and crafted a piece. Sam does a
great job bringing all these characters to life in one exuberant piece.
FUN FACT - it's often said that Shakespeare himself played many of these
walk on roles.
 | |
| Taylor Coffman in HYPERBOLE:bard in Carlson Park |
TC: It's beautiful! Often doing theatre involves being in a
dark room for hours and hours. Especially in the Summer, it can kinda
be a bummer... but at the beach house, we're next the ocean and this
beautiful setting. It's definitely energizing and joyful. The staff has
been so supportive as well. It's rare to do theatre that brings out my
freckles!
RAE: Why do you think audiences should come see the show?
TC: It's
FUN! It's FREE! It's in a beautiful setting! It's especially a good
time to celebrate the bard in a way that is unique. It's a really joyful
piece.
RAE: Any funny/interesting/terrifying/
HYPERBOLE:bard is playing at the Annenberg Community Beach House Wed, Thurs & Fri at 4:30pm through July 19! CLICK HERE to read more about the Rogues!
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
HYPERBOLE: bard - Moving Our First Rehearsal Day!
Rogue Artists Ensemble is so excited to begin rehearsals at the Annenberg Community Beach House! Unfortunately we have had to move our first meeting to tomorrow, Thursday June 13th from 6:30 until 9:30pm. There won't be much actual rehearsing tomorrow, but feel free to stop by and check us out!
We will be uploading pictures soon as well!
Are you as excited as we are? Say something about it!
Tweet the heck out of it @rogue_artists #hyperbard!
Or come find us on Facebook!
We will be uploading pictures soon as well!
Are you as excited as we are? Say something about it!
Tweet the heck out of it @rogue_artists #hyperbard!
Or come find us on Facebook!
Monday, June 10, 2013
Rogue Artists Ensemble is looking forward to moving their HYPERBOLE: bard base of operations out to the Annenberg Beach House any day now! Our first rehearsal and production meeting in that space is scheduled for this Wednesday, June 12th, but we're so jazzed about it that we've already added a second subsequent day in the space on the 13th.
We're gonna try to have some exciting pictures and tidbits on this blog for you after those days. Come back and check them out.
Are you as excited as we are? Say something about it!
Tweet the heck out of it @rogue_artists #hyperbard!
Or come find us on Facebook!
We're gonna try to have some exciting pictures and tidbits on this blog for you after those days. Come back and check them out.
Are you as excited as we are? Say something about it!
Tweet the heck out of it @rogue_artists #hyperbard!
Or come find us on Facebook!
Friday, May 31, 2013
Behind the scenes on the making of Rogue Artists Ensemble's upcoming HYPERBOLE: bard!
HYPERBOLE: bard is an original, family-friendly performance created by Rogue Artists Ensemble that recreates a collection of William Shakespeare’s most famous scenes through clowning, masked movement, puppets, and original music. Full of wonder and whimsy, HYPERBOLE: bard will be an incredible performance you won’t want to miss!
More info: www.rogueartists.org
On Twitter! @rogue_artists #hyperbard
HYPERBOLE: bard follows a great tradition of HYPERBOLE projects with the two rules that they must not contain any human faces or spoken text. The last HYPERBOLE project, HYPERBOLE: origins, was performed at [Inside] the Ford in 2010 and was nominated for production of the year by the LA Weekly.
Upcoming Performances:
June 29th at 1pm & 4pm - PREVIEW! - Carlson Park, Culver City
July 9th - 19th @ 4:30pm - Annenberg Beach House, Santa Monica
July 27 – 28th @ 4pm - West Hollywood Park, West Hollyood
HYPERBOLE: bard is made possible in part by a Culver City Art in Public Places Program Performing Arts Grant with support from Sony Pictures Entertainment and the Beach=Culture program at the Annenberg Community Beach House, sponsored by the City of Santa Monica, Cultural Affairs Division, West Hollywood Cultural Affairs Department, City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, Los Angeles County Arts Commission and all of Rogue Artists Ensemble supporters.
Monday, May 20, 2013
HYPERBOLE: bard - New Logo!
Check out the aweosome new logo for the Rogue's upcoming project performing at the Annenberg Beach House this summer. The logo was created by Rogue ensemble member Kristopher Lee Bicknell who has been seen as a performer in many Rogue shows (HYPERBOLE: origins, PINOCCHIO workshop and Gogol Project). You can check out Kristopher's fantastic art here https://www.facebook.com/AbsurdDI
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| Official logo for Rogue Artists Ensemble's upcoming Annenberg Beach House performance. |
Monday, May 13, 2013
The Beach House welcomes Rogue Artists Ensemble, 2013 Theater Company in Residence!
For the fourth Theater Residency at the Annenberg Community
Beach House, the Beach House is proud to host this acclaimed company. Rogue Artists Ensemble uses mask, movement and spectacle to tell stories of fantastic worlds in our midst. We look forward to seeing what they do with Shakespeare as an inspiration!
They begin their residency on June 3, working out of the Marion Davies Guest House Residency Office. Come to their talk and demonstration Tuesday, June 25th (reservations will be up soon at http://annenbergbeachhouse.com/beachculture), followed by a mask-making workshop open to all Saturday July 6, plus public rehearsals onsite at various dates and times - check the blog for updates!
Oh, and they'll be doing some events in Culver City in June around this project too - more info to come...
They begin their residency on June 3, working out of the Marion Davies Guest House Residency Office. Come to their talk and demonstration Tuesday, June 25th (reservations will be up soon at http://annenbergbeachhouse.com/beachculture), followed by a mask-making workshop open to all Saturday July 6, plus public rehearsals onsite at various dates and times - check the blog for updates!
Oh, and they'll be doing some events in Culver City in June around this project too - more info to come...
Rogue Artists Ensemble is coming to the Annenberg Beach House!
This July Rogue Artists Ensemble will present the premiere of their newest work HYPERBOLE: bard
HYPERBOLE: bard is an original, family-friendly performance created by Rogue Artists Ensemble that recreates a collection of William Shakespeare’s most famous scenes through clowning, masked movement, puppets, and original music. Full of wonder and whimsy, HYPERBOLE: bard will be an incredible outdoors experience hosted by a masked character of the Bard himself.
HYPERBOLE: bard follows a great tradition of HYPERBOLE projects with the two rules that they must not contain any human faces or spoken text. The last HYPERBOLE project, HYPERBOLE: origins, was performed at [Inside] the Ford in 2010 and was nominated for production of the year by the LA Weekly.
More info on the Rogue's website - www.rogueartists.org
Like the Rogues on Facebook - www.facebook.com/rogueartists
Follow the Rogues on Twitter - www.twitter.com/rogue_artists
HYPERBOLE: bard is an original, family-friendly performance created by Rogue Artists Ensemble that recreates a collection of William Shakespeare’s most famous scenes through clowning, masked movement, puppets, and original music. Full of wonder and whimsy, HYPERBOLE: bard will be an incredible outdoors experience hosted by a masked character of the Bard himself.
HYPERBOLE: bard follows a great tradition of HYPERBOLE projects with the two rules that they must not contain any human faces or spoken text. The last HYPERBOLE project, HYPERBOLE: origins, was performed at [Inside] the Ford in 2010 and was nominated for production of the year by the LA Weekly.
More info on the Rogue's website - www.rogueartists.org
Like the Rogues on Facebook - www.facebook.com/rogueartists
Follow the Rogues on Twitter - www.twitter.com/rogue_artists
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Masks being created during the workshop of HYPERBOLE: bard
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Sunday, January 27, 2013
Your Phone Can Make You a Better Writer (or can it?)
Some thoughts heading into our Monday night workshop....
On 04 Feb 2013, a Monday night, we'll be having another "Beach and Culture" event.
The evening will talk about pocket cameras and smartphones and what they can do for us as bloggers and writers. If you're already registered, I look forward to meeting you that night. If you're still undecided, I might want to caution you --- I think we're up to at least 220 folks, and I assume for practical as well as philosophical reasons, sooner or later they'll have to stop registration. If nothing else, we're going to be past legal capacity for the meeting room, even if we assume an "x factor" of no-shows.
What will we cover during our session that night?
Oh dear chums, perhaps it would be easier to say, what won't we cover. It wouldn't be fair to me or you to try and compress a full evening of discussion and hands-on projects into one small blog post narration, but I can at least preview some of our topics. These will include....
light
color
perspective
memory
and the revealing detail.
Of course, the real answer to the question of how to write better is pretty much the same as how to have better running times (run more) or how to ollie a railing (skateboard more). If you want to write well, you need to think of it like a craft (learning how to finish wood) and a daily lifestyle decision (set goals, be practical, do it daily). Photographs though can be a big help. I am going to show some "good and bad" writing examples based on my late father, and show how the better writing came from using photography, as well as show what shots I took in Istanbul strictly to use as a kind of rough draft or notepad for a writing project.
Journals tie in with this as well.
As does the concept of simple pleasure. Writing and photography should provide joy and creative expression, and as soon as they no longer do so, it's time to take up a new art form.
Last, one of the most important "take home" messages from Monday, besides the practical advice about how to boss your flash around (instead of it bossing you), and besides the admonish to edit (and to back things up), will be just this:
making good art --- no matter what the format or genre or medium --- is just plain fun.
On 04 Feb 2013, a Monday night, we'll be having another "Beach and Culture" event.
The evening will talk about pocket cameras and smartphones and what they can do for us as bloggers and writers. If you're already registered, I look forward to meeting you that night. If you're still undecided, I might want to caution you --- I think we're up to at least 220 folks, and I assume for practical as well as philosophical reasons, sooner or later they'll have to stop registration. If nothing else, we're going to be past legal capacity for the meeting room, even if we assume an "x factor" of no-shows.
What will we cover during our session that night?
Oh dear chums, perhaps it would be easier to say, what won't we cover. It wouldn't be fair to me or you to try and compress a full evening of discussion and hands-on projects into one small blog post narration, but I can at least preview some of our topics. These will include....
light
color
perspective
memory
and the revealing detail.
Of course, the real answer to the question of how to write better is pretty much the same as how to have better running times (run more) or how to ollie a railing (skateboard more). If you want to write well, you need to think of it like a craft (learning how to finish wood) and a daily lifestyle decision (set goals, be practical, do it daily). Photographs though can be a big help. I am going to show some "good and bad" writing examples based on my late father, and show how the better writing came from using photography, as well as show what shots I took in Istanbul strictly to use as a kind of rough draft or notepad for a writing project.
Journals tie in with this as well.
As does the concept of simple pleasure. Writing and photography should provide joy and creative expression, and as soon as they no longer do so, it's time to take up a new art form.
Last, one of the most important "take home" messages from Monday, besides the practical advice about how to boss your flash around (instead of it bossing you), and besides the admonish to edit (and to back things up), will be just this:
making good art --- no matter what the format or genre or medium --- is just plain fun.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Monday Night --- Flash Fiction --- Be There or Be Square
Some schedule updates .....
After the December event with Don Bachardy, several people said, ooops, they had really wanted to come, but it had just slipped off the calendar. They had wished there had been more reminders.
Ask and you shall receive, so here we are, with a reminder. We've got a full house on Monday night, but there's always room for one more. Our workshop starts at 6:30 and will focus on writing flash fiction --- what is also called micro fiction, sudden fiction, and short shorts. No previous publication experience or formal training required.
Because we are a large group, a second writer will come with me to help co-present.
Her name is Nicelle Davis, and her next book comes out this spring from Red Hen Press. This shot looks like she was one of last weekend's swing dancers, but actually comes from a Red Hen Press reading here at the Beach House this past summer.
Her most recent book has the mythological title of Circe, though it updates the Odysseus myth extensively. Here's the cover:
She and I plan to cover a lot of material, so let's hope the traffic gods are kind to all of us, so that we can start right on time. Mostly though our main thing we hope to achieve is to celebrate language and just to have fun.
A note about the following Saturday. On January 19th I'll be getting to the Marion Davies house closer to 12 rather than my usual 11, as I am interviewing somebody at "Photo/L.A." on my way down to the coast.
I hope to see you either Monday night or next Saturday. Nicelle's energy is quite a treat, so she's worth the price of admission all by herself.
After the December event with Don Bachardy, several people said, ooops, they had really wanted to come, but it had just slipped off the calendar. They had wished there had been more reminders.
Ask and you shall receive, so here we are, with a reminder. We've got a full house on Monday night, but there's always room for one more. Our workshop starts at 6:30 and will focus on writing flash fiction --- what is also called micro fiction, sudden fiction, and short shorts. No previous publication experience or formal training required.
Because we are a large group, a second writer will come with me to help co-present.
Her name is Nicelle Davis, and her next book comes out this spring from Red Hen Press. This shot looks like she was one of last weekend's swing dancers, but actually comes from a Red Hen Press reading here at the Beach House this past summer.
Her most recent book has the mythological title of Circe, though it updates the Odysseus myth extensively. Here's the cover:
She and I plan to cover a lot of material, so let's hope the traffic gods are kind to all of us, so that we can start right on time. Mostly though our main thing we hope to achieve is to celebrate language and just to have fun.
A note about the following Saturday. On January 19th I'll be getting to the Marion Davies house closer to 12 rather than my usual 11, as I am interviewing somebody at "Photo/L.A." on my way down to the coast.
I hope to see you either Monday night or next Saturday. Nicelle's energy is quite a treat, so she's worth the price of admission all by herself.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Through Fire and Flood to Marion's House We Go
The Sunday Party for Marion Davies
We've been having some mild but typical winter weather these past few weeks, which at the Community Beach House often shows up as small bands of rain pushing in from the Bay. (It's fun to see it coming, in fact, especially from the warm vantage of the Guest House's verandah.)
As several people have commented again recently, for me, I make a somewhat Biblical journey some weeks in my traverse from desert to mountain to the coastal strip. What is a brisk rain shower in Santa Monica may be snow and icy roads on my side of the world, as was true this past Sunday, when the Guest House was the center for the Marion Davies celebration.
After checking for the flood warnings, that morning on my trip west I went from rain and snow . . .
. . . past a rather vigorous "burning bush" of a car fire on the 405 . . .
. . . to arrive at what I have previously called Eden, namely the Annenberg Community Beach House complex.
How strange to think that these shots were all taken within two hours of each other.
Once on site, though, I was really pleased to see some of the docents I have come to know, as well as to begin to meet new friends, and I could admire all of the creativity and energy that went into selecting some of the costumes. Both my wife and a dear friend of the family had planned to come with me, the women both wearing flapper dresses, but in both their cases, they had had some very urgent family problems come up, so I arrived stag this time. Perhaps that made it even easier to appreciate all of the different costumes being worn, and to eavesdrop on so many great stories. In no particular order and with no captions, let me just share a small portfolio of the people who had come on Sunday.
The swing dancing was a particular highlight for me --- especially since with my wife not present, I wasn't required to try and learning how to do it. How can you not love that music, though? To be completely authentic, I suppose we should have been learning the Charleston, but that we can save for next year.
For me, floods, fires, and feral beasts permitting, I next will be holding my usual Saturday open office hours from 11 to 2 pm this coming week, on Saturday, January 12th. And please also remember our Flash Fiction workshop, Monday night, January 14th. I look forward to seeing you one or both days.
We've been having some mild but typical winter weather these past few weeks, which at the Community Beach House often shows up as small bands of rain pushing in from the Bay. (It's fun to see it coming, in fact, especially from the warm vantage of the Guest House's verandah.)
As several people have commented again recently, for me, I make a somewhat Biblical journey some weeks in my traverse from desert to mountain to the coastal strip. What is a brisk rain shower in Santa Monica may be snow and icy roads on my side of the world, as was true this past Sunday, when the Guest House was the center for the Marion Davies celebration.
After checking for the flood warnings, that morning on my trip west I went from rain and snow . . .
. . . past a rather vigorous "burning bush" of a car fire on the 405 . . .
. . . to arrive at what I have previously called Eden, namely the Annenberg Community Beach House complex.
How strange to think that these shots were all taken within two hours of each other.
Once on site, though, I was really pleased to see some of the docents I have come to know, as well as to begin to meet new friends, and I could admire all of the creativity and energy that went into selecting some of the costumes. Both my wife and a dear friend of the family had planned to come with me, the women both wearing flapper dresses, but in both their cases, they had had some very urgent family problems come up, so I arrived stag this time. Perhaps that made it even easier to appreciate all of the different costumes being worn, and to eavesdrop on so many great stories. In no particular order and with no captions, let me just share a small portfolio of the people who had come on Sunday.
The swing dancing was a particular highlight for me --- especially since with my wife not present, I wasn't required to try and learning how to do it. How can you not love that music, though? To be completely authentic, I suppose we should have been learning the Charleston, but that we can save for next year.
For me, floods, fires, and feral beasts permitting, I next will be holding my usual Saturday open office hours from 11 to 2 pm this coming week, on Saturday, January 12th. And please also remember our Flash Fiction workshop, Monday night, January 14th. I look forward to seeing you one or both days.
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