The workshop, titled Hell Yeah! (a good sign) touched on several aspects of scenework orbiting the concept of staying focused on the now and agreeing the shit out of what's being offered. That first clause was the Big Deal for me. I'm a recovering scene-writer, and I'm constantly letting my brain do things like "OK, this is where we need to go", or "We need to set this up so we can bring that thing up again". Ugh. Just be happy and present in the moment. Everything else will come. Trust trust trust.
Ric had several pieces of advice that I loved (and will now possibly misinterpret) :
- Your ideas are not precious - You can't have ego about your ideas. If the scene moves beyond it (or if they just get dropped to the ground, or interrupted before they get out, or etc etc), stay on the leading edge of the scene. It's going to be ok. Don't get an idea and block everything else out until you get to fire it off. This happens all the time. Someone will get the first five words of a sentence out, get interrupted by their partner, then say the exact same sentence they were going to say. Totally ignoring what their partner just said.
- Give graciously. Take Boldly. - Boy I love this phrase. It's going up there with "If you're not having fun, you're the asshole". It's one of those "Oh Duh" mantras. Of course I should present my offers like gifts. Of course I should not shove my ideas down people's throats. Of course I should always be enthusiastic in building on someone's offer. Of course I shouldn't be hesitant of the And of the Yes And.
- Gratitude. Another thing I often forget, and something that dovetails with the whole "have fun up there, you asshole" idea: Always be grateful for what's being offered in a scene. When you judge that shit, things fall apart. I know I've internally rolled my eyes at some choices. And I've seen myself on tape taking an awful split-second moment on stage doing it. That ain't good. It's selfish. When you're playing, play. Appreciate every scene. They might not all be winners, but you have to take the mediocre with good, the terrible with the great. If you start getting in a sad or mad spiral, the show's going to tank.
Really great workshop, so much fun. Welcome to Pittsburgh, Ric!
