A long silent theater lockdown
When I saw the previous blog six months ago, I could not have suspected that very soon the hall performances would be over. Nor that it would be for so long. And that all the safety protocols that had been worked very hard on for the performing arts would be shoved deep into the closet. And that between the second and third waves, culture would not even be looked after. And certainly not that it would be necessary today for artists to occupy large cultural houses in Brussels, that the KVS would stubbornly plan live performances at the end of April even though there would most likely be no relaxation, or that Frederik Sioen (coordinator of the Ghent arts consultation) would be asked at a cabinet meeting to put KPIs on the table regarding the mental impact of culture (For politicians, culture is not important enough, The Standard, 10/4/21).
Anyway, by then we had a lot of online plans and some experiences. But that tinternet the only place where we would meet an audience for more than half a year, we didn't see that coming... We yearn for physical theater in all senses of the word, even though we're very proud of the dozens of online performances we've put on for open audiences and companies.
Neonerd Productions
Kevin and Philip, our personal heroes of 2020, had everything ready in the fall to also get to work in our very own studio. They set up their Neonerd YouTube channel (subscribe here, and get to know their musical work) so that we can be responsible for streaming our performances ourselves. Investments were made in equipment and our playground and jargon expanded to include cameras, green screens, livestreams, video mixing, delays, mentimeters, ...
We were also introduced to totally new sources of stress and tension: the wrong youtube link we sent to the client for our very first tryout, computers crashing during the same event, video backgrounds accidentally broadcasting the sound along with it, running to the computer store for a cable half an hour before start time, unknowingly coming into the picture, sound accidentally already on, sound accidentally not on, that your body language comes across completely differently when reduced to your relatively static upper body half on a flat screen.
Meanwhile, we have outgrown the teething problems and things are running pretty smoothly in the studio!
It's quite an ánother job. And not for everyone. Part of our team turned out to be smooth studio players, part continues to support enthusiastically and full of admiration from the sidelines.
It is also double for the audience. For some people the loss of the real theater is too great and they wait patiently 'until it can be done again'. Which we completely understand, because for us it is obvious: this is something different.
Others told us that they enjoy the interactive much more because they feel extra comfortable relaying something via chat than shouting something in a room. Or that they find it quite a luxury to host "us" in their living room.
We get a lot of compliments on our online work. Because we look for what is possible. Because we don't try to hide the digital and corona reality, but integrate it to the fullest. Because we strike a nice balance between privacy and togetherness in our approach: people are not in the picture themselves but can send in selfies at the beginning and "read" each other directly on screen, and occasionally we have a phone call or video call with someone from the audience. Because, in the tradition of improvisation, we bet on possibilities and creativity. And especially because we provide generous laughter at a time when, after all, that is less obvious to a lot of people.
That's all very nice to hear, because an awful lot of work has gone into it. And it motivates us enormously to continue it.
See you soon !
We also play at other venues that are streaming-proof by now. One of the most special was the Johannes De Doper church in our very own Leuven. We played a performance there to thank all the volunteers of the city and the university during the Week of Volunteers.
A few weeks ago we also played back at 3 High, where the online adventures for us had begun in June '20. This time it was on the occasion of a cleverly staged event of the Family Federation. (You can watch the inspirational evening on relationships of young parents here rewatch!) 3 High has a large studio where "the scene" can be shared with panels and speakers, and where entire sets can be set.
For the first time in six months Alain, Elke and I were able to receive real applause. Besides the 1000 people at home, there were about ten people in the studio: people from the crew, the organization and the panel.
Our online performances are a keeper for some cases, we already know.
But that evening once again made us look forward to the theater hall with rising impatience....
Because how wàrm that sounds say, clapping human hands.
Very happy to see you soon, physically or online, always live!
>> Most of our thematic performances can also be brought into an online version.
>> If you are more likely to be looking for an online workshop or team building for a small group, check out Living Impro !
>> Tips for watching online performing arts:
- Watch on TV instead of your laptop screen. This can often be done through an HDMI cable, a casting device or directly on your TV if it is "smart."
- Install yourself in a place other than your desk. Turn off your phone, like in the theater.
- Dim the lights and imagine yourself in the theater. And coughing is allowed in abundance.