Pintigan Acting Workshop Journal Day 3

June 26 2010

I came in so freakin' tired from my night shift, due to a lack of sleep the day before. I didn't even get surprised of Ian (Mr. Michael Ian Lomongo), who was seated on one corner of the room, silently texting or reading something. I just said, "Hello po", then tried to doze off (since we were just the two 'early birds' in there) while waiting for the others.

It didn't take long before Ms. Anna Gamboa entered the room and greeted me as I walked in from the restroom looking bangag (hehe). I did try to take a nap again - but couldn't. My mind's set for the class already, wishing it starts right away to "wake up my senses".

So there, after a couple of minutes, Ian started the exercises - even if we're not complete yet. Which is a good thing, because on my previous workshops, if the director sets the time at 2pm, he WILL start at 2pm regardless if everyone's in or not. I miss that type of discipline on stage. :)

He introduced The Cat Exercise (this is the one I loved most 'coz it really made me sweat - which you can barely have if you're working in a so freakin' cold environment). I love how that exercise made me realize how strong my arms are - making sure I don't give up on carrying my weight on it, and in every move I make.

After the exercises and a short break, Sir Sol came in and started giving us a brief background of Theater as a form of Cinema (sounds a bit late to discuss on a third day, for this should have already been covered on Day 1, but it's just fine with me). He also briefed us on what will be the concept of our Showcase at the end of this workshop. Though I understood what he's trying to say, I can't help but notice (or imagine) a lot of question marks plastered on our faces as to how we will be able to put up that kind of 'show' in a span of 5 days. Given the fact that our class is composed of students and working people, I find it hard to imagine how we can all get our schedules jive into one for the sake of the rehearsals. We didn't even have a piece to study yet.

When we went down to once again check the venue of our performance on the final day, we were told of what we're supposed to do. Surprisingly enough, we were told that all we're going to use will be that empty parking lot, the little spaces in between those Greek-like Arches, and that bare floor (cement) without a support if we accidentally fall down during the performance.

I have no problem with the venue, to be honest. The first thing that concerns me, though, was the bare floor. We were told that as part of our performance, we'll be doing the 'stunts-like exercises', which we thought were just for warm-ups at the start of the day. We'll be doing those ear/head/handstands without even a single mattress to support our heads in case we stumble and fall. We're no professionals, and we don't do those stunts in every day of our lives! Sheesh...

Also, I was concerned about my classmates. This, I believe, will be a very, very great challenge for all of us. I was just left there wishing that we could be given ample time to rehearse if we'll push through with that plan.

At the end of the day, we were assigned to bring our own knee-pads and blankets(as our draft costume) and prepare our poems by the next meeting, so we can start the rehearsal.

Woah! What a day.

Pintigan Acting Workshop Journal Day 2

June 19 2010

We started our "afternoon exercises" again, around past 2pm with Mr. Michael Ian Lomongo. Did the wave, and the ear/headstand stunts once again (which, I can still barely do until now) and the forward and backward rolls, for us to carefully warm-up all the parts of our body and prepare for the next session.

Sir Sol started the class by watching us "fall" (drop on the ground) without any sound from our bones. "Just fall", he said. "If you make a sound, we'll start all over". Ugghh...I don't know why despite of our physical exercises earlier, our knees and bones still managed to crack! (Oh, make a "crack sound" that is. Hehe)

Our workshop mentor also invited some of his friends who play percussion instruments to help us "feel the beat" and "talk to each other through the beats" at the same time "focus" on just what was told for us to do (move-in-between and make a sound through our feet while following the percussion).

According to him, this session is one way of "Acting-without-words". I enjoyed it (because I once became the drummer of our school's cheering squad in elementary - haha - and since then, got fond of New Wave music and fast RnB songs, while following the beats using a spoon & fork and a tabo. Hehe). While I was still getting the hang of it, suddenly, we were asked to stop - and Sir Sol shouted and reprimanded one of my classmates to go out. The reason why, I chose not to share to give respect for my classmate.

So there. Our 2nd day ended with heavy rains, as we went down the room and checked our showcase venue (which is a parking lot).

I wonder, what's in store for us on our third Saturday...

Pintigan Acting Workshop Journal

DAY 1

June 12, 2010

With some of my co-Acting Workshoppers (From L: Harold aka Haronce, Vanessa and Vince aka Lady Gagita) See more photos here.

We started with some physical exercises - led by Mr. Michael Ian Lomongo, a member of the Neo-Angono Artists Collective and was with the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors' Company from 1999 to 2003. Oh, when I said, physical, I REALLY mean PHYSICAL (i.e. handstand, earstand, roll-overs and what have you. I now finally realized how a great amount of physical activity I've lost since I stopped working out. My body hurt like hell the moment I lied down on my bed). Haha, this is not to complain or anything. I actually was very, very glad that I now finally have the reason to exercise --- again. Haha.

Next, was when Mr. Soliman Cruz asked us to form a big circle, taught us about the word "Philosophy"; which is in simple terms mean 'ask questions'. Then proceeded in asking us our names (unfortunately, he didn't ask mine), because he started the following question on me - "why am I in that room or in that workshop'.

After all our answers were gathered, Direk Sol made us play a game of "catch that ball" which aims to test how good we are in following instructions and focusing on the subject. Funny thing though, when Sir Sol went out of the room to take a phone call, we were doing so great - practicing. But once he's back inside, we find it so hard to complete that 10counts without dropping the ball. Hahaha. After the workshop, we went straight to Araullo St. and watched, UFO Sightings: Cinema Knights.

Looking forward to another fun Saturday. :)