MODULE 7: EXPERIMENTATIONS AND DIGITALIZATIONS

EXPERIMENTATIONS

 Experimentation is a feature that is not evident because it is a part of the

creative process. It
consists of several trial and error attempts until the desired results is achieved. The
outcomes are usually unique, original and innovative productions. An imprecise term
which has sometimes been applied to art that is concerned with exploring new ideas
and/or technology. It is sometimes used virtually synonymously with *‘avant‐garde’,
but ‘experimental’ usually suggests a more explicit desire to extend the boundaries
of the art in terms of materials or techniques, whereas ‘avant‐garde’ can include
novel and provocative ideas expressed through traditional techniques. Most writers
today would prefer more precise terms such as Kinetic or installation art for such
activities. 

Cebu Dancing Inmates

In experimental cinema, there are independent films, better known as indie
films. An indie film is a movie usually produced with (sometimes without) a relatively
small production outfit, thus, requiring a minimal production budget. It is oftentimes
called an art film for it bears the filmmaker’s personal artistic vision.
To raise money for her daughter's college tuition, a plucky divorcee (Vilma Santos)
tries out for various acting jobs and lands a part on a Filipino soap opera.
Release date: 14 August 2013 (Philippines)
Director:  Jeffrey Jeturian
Cinematography: Lee Briones-Meily
Producers: Jeffrey Jeturian, Vilma Santos, Josabeth Alonso, Ferdinand Lapuz, Charo
Santos-Concio
Screenplay: Jeffrey Jeturian, Zig Madamba Dulay, Antoinette Jadaone

 
THE 25 BEST FILIPINO FILMS OF THE 2010S
Don Jaucian and Gil Perez
Dec 23, 2019
    To promote and develop the indie film, the CCP has created the Cinemalaya
Philippine Independent Film Festival.  This festival showcases various indie films
during the months of July and August. In this festival, ten filmmakers compete for
the prestigious Balanghai Award. 
Another example of an indie film which also showcased in different theaters in
Metro manila and in our New Era University Hall.
Guerrero is a story about the ups and downs of a boxers life. 2017
  Director: Carlo Jay Cuevas (as Carlo Ortega Cuevas)
 Writer: Carlo Jay Cuevas (as Carlo Ortega Cuevas)
 Stars: Julius Cesar Sabenorio, Genesis Gomez, Joyselle Cabanlong
   However, things become worse for Hapi when his nemesis, the neighborhood
midget thug named Oblax, steals his borrowed money.
Deep in debt, burdened by his father, his dream movie project put on hold, and a
seemingly bleak future with his current love interest, Cherry
INC Cinema   
     In visual design, performance art or art in action or “happenings” usually done in
public, where an artist or several members perform the artwork on the spot. There is
usually some element of discovery or even surprise. If the project is done on a
sidewalk or part of a street, it is temporary. Sometimes artists are allowed  to paint
along cemented fences or walls of institutions where their murals can remain
permanent. This type of art is especially rampant in Metro Manila. If you reside or
have gone to Metro Manila, you may have noticed the paintings and murals around.
Some government agencies, like the Armed Forces of the Philippines have
commissioned artists to paint murals on their fences
     Earlier this year the London-based Finnish architect and filmmaker Tapio
Snellman unveiled the Cubao Underpass “pipe-scape.” - Jessica Zafra, Courtesy of
The Philippine Star
     For the first KNOxOUT™ Project EDSA artwork, the social realist painter Jose
Tence Ruiz covered the San Lorenzo Village, Makati wall with marine fractal forms
inspired by the work of the naturalist Ernst Haeckel.
Where else can we found contemporary murals in the country? Are there outdoor
murals in your region? Where are they located?
Parks have been the starting point of experimental art forms like the lights and
sounds show which is popular in the major cities in the country. This innovative
production started in France in the 1950s and is called “Son et Lumiere.” It is a form
of outdoor nighttime entertainment consisting of the special lighting effects
accompanied by synchronized music. The Rizal Park in Manila features a daily light
and sound show (Luneta Dancing Fountain) for free, 7 pm to 10 pm.
 MODULE 8: CONTEMPORARY ART PRODUCTION
The roles that the country's artist, cultural workers, and art communities perform
to propagate arts in the country have also served as key points why Philippine arts is
still lively up to this day. The artists use their talents and skills in creative and
innovative ways to respond to the concerns and problems of the time.
     They also show us how to celebrate life even in times of hardship. With the effort
and support given by various art groups and by the prime cultural bodies, the NCCA
and the CCP, the arts and culture of the Philippines continue to flourish through
time.

The Production Team

 Every work of art has a brain and a heart that have fueled it to life. That is
why to be able to create your own production masterpiece, you must explore the
roles and responsibilities of the people behind the masterpieces-the production team.
 Each art form has a production team. A production team may be composed
of painters, drafters, muralists, and the like for a visual design, engineers and
architects for an architecture, directors, screenplay writers, and actors for film,
playwrights, actors, and directors for theater, and many others. Artist's expertise
varies from one art form to another.

THE ROLES OF THE FILM PRODUCTION TEAM

 If a production is planned by a sole artist, then there will be no hitch with

coordination.  He or she is the only master in the artwork. However, if a production
consists of several artists in collaboration, then proper communication and
organization of the artists shall be a core part of the plan.
 In a collaborative artwork, such as theater, film, and other art exhibitions,
the clear division of labor is something than a producer or production head must
take note of.  As much as possible, multitasking should be avoided to prevent
confusion in the part of the members. This step is also a sign of trust and respect for
the other members's job.
    For Example, a writer's sole responsibility should be the script and nothing else.
This will help the writer focus on his or her work, harnessing the skills for which he or
she has been blessed.
  All co-members of the team are responsible to respect the work that the
writer has done. Although the critiquing of another's work is still necessary, an artist
must be able to express his or her ideas thoroughly before others lay out their
opinions.  However, an artist must digest the opinion of the others even if he or
himself/ herself may not concur in approval. The deliberation of opinions in a
collaboration is the key to a soulful expression of skills.
 In theater, there are those who are in charge of the artistic aspects of the
production and then in the management aspects of production. The artistic staff is
compound of the directions with the musical directors, the choreography, sounds,
lights, and technical director. Management includes the production manager, staff
manager, house manager, and the backstage crew.
 For your final project, you will be doing a collaboration, a performance that
will involve the rest of your class. For this, acquaint yourself with the different
components of your would-be class production team.

The Writers
 In a class production, a collaboration of writers is involve in the creation and
development of the concept and the script that will be used in the performance.
 This team is responsible for putting into writing the entire plan, including
the ideas of the director and choreographer, turn the theme into a narrative, make
the speaking lines of the actors clear, simple, easy to understand, and aligned with
the concept.
 Furthermore, this group of writers sees to it that the lines are not too long
but instead are straight to the point, and will not waste the time of the presentation.
They also help the director in composing a short introduction and a final speech to
address the audience and acknowledge the work of the entire class.

The Director
 The director is the overall supervisor of the team. He/She is responsible for
turning the concept (and script) into reality: He/She forms the cast and assigns roles
to the actors; and chooses the venue, set design, color scheme, costumes, props,
lighting and sound effects, etc. The director works with the actors and the entire
crew to carry out their vision, and works with everyone involved from start to finish.
 In order to maintain a smooth relationship with everyone in the production,
the director moves everyone to action in a pleasant and agreeable way. Aside from
these, he or she must also be open-minded and willing to accept suggestions.
The Choreographer
 designs and arranges the dance steps and movementsof the individual
performers and envisions the entire ensembles as a whole piece.  He or she sees to it
that the choreography matches or in line with the theme.
 provides the framework for the dance but allows the dancers the freedom
suggest and demonstrate a step or a movement that can be incorporated with the
choreography.  Like the director, the choreographer must also show a pleasant,
agreeable manner.

The Actors/ The Performers

 have more defined roles. They must do what the director or choreographer
ask them to do. The lead actors/performers may improvise and make their own
interpretations of the role. However, the supporting cast has to follow strictly the
instructions of the director/ choreographer, or else it might upstage the lead roles.

The Backstage Crew

 is in charge of the practical matters involving the show; The Stage manager
act as prompter, making sure the actors are on cue; the props people are ready to
hand the props or place them in the proper places; the technicians check the lights
and sounds beforehand, ensuring that the lights and sounds are on time and of the
right intensity; the designers and make-up artists check that the stage sets,
costumes, and makeup are in proper form; and many others.
 The crew also makes sure that the showplace is cleaned up and in order
after the presentation.  However cleaning up is not the sole responsibility of the
backstage crew.  Everyone in the production is duty bound to help clean the premises
afterwards.
 These are the duties  and responsibilities of the production staff- which, in
your case, is the entire class. This is a collaborative effort and therefore, it calls for
utmost cooperation and teamwork.  The success of the production depends on
everyone in the team because if there is an obstacle, the entire class will be affected.

The Concept
 When you are given a problem to solve, you start first with several ideas of
how to solve it.  How do you generate ideas in a group?
 There are several ways, but the common way is to do some brainstorming,
getting as many ideas as possible- from the usual ones to the wild, crazy, weird, even
nonsensical ones. All suggestions are respected and accepted in a nonjudgmental
manner. After the ideas are exhausted, the class selects the best one; the most
realistic, practical, and suitable for the production.  This idea or concept is developed
and becomes the theme. The theme is then turned into a narrative for the
production.

The Plan
 As everyone knows, planning is necessary in any venture. A housewife or
husband plans the meals for the day or else the family will not have anything to eat.
In school, a teachers prepare a lesson plan before the start of every class, or else the
session will just be an activity without direction. So, the first step in planning is
setting objectives. What do you want to achieve at the end of your activity?
 After setting your objectives, then you can start planning. This is the time to
organize your human and material resources. List down the needs to make things
happen.  Assign persons to do specific tasks.  Create a time table for the tasks and for
rehearsals- how many time and how long they will be. Rehearsals are important
because a poorly - rehearsed program will be evident.  It is impressive that everyone
is present during rehearsals.
 Select members for specific tasks and be sure that the tasks match the skills
and abilities of the members (e.g., an artist can be in charge of the set design  and
other visuals needed in the presentation;  a computer expert can be in charge of
this technology needed for the presentation). members who are good at searching
for supplies and facilities can be assigned the logistics tasks. There are more jobs to
be considered; the job of music and sound technician, of the wardrobe mistress, of
the prompter, and so on. Constant monitoring and checking of the assignments and
tasks are necessary. Perhaps it would be good to put someone in charge to monitor
all activities.
 Remember that this is a collaborative work and, therefore, team effort is
much needed. This is one big activity involving the whole class. Success means the
cooperation and assistance of everyone.  While the members of the group are
minding their tasks, the director and the choreographer are busy with their actors
and dancers.  First, the director discusses the script with the actors and the first
reading begins. Then, they move to the venue and the director starts the process of
blocking and determining the movement of the actors.  
 The choreographer gives instructions for the general arrangement of the
dancers and demonstrates the movements. The first rehearsal is just about the
dancers moving individually and later as a whole group.  The music will enter in the
next rehearsals.  All rehearsals are continuous until the day of the presentation. 

The presentation
 The day of the performance arrives and everyone is tense.  One of the jobs
of the director is to keep everyone calm. The audience trickles in. All of the members
are backstage and are not allowed to mingle with the audience.  The production
starts at the designated time.
 Everyone is quiet.  The director appears and give a short introduction,
welcoming the guests and giving some remarks relevant to the production. He or She
also introduces the choreographer. The show begins. 
 At the end of the show, the entire class appears and takes a bow. The
director thanks the audience and everyone  in the school, especially their teacher
(who has acted as the producer) and everyone else who has assisted and supported
them in the production.

The Feedback
 At the end of the presentation, it is possible for the teacher to ask a
feedback from the audience.  After that, all the members meet to give and get the
feedback.  Feedback is needed to get information on the result of the
presentation. Participants give their comments on what have gone well and what
have needed some adjustments.  The teacher facilitates the feedback. He/ She gives
the ground rules. Feedback is all about constructive criticism. It should be given in an
objective manner and must not be taken personally.

Our country has taken a big leap since the start of digitalization.  Once
peaceful rural towns have become urbanized with internet cafes, shopping malls, and
a mass of shops selling technological devices. 
There are sights and sounds everywhere, vying for attention. Urban areas,
especially Metro Manila, are congested with images- huge billboards, garish posters,
and confusing signboards. Inside the commercial centers, people experience the
same things.  They are greeted with various sights and sounds of different intensities
competing with each other.
Several questions enter the mind.  Is this the art environment that people
desire?  Do the visuals and sounds uplift their minds, hearts, and spirit?  What is the
next experience in store for everyone? These are questions that cannot be answered
now. But the possibilities are endless. Perhaps we can all help our country by
supporting the artists who tirelessly advocate for change and by inspiring our
generation to make reasonable and ethical decisions that will help shape our future.
"The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today"
H.Jackson Brown Jr.