Crazytown

A SPRINKLING OF SOCIAL JUSTICE, ENTERTAINMENT, AND CORGIS

Things to Read/Watch/Do
By Hunter Bird (Director)

Bored? I can help.

1. Eve Ensler's blog post for the Huffington Post on the recent controversy surrounding GOP candidate, Todd Akin (who used the phrase “legitimate rape” in talking about abortion and pregnancy). She wrote the blog post from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Read it this moment.
2. This movie:
   BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD: 
3. My absolute favorite film of 2012. Apparently the lead girl (Quvenzhané Wallis) lied about her age at her audition (she was actually 5 instead of the required 6). She was so incredible, the director REWROTE THE ENTIRE LEAD CHARACTER to fit her particular talents. Ok. The man who plays her father was a local baker who decided on a whim to audition for the movie. Ok.
4. This needs no words.

 

HUNTER BIRD Hunter is a director, producer, Angelino, and coffee addict.
www.hunter-bird.com
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INSPIRATION FOLDER

A Collection of Things That Jumpstart My Imagination
By Hunter Bird (Director)

I've heard some directors say that they keep boxes or folders filled with notes, ideas, and little reminders of things that inspire them.

Tucked away in my computer, I too have a little folder that catches anything and everything I double or triple take at. Here are some of the images I've collected over the years: it's impossible to credit where or who or when they were found, but enjoy 'em.

LATE TO THE SIX FEET UNDER PARTY

This Post Has Everything and Nothing to Do with Six Feet Under
By Hunter Bird (Director) 

On Tuesday, I FINALLY finished Six Feet Under. I know, I know, I'm late to the party.

But, I'll tell you what, if you haven't watched the show, STOP what you're doing, quit your day job, and start it JUST to watch the final episode of the series.

Then you too will be curled up in your friend's kitchen, sobbing, and so sad/happy/fulfilled.

Then you'll start thinking about life and death. We're talking big feelings. Then read this:

AUDITION MADNESS / I WAS NYMFed THIS PAST WEEKEND

A Debrief After Two Successful Days of Auditions for the NYMF "Part of It All" Concert
By Hunter Bird (Director)

I'll admit, I have a love/hate relationship with auditions. I love the excitement of working with new people, and the thrill of seeing people come in and strut their stuff. I hate the waiting, the repeating, the stressing, and the worrying that we all do BECAUSE of the auditions. This love/hate dynamic held true last weekend during our auditions for the NYMF Student Leadership Program's Concert, "Part of It All."

The concert series, with a 7pm hosted by Pasek & Paul and a 10pm hosted by Drew Gasparini, will feature a total of 10 new composers from all over the country on July 26th at the 45th Street Theatre.

We saw 82 people over the course of auditions, and put out the following audition material request:

Please prepare 32 bars of a contemporary musical theatre song. 

And, now that these crazy auditions are over, I have a random collection of thoughts about audition material, presentation, and anything else that could possible relate to auditions.

INVOLVING AUDIENCES IN VIRAL CAMPAIGNS

PROMETHEUS as an example of what kind of marketing is possible for entertainment.
By Hunter Bird (Director)

Love it or hate it, you can't deny the buzz that Ridley Scott's PROMETHEUS generated for itself.

CoCreate did an in-depth article about the targeting marketing plan that the movie implemented to attract audiences.

 

ONE WEEK OUT FROM THE TONYS

Because we're still not over it.
By Hunter Bird (Director)

Enjoy. (In reference to Ryan Bogner's excellent post)

 

HUNTER BIRD Hunter is a director, producer, Angelino, and coffee addict.
www.hunter-bird.com
EMAIL HIM |  FACEBOOK | WEBSITE | OTHER POSTS BY THIS AUTHOR

 

GOODWILL, YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD'S SAM FRENCH/ THEATRE SUMMER READING LIST

Because, I don't have $8.50 for every single script I need to own.
By Hunter Bird  (Director)

So, I have this problem. Well, not a problem, so much as a little hobby. I'm a script buyer. If I have loose change in my pocket, and a play begs to come home with me, there's a strong chance I'll be making a purchase.

This bookshelf-space consuming habit has led me to Goodwill. Guys. Specifically, for you Angelinos, the one on Hollywood Blvd, which (AND THIS IS KEY) sorts their books by genre. Meaning, they have a bookcase of $0.99 - $2.99 scripts. Deadly.

(4575 Hollywood Boulevard, 
Los Angeles
)

To compliment this, I'm including a list we compiled for the interns at Center Theatre Group of contemporary playwrights. Summer theatre reading, get ready:

(This list was complimented by an additional "Playwrights You SHOULD Know" List, so this is by no means a complete collection. Feel free to comment with more recommendations for summer reading!)

PREVIEW POWER

The magical shifts that make all the difference in the preview period.
By Hunter Bird (Director) 

So, previews. And my strange relationship with them over the last month and a half.

The previous show I directed had an underwhelming first performance. It wasn't officially a preview, and it was only my friend's thesis production at NYU, but NONETHELESS, the show went horribly wrong. Then this moment:

The tone wasn't correctly established. At the last minute, we had cut an important narrative piece that served as the prologue. So, rather than starting the play with a very frank description of the brutal event that the play was about, the play opened with a semi-comedic police investigation scene. Wrong tone set for the show.

So, through some divine miracle, we realized that the beginning of the play was off and we re-designed the prologue. THANK GOD. Second performance: the audience was immediately plugged into the purpose of the play, and the intention behind the narrative was clear. Done.

Cut to a month and a half later. I'm currently ADing a new musical at the Mark Taper Forum at Center Theatre Group entitled Los Otros. With a score by Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party, Queen of the Mist), lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh (Herringbone, Grind), and direction by Graciela Daniele (READ HER WIKI), it's pretty solid on experienced pros.

FIRST PREVIEW. Show opens on a somber note, playing the attitude of the end of the piece at the beginning. Problematic response? Same solution. Re-design the opening moment. This time, begin on a comedic note, punctuated by a laugh. Instant change in temperature.

We just finished our fourth preview this evening, and the revisions are still occurring, but now that the audience begins close to the characters rather than distanced from them, we're moving toward a more effective show.

Opening is next SUNDAY! ONE WEEK!

HUNTER BIRD Hunter is a director, producer, Angelino, and coffee addict.
www.hunter-bird.com
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RESOURCES FOR YOUNG DIRECTORS

A Helpful List of Opportunities for Twenty-Somethings Who Want to Direct
by Hunter Bird (Director)

So, many of you fellow 20-something directors may find yourself in the same boat I’m in. The “what now?” boat. It’s probably made of plywood, bobbing helplessly in the maelstrom of real life.

So, as a resource, I’m compiling a list of the opportunities available to young directors at different theatres across the US in an effort to make life a little easier for those who are staring directly into the storm of “I’ve-graduated-from-college-and have-to-survive-and-don’t-necessarily-want-to-start-my-own-theatre-company right-out-of-college.”

Enjoy. (If you know of additional opportunities, feel free to comment below and recommend them!)

 

FELLOWSHIP (of the R.....egional Theatres)

Williamstown Theatre Festival (Highest Tier- Boris Sagal Directing Fellowship)

Arena Stage

Berkeley Rep

Manhattan Theatre Club

 

APPRENTICESHIPS

Hartford Stage

Playwrights Horizons

Long Wharf Theatre

Roundabout Theatre Company

 

ASSISTANTSHIPS

Williamstown Theatre Festival

 

 INTERNSHIPS

Actors Theatre of Louisville

McCarter Theatre Center

Signature Theatre Company

New York Stage and Film

The Public Theater

Arden Theatre Company

Julliard School

Manhattan Theatre Club

Williamstown Theatre Festival

Roundabout Theatre Company

 

 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES/OPPORTUNITIES:

Drama League Director's Project

SDC Observership Program (Deadline June 1st!!!)

Lincoln Center Directors Lab

Directors Lab West

Directors Lab Chicago

HUNTER BIRD Hunter is a director, producer, Angelino, and coffee addict.
www.hunter-bird.com
EMAIL HIM |  FACEBOOK | WEBSITE | OTHER POSTS BY THIS AUTHOR

HAPPY MOMMIE DEAREST DAY

No Wire Hangers
By Hunter Bird (Director)

 

Happy Mother's Day, Crazytowners.

HUNTER BIRD Hunter is a director, producer, Angelino, and coffee addict.
www.hunter-bird.com
EMAIL HIM |  FACEBOOK | WEBSITE | OTHER POSTS BY THIS AUTHOR