A Sliding Scale of Problems

Have you noticed that when you have a really big problem to deal with in life that any small problematic issues of that time pale into insignificance. People often say under these circumstances, "It takes something like this to put everything in perspective". The value of any issue is an entirely subjective matter and varies enormously depending the environment around it.

Creative Problems The same applies to creative problems in performance or story telling issues. When a creative concern appears to be as large as Mount Everest then any other problem of Mount Kosciusko size seems entirely insignificant. Mount Kosciusko sized problems under these circumstances are often ignored. However once the Mount Everest problem has been dealt with and therefore no longer exists, suddenly any Mount Kosciusko sized issues appear of daunting proportions.

JUSTIN LEHMANN & MARNIE REEECE-WILMORE at the fourth draft read through.

LEWIS FIANDER was present at the 3rd & 4th draft reading.

The "Such is Life" Journey The development of a play manuscript for "Such is Life" has conformed to these sort of phases. The first draft had an Everest sized concept issue which embraced the whole work. A new structure was developed and because of the major changes this involved and also because it was now heading in the right direction the second draft received a warm response. The 'Everest sized' issues in the second draft were significantly to do with being excessively long. The third draft dealt with these issues and a full reading of the script focused attention on the 'Everest sized' problem of the ending.

At this stage the beginning was seen to be in manageable shape with some minor 'Kosciusko sized' issues to be dealt with. So, the fourth draft worked on the Kosciusko problems of the beginning but significantly focused on the 'Everest sized' issues of the ending. At the fourth draft reading it was agreed that the ending was now in reasonable shape but the previously assessed 'Kosciusko sized' minor problems of the beginning now appeared of Everest proportions. The next step now needs to be taken Primary Goals and Primary Processses Generally, the main task of any creative professional is to prevent the problems that emerge defeating the real purpose of a project. It is this continual wrestling with the problems to find a balance in the elements of story telling which will allow a story to fulfill its potential. This is the main challenge for the writer

(To the right JEREMY STANFORD & STAN TSITAS, below JOHN HIGGINSON.)

This subjective nature of assessment is common to all creative areas. The editor having altered one cut to remedy an Everest sized problem suddenly finds a new one has appeared. The editor needs to keep working and revising until a balance is achieved.

For the actor, rehearsal is the tool that reveals the problems so that a balance of performance process and story telling can be achieved. The process of correction is an ordinary and essential part of any creative process. So 'Everest sized' problems should not be seen as mistakes or errors. They are in fact inevitable, positive stepping-stones to a successful creative outcome.

So let's embrace the problems, revel in the challenges and climb the Everest's that naturally stand in the way of progress towards our own performance peak.

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