How do directors co-direct? What is the best way to collaborate? 

Convener(s): Stella 

Participants: Stella Scott, Fleur De Point, Suzie, Lee Simpson …

Summary of discussion, conclusions and/or recommendations:

Don’t let it get personal. People hit trouble when they mix role with identity. As long as the role is being fulfilled then it doesn’t matter. 

It is important to have clarity from the beginning. Even more important is to have a very good relationship with the people you’re working with. Most of your rehearsal time could be spent getting to know each other. Trust is of key importance! You need to make time and effort to work on these relationships so that you trust in someone’s artistic vision more than you trust your own.

The show has a really loud voice and it’s saying ‘WORK ON ME!’ But don’t work on it until you’ve worked on the group.

When you have ideas for your collaboration be prepared to let them go.

If you feel like things are not getting done and you’re attitude is far too laid back with one another having known each other for so long

Bring in a ‘Billy Preston’ into the rehearsal room. This visitor will act as a buffer or communicator between you and those you’re working with. He/she does not need to say or do anything they just need to be present so that you produce work. 

If there is tension in your collaboration another way to voice it is to impersonate another director who the group may know. Say what he or she would say. If there is a daemon in your head making you unsure of the production similarly use the daemon to voice these thoughts. In that way you won’t necessarily be identified with those negative thoughts. You can say the seemingly unsay able by bringing in a role which isn’t yours.

Best notes often come from a director disguised as an ‘acting coach’.

Don’t give contradictory notes because you’re still caught up in discussion with your co-worker.

Don’t loose your original ideas and talk until all the energy has been wiped out of something that was simple and strong. There is a maturity to committing to one idea.