I THINK MY COMPUTER IS HAL. SEND HELP.
Watson HAL9000
For some unknown reason the minute technology is put into my possession it either corrupts itself or malfunctions in some manner with a quick note from my computer saying ‘its not for you’. At the moment my work is heavily involved with videos, editing and creating a habitual space online with theatre bound. This is no easy task.
In October 2014, I completed about four months of work, which included about two years of continual R & D, completed work and prep for other projects. All of which I had put onto my hard drive. A hard drive I had bought under the pretence that it was almost child proof, to fulfil my accident prone needs. As I finished my practical challenges which involved writing a play in an eight hour car journey, to see if creative writing was possible under intense time constraints. During the drive I had created a strategic plan of organising all of my electronics in the back of my car so everything was safe and sound. So of course when I got back to Dublin from Cork I was defiant in my delicate organising skills would protect all the footage and I could create an informative and entertaining video about the challenge. However, as I began to edit all the footage, there was nothing there, nothing. The SD card decided to corrupt itself. Everything was gone, note even an electronic note to tell me what had happened. My tech savvy brother told me effortlessly ‘yeah it’s all gone, you wont be able to get it back. Now will you run down to the shop for me’.
WHY GOD WHY! It’s the theatre gods lashing out at me for making fun of Aristotle, I was eighteen, and his bust does look like he is forcing out a turd.
As I sobbed into the dark hours of the night, I then had to create a new plan for all my work that was lost. By the morning I was ready to get back to work with a positive dramaturgical perspective. With downfalls however, comes greater possibilities. I then began my work and the editing software I had decided to stop working. The software, which I had been teaching myself how to use for a year, stopped operating AND the top of my tripod just snapped off, you know the most important part of a tripod where the camera securely sits, it broke off. Now I just have a dramatic looking metal rod.
From this I told myself this is the universe balancing itself for all the great things to arise in my path. The universal order of all things like the Eros and Thanatos theory. That’s right I’m taking a spiritual standpoint. Mostly to lower the volume of my cacophony of rage filled screams.
The dramaturgical discoveries were bountiful during this experience. One being theatre skills don’t transfer easily to the digital world. Although this is where the translating aspect to being a dramaturg is utilised. For instance, Computer says ‘troubleshooting’, dramaturg says production note. Computer says ‘no internet connection’, dramaturg says ‘research and development’ .Computer says ‘not responding’, dramaturg says the death scene.
Like with any developing play text or performance piece there is a complex relationship that surfaces. Which does not necessarily draw up positive thoughts and experiences.
As a dramaturg you have to remain decisively pragmatic to the process, interpreting each discovery as a possible usable bone to the dramaturgical skeleton and not a bone of contention. Which has been ESSENTIAL to transferring theatre work online.
And thankfully now after many moons have passed I can finally start uploading work online!
After wiping the many tears and snots from my face induced by literally every piece of technology failing me, it taught me to remain confident when shit hits the fan and even hits you in the face. Even if your computer ominously asks you what are you doing Dave? You simply reply, I am not letting you deter me Hal, being a dramaturg is about persevering through the wonderful theatrical discoveries and the awkward and frustrating obstacles.
Until then here is a soothing picture of Amelie to get you through the day.
All rights reserved to Katie Poushpom ©
The Madwoman in the Theatre. 