Ring Envy

[qos]

I've been scanning the news coverage of the "Return of the King" premiere in New Zealand, and it's propelled me once again into intense jealousy of the entire LOTR company: actors, crew members, writers, and especially director Peter Jackson. I love movies. Since childhood, I've dreamed of taking part in film production. I know it's not glamourous, but the collaborative and complex creative process fascinates me.* It's always been a siren song that I never dared to follow. But no motion picture, not even the original Star Wars movies, has ever afflicted me with an envy so intense that it becomes a physical sensation - until I saw "The Fellowship of the Ring."

It's a combination of the grandeur of the story, the talent and appeal of the actors, and the sheer immensity and integrity of the production. Jackson's achievement is unparalleled, and I feel a completely non-rational but real ache at not having been able to participate in the saga that went on behind the screen.


* I've enjoyed my work as a theatrical director and stage manager, but have only video production to my credit.

Comments

[queenofhalves]

i agree. i cry at semi-random moments throughout both of the first two movies. i'm almost embarrassed at how deeply the mythology speaks to me, but there it is.

[toesontheground.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's great stuff. Can't wait to see the third. Theatrical Director, Stage manager and video production doesn't sound too bad either!

[qos.livejournal.com]

My undergraduate degree is in Theatre. My emphasis was "general theatre" because I didn't have the confidence to declare a directing major. But my thesis was a director's analysis about three plays about Queen Christina of Sweden, and I ended up directing one of them (which is a long and wild story in itself). I also stage managed several productions, including an un-cut Hamlet, in which I also played the Sailor. This was at the same time as I was directing my Christina play. I was also directing a one-act for my directing class. It was an intense final semester of college!

After graduating, I directed a couple of senior acting projects at the local arts college. One of them involved helping the actors create a language of gesture, and to create and learn to improvise as a group with "found" instruments. I've also directed "The Taming of the Shrew" which was a great deal of fun.

My video credit is "Lift-Off: An Introduction to High Power Rocketry," which was commissioned by the Tripoli Rocketry Association here in the U.S. *That* was an education in all kinds of ways. Being four months pregnant during the shooting added to the adventure!

I love directing. Not only is it a marvelous exercise in engaging mind and heart and intuition simultaneously, it's a very erotic activity. There is a strong and focused energy exchange going on as part of the intense collaboration. At least, that's how I've experienced it.

Whether I'm directing or stage managing, I fall in love with my cast and crew. They do so much, and are so vulnerable, and work so hard, I can't help but respond to their gift of time and energy and self except with love.

[toesontheground.livejournal.com]

That sounds intense, but really satisfying.