tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825706497054350432.post4652300105760434682..comments2023-02-11T02:33:33.893+11:00Comments on 7-ON PLAYWRIGHTS: Are You Sitting Comfortably? Well, Don't.7-ONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16392309648904744720noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825706497054350432.post-50887851010377869722012-07-26T14:43:00.613+10:002012-07-26T14:43:00.613+10:00I'm beginning to really enjoy the discomfort t...I'm beginning to really enjoy the discomfort that comes with writing. It brings with it the exhilarating joy of discovery. That moment on your exploration when you discover why a character is a killer, or come to understand the other side of an issue you feel so strongly about, is golden.<br /><br />The discomfort I do struggle with is actually putting my writing out there. The thought of being judged, or even being successful, scares me. So I don't write. And then I feel that other discomfort, those itchy feet, or more precisely, my fingers start to move as if they want to type. I need to explore those worlds that I build, meet the characters and go on their journey. <br /><br />That is bliss and that is why I write.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16669768901628493347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825706497054350432.post-72626442865389202552012-07-26T00:38:58.363+10:002012-07-26T00:38:58.363+10:00Thank you for a stimulating post.
I believe artis...Thank you for a stimulating post.<br /><br />I believe artists should be comfortable – for their curse is that they will perpetually sit in an uncomfortable place. They are the conduit between the drudgery and cruelty of the real world and beauty and lyricism of the imagined world – they translate one world for the other – offering perspective between the two realms for the greater good of those that sit in a comfortable place, and yet long to be uncomfortable.<br /><br />The artist longs for comfort.<br />The audience longs for discomfort.<br />And the wonderful symbiosis between the two needs keeps us (artist and audience) bonded in a pisces stare.<br /><br />Artists often sacrifice immediate comforts (the heater included) for prolongued or future comforts. By that I mean they go without fame, or fancy cheese, money or companionship – so that perhaps one day they have long-lasting legacy, endless cheese, rooms full of cash in their Summer houses and a string of devotees. There is a sense that the individual’s suffering is for the greater good.<br /><br />For in discovering the uncomfortable we grow.<br /><br />In growing we suffer the universal: pain. It is at these pain points that we find compassion and clarity, understanding and empathy for each other. We become better people for the sake of our society - so that we can forgive each other, or ourselves.<br /><br />In fact, the myth of the artist as the lone wolf renegade: lonely, misunderstood, unsatisfied and ultimately uncomfortable has long been perpetuated. But I, for one, think it is utter and complete selfish and self-indulgent nonsense. <br /><br />For I know that each artist needs great, and unerring and sustained support and love to make great work. They need the guarantee of space, money, the potential of acknowledgement, attendance, attention, respect, acceptance – they need community. And community brings comfort.<br /><br />Art is made not just by artists by those whose support (financially, emotionally, physically, philosophically, practically) make it possible: they are our parents, partners, lovers, friends. Those that inspire us, cajole us, chide us, cheer us, make our dinner, buy us coffee: those who comfort us when it’s all too much, or too little or seemingly too late.<br /><br />For theatre writers, they have the comfort of the collective energy, intelligence and attention of the actors, designers, directors and audience. They need to feel safe in their role, they need to be comfortable so that they may have the freedom to reveal the “uncomfortable” in their art.<br /><br />And yes we, the audience need the uncomfortable – so we may grow and confront ourselves, our fears as a community or as an individual. But I fully believe the best art comes from artists who have the comforts that free them from anxiety: money, acknowledgement, space, time, resources, collaborators, an audience, culture, context, all this and above all else: love.Augusta Supplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07354722658321697382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825706497054350432.post-60891205929716374642012-07-24T16:18:16.298+10:002012-07-24T16:18:16.298+10:00Rich territory this – a winter’s tale in which we ...Rich territory this – a winter’s tale in which we all exit pursued by a bear. Well, you would wouldn’t you? I imagine controlled discomfort: me sitting in front of a consol adjusting gauges and levers of worry and pain, plot and character, dialogue and story. Every now and then it works and what joy that. Other times it is as a compass passing over the Arctic Circle. Never mind true north, any kind of north will do. Or worse, becalmed in a sea of waiting.<br /><br />Being a beginner I wonder at the comfort of doing it alone, with none to judge that which those more true have experienced. Then I think I should swap the voices in my head for the voices of others. Aren’t they the same after all? Public is different to private, but what makes you think you can? Who are you kidding? Too much of one thing, not enough of another. I take my hat off to those who can - and do - and I say good luck to your courage, which though a different beast to discomfort probably drinks at the same tavern. My shout.Ruth Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16279949793608412862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825706497054350432.post-57703910456423492402012-07-20T23:01:09.285+10:002012-07-20T23:01:09.285+10:00There are many different types of discomfort that ...There are many different types of discomfort that arise from very disparate sources. There is the feeling of discomfort stemming from knowing you've done the wrong thing and are waiting to be punished for it, and the feeling of discomfort stemming from knowing you've done the right thing, and are waiting to be punished for it. There is the feeling of discomfort of having a piece of metal stuck in your face because you are at war and have just been shot, and there is the feeling of discomfort of having a piece of metal in your face because you paid someone to put it in there because you think it makes you look more attractive. There is the feeling of being cold because you are marooned in the Antarctic, and the feeling of being cold because your wife has just turned off the heater during the winter in order to save the Earth.<br /><br />Years ago, on one of my first visits to Australia, a propos of something or other, someone said to me, disapprovingly, 'You Americans will do anything just because it's more comfortable." To which I answered, "Yes. And your point is…" It's true, Australians are generally more fond of discomfort than Americans. It must be why people often look uncomfortable in sex scenes in Australian films - I guess they feel that if both people are uncomfortable they must be having really good sex.<br /><br />The most uncomfortable thing about being an artist is trying to get paid for doing your work, because very few people really believe that you deserve it, including the people who owe you money. They like what you do, they just don't want to pay you for it. Paying artists makes them uncomfortable, the uncomfortable feeling of giving up their money for something they really believe they should get for free. And the best way to avoid paying for it is to make you feel uncomfortable for asking to get paid.<br /><br />The older I get the more important it becomes to be comfortable. I think as you get (even) older this just becomes more important, like if you can just sit comfortably for a while, you're pretty happy. In my opinion discomfort is over-rated. <br /><br />Phillip JohnstonFujiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17055056256675342939noreply@blogger.com