Creative Philosophy: Bedlam Theory

The bedlam theory is a consideration behind the placement of elements (scenes, major events) within theater, film or scripts. They are specifically placed in order to inspire and engage the audience. There are generally 6 elements to the Bedlam Theory.

Elements:

1) The first element- an event that quickly demands audience attention. This will engage the audience forcing them to participate.

2) The second element- a relatable subject to the audience. A scene that consists of an everyday situation usually with light humor. This allows the audience to ease into the show while remaining engaged.

3) The third element- a dramatic situation. This is used to conjure up emotions within the realms of everyday life, such as sadness, regret, or longing.

4) The fourth element- the element of suspense/horror. The audience is now emotionally engaged. This builds upon the conjured emotions.

5) The fifth element- this is slice of life. The audience’s emotions are in full throttle. They are looking for something to do with all the conjured up thoughts, feelings and energy. Perhaps they can relate It to their own lives.

6) The sixth element- physical reaction. Laughter and crying are physically active forms of release. The more they laugh or cry the more they feel emotional release.

THE END RESULT- the audience has been through an emotionally entertaining rollercoaster. They were forced to begin to deal with elements in their lives. Most often not allowing them to have enough time to think it through before another element is discovered. Through five events they tried to find a home for this conjured up energy. It is in the sixth event where they find a release, through physical reaction. Their body has physically been forced to release the built up emotions.

Creative Philosophy: Viewpoints

Viewpoints was originally developed for theater and by these standards it is defined as a technique of improvisation that provides a vocabulary for thinking about and acting upon movement and gesture.

I have taken these basic ideas and adapted them for film. I now define Viewpoints as a technique that defines the dynamic placement of camera and emotional blocking of actors in order to tell the story. (see the Wikepedia definition) I use 7 elements to guide the placement and blocking.

Here are the 7 elements of Viewpoints used to create the breakdown of movement and angles to tell the story:

Spatial Relationship - Distance between objects on the screen; one body in relation to another, to a group, to the architecture and the camera angle.

Kinesthetic Response - A response to an external stimulus which defines the (non)movement of the camera and blocking of actor(s).

Floor Pattern - The movement over landscape, floor pattern, design of the actor and camera.

Tempo - How fast or slow something happens on camera.

Duration - How long an event occurs over time; how long the actor(s) and camera maintain a particular movement, tempo, gesture, etc. before it changes.

Repetition - a) Internal: repeating a movement done with one's own body, and b) External: repeating a movement occurring outside one's body.

Architecture - The physical environment, the space, and whatever belongs to it or constitutes it, including permanent and non-permanent features.

Gesture - a) Behavioral gesture: realistic gesture belonging to the physical world as we observe it everyday. b) Expressive gesture: abstract or symbolic gesture expressing an inner state or emotion; it is not intended as a public or "realistic" gesture.

Shape - The contour or outline of bodies in space; the shape of the body by itself, in relation to other bodies, in relation to camera angles and in relation to architecture; think of lines, curves, angles, arches all stationary or in motion.

Creative Philosophy: Mental Eclecticism

People often ask me what Mental Eclectic means. It is more than just a derby wearing fool, it is in fact a creative philosophy.

Here is the definition:

Mental Eclecticism is when people from different backgrounds combine ideas or ideals that exist in the mind to contribute to a single effect.

Mental- executed or performed in the mind. Existing in the mind.

Eclectic- made up of or combining elements from a variety of sources.

Simply put, we stand for collaboration on one's dreams and creative ideas. Let the influence off all our life experiences be a contributing factor to the final product.