Take off your strait jacket

20 April 2009

Short Courses

In late 2008 FTI introduced a brand new professional development program that focussed on allowing artists from inter-disciplinary fields to explore their creative process, contraints and investigate new ways of collaborating in filmmaking.

The ‘No Strait Jacket’ challenged a group of 10 creative souls to try out new ways of working through some radical experiences that are not usually found in a program directed aspiring screenwriters and screen artists.

During the first half of the program new stories were created with the aid of singing, movement, puppets made from balloons and socks, meditation, face painting, life drawing and improvised performance. The one thing the participants did not do was sit down and write.

For Screenwriter Amy Costello participating in the experimental new program provided her with a whole bunch of new ways to stop procrastinating and get started on new creative ideas.

“The program has given me a lot of confidence, and you need a lot of confidence to strip off your straight jacket, waggle your unique and personal ideas around, and yell ‘here I am, everybody!”

The creation of the new program was triggered by filmmaker Peter Greenaway’s speech at the AIDC in February 2008. In a controversial speech that polarized opinions Greenaway declared, cinema to be dead, then mocked and chastised filmmakers for being text driven in a visual medium and then challenged artists to find new ways to create and develop work free of conventions, schedules and timelines. He urged artists to find their way out of the corporate straight jacket.

Shortly after hearing Greenaway’s speech Graeme Watson caught up with experienced television writer Kit Oldfield who had just been appointed Development Manager for Taylor Media. His responsibilities there include finding new and dynamic production ideas and developing ways to assist in the development of creative talents within WA for Producers Sue Taylor and Natalie Bell.

Oldfield, who hadn’t heard Greenaway’s speech, was lamenting the lack of originality in scriptwriting and suggested that a more imaginative approach needs to be taken to assist both established and emerging storytellers and content-makers.

The program is offered as a series of 10 Saturday afternoon sessions, the program does not fit into any of the regular short course, seminar or workshops models usually offered at the Institute.

For Roy Duncanson, participating in the program has provided an opportunity to meet other interesting creative people but also highlighted just how imbedded ‘group think’ is within the screen industry.

“Unfortunately, it has confirmed my thinking on the extent of “paradigm lock” that many of us have about the film and TV industry and just how difficult it is to break free of industry habits and practices.”

FTI’s Professional Development and Training Manager, Graeme Watson agrees that the program has a lot of opportunity to develop further and has the potential to push many boundaries that could be limiting creativity and innovation in the screen industries.

“The real challenge is not only to develop incredible skills in creativity, but also challenge the established methodology of filmmaking and project development. The sessions are incredibly energising both mentally and physically, but I think we’ve only just touched the tip of the iceberg of what might be possible through this program.”

The program is being offered for the second time, and is places are quickly being snapped up.

Find out more about this course

Image Raquel Horwood