Think Tank Thursday: Physical Violence is Not Interesting

It's the intention behind the violence that is interesting.

It's why a showcase of just fights is not appealing for very long, even to an audience of fight people. Sometimes the movement will be exhilarating or fantastic, but to hold our interest the movements following have to continue to build and excite. This would be detrimental to a play because it would take focus away from the story and put instead on the immediate physicality.

Intention is what makes movement interesting. Reaching for a cup is just a movement. Reaching for a cup that has the only clean water you have seen for days and you are on the verge of dying but have to restrain yourself in the presence of others, is a story. Same movement but one is infinitely more interesting to watch.

For us as choreographers we have to resist the temptation to add something in because its cool. Moves that wow the audience can be as simple as a well placed, well motivated slap. Save your energy, save your actors energy and lower your stress about someone getting hurt.

It's good for everyone in the process to remember that the story is why we all have jobs.

Greg