The Octopus Story Creative Discovery Weekend – two days of creative workshops
#OctopusStory had by now already staged a number of events with artists and creators since the project began in February 2022 – now we invited local creatives to join us as we began to develop our large-scale audio-visual installation and immersive theatre experience November 2022 as Part of We Shine – Portsmouth.
We invited people to learn from the best in the business to devise stories, be inspired with new ideas, make an impact on a city-wide art project and Imagineer the show with us.
In this exciting creative programme of half-day workshops participants:
- Took part in immersive theatre workshops and created mysterious encounters for the audience.
- Played with light, video, and images to illuminate the environment.
- Created atmospheric soundscapes from their own recordings and sound effects.
Participants didn’t need any previous experience, just an interest in playful, creative exploration and a desire to learn.
Participants were encouraged to try something new, do all three workshops, or just take part in the sessions that catch their personal interest.
Each unique workshop was three hours long and there were three over the weekend (once on Saturday morning, once Saturday afternoon and once on Sunday morning).
Workshops could be booked individually but people could do as many as they chose – each being different.
Location: Groundlings Theatre, 42 Kent St, Portsea, Portsmouth PO1 3BS 023 9273 7370
PARTICIPANTS CHOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING HALF-DAY WORKSHOPS
Sound Design with Rusty Sheriff
Have you ever thought about how sound for films and theatre is made? In the sonic exploration workshop, we experimented with a range of techniques that will allow you to record your own creative sounds without needing any musical ability at all. We recorded the sounds of the ocean, both real and synthesised, using microphones, foley sound effects, portable digital recorders, vintage tape looping, modular synthesisers and samplers to create a textured backdrop of realistic sound effects for our performance in November.
https://rustysheriff.bandcamp.com/
Video Projection with Thomas Buckley
Explore making installations with lighting and projection. We used video projection, reflection and unusual surfaces in a playful, instinctual process – where technology is used as a tool to build spaces and scenes. Low-fi and high-tech combinations mean all particpants needed to bring is an ambition to play, contribute and collaborate.
https://www.thomas-buckley.com/
Immersive Theatre and how to make it with Joe Hufton
In this workshop, we explored some of the techniques and methods we use to tell compelling immersive stories. We explored the themes that will make up our final show and worked together to hone them into something exciting and original. We worked as storytellers, actors and tour guides across the session as we used the space around us to draw our audience in.
#OctopusStory is supported through public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England
Image by National Geographic