Post-Mortem

So we've passed the moment of performance (in fact, it was about 24 hours ago) so I figured I'd take a look at what we did.

With a cast of five (including myself), we performed an 8-character original script live before an audience of my peers, acquaintances, etc. And we succeeded, I think. It was a rough start -- I won't deny that. But I think I tickled the fancy of several actors in the audience and I hope it gives me a chance to expand my available pool of voice talent, especially as the Project expands into other areas (see previous entry).

So what did we do well?

• The timing of the sound effects with the actors worked really well. It helped that I was running the effects on stage along with acting. Even the spots that were time-critical worked pretty well. The recording will only improve on that as I'll have far more control over the placement of them.
  
• I believe the players managed to create, if nothing else, a good starting point for these new characters. Every new series is rough at the start as actors discover the basics of these characters and build a group dynamic. Need I bring up Season 1 of Star Trek: The Next Generation? Seriously, just ask Wil Wheaton.
• The script rocked! Okay, I'm biased because I wrote it, but I got a lot of positive feedback from everyone I showed it too and took a number of their suggestions to heart while revising it.

Now, the hard part... what didn't work well?

• I regret that we were unable to record the performance live, as I initially wanted. I think it would have been nice, for archival purposes if nothing else. But I was able to record dialogue in advance of the performance, so I'll get a more produced version out before too long here.
• The cast. All I mean by that is what I stated above about the group dynamic. This was mostly a group of people who were strangers to each other, but all known by me. We only got one night's rehearsal and I think we certainly would have benefited from more time to work on character styles. Part of that is also a lack of aggressive recruiting on my part. Had I really worked casting on early enough, I could have had the cast finalized far earlier than I did and had that time. But I am satisfied with the cast I performed with. They did admirably and I think they will only make it better as we go.
• I don't know if this really is a negative or not, but it felt like we needed some more elements. Again, if my time management skills were up to snuff, this would have been taken care of.

Okay, so a lot of this was on me, because I was overseeing so much of the production. It's hard not to with the maiden voyage of something you've spent more than a decade living with. I really want to work with more people on the technical side as well, not just actors. I think with the right amount of collaboration, the plans I've laid out for the Project will go much more smoothly and make each show that much better.

A link to the produced version of the ashcan edition of Magellan's Children will be posted here within the week. I just have to finish assembling it and turn in a copy to ASU for my senior capstone. Then I can finally relax a little...