Back to Birdy - RISK

Creating the Bird

After taking some time to look at the videos of eagles taking flight in slow motion, we came back to creating our bird with new vision and clarity. What we wanted to focus on was how the size of eagle nearly triples once it spreads its wings. From a seemingly small bird that would be perched on top of a tree, to a magnificent ruler of the skies. This also represented the message we wanted to communicate to the audience. That once you take the Risk to spread your wings you discover there is much more to you than you once believed.  

We had a few attempts at creating this bird. We had decided that 1 actor would be the main body of the bird, and the remaining 4 actors would be the bird’s wings. The eagles wings go from being concealed to unveiled in one fluid movement. This is what we focus on. 

The video above shows 3 of us working on this concept of the eagles wings going from be concealed to being unveiled. Later the other 2 performers were added to the wings to create the image of the eagle having a huge wing span. This process needed a lot of practice time in front of the mirror, as we had to see the shapes our bodies were making, and to coordinate the timing of the wing spreading motion. 

There where many times that Jonathan encouraged us not to just rely on timings but to also feel when as a group we were all in sync. This worked beautifully in creating the motion of one being out of five beings. 

For the taking off of the bird we showed the bird flight in progress. From the initial slow powerful flaps of the wings to generate height, onto quicker flaps to gain speed, then finally to gliding where the bird is now enjoying it's new found freedom. This is the final image that the piece would end on. 

After the creation of the Bird we found had a missing link in our chain. We hadn't shown at which point the characters decided to take the Risk to become a Bird and to take flight. We needed to show what the characters motivation was for finally taking this Risk. 

WHY RISK?

Going back to our initial conversations about Risk and Why people risk, our group message was, that in order in live a full life you have to take risks, otherwise you live a trapped life. Trapped was the image. We had to show that the characters decision to take the risk is because they had come to the realization that by not taking a risk there life is a life of entrapment.   

The Cage (LO unit 29. 2.1) 

The cage was our symbol for entrapment  We had to show the audience the relationship between the cage and the characters. How the cage was standing in between the characters trapped life and the characters for-filling life. 

Restriction

The cages function is to restrict the character lives. 

We showed the characters discovering the cages boundaries, the lack of space within the cage, and the feeling of claustrophobia when you realize you are trapped.  

This was the moment the characters realize they have to take a Risk.