projects

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE NOTES

This collaboration is between ARTV (Actively Radical TV) and TBI (Teater Buruh Indonesia) with additional support from Offstream (an independent progressive media production company) and the Federation of Indonesian Independent Unions organisation Gabungan Serikat Buruh Independen (GSBI). It has received initial funding from Asialink who is willing to work with the project managers in securing additional funding. At this stage we require a further $16,050 to finance the theatre production and an estimated $15,000 for post production on the feature documentary film. (TBC)
Please find attached a theatre production schedule expected to run for the duration of 12 weeks. This production schedule is submitted for your review and it is expected that our Indonesian partners will provide feedback on what remains unaccounted for, any queries you have, or problems you foresee in the implementation of this schedule. In addition we have provided the following notes on the current formulated schedule.

WHO IS COMING FROM AUSTRALIA?
At this stage we have confirmed the presence of 5 workers from ARTV:

Rebecca Conroy
Paula Brand
Davor Opacek
Mark Taylor
Jo Winchester

We are also in the process of firming up commitments from three additional members of the technical crew from the US/UK and Australia.

ACCOMMODATION:
At this stage dual use accommodation seems to be the best option, with international crew and any additional TBI/GSBI/Offstream crew co-habitating in a space that also provides for rehearsal space. The intention is that the rental space will be available for TBI to inhabit as a work/residential space after the completion of the project with a view to maintaining it as permanent space after the completion of the project. Obviously we need to consider both the availability of property, the price bracket afforded by the budget, and the location best suited for all project participants. At this stage we are suggesting that the area south of Jakarta towards Bogor as this will reduce cost and focus on area already common to a majority of currently existing TBI members. The budget has allowed for 8 million rupiah (approx. AUD$1,600). Ideally what would suit the project is for an upstairs accommodation space (with perhaps 3 or 4 sleeping rooms) with a downstairs open space for rehearsals with kitchen and toilet/shower facilities. An outdoor section would be useful for complimenting workshop/rehearsal activities.

WHAT DO THESE TERMS MEAN?
Crew (Theatre/Video): This denotes those involved specifically with the technical production of video or theatre operations. In this instance Video crew includes the four TBI workers selected to produce the short 5 minute documentary with ARTV and Offstream crew assisting. Technical crew for theatre includes those involved in such tasks as:

Audiovisual sourcing, selection, operation
Lighting operation and design
Sound operation and design
Stage Property, set construction and design
Publicity and promotions manager
Production Manager (to oversee the entire project including budget)
Stage Manager (the specific running of the show)

Production meeting
These meetings are designed to allow the crew to meet, communicate and resolve issues concerning the technical and management side of production. Pertinent issues are then communicated to the cast collective, and feedback is then communicated back to the ‘crew’.
Design Team: This concerns the aesthetic elements of production (sound, lighting and set, publicity). Aesthetic simply refers to the elements presented for visual and aural and cognitive consumption (how we see hear and think about what is presented to an audience)
Editing: Assembling the video footage into narrative form (visual and sound). This will be most likely done on a computer specifically set up for the purposes of this project.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE INITIAL OFFSTREAM PRODUCTION MEETING?
There is quite a bit of discussion that will need to be had between the video production crew of ARTV and Offstream vis a vis technical issues. These may include but are not limited to:

Setting up of editing equipment/location and use.
Storage and archiving/logging of shot material
Post-production business
Equipment checklist/sourcing
Audiovisual library
Discussion about final Storyboarding of documentary feature
Confirmation of shooting schedule

Of course, a lot of this will be discussed over email/email prior to commencement of production.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE INITIAL TBI/GSBI PRODUCTION MEETING?
This meeting will occur after the meeting with Offstream so the ARTV crew are informed of any technical production details that intersect with theatre production matters. When the first meeting occurs most of us will be nervous and unfamiliar with one another. It is important that this meeting act as an informal introductory get together as well as having a clear working agenda which aims to cover as many shared issues as possible. These may include but are not limited to:

Introducing the members of each creative team
Discussion related to the roles and responsibilities of members, working method, and communication issues.
Last minute organising details for the ‘welcome dinner’ on the 21st Feb.
Confirmation of theatre workshops /and further discussion.
Confirmation of rehearsal schedule /and further discussion.
Meeting the four workers involved in video production (may be more suitable to attend the Offstream meeting previous day)
Budgetary issues/Production management issues

The agenda for this meeting will be finalised a week prior to departure allowing for any additional concerns to be added to the agenda as the commencement date approaches. Once again, these issues will be canvassed prior to actual production.

WHAT SORT OF WORKING PROCESS WILL WE USED?
This is an extremely important issue. We will be developing and refining the communication model as we progress through pre-production. This process will then be up for review for the duration of the project. Critical reflection on work practices and collaboration will feature as a component of the production schedule most likely at the end of each theatre rehearsal and at every production meeting. It is suggested that both TBI and ARTV establish a formal procedure for the processing of grievances. At this stage an MoU (memorandum of Understanding) is being proposed to cover broad terms of aggreement and operation.

HOW WILL WE OVERCOME LANGUAGE BARRIERS?
From the International crew the Indonesian language speakers (thus far) will include:

Rebecca Conroy
Ali Crosby

From the Indonesian crew English language speakers will include:

Fx Supriaso
Lexy
Bebe

During the theatre-making process the use of a theatre language (movement/sound/image) will be developed in concert with development of performance material. It is anticipated that with the absence of a common spoken language, the creative team work towards developing an alternative which best makes use of the basic elements in performing and audio-visual signification processes. Theatre workshops will be structured with this in mind. Additionally Indonesian language speakers will be present to complement general rehearsal procedure.

WHAT IS THE ‘LIVE IN’ AND HOW WILL IT OPERATE?
The ‘Live in’ is essentially an opportunity for four TBI factory workers to each create a story using a digital video camera in concert with an experienced filmmaker from ARTV. It will provide each ARTV worker with an opportunity to work directly in a partnership/facilitator role with the TBI worker, within the ‘subjects’ own environment. The ARTV worker will gain an important insight into the livelihood of the TBI, in a context that will be most conducive to exchange of skills: the TBI worker is guided in camera operation and the ARTV worker is guided through the life of a factory worker. This ‘live in’ enables both participants (the TBI worker and the ARTV worker) to access the ‘subject’ of the story (through video and lived experience) via an exchange.
There will be two male and two female ARTV workers selected to undergo the ‘live in’ experience (Mark Taylor/Davor Opacek/Paula Brand and Jo Winchester). TBI members will meet to discuss and select 4 members of TBI prior to the commencement of the project. These four will be referred to as ‘TBI Video Crew’. The four chosen for the ‘video crew’ will need to be aware that a commitment to the camera and editing workshops may preclude their practical involvement with the two theatre workshops scheduled concurrently. Selection of ‘video crew’ will need to consider the following:

Location of workers living area in relation to others selected
Variety of issues and contexts represented by all selected
The sensitivity of neighbourhood to the presence of a foreigner
The practical arrangement for accommodating one or two additional houseguests
Security and health issues for both participants

A more comprehensive guide will be confirmed once both teams have had time to review all possible considerations.
Once the four TBI workers have been selected (preferably two female and two male to avoid gender sensitivities related to residency), they will meet for a Video workshop on the 22nd of Feb for an introduction to camera operation and to design a storyboard with planned shots of the workers ‘story’ idea. Ideas for each workers’ 5 minute documentary should be discussed prior to the commencement of the production schedule as this will make use of the time available to storyboard, plan shots and practise camera operation (see notes following).
Each worker will timetable their location shoots and living arrangements with the ARTV worker according to their working roster. For example, in some instances where night shift occurs, this team will have a different schedule to a worker who is rostered to work during the day. Workers may also discuss with the ARTV worker suggestions to occupy themselves during work hours with visits to local areas or friends living nearby. Each team will have an additional camera operator visit them once during the week to film the TBI worker on location and to capture footage representing the ARTV/TBI team in action. ARTV workers assigned to the live in will also have the opportunity to report back to base if the necessity arises.

HOW WILL THE CAMERA WORKSHOP OPERATE?
This workshop will be held on the first Sunday of the production schedule concurrently with the theatre workshop. Workers should come with prepared ideas for a story which could include such ideas as:

A typical morning or evening after work
Health and safety issues in the contrakan
Interviews with their neighbours in the contrakan
Interviews with other workers at their factory
An object of significance symbolic to labour issues
Filmed sequence to a poetic voice over
How the worker gets to and from the factory
The workers dreams and aspirations
The likes/dislikes at being a factory worker
A piece about the labour movement

The running of the workshop will be structured to include demonstrations on all aspects of filming, camera operation, storyboarding and interview questions/voice over script. The workers will then in collaboration with their ARTV partner to design and sequence their storyboard, and create a shooting schedule.

HOW WILL THE EDIT WORKSHOP OPERATE?
The edit workshop will introduce the TBI video crew to the basics of editing on computer. It will feature a demonstration of the editing process and the digitising of material from camera to computer hard drive. The workers will then each have an opportunity to operate the equipment using their footage. If there is time, ideally each worker will transfer (digitise) their material onto the hard drive during this session.

HOW WILL THE TWO THEATRE WORKSHOPS OPERATE?
Each theatre workshop will aim to introduce the TBI worker to a variety of performance making methodologies using material from the workers lived experience to explore conceptual lines which may or not contribute directly to the final performance text. A core creative team from the TBI cast will collaborate with ARTV workers to run these workshops using skills and games familiar to each team.
These two workshops will be structured tightly involving a mix of ice breakers, music, improvisation, story telling and movement based theatre games. The final workshop program will be constructed prior to the commencement of the production schedule with both partners expected to submit ideas and feedback on possible programs.

HOW WILL REHEARSALS RUN?
Rehearsals will be structured to develop material for performance within 8 sessions + 2 dress rehearsals. With such a compact time frame, the rehearsals will therefore need to be tightly structured and managed along explicit points such that they are able to produce specific results at each meeting. However the rehearsals are also process driven which means that methodologies for producing actual scripted performance are oriented towards creating conditions conducive to creative collaboration. To this end it is suggested that we structure the eight rehearsals + two dress rehearsals in terms of three stages:
1. pre-production / planning / conceptual blocking (Rehearsals 1, 2, 3)
2. production / blocking / script writing (Rehearsals 4, 5, 6, 7)
3. post production / integrating technical / plotting Audio Visual/Lighting/Sound (Rehearsals 8 + 2 Technicals)

PROPOSAL FOR OPEN AIR REHEARSAL PERFORMANCE ON MAY DAY
How do TBI and crew feel about doing a public rehearsal of the show for the May Day action in Jakarta? If possible it would be a fantastic opportunity for TBI and ARTV to contribute to an international action on the day as well as using this as an ice breaker for those nervous about performing in front of an audience. It will also garner useful exposure and publicity for the show amongst a prime audience.

WHY IS ARTV ABSENT IN WEEK 7?
It is useful for both creative teams to spend valuable team on their own; this will enable each team to reflect and reconvene in an atmosphere familiar to their culture and different to the dynamics necessarily operating in the context of this collaboration. It will give TBI an opportunity to work in a space free of the foreign crew and also give ARTV workers a chance to refresh and take critical time outside of what is a new cultural environment.

WHAT DOES TBI NEED TO DO BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THIS PROJECT?

The following components of the production schedule require TBI workers to organise prior to the commencement of the project:

Securing rental accommodation in South Jakarta/Bogor area for international crew (approx. 10 people)
Compile a list of possible performance venues and costing with a view to securing within the first stages of production.
Select 4 TBI members to take part in the ‘video crew’
Select 2 TBI workers who can assist in a fulltime mode (wages may be provided depending on funding outcomes)
Meet regularly with both TBI membership and GSBI leadership
Develop possible ideas for performance/script material (preliminary conceptualising)
Cast approximately 25 TBI members to participate in project.
Contribute to establishing a Memorandum of Understanding between TBI and ARTV
Submit ideas for theatre workshop eg. popular games and songs to be used as ice breakers and methods for producing material for performance.
Research on budget items that require confirmation (see attached)
Networking with art workers interested in providing assistance with design and printing of publicity material for the performance
Socialising of the planned project with possible support organisations (NGOs/Unions/Individual artists/Performance/Visual arts organisations)
Logistical preparation (working with Offstream to acquire equipment and materials necessary to the running of the project)
General Bookkeeping of equipment/materials/consumables/fees expenditure in Indonesia.

Additional tasks will be added as required. Most tasks will require TBI to work collaboratively with either GSBI or Offstream. This should be viewed as an important and necessary component of the collaboration for TBI in working with support organisations and should help prepare their working relationship with these support partners.

WEEK 1: Introduction
Feb. 18th - 22nd
Wednesday 18th Arrival Jakarta; Orientation/rest.
Thursday 19th Production Meeting (ARTV and Offstream)
Friday 20th Production Meeting (ARTV and TBI/GSBI)
Saturday 21st Evening Dinner and Welcome ARTV with TBI, GSBI and Offstream.
Sunday 22nd - Camera workshop with 4 TBI workers and ARTV
- Theatre workshop with TBI cast and ARTV
WEEK 2: Introduction
Feb. 23 – 29th
Monday to Friday: ‘Live in’ with TBI workers
Saturday 28th Rest Day
Sunday 29th - Edit Workshop with 4 TBI workers and ARTV
- Theatre workshop with TBI cast and ARTV
WEEK 3: Rehearsals/Video Post production
March 1 – 7th
Monday to Friday: Individual workers video edit time ( 4 sessions)
Saturday 6th Evening Public Screening of TBI documentary (‘Factory Lives, Factory Theatre’) and Rebecca’s Birthday.
Sunday 7th TBI Video workers post-production meeting
TBI cast rehearsal #1
WEEK 4: Rehearsal and Video Post production
March 8 – 14th
Monday Friday: Editing (4 sessions)
Saturday 13th Rest Day
Sunday 14th TBI Cast Rehearsal # 2
WEEK 5: Rehearsal and Video Post production
March 15 – 21st
Monday Friday: Editing (4 sessions)
Saturday 20th Rest Day
Sunday 21st TBI Cast Rehearsal # 3
Production meeting (Technical Crew/Publicity/Art Department)
WEEK 6: Rehearsal and Video Post production
March 22 – 28th
Monday Friday: Editing (4 sessions);
Production meeting (Technical Crew/Publicity/Art Department)
Design and sourcing AV material integration
Design Publicity material
Saturday 27th Rest Day
Sunday 28th TBI Cast Rehearsal # 4
WEEK 7: Rehearsal and Video Post production
March 29 – April 4th
Monday Friday: Editing (4 sessions) without ARTV crew
Sunday 4th TBI Cast Rehearsal # 5 (without ARTV crew)
WEEK 8: Rehearsal and Video Post production
April 5th – 11th
Monday Friday: Editing (4 sessions)
Saturday 10th Production Meeting (TBI/ARTV)
Sunday 11th TBI Cast Rehearsal # 6
WEEK 9: Rehearsal and Video Post production
April 12 – 18th
Monday - Friday: Editing (4 sessions)
Saturday 17th Production Meeting (Publicity/Tech)
Sunday 18th Rehearsal #7 with AV material
WEEK 10: Rehearsal and Video Post-production
April 19 – 25th
Monday - Friday: Editing (4 sessions)
Saturday 24th Production Meeting (Publicity/Tech)
Sunday 25th Rehearsal #8 with AV material
WEEK 11: Production
April 26 –May 2
Saturday 1st Tech Run/ May Day International Action Jakarta
Sunday 2nd Tech/Full Dress Rehearsal
WEEK 12: Production
May 3 – 9th
Thursday 6th Tech rehearsal
Friday 7th Full Dress Run
Saturday 8th Evening Performance
Sunday 9th Matinee Performance
After Show PartyFLY HOME: Monday the 17th May