Viewpoints: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 07:28, 17 July 2019

Revision as of 07:29, 17 July 2019

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'''Viewpoints''' is a technique of composition that acts as a medium for thinking about and acting upon [[Motion (physics)|movement]], [[gesture]] and creative space.<ref name="BogartLandau2004">{{cite book|author1=Anne Bogart|author2=Tina Landau|title=The Viewpoints Book: A Practical Guide to Viewpoints and Composition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yk_6CAAAQBAJ&pg=PA7|date=1 August 2004|publisher=Theatre Communications Group|isbn=978-1-55936-677-9|pages=7–12}}</ref> Originally developed in the 1970s by master theater artist and educator [[Mary Overlie]], the Six Viewpoints has been studied and practiced for decades in theatre and dance. Overlie’s practice and theory profoundly enables access to the source of inspiration and creativity. The Six Viewpoints, if practiced in the purest form, is found to be indescribably powerful and effective in all areas of investigation of, and for making art. In the simplest form it is a practice for improvisation.

The Six Viewpoints theory was adapted by directors [[Anne Bogart]] and [[Tina Landau]], and called simply the Viewpoints. This is confusing that the two practices, withwhich are completely different, share a similar name.*

Bogart and Overlie were on the faculty of ETW at NYU in the late 1970s and early 1980s during which time Bogart was influenced by Overlie's innovations. Overlie's Six Viewpoints (space, story, time, emotion, movement, and shape) are considered to be a logical way to examine, analyze and create art in a profound way while Bogart's Viewpoints are considered practical in creating staging with actors.

*(This is a very controversial subject with many theatre practitioners. Some attest that Bogart stole Overlie’s life work. What Bogart created was inspired by Overlie’s Six Viewpoints. Most Overlie Viewpoints practitioners insist Bogart’s “Viewpoints” are not in fact the original Viewpoints. Bogart, having never studied under Overlie, picked up on the Six Viewpoints through students the two professors shared. Finding the essence of the practice fascinating and very effective, Bogart developed a new practice that is similar to the original Overlie Viewpoints. It is unfortunate that Bogart did not choose a different name for the new practice. Many who have studied Bogart “Viewpoints” do not know that what they learned and are practicing is actually very far from the original Six Viewpoints. Often when Bogart practitioners come across the original Overlie pure practice of the Six Viewpoints, they are confronted with the apparent betrayal.