From Stage to Screen: BEV chats to Fiona Gordon, co-director and star of the magical comedy RUMBA
Jul 30, 2009 | No Comments | ByRachel Millward
Rumba, in selected cinemas from Friday 31st July
BEV’s Creative Director Rachel Millward had the happy chance to see Rumba this week. Delighted to see something so fresh and involving on screen, Rachel was fascinated by how the creative trio used their physical theatre background to bring a new vision to film. Read on for some enlightening insights from co-director and star, Fiona Gordon:
Rachel: What prompted you to venture from the world of theatre into cinema?
Fiona: As soon as video cameras were available, Dom and I began to experiment. It took a long time to translate physical theatre language into cinema. Things really worked when we started not to worry about trying to find a ‘cinematographical’ way of working, but instead to take advantage of what physical theatre can do. So, we used the frame – instead of editing to make rhythm, we’d do it within a sequence shot. This gives a really good momentum for the actor, and lets the audience choose what to focus on, rather than directing their gaze through close-ups. In theatre you have to use your imagination, you have to make believe. We try to keep that in the film. That’s why we use corny old effects rather than slick digital ones. There’s a sense of it being faulty – that’s a very ‘theatre-ish’ thing to do. Read the full story
