Action Comedy Performance HP Event | Peps Goh Choreography
Earlier this year, I was engaged for a cosplay themed action comedy performance for Hewlett Packard (HP) by Wildfire Entertainment.
In preparation for the show, we went through 1 x offsite rehearsal, and 1 x onsite rehearsal on the day before the show, and another onsite walk-through on performance day. Unlike the martial arts performance I choreographed for NTU, this performance had a shorter preparation time frame, but I got to work with a team of experienced and skilled cast. The behind-the-scenes video below documents the conceptualising stages, as well as some of the difficulties we had encountered and subsequently overcame.
In this article I will discuss more in detail those obstacles we encountered, and the things we had learned from it. This was my first time collaborating with the awesome Wildfire Entertainment on a performance with such concept – action comedy performance. Thus the final parts of this article will talk about some of the new standard operating procedures (SOPs) I think would make the following shows to come, transition smoother from preparation to show.
Concept – Cosplay
I mentioned “Action Comedy Performance”, but this wasn’t originally so. The seed concept that grew the show were the cosplay aspect of it. There was an initial plot prepared by Wildfire, and it was this:
Ryu from street fighter enters and find a special object laid upon the stage, and he then protects it from 3 villainous characters that enters. Outnumbered, just as the hero seems to be defeated, the staff from HP rushes out and helps the hero up, upon seeing that they are outnumbered, the villains flee. Ryu then presents the special object to them in thanks and be on his way. Event officially begins and the screens play the opening welcome.
Eventually the entirety of this plot wasn’t used due to several changes from the client side, but the general flow of the performance we retained it.
Performer’s Profile: Kasimir Poh Cieslak
Kasmir Poh Cieslak is an actor and a screen combat stunt person well-verse in a number of martial arts. Here he plays Death Lotus from Runescape. In the role, he utilizes some Kendo inspired sword flourishing, and eventually kick-boxing upon being disarmed.
Performer’s Profile: Zack D Fuzzle
Zack D Fuzzle is one of the highest level parkour practitioner locally, and well-versed in martial arts tricking. In this show he plays the popular Akuma from the Street Fighter franchise. Capitalizing on his acrobatic abilities, he combines aerial maneuvers with karate-resque hand-to-hand strikes.
Performer’s Profile: Joseph Chai
Joseph is a stuntman specializing in Taekwondo and martial arts tricking. And he is dressed as Itachi in his Akatsuki uniform from the Naruto series. Here he performs the fights predominantly with his well-practiced kicks and spinning kicks.
Challenges
Limited Stage Space:
Space constraints is the number one problem we had on this show. The moment we had arrived, it was clear that the stage wasn’t big enough for the 3v1 fight blocking we had prepared for. And we had thus proceeded to re-block the choreography to accommodate the space.
- Compressing the single acrobatic showcase into a smaller distance coverage. (It’s always good to aim to utilize as much of the stage as possible. If everything on stage happens in the center of it, it gets visually flat.)
- Bringing some of the parts to the bottom of the stage. (I had often encourage my performance to not be limited to the stage area. If the show could be brought to cover the audience areas, it increases audience involvement and engagement. But of course, this isn’t allowed in certain types of performance, especially the more formal ones, hence this has to be applied on a case by case basis)
Objects on Stage:
And on top of the stage being small, we were then informed that there was to be a drum-set on stage that they couldn’t remove. However, this is a more common problem than you would expect. No biggie, we proceeded to re-position the choreography to accommodate that.
While common as it may be though, it is not encouraged especially when it comes to a stunt based performance, where safety is paramount. The event organizers has to do their part to either remove those hazards, or inform us as early on as possible on the existence of these obstacles on the performance space.
For my part, I could have done better in requesting for more details in specifics when it comes to the exact size and layout of the stage area, and the objects that would be on stage.
Concept Change:
Upon seeing the onsite run, the event organizers decided that they would like the performance to be more amiable, as they had then realized the action nature of the concept they had requested may seem a little too violent to the audience.
And in accordance with the request, we had then adjusted the action genre into an action comedy performance that is the eventual show. I have to applaud the team for being such well practiced performers to be able to adjust so quickly. Changes to the core tone of performances are tough on the performers and choreographers alike, but it all turned out fine.
Looking forward however, there are several things we could do to prevent adjustments of this nature via a more systematic communication chain with the clients, and that is something that I have to improve upon as the choreographer.
Watch the Full Performance Here:
Future SOPs
Looking forward, there are 2 things that comes to mind when I thinking of where I could improve on in order to provide a better service in shows to come.
- When it comes to performance space size, to be more meticulous in the gathering of information of the stage specs. And more precise with the way which I approach the blocking of the choreography. And in addition, to explore more methods with which to create dynamic movements on stage without needing to dismount the stage, for there will be plenty of shows where that isn’t an option.
- To have 2 offsite rehearsals, and 1 onsite on the actual performance day instead. The first offsite to clear the choreography with the studio, and have a test-footage ready for client’s viewing. With their feedback of onsite day one, we will be able to make adjustments by the second rehearsals sending them the final show test-footage, minimizing the possibility of major concept changes like this event had.
Great job team! I’m proud of you!
What an intricate and amazing experience for you. Must make such a huge difference to be working with a team of experienced and skilled cast members. Can’t believe all you needed was a couple rehearsals! Great job 🙂
Cosplay is something that I would love to try. My sister use to cosplay and I always watch everytime she’s going to an event.
I love cosplay and I think it let you to be someone in our fantasy. I can see from the video you and your friends are having so much fun preparing the performance. Really awesome to see you do the summersault in the air. I wish to do that too. By the way, Ryu from street fighter is one of the character I would always choose when I play street fighter!
Very nice. I wish i was able to see the performance. I thorougly enjoyed the performance. You guys did awesome.
Now that looks fun! It’s good that the organizers added some thought into making a story in some way. These cosplayers definitely look experienced and know what they’re doing. I wish someone cosplayed as Marvel characters too!
Oh wow this sounds like it was such a fun experience, I love the concept, I am sure the audience would have been eager to see how the fight plays out and you all look awesome in your costumes!
That is such a great analysis of the difficulties you found and how you successfully got to overcome them for this performance! there is certainly much to learn about!
How very creative this is. It looks like you had a lot of fun making the performance and acting it all out.
Wow, great job Peps!
Onsite rehearsal is always the key to making a performance great and I’m glad while you have minimal onsite rehearsal, you were still able to adjust to their needs.
I guess besides stage size, you might also want to remember to include the height, the space in front of the stage before the first row of the audience and also the obstruction maybe presence on stage.
Cause sometimes certain objects may give you leverage and you always want an entertaining performance that looks like it belongs there.
Nevertheless, great performance!
Looks like you know your craft and are passionate about it. I am sure your colleague will appreciate the challenges and experience you shared.