Andrew Trigg is the president of the community theater organization, the players in Jakarta, and a university professor in Jakarta. Andrew came first in Indonesia in 1987, making his permanent home not long after. He talks about his passion for storytelling, digital arts and theater.
What sparked your interest in digital arts?
I've always loved telling stories. When I was in high school, I liked to write short stories - horror was a favorite - and I also hand designed my own magazine and crazy stories parked in them. I also used to write radio plays and save them with my brother and some friends of my street on an old tape recorder. When I saw my first 3D computer animation on TV, I am completely blown away. I realized I had to just make computer animation, so I pestered my father into buying a computer Video Genie and BBC Micro, and tried to teach me.
I am not able to write some simple graphics video games before moving on to study computer science at the University. Unfortunately, when I arrived, I discovered that science college and advanced technology in the UK at the time did not have the graphics capability of the computer that my BBC Micro had - to put my movies on hold for some time! However, I obtained a Master of Arts from the University of Warwick before studying at Sydney Film School Sydney and Studio actor.
I am now a theory that find happiness can be as simple as reconnecting some way with what you liked to do when you were a child -. Which in my case was the narration
Tell us about the theater Jakarta players Community. How long has this organization for and what is the heart of every show you put on
Players Jakarta has been around for 50 years or more - obviously before I became president! We are a diverse group of theater lovers and Indonesian expatriates working together as volunteers to put on two or three English theater performances each year. We give all the profits we make our shows to charities that benefit Indonesian families in need. Over the years, we have made a wide variety of productions, seriousness and drama dinner theater short game nights, farces, thrillers, detective stories and musical theater. We are thrilled when the audience enjoy our performances. - I think what unites our various members and is the heart of everything we do
You are directing a show called "Naked Molerats in the World of Darkness." What is this show and why people should come watch
is a smart funny adult comedy about men and women - Certainly not suitable for children, and anyone who is easily offended should probably not come see! It consists of a series of hilarious skits Snappy exploring how men and women sometimes seem to be from different planets, how it can make a real effort to stay together, and how this effort ultimately worth it. There is so much comedy in all this; it is probably the funniest game we have done recently, but is also incredibly touching and true to life in places.
I do a lot of preparation - analyze, interpret and understand the script as well as I can. I put a lot of thought to how to communicate what I want to clear with the actors so they can understand and play the way that I give them. I tried to build the game world in the minds of the players so they can live the scenes rather than pretend their way through them. I am never angry with the players because it kills performance, and I encourage them as much as I can. Above all, I learned to trust the process. I've realized that it does not matter if the actors are not going well at the beginning of the rehearsal period because they will get there in the end.
You are a teacher in a private university in Jakarta. Tell us about your class.
I teach theater direction in the performance of students in the arts and television, film and video production to mass communication students. In the classes TV, film and video I teach students how to make television dramas and short programs. And in theater management classes that I coach students through a large theater production each year. I found wonderfully energizing to engage creatively with all these young people to help them tell their stories as well as possible.
What approach did you take to teaching and who do you get your students are most receptive to?
I try to tell them a little as peers and collaborators, rather than as students. I encourage them to call me by my name, because I think too much emphasis on hierarchy can kill the interaction and creativity. I put a lot of pressure on them to make the best film or be drama, but I also make clear that I'm here to help in any way I can, and they can ask me anything, anytime. And of course, they also respond well when I do the classes as convenient as possible. I see myself as more of a coach and trainer of a speaker. I want them to not only understand the theory, but also to be able to apply new skills in interesting ways.
What obstacles do you see students of creative arts face in this day and age?
The copy paste culture comes to mind. It is so easy nowadays for students to . an answer to just about everything, twist slightly and then present it as their own idea. I think it makes some intellectually lazy; unwilling to put in the thought and hard work that demands creativity. And, of course, students who are truly creative ideas are so easily copied, too. Universities need to emphasize that creativity is not only to be brilliant or talented - but can help -. But also development, experimentation, hard work and perseverance
Have you noticed an improvement in the Indonesian cinema, and where do you think the country is on the stage of world in time of five to 10 years?
Indonesia has many talented filmmakers like Lucky Kuswandi, Joko Anwar, Teddy Soeriaatmadja, Riri Riza and Nia Dinata. There are also a few large producers, as Sheila Timothy. Short Film Lucky Kuswandi The Fox Leverages Power of Tiger was in competition at Cannes this year - which is the first time this has happened in 25 years! Unfortunately, it's really hard to great filmmakers like these living embodiment Indonesia. Their films are not seen by enough people, in part because there is not enough cinema screens in Indonesia and due to overwhelming competition of much more commercial, but lower quality films . With more screens and more support from the government, in the next 5 to 10 years, the filmmakers - even the arts - could find much easier to make money from their films, which will eventually have an impact great quality and world-renowned Indonesian films.
Andrew Trigg and his wife Marissa Anita
You are married to actress and TV anchor, Marissa Anita. What's it like to have such a high profile woman?
is wonderful and a bit surreal at times. Wonderful, because Marissa is an intelligent, funny, talented, kind and caring that I am very happy to be sharing my life with. But the little surreal is this: I knew Marissa before she was on television, and I'm with her throughout as she became very well known. When people come to nervously ask for a selfie with it, it makes me think a lot about the nature of celebrity culture. For me, it's the same Marissa it has always been - and really to his credit, he has not all gone to his head at all. It reminds me that no one knows what a person is really famous as their public character; we inflate our minds. And the funniest thing is that even knowing all this, I am still. When I met Bill Nighy and Carrey Mulligan recently, I was a nervous wreck!
Thanks, Andrew! To get in touch, email: thejakartaplayers@gmail.com
Naked Mole Rats in the Dark World will take place on 13-15 November in Jakarta. Please visit www.jakartaplayers.org for tickets and more information.