At the moment on a five week teaching tour of Europe. First week in the beautiful city of Copenhagen teaching at the National Danish Film School. Great school. Great students (well, not actually 'students' as I am working on the Post Graduate Division and these are mostly working professional directors, actors and writers).

Been a long time since I've posted anything in this blog but now I am determined to keep it very active with my travels, my teachings, my thoughts and mostly the developments of The Travis Technique and the progress of my books.

"The Directors Bag of Tricks" is almost done. By the end of the summer it will go into the full production phase and come out sometime in 2011. I will keep you posted. Early responses to the book are fantastic, way beyond what I imagined possible. I am very pleased.

The Travis Technique (my unique approach to working the actors) continues to develop, emerge and become refined as one of the most powerful directing tools imaginable. For those of you who don't know what it is, here's the core of the idea: "Stop directing the actors, Start directing the Characters".

The Travis Technique

What happens when directors stop directing
and actors stop acting?

When Directors control and demand results and when Actors simply pretend -- our attempts to create a new reality fail.

What would happen if we simply created an environment within which reality could truly exist?

This is actually the subject matter for my next directing book (there is a writing book coming as well). Stay tuned here and you will be getting more information.

Running off to the Film School now to work with 30 eager directors and actors. More news soon

Mark

February 09 News

There is so much happening in my world but I did promise that this Blog would be about the world of film directing and specifically about my work as a director, writer, teacher and consultant.  

New Book.  Yes, I have finally committed myself to writing the next book (there are three books in the pipe line).  The next book "The Director's Bag of Tricks" is going to be a whimsical and 

practical as the title promises.  During my 30+ years of directing theater and film and during my constant pursuit of new techn

iques working with actors I have either discovered, stumbled upon or actually created directorial "tricks" that have produced amazing results.  My dear friend and publisher, Michael Wiese (www.mwp.com) has been after me for years to write these down.   So, now I am doing it.  The book will be finished by the end of the year and out in earl 2010.

(The picture above is me a couple of years ago working with one of my favorite actors, Slava, in a directing workshop in Kiev, Ukraine.)

For the next few months I will be in Los Angeles, writing and developing new projects for theater and film.  I've started a new SOLO WORKSHOP for a group of very talented writers and performers who are developing new one-person shows.

On May 1st, PAY ATTENTION, a solo show written and performed by Frank South (a developed in the Hawaii Solo workshop) will open here in Los Angeles at the Santa Monica Playhouse.  Go to www.franksouth.net for more information.

My next teaching tour of Europe will begin in early June with stops in London, Amsterdam, Munich and Barcelona.  Check out my website for an updated schedule.  www.markwtravis.com

More news later.

Cheers,

Mark

Chapel on the Hill

I know I said I was going to write about directing. But what is happening right now is much more interesting. I am in Munich on my way to Berlin. But not in Munich actually; in a very small village south of Munich close to the Alps. It is absolutley gorgeous here. Sadly, the first day when I took a walk with friends through the countryside, I negelected to take my camera and missed some stunning shots. But yesterday, on a walk a dusk I was smart enough to remember and captured many shots including this one. This small chapel is truly located all by itself on the top of a remote hill (can you see it in the picture below?). We hiked to the top and I was told to get my wishes ready ... as this chapel is famous for fulfilling wishes of those who make the climb and light a candles inside.

Inside is the tiniest chapel imaginable. About eight pews and just about enough room to walk in and turn around.

Story of this chapel. This hill overlooks a small Bavarian village. Innocent little town tucked away in a peacful valley. But it is located on the flight path that bombers took during WWII heading toward Munich. One day, one of these bombers had been hit and was burning and about to crash. It was headed directly for this village. At the last moment the burning bomber suddenly lifted up above the village and then plunged to the earth in a huge explosion, miraculously sparing the village and villagers. Perhaps it was the hand of God. Perhaps the pilot in the final moment of courage and control wrestled the plane away from the village. Regardless, it was a miracle. This chapel was built in honor of this moment.


Here is the inside of the Chapel. I lit a candle, made my wishes and trust in the powers that be.

Okay, why in Munich?

Actually, I am on my way to Berlin for the Berlin Film Festival and Market. My writing partner and I have several projects we have developed, written or are proposing that we will be presenting to various producers, executives at the European Film Market.

So, I will continue to take pictures and maybe even document my journey on these pages.

Cheers, Mark

Welcome to Boyden Road

February 1, 2008

Welcome to my new blog. Well, truly, it's my only blog. For years I resisted creating one or even looking at other ones. But today, because of my friend, Naomi, I have broken down and here it is.

Picture on the left, for those who are curious, is Tanner and me. Tanner, rescue dog of 7 years and truly my best friend.

This blog will primarily be about Directing. Film and Theatre Directing.
As a director and teacher of directing and consultant on directing I am constantly exploring the world of directing. I realize I am a bit of a maverick, and I like that. I realize that some of my points of view are way outside the box, unconventional and a bit arrogant and rebellious. That, too, I like.

So BOYDEN ROAD will primarily be a blog about Film and Theatre Directing. I am in the middle of writing my third book "The Director's Bag of Tricks" and I am considering posting chapters in this blog as I complete them (or even portions of chapters) just to share them whit whoever is out there and is interested ... and to get some feedback and response. Writing is a very lonely occupation ... but even lonelier when you have finished something and would like some response.

So now that I have this little puppy lauched, it is time to get back to the real work at hand.

Cheers, Mark