YOUR IMAGINARY FORCES
** Deadline for submissions extended! FRIDAY 02 APRIL **
This April, to mark Shakespeare’s birthday, we’re staging his rousing history play Henry V in a specially adapted, live online performance; and we’re inviting aspiring artists, of any medium, to get involved.
GSC is putting out an open call to aspiring artists – of any age, any ability, any medium - to join us in bringing this epic play to life, by sharing your creative responses to the play and its themes of LOVE, HUMANITY and NEW BEGINNINGS. We'll look to involve as many pieces, or parts of pieces, as possible in our exciting new version of Henry V, taking your dream to the screen.
A charismatic, untested young leader ascends the throne. The people hold their breath... Yet Henry's vision will see him and his country turn around their shattered state, take pride in who they are and collectively forge a new peace and prosperity.
Now open for submissions!
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
We don’t want to be too prescriptive, but it could be:
- music that underscores a section of the show or the herald of a character
- artwork that we give the cast to use as a virtual backdrop to a scene or speech
- a poem that we can share with audiences, woven into the script
- maybe some textiles that the actors could wear
Any medium is exciting to us and we want you to think beyond the boundaries of our current isolation and be inspired by the triumphs and tragedies of Henry's world and share with us a new vision.
HOW ARE PIECES CHOSEN?
After the deadline date, all submissions will be reviewed by Henry V’s artistic team as to where they will work best within the show.
Due to time limitations on the production, we may not be able to use all the pieces we are sent, but we will showcase everything in a special online gallery event so everyone can have a chance to enjoy your creations.
I LOVE THIS IDEA! WHAT DO I DO NEXT?
Great! We recommend having a watch of Henry V – a couple of particularly good versions are Kenneth Branagh’s 1989 film and Shakespeare’s Globe’s available on Globe Player.
Do also have a look at our 2014 production, as it will form the basis of this online adaptation… and of course do have a read of the play if you would like to!
We’re suggesting the themes of Love, Humanity and New Beginnings as key themes of the play, but there are many more, so just let your ideas flow. If you choose to read some or all of the play, watch a film version, look at images online or simply ruminate on these themes, it’s up to you; let your pen, paintbrush, instrument, sewing machine, whatever you create with, run riot and share with us your vision.
When you’re ready, simply download this form, fill it in and send it along with your piece to [email protected] (if sending something by post please use the above email to arrange delivery/collection).
IMPORTANT INFO & TERMS
MUSIC
Whether keyboards, vocals or kazoo is your instrument, we'd love to hear your musical imaginings. Ideally tracks should be around 30 seconds long and supplied in mp4 format. We may end up using a short snippet for a herald or fanfare for example, or indeed the whole thing, but either way we’ll let you know.
CREATIVE WRITING
Put pen to paper or fingers to keys and share your poetic vision. Ideally please try to keep to around 100-150 words.
ARTWORK
Charcoal, computer graphics, animation or water-colour, let your imagination run riot. If not produced electronically, we will need to be able to scan it and for it to have an aspect ratio of 16:9 and a minimum resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels
TEXTILES
Knit, crochet, weave, tie-dye… however you’re inspired, ideally the piece should be large enough to be shown on the upper torso (including head) of an actor, as that is what will be in view on the screen. Contact us about the best way to send your creation.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us below.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
- The artist retains all intellectual rights over their creation but gives GSC permission to use the said creation as it deems necessary for creative purposes, either all or part of said creation.
- Creations will be solely for the purposes and duration of the Henry V production.
- All artists featured will be credited.
- Where any artists’ work has been sent physically to GSC, this will be kept safe and returned following its use.
- A recording will be made of the production, for both archive purposes and should any audience members have technical issues watching the live performance.
If you have any questions please email us at [email protected]
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Friday 26 March, 6pm
2 thoughts on “Artists – A Call to Arms!”
I am entering a piece of art work for possible inclusion in your production of Henry V. I found out about this through my Art Group of which Caroline is part of.
Thank you so much for sharing your creation with us Judith!