Light In Darkness

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A story of how a play born.

Transcript of Light In Darkness

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獻給 台大戲劇系的朋友們

紀念那些被相機打擾的美好回憶

ToFriends of the Department of Drama and

Theatre of NTU

in memory of those annoying Days with camera shots

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我對製作的記憶很感官

排戲〈腦袋重重、眼睛花花、頭很痛、笑死人、白癡〉

廣東動物園大法師〈酸痛、汗臭、手臂很酸、尖叫、夾腳〉

比手劃腳〈吵死人、刺耳、口水、遜咖〉

技彩排〈昏暗、耳鳴、夢境裡、想睡、化妝品香味、達倫精神喊話〉台上〈刺眼、不能聚焦、回聲、信任、緊繃、放鬆、觀眾的笑聲〉拆台〈腳軟、腰酸、黑、餓、哈啾、手痛、傑克感性時刻、失落〉

有時我會被外系的人問到關於戲劇製作的問題,或許是因為我自己從來沒有從那樣的角度想過那些事,所以會覺得那些問題有點奇怪,也不知道該怎麼回答。會答不出來其實還有其他原因,其中一個是學藝不精,不會回答,另一個最大的原因是:有時候我很難把這些感官的記憶用語言表達出來。或許我的表達能力真的有點差。

於是我跟我媽曾經發生過這樣的對話:

「妳每天搞那麼晚都在幹嘛?」「排戲。」「幹嘛要排戲?」「我有製作課。」「什麼製作課?」「就是戲劇系的學生都要修的課,要演出的。」「你要演戲?」「對啊。」「你們都怎麼演戲?」「就跟劇本慢慢排。」「那樣是怎樣排?」「就跟著劇本慢慢排。」「總有排的方法吧?」「就跟著…⋯」

進入鬼打牆狀態。之後她有一陣子都懶得再問我排戲的事。

我承認有這樣的對話,大部份是因為自己懶得去想要怎麼

回答這些一言難以蔽之的大問題。但有幾次我是真的想認真回答,於是,

「排戲都怎麼排?」「喔,我們都先在排練教室熱身半小時,休息一下,然後再開始分段排。」「分段排?」「就先自己走一段,然後給導演修走位、表演,大家再一起討論問題」「喔,然後呢」「然後再自己走一段,再給導演修走位、表演,再一起討論問題。」「我知道,你說過了。」「……」

媽,妳還是直接來看戲好了。

****

如果要我說出對製作期的記憶,那大概是這樣子的:

每個人幾乎都圍著即將到來的演出打轉,不論在時間上或是精神上它都是生活的重心。早晨的系館是冷清的,偶爾會有一兩個人走過,而走過的那兩個人大概都還在恍神中;但一到晚上就不一樣了,系館是熱呼呼的,是嗡嗡做響的,所有人好像都醒了,都為了同一件事情努力著。舞台、燈光、服裝、行政組都各司其職,而我們表導演組,每日六點半一到,便殺進排練教室重複的排練著,日復一日。

在這樣的日子裡,我常常在排練場上排著排著就忘了自己到底已經排過了幾天,是一個月?兩個月?還是一個星期?兩個星期?或許是因為每天反覆說著同樣的台詞吧,有時我甚至覺得今天正在過的日子,昨天就已經先過了一遍。如果有人問我昨天排戲排了些什麼,我說不定還會講成前天或大前天的排練過程。這種感覺就好像日子被壓縮了起來,明明過了很多天卻好像只有過了相同的一天,從排戲、進劇場到拆完台,長達一學期的時間好像被壓縮成了一個密度很高的點,如果要問我裡面的細節是什麼,我必須花很長的時間解壓縮才能慢慢的把裡面破碎的片段拼湊起來,擬出一點端倪。

而對我而言,演出後拆完台的那幾天是失落的,劇場裡的一切總是顯得特別冷清。會有這樣的感覺,或許是因為製作期是那麼的熱血沸騰。特別是進劇場的那兩個星期,除了睡覺外,幾乎都關在這個黑盒子中,讓人快分不清外面的世界是黑夜還是白天。偶爾走出劇場,還會疑惑現在到底看不看的到太陽。劇場週讓一大群人被迫(?)長時間關在一起工作,

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這是一個考驗團隊合作的時候,因此大家總是小心翼翼地,不希望因為自己的失誤而影響到了所有人的進度。剛開始進去的時候我的精神總是很亢奮,能量也很強,整個人跳來跳去,非常期待將到來的演出。但當進入了技、彩排的馬拉松,體力快耗盡時,除了不服輸的精神外,就剩下時間和團隊的壓力逼著我前進了,而這樣的壓力到了我身上常常轉變成一股意志力,就算再累再恍惚,這個意志力還是可以讓我撐到最後,撐到拆完台,撐到離開這次製作又進入下一次的製作。

製作期是熱血沸騰的,因為實在有太多力量推著你向前走。

****

對施昀佑來說,拍戲劇系的製作過程是一段很特別的經驗,而對身為被紀錄者的我來說,同樣也是一段很難得的體驗。從血如噴泉開始,施昀佑就在排練場裡出現,說句實話,當時的我是很不自在的。我不習慣鏡頭隨時在我身邊出現,「喀擦」一聲,就很暴力的把我當時,不論是美的、醜的、在排練或是在想劇本的樣子留下來。那是一種被監視的感覺,讓我沒有辦法好好的專心在我想做的事情上面,至少當時我是那麼感覺的。這個感覺跟平時出去遊玩的出遊照不一樣,出遊照是自己可以控制的範圍,而施昀佑的照相方式,是讓我沒有辦法控制的,他隨時都在觀察每個人在排練場的舉動,捕捉每個人很隱私的時候;而我,不習慣在隱私的時候有被窺視的感覺,我想我是害怕那一剎那的想法和情緒都會在照片裡無所遁形。

但我實在不得不佩服施昀佑的耐力和毅力,在跟完血如噴泉後,他又很熱血地跟了我們第五屆的畢業製作,《九重天》與《小偷的嘉年華會》。九重天時候的我雖然還是不習慣鏡頭的咖擦聲,但我已經開始進入很無奈而「假裝沒有它」的狀態。就這樣過了一陣子,直到有一天在休息的時候,施昀佑走過來跟我說,我在他的照片裡從很意識到相機的「存在」變成了「自在」,那個時候我才發現自己不知道從什麼時候開始把他的存在「關掉」了。或許是因為當時排戲排得如火如荼,我在非專注不可的狀況下把四周的事物都隔離了,又或許是我對每天都跟排的攝影師越來越信任,所以漸漸不再排斥被鏡頭盯著的感覺。幾天前我和施昀佑聊天,又發現了另一個可能:或許我從來就沒有習慣於他的鏡頭,但在漸漸適當地拿捏紀錄者與被紀錄者的關係下,他成功的讓我在被紀錄的過程中,處於舒服的狀態,有時我在排練場甚至不知道他曾經有來過,在很久之後看了他的照片,我才知道當時他居然一直都在。

一剛開始看到施昀佑的照片有一種疏離感,或許是因為

我知道我自己曾經存在過那個地方,做過那些事,但卻從來沒有意識到透過鏡頭的我當時是以那一個樣子排戲、討論劇本和發呆。那種站在另外一個空間看自己的過程,真的很噁心(這絕對是稱讚照片的意思),畢竟我從未把這些發生過的事影像化,我想我當時看照片的表情一定很扭曲。但看到越多的照片之後,我感到越驚喜,這些照片勾起了我很感官的記憶:技彩排時化妝品的香味,演出時刺眼的燈光,拆台的失落;它甚至留下了連我自己都沒有意識自己曾經經歷過的事:熱身的時候的發呆,導演給Note的時候的專注,定妝時候偷照鏡子。而當我在已經結束了製作快半年後,看到了這些代表我回憶的東西時,某一瞬間我突然覺得它們彌足珍貴。或許它們只能呈現出我記憶中的百分之五十,但那也已經足夠了。當我現在想到當時自己死命的抵抗鏡頭的樣子時,不禁覺得有點好笑。我想以後,當我已經快要忘記在劇場裡面的感覺時,我會翻翻這本書;當我想起畢製的好伙伴時,我也會翻翻這本書;當我想要告訴其他人戲劇系都在幹嘛時,我還是會翻這本書。

媽,妳想知道我大學四年都在幹嘛嗎?

來看照片吧。

吳家瑋

台大戲劇系第五屆,畢業製作“九重天”演員

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清澈的眼睛

「哇!你唸戲劇喲……那以後會在電視上看到你囉?」

這是剛上大學的時候,最常被問到的一句話。

「抱歉,不會。」

我的回答通常簡短。

戲劇對台灣文化而言是完全外來的一種藝術,雖然台灣民眾對影視商品的消費力驚人,但似乎並不表示他們足以分辨「戲劇」、「電影」和「電視劇」。戲劇系,學的是舞台劇。不過老實說,我在進大學前一場

舞台劇都沒有看過;說當時的我是個不懂「戲」的人,對看過不少電影的我而言,卻也不見得公平;這是奇怪的現象,但台灣接觸藝術的觀眾,大部分都是這樣子的。一年看個幾百場電影,一生沒看超過五場舞台劇。

一齣舞台劇的製作期,通常一個人會花超過250小時;演出時間,通常1.5小時。不像電影,後製完成後留下最終作品,那膠捲能夠證明你的存在。舞台劇演完馬上佈景拆一拆,演員卸完妝,所有人離開劇場,什麼都不留下。拍片像生成水晶,一點一點的往上加,結晶完成後放在櫃子裡展示,它的美好能永遠被看見;舞台劇卻像燒營火,一點一點累積木柴,一次放火,熊熊燃燒,觀眾欣賞燃燒的過程。

做戲做久了似乎都會沾染上某種情懷,一種特別的,無病呻吟似的傷感;和我一起作畢製的禮榕說:「很怕演完的一種失落,有時會一個人在演完走回家的路上哭⋯⋯」演出和眼淚一樣無情,對演員而言謝幕完後剩下的只有疲累的身心,可憐的是,舞台劇演員永遠無法親眼欣賞舞台上的自己。在學校的時候,沒想那麼多,一直到畢業後才開始意識到紀錄的重要。當然,紀錄和現場相比絕對少了臨場的氣味,但十年後當你回想起年輕時的好體力,能有東西輔助你甚至勾起夠多回憶,是否該慶幸能擁有這些小小的、一片片的寶貝。

常有人帶著羨慕的眼神望向舞台,不管他是喜歡享受觀眾的注視,或只是嚮往這個花花世界,我都只能說:「抱歉

⋯⋯你電影看太多了。」舞台是個甜蜜又危險的地方,後台也是。演出結束,沒有華麗的轎車接送,也沒有你幻想中的刺激一夜情,有的是和全員一起流汗、搬東西、被撞到、受傷。這些事情,觀眾不會知道,但卻是生成舞台劇的環節,微小但重要。

從無到有,拆掉,又無到有,再拆掉,做戲不斷重複著這個循環;每一次的生長到破壞都是獨一無二,在學生時代對於一次次的演出早已麻木,但現在回想起來,沒有重視紀錄真是萬分可惜的遺憾。對於戲劇的職位,攝影一向不算是正式編製;一般獨立製作往往也都是演出前一週才協調拍攝人員。雖然看舞台劇享受的是臨場的效果,但少了相片影片,這項藝術似乎走入越來越小眾的世界;少了這些東西,我似乎也不敢保證十年後依然記憶如新,能回想起所有經歷過的大小事,更不能向我的後代證明:「你外婆以前是很漂亮的⋯⋯。」

戲劇系的學生在台大是特別的;他們在人群中顯眼、出色。可能是因為這一點,他們自成一格。大部分的學生從入學到畢業的四年中,新交往的外系生朋友不超過五個;這是可慶還是可惜?

第一次見到Allen是在學製血如噴泉的現場,我驚訝一個外系生無懼於戲劇系強大又內聚的人際網路。對於一個沒有學分、沒有關係的局外人,他眼中戲劇系是什麼樣子?很感動的寫了這篇序,期待所有欣賞這本寫真的你,透過Allen的眼睛,看著這些年輕人,看著他們用時間和活力做同齡的學生做不到的事情。照片中的每一位主角,請謝謝Allen,或許你現在不感覺到這本書的價值,但過個幾年,我想你將會懂的。

Lucy台大戲劇系第二屆畢業生

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他想和你們吃便當

施昀佑的一天

施昀佑是個潔淨的孩子,所以我們要用最簡單的方式看他,太複雜的思緒都先擺在一旁,不需要香煙、收音機、誰的歌聲,不需要懷那個因煙霧繚繞而美好的什麼什麼舊,像王家衛的電影那樣昏黃。安安靜靜就好,我們陪著施昀佑起床了。

「清晨聽著花與愛麗絲原聲帶。我後來聽傻了,不是那麼想出門。那些清晨,午後陽光和夜裡車水馬龍的都市,草原,山坡或是長長的公路。」 「泡咖啡,聽音樂,燙衣服。多麼愜意的清晨。」

「我現在清晨偶而會打打羽球,有時候會游泳,那都是早上九點以前的事情。」

「本週四打球,人生第一球真正的Inside-Out終於出現了,是完全有意識,而且姿勢非常標準的揮擊!」

「我今天早上走上七星山主峰,下午和XX打了三個小時左右的球,中午吃辣過度導致的腹部疼痛大概在晚上六七點時逐漸發作,八九點時痛苦到了的極致,臉色發白…」

這是施昀佑的一天,只是偷偷地窺視一個小角落,其實他走過的路很長,做過的事很多,發過的夢很美,往夢那裡去的努力很頑固。

讓我們稍微不講道理地切割他這個人好了。他的生活似乎主要有以下幾個面向:音樂(以製造情調)、運動、思考,再來要加上咖啡(約會?);不管與誰見面,他老是約在那間咖啡廳裡,在那裡他偷偷告訴我哪個女生很漂亮,興沖沖地要我看他歐洲旅行的作品(聽他說高中時會逼人家在他日記上寫字),我也看著他與朋友談瑣碎無謂的事(比方說大家嘲笑施昀佑是個很娘的人)、以及有關生命本質的事(比如說他打從自己生命本質裡討厭什麼事)。他時常咕嘰咕嘰地言說,公開自言自語,帶著Peace非常焦慮地在咖啡廳裡站起坐下,不認識他的人都不知道這是他的念一直在走動,他必需跟著抖動否則會全身發癢。2004年左右,他辦了一份刊物「文火」;在辦報之前,他是個詩社份子。雖然文青這個

詞彙有過多想像與意涵,但我們大致上可以蠻橫地歸結這傢伙為「四肢發達的文青」。這名四肢發達的文青,還在2006年某天考得一張棒球裁判證,這是我最喜歡對別人說的一件事之一(「我有朋友考到棒球裁判資格耶!」),如果他繼續考到國際比賽裁判,以後我看棒球賽都光看裁判了。

2004年某個百無聊賴的秋日清早,那時我正處在「散戲憂鬱」當中,面臨無解的巨大空虛寂寥,聽說有個小朋友在辦報紙,那就約他出來聊聊吧。施昀佑閃亮亮地走進咖啡廳裡,好像才剛去哪裡運動完,遠遠看到他,心想這個人好man,一定很臭不然就香水四溢。他一坐下來就說:「其實我很不喜歡星巴克。」竟然擺架子,雖然不太臭。我們淺淺相對而笑,此時還不知道彼此的姓名(以致於後來好長一段時間我搞不清楚他到底是施昀佑還是施佑昀),但似乎並不特別在意,我們以意念交流,以眼神相望。這根本就是肥皂劇、武俠片、或者「那一夜,我們說相聲」的劇情。接下來的一兩個小時內他侃侃而談,但是對陪伴我來的朋友一眼也不屑看,讓那位朋友(後來出家了,我相信與施昀佑無關)嚴重感到受辱並且深深討厭施昀佑。這麼傲慢的人,我心裡帶著幾分嫉妒:「你還真有膽,小子,我欣賞你!」那時是文火正起步的時候,再回頭來看,果然刊名如其人般熱火。

2005年,他開始拿起相機。三月二十四日時他這麼說道:「以前小時候看父親拍照,總有一種崇拜的感覺,看到他熟練的調整機械相機,覺得很神聖不可侵,⋯⋯最近終於痛下決心拍照。」

2006年二月底,他第一次失戀。八月左右,他已經變成一個瘦而不病,腹部有肌肉的「四肢發達暨身材苗條文青」。那是他早起的全盛時期,號稱五點多起床打羽球兼游泳。暑假見到他,他邊吃小籠包、棗泥包等點心,邊看羅蘭巴特的明室。

2006年到2007年初春,他開始一連串紀錄劇場的計畫,從魏瑛娟老師導演亞陶的「血如噴泉」,到2006年台大戲劇系第五屆畢業公演「九重天」與「小偷嘉年華」。

然後完成了這本攝影集。

施昀佑以及攝影

施昀佑的眼睛裡充滿對人的慾念。

這是一個隨時要溢出來的,巨大的、深深的慾念,如此直接,非常純淨,並且極度自我。他並不害怕讓人看見這樣的慾念,不吝惜地在言語、文字、攝影作品,還有他與人一起抽的每一根煙裡,讚嘆著世間的人。

2005年施昀佑開始從事攝影,他說:「我喜歡拍人像,因為我希望能把對一個人的認知和情感投注在這張照片裡。」

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那一年他到歐洲旅行後,把他在途中的攝影作品給我看,許多小朋友的容顏、美麗女人的身影、城市裡的天空⋯⋯這些旅行的攝影作品裡,處處都是他在路上努力尋找、輕輕撿起來珍惜的人的影像,即便可能是幾輩子就這麼擦肩一次,他也能在一瞬間找到最美的氣息。雖然不懂得閱讀影像,卻忽然看見這條年輕的靈魂裡面,那一絲理直氣壯的稚氣根本不是任性,是遺憾,遺憾自己無法看完這個世界裡面所有人的故事。

這時我看見一個孩子摸索了許久之後,找到一個生命落腳的地方——攝影。

在拿起相機的那年之前,他背負著自己的慾望,見證與參與自己尋找的過程,那條道路處處洋溢著熱情,不論是辦報、打球、寫作,任何人一看都能輕易地發現他多麼熱愛人群:辦報紙的過程裡與大家耳鬢廝磨(確實是這樣的工作景象),寫的許多人的故事,打球也挑必需一群人一起打的球。有人說施昀佑是個很娘的男人,常口誤自己從小男孩長成大女人云云,施昀佑並且每每說自己是陰陽交錯在一身,我說,他對男對女都很誠懇欣賞與讚嘆,從每個人類身上都能切中要旨地深愛、或者痛恨。在「Light in Darkness‧後台」裡,我們見到裡面處處塞滿了人,不管是字面意義還是抽象概念的「人」。

施昀佑與這本書

「很幸運忘記帶了記憶卡,那強迫我更仔細、更專注的觀察他們,……她們如何美麗,如何動人,我如何切割和去蕪存菁,怎樣的笑容和眼神可以牽引我的直覺按下快門。」

劇場人影幢幢;演出時我們找不到一絲紊亂,然而那裡血跡斑斑。三明三暗後屏息的瞬間,就是包孕性的時刻,從這個時刻可以走到未來也能看到過去。施昀佑愛上的不只是三明三暗後的演出,他很貪心,他更要讚頌累積到演出能成功的一切氣力。在紀錄「血如噴泉」時,他能取得的拍攝角度僅限於演出時與演出後的討論,而也有戲劇系同學指出:「看他拍血噴的照片,漂亮歸漂亮,但是太乾淨了,少了一種什麼。⋯⋯我覺得他的照片少了一點,生命,我曾經活過的生命。」我想這點他自己在過程當中也隱約感受得到,所以接著又繼續「九重天」與「小偷嘉年華」兩劇的紀錄攝影。

施昀佑一腳踏入這個主題當中,並不令人意外,因為這是一個全體一起玩命的空間;在拍攝一開始他就有自覺地選擇「紀錄員」的姿態,顯示他對劇場的理解與投入,因為他明白劇場裡所有環節都十分危險與關鍵(劇場裡玩命,不只是抽象概念而已),即便是他有能力,也不能任意干擾正在進

行的工作,這是他對在劇場中工作的人們最大的讚嘆。

他說:「我所拍攝的影像,我的意念在其中所佔的比重實在太小,極度依賴我所有拍攝的對象,並且,總是要依賴某些偶然出現的機會,然後碰巧的按下快門,所以我只能說我在紀錄。」他對這個主題的初衷,是希望能為戲劇系的同學側拍留念。在這本書裡,他除了是紀錄者的姿態之外,不難看見他在這個空間裡慢慢地咀嚼最「合適」的角度,比如說導演給演員筆記、那幅酷似「最後的晚餐」構圖的照片,還有演員們在跟小朋友玩躲貓貓扮成一把雨傘,或者是大家在迴廊裡偷閒抽煙等等的幾幅作品。這是他在空間裡感到的泰然自若之緣故,使他能以最不干擾工作進行的方式,心平氣和地觀察每個人的容顏;是偶然出現的機會嗎?我的答案是否定的,然而這並不意味著他很汲汲營營想要找最完美的構圖(這不是施昀佑的菜),我們看不出他細心專注於玩弄攝影技術的痕跡,他的姿態是謙和的,而且是被接納在其中的;他與被拍攝者之間的距離很近又很舒服。

施昀佑與便當

在這其中,我們很能輕易地發現,他其實很想跟大家一起玩,當導演在戳演員屁股時,他敬業地按下快門,看起來快要被導演撞到,而模糊且東倒西歪的結果,讓我們想像他邊按快門邊隱忍笑意。

劇場裡最重要的交流時刻之一就是吃飯時間。身為紀錄員的他,在吃飯時刻也不忘其志地紀錄劇場裡這重要的輕鬆時刻,所以他沒跟大家一起吃便當,只有喝綠茶和巧克力時光(真像是侯孝賢的電影名稱)。在劇場裡這個所有工作者的向心力都非常滴水不穿的空間裡,不需要臆測便能知道他非常欣羨這樣的革命情感,希望加入其中,這些可以在他的作品裡看得見,如下戲之後一群人圍在戲劇系館出口閒散著、大家在迴廊裡哈煙,但基於他對劇場的理解與尊重,施昀佑切中要旨地觀察整個空間裡的氣息、互動方向,靈活地移動自己的身軀如同高級雙人舞,最後我們可以在作品裡發現他什麼角落都挖掘出來,然而不會做出無理要求去觸碰最複雜的機關。可以說,他最越界的心願,就是跟大家一起吃便當。

由於他對劇場與其中的人群們是如此讚嘆,被拍攝者能感受得到他的溫暖,這些都可以在這本書看見,他泰然自若,工作者不會因為他的存在而故作姿態或者如坐針氈。最後他無存在感的存在,用一種非常有禪意的方式悄悄融入這齣戲,大家漸漸與他熟稔,我們開始可以看到也許在下戲的時候他們找他說話,他不吝嗇地讓大家對他的相機好奇,為他拍下一張照片。這讓他十分開懷。此時施昀佑又能抽離出自己與他們的關係當中,思考他與他們之間的關係:「我覺得我不知道該怎麼拿捏和戲劇系朋友的距離,有好幾個選擇,

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但是總是要做出『選擇』,而且要有自己接受的理由,然後順帶接受這樣選擇之後出現的所有優缺點。」

結語

「我的照片是否真的能夠讓人感到溫暖呢?被拍的人會不會因為我為他們紀錄的某些美麗的時刻而感到開心?我能否成為人們回憶的助手,或是美麗的紀錄員?」

拋開所有影像和歷史理論等等,施昀佑對人的愛雖然任性又自我,然而這種自我卻不是急於表現、創造;他對這些理論都充滿興味地研究,但是對於人的堅持與慾望,使他在拍攝的瞬間能夠專注在他們身上。攝影者可以選擇自己要的角度,而施昀佑選擇了他的。這之中更有趣的地方是,雖然以紀錄者為志,但他選擇的故事是「集體打造一個故事」的故事。

關於是否他的照片能讓人感到溫暖,在這個過程之中,他自己與被拍攝的同學們之間的關係磨合出跳探戈式的默契,演出結束之後,大家還寫給他一張讓他樂不可支又痛哭流涕的卡片。身為一名觀者又熟悉施昀佑的脈絡(意思就是:他幹過什麼蠢事我都知道),此間我更確信他的路很長很長,未來的路途上會有更多遺憾,因為他看見的每一個人都是如此美麗可愛,他心中滾滾的慾望和他所有的夢想,都是這麼地用力、頑固又孩子氣,他要花好大的力氣才能夠圓滿。他的照片能讓人感到溫暖嗎?我想,他的照片讓人遺憾。

王米雪.長髮正妹.台北三缺一劇團創辦人

2007.04.17于法國史特拉斯堡

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序,寫在影像之前

羅斯福路和新生南路交叉口有一個廣場。日間人潮熙來攘往,年輕學生和朋友習慣相約在此,群聚數十輛摩托車期待出遊;而在星光灑落的夜裡,送朋友回宿舍的車子一輛接著一輛,空氣中瀰漫著充滿愛意的吻與道別。

這裡是台大的校門口。

在隔不到二十公尺遠的地方,有一個小斜坡道,連接著一棟赭紅色、看似安靜而無人的建築入口。

隨著太陽西下,它逐漸甦醒。一樓房間的燈光一間、一間的亮起,黃色的、白色的還有走廊上略帶淺綠色油漆反光的色澤,逐漸盈滿整個空間;走近些,似乎有些吵雜的機械運轉和人群嬉戲打鬧的聲音在空中迴盪;再走近些,經緯移動的細微穿梭聲和繪圖筆在素描紙上沙沙沙畫過的聲音也會進入耳朵;若夠幸運,有時還會在走廊間遇到華麗的,以金屬火花為素材的煙火演出。

這裡是戲劇系館,台大進門後第一棟會看到的建築物。

這一棟安靜的建築,在拉開夜的黑幕之後突然一瞬間有了生命力。小斜坡道上抽煙的人或蹲或坐或站;排戲的人們多變的嗓音從房間內穿過黑夜,在室外迴盪;製圖間終日不息的燈火,是那些子夜外出尋覓食物的人,來往於冷列深夜與溫暖建築物之間的燈塔。

這裡的人,有專屬於自己的、數不盡的黑夜與痛苦,怨懟與狂喜;他們穿著油漆、木屑沾身的黑衣黑褲,穿過校門一群又一群渾身酒味,著時尚性感裝束的年輕人;他們學習如何在舞台上真切地虛假親著彼此,以讓他們下戲後的吻更帶情感更加真實;他們的肝、肺五臟六腑比同齡的人更早衰,但他們的心、神與五感卻較一般人更為敏銳;這就是在這棟建築物裡的人。

因為有他們,有他們所為,這棟建築方被命名為戲劇系館。

A Preface, Writing Before Those Photos

There is an open space at the intersection of Roosevelt Rd. and Xinsheng S. Rd. In shiny days, different people bustle in and out here. Many youthful students and friends meet here, gathering tens of motorcycles and waiting for an excursion. In starry nights, bicycles carry friends back and forth to dormitories. Affectionate kisses and farewells overflow throughout the entrance.

This is the main entrance of National Taiwan University.Less than twenty meters away, there is a short slope, connecting

a reddish brown building access, which seems silent and unmanned.

In the setting of the sun, pointers of the watch gradually turn back to the top, and the building gradually revives. Rooms at the first floor, the lamplight gleams and radiates in yellow, in white, and the green wall's light reflection illuminate and pervade the entire hallway gradually. Move closer, the hall resounds with running machines' mumble and people's frolic. Walk closer, the footsteps of people moving with the sound of drawing pens picturing on the sketch paper is heard. If luckily enough, a performance conducted by gorgeous metal sparkle takes place in the corridor.

This is the Department of Drama and Theatre, the first building you would see after entering the National Taiwan University's main gate.

At the moment the night screen hangs down, this silent building comes to life. Here comes people squatting, sitting, or standing on the short slope, with cigarettes in their hands. The various voices of people who are rehearsing a play flow from the classrooms, penetrating the dark night, and reverberating outside. The cartographic room's ceaseless lamplight in the night-time is the lighthouse of people who search for food in the darkness, shuttling between the often chilly night and refuge of warm buildings.

The people here have their own endless dark nights and bitterness, as well as the ceaseless resentment and exultation. They wear dark suits, passing through crowds of young people at the gate, who wear fashionable dress with strong alcoholic smells. They sincerely but untruthfully osculate each other on the stage to have their kisses beyond the rehearsal more affectionate and natural,. Their hearts and spleens decline earlier, but their spirits and minds are much more sensitive than ordinary. These are the people in this building.

Because of them, and because of what they do, this building then be called the Department of Drama and Theatre.

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攝影/編輯/排版/封面設計:施昀佑翻譯:陳珮瑄

Photograph/Edit/Book Design/Cover Design: Shih Yun-yuTranslate: Chen Pei-Shuan

施昀佑,1985年出生於彰化,臺灣大學歷史系四年級學生。Shih Yun-yu, born in Chung-Hua on 1985, student of the Department of History of National Taiwan University.

E-Mail:[email protected]

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跋,寫在影像之後

「一直覺得可惜,大家都只有看戲不知道我們怎麼排的,要是當年我們做"Chance"的時候有人記錄下那齣戲的生成過程就好了……」

Lucy,台大戲劇系第二屆畢業製作“Chance"演員「我還記得那時候沒有人看好小寶(按:導演)這齣戲,因為那是一個集體創作的劇本,我們只能且戰且走,排戲一不順就去Lane86喝酒……」

喬治,

台大戲劇系第四屆,第二屆畢業製作“Chance"演員

我經常被問及一個我也無法回答的問題:「為什麼?」

去年五月間,魏瑛娟所導演的「血如噴泉」首演,當時我正為此齣系做影像紀錄工作,演出後訪問了戲劇系第二屆畢業生小寶與Lucy。那是一個隨機地,可是卻長達四十五分鐘的訪談。他們以常人少見的誠懇與認真,談著他們過往經歷的劇場生活,以及當年他們的畢業製作⋯⋯

暑假間我見到一篇戲劇系朋友的文章:「我看過施同學所拍的「血如噴泉」照片了,看他拍血噴的照片,漂亮歸漂亮細緻歸細緻,但就是畫面太漂亮太乾淨了,少了一種什麼。在我眼裡,髒髒舊舊的血噴,裡頭活生生的人,才是我看到,看過的,呼吸過的,所以我才覺得他拍的照片少了一點,生命,我曾經活過的生命。很有趣,我反而覺得我隨意拍的有血肉多了。」

對看戲的人來說表演或劇場是什麼?對參與演出的人來說,又是什麼?「是什麼」這三個字或許正是我在尋找的吧。對於一般愛看戲的朋友,參與的過程就是從看到宣傳、買票、撕票進場、或哭或笑然後離場,至多看看相關評論或寫些心情雜感;但對參與演出的人來說,那些只是一個小小的逗點而已,起點可能是手拿到劇本的那一刻,真正的終點可能是演出結束後自己親手把數小時前自己還在上頭演出的台給拆了後的極端失落。對觀眾來說,總是習於被有光之處所吸引,被導演的安排所牽引,但對一齣戲來說,沒有那些暗處的準備,就沒有亮處的耀眼。只要觀眾眼睛未及,就是無光之處,就是後台。從決定劇本到日後的資料蒐集與不停

歇的Workshop,以及旋即開始的密集排演,工廠、服裝、燈光與行政的準備工作,都是觀眾無法看見,甚至無從想像的。

拍攝期間,我突然意識到自己身處的時、空不正是這齣未演之戲的「後台」嗎?看著演員們辛勤的排演,舞台架設揮汗如雨的時光,一些可能的紀錄方向慢慢出現;為他們的努力留影,並呈現這些常人無法得見的、一個廣義概念的後台,或許正是我為什麼會投入的理由吧。

希望這本書能成為一個較為明確的答案。

* * *

常想起高中時期那種以班際為單位的競賽,可能是籃球,或是合唱。那年我們只有十七歲,技術生澀且懵懂未知。我只記得我們就是不斷的練習,從早練到晚,從週一練到週日,然後週一上學遲到,接著繼續從週一晚上開始練習。那時候,沒有人會因為有工作、因為考試、或因為要約會而請假。那時大家什麼都沒有,就只有燒不完的熱情和時間,是唯一的優勢,也是最難得的優勢。當中的感動與美麗,不來自於技術的華麗,而在於精神意志集中後所散發的、一種無法抗拒的吸引力。就像高中籃球聯賽,就像是日本甲子園。

那種精神的純真,是社會中現實衡量的反照,暫時忘卻那些讓人厭惡的銅臭與鄉愿退縮。

在學生劇場裡,也有一種極為類似的氣息,但當然不是完全相同的。學校的戲劇系多少還是靠著學分和評分作為制衡,讓學生須得配合,不過或許也因為這樣的限制,讓劇場工作中得以維持一種穩定的純真和專一。在一旁安靜觀察的過程,看著他們固定、準時地出席所有的練習或工作,日復一日,也頗能強烈感受到排練場或是舞台工廠中所萌生的專注與熱情。

把「專注」當成解釋他們成功做出一齣戲的原因,其實這是一個很直觀、並且訴諸感官的理由,這是一個難以被度量,並且缺乏邏輯論證的基礎。我也曾試著去看他們縝密的工作分配,或是技術能力,並且試圖以此作為切入點,但在那些相處與觀察的過程中,真的讓我感受到這群人的工作得以有力的原因,卻還是那種純然的專注。

常常在許多不經意的瞬間,他們會流露出一種放下一切的專一,不論是切木頭,綁繩子,或是在排練場的一角蹲坐的時刻。就技術層面而言,學生自然無法與技術嫻熟的職業人員相比,但那充滿精神力量的眼神和動作,卻會在每個不同的狀態中使他們充滿力量、價值與美感。如果說,「演出」是眾人試圖達成的目標,那我想,平時的專注就是這個結果之所以可能成真的重要基石。

這些形容自然可能過譽,甚至連他們可能都不那麼覺得。

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但的確在某些連自己都會忽略的時刻,流露出了超越平時神態的專注,而我則試著用鏡頭留下那些以三十分之一或十五分之一秒切割組成的畫面;在一次又一次打破寧靜的快門聲中,在那些讓人備受侵擾的拍攝過程中,我暗自祈求這自覺立意良善的出發點,能為他們的困擾,提供那麼一點贖罪的效用。

* * *

一個朋友曾跟我說過一句話,讓人印象深刻:「戲劇是真正誠實的,因為它把那些人們所不敢表現的,不敢言說的情慾、情緒,或是一些無法被記錄下來的真實故事,勇敢的呈現出來。」

剛開始參與時,關注的問題是:什麼是「一齣戲」,但隨著工作的開展,記錄資料的累積,逐漸發現,這工作內容意外的帶我走過了一個長久困惑的問題。

過往學習,表面上看來都是在了解某個事件或抽象概念,但若更深一層的思考,卻是在學習如何「認識某事」。談到認識,經常被告知要從時間或從空間的角度切入,或以人的精神、意志面作為理解的主軸。我經常被告知要特別注意「一手資料」,看待他人如何處理自身所處的空間與時間狀態的改變,或是某些思考和意志的轉折;我們透過他人的記錄,得以靠近、認識某一被框限命名的「事件」。接著,有更多的討論與分析,點出了一件事在時間、空間上前後的轉折,於是我試著在立體時空的架構中,探究一個事件發展的前因後果、縱橫脈絡。

但是終究還是需要反身自省面對一個問題:這樣學習的過程,是否有辦法讓我更真切、誠實與坦然的面對身邊發生的事,並說出「這件事是什麼?」。

隨著工作進行到一定程度,我逐漸體會「記錄一件事」這五個字背後隱藏的價值與情緒的轉折。每天如潮水般湧現的新事件,以及不斷被告知的未來行事曆,我感到惶恐不安,好像身在五里霧中;一切事情單獨看來是如此清楚,但一旦細看,卻又如此模糊。每一天我都必須要面臨選擇:「我要去哪裡?」排練場、服裝間、工廠、舞台Painting,每一個地方都有事情在發生,而這些細瑣的事情正是集合成「這件事」的所有元素,熟重熟輕,哪些應該被記錄哪些可以暫時擱置,哪些可以以文本或是討論理解,不須親身探訪,哪些又必須親身經歷觀看;這些每天必經的掙扎和矛盾,逐漸引領我看見我從未體驗過的「觀察」的意義。特別是當時間序列進入2007年三月,所有的照片整理進入一個段落,並開始選擇時,回憶的感受引領出的事件序列,好像又跟當時所認定的重要程度有了落差,這些不是在當下發生、卻在回憶中出現的感受,也提供了我觀察這件事的全新切入點;而身處其中的人際互動,也著實影響了觀看的角度,我是否變得更加溫情,失去了看清現況的能力,或是因為與劇場朋友的更

加相熟,而能看到一些旁觀者無法得見的祕密?這些麻煩和矛盾,或許永無得解,但也在這樣的掙扎中,我做出了選擇。這是我最大的收穫之一,也為未來開啟了更多的可能。

* * *

……其實這一切關於「紀錄」的心得,都是附加的,我最初的想法,其實只是想看一齣戲如何生成,並留下一些什麼罷了。這的確需要時間,很多時間,但這可以見證太多東西,看到許多我從未見過,從未想過的事物,感覺實在太美好了……

排練場.日記片段.2006. Sep. 20* * *

台大劇場的所在位置是鹿鳴堂二樓,那是一個挑高兩層樓的空間。在沒有上工準備的期間,它就是一個空蕩蕩的大房間,只在兩側有數組高聳的鷹架,與堆疊在兩側的座椅、木板和工具箱。

這就是所有亮麗演出前劇場的樣貌。

身邊的朋友或多或少都有看戲的經驗,所以當他們得知我在劇場裡拍照工作時,總是常在一些人臉上讀到羨慕的神情,伴隨著「劇場一定是很好玩的地方吧?」之類的提問。這真是句既簡單卻又讓我語塞的話,好玩嗎?或許吧。

劇場中的鷹架高度直達屋頂,而在鷹架與鷹架之間,有一隻橫放的鐵架,大家都叫它“TRUSS”,上面通常架滿燈具。剛開始,我總是無法明白那些沈重的燈具是怎麼被綁在上面的,有任何升降工具嗎?或是有什麼神祕的法寶幫助他們?這個問題一直懸宕在我的心中沒有解答。一直到劇場的工作週開始後我才恍然大悟。

大家都說林家全是燈光技術高手,但到那天我才懂這個稱讚的意思。他在跨間綁了一個攀岩腰帶,跟我比了一個“YA!” 的手勢之後,一溜煙就爬到了鷹架頂端,然後熟練的拆、裝、修正所有厚重燈具的位置。那時他身在TRUSS上,身上只有一條帶子繫住自己與鐵架,雙手雙腳夾住TRUSS往前匍匐前進,那是個將近十公尺高的屋頂,下面沒有任何防護措施哪!就只見家全快速的處理完TRUSS上所有的問題,一溜煙地從鷹架上爬了下來。然後跟已經目瞪口呆說不出話來的我又比了一個“YA!”的手勢,然後繼續去其他地方工作了。

家全在2006年的5月與12月兩次演出,都擔任演員,並不是燈光組的工作人員,但這卻是再平常不過的工作場景。所有的人在劇場中,不論演員、導演,甚至是老師,都一定頭戴安全帽,身著黑衣、黑褲,每一個人都需要參與舞台搭建的工作過程。這好玩嗎?應該是好玩的吧,但有這麼危險的「樂趣」嗎?

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一直到親眼目睹他們在TRUSS上工作的場景後,我才看到了一部份隱藏、未見的「劇場」。在那些高聳的鷹架爬上爬下的過程,那些安全帽不得離身的時間,在那些切割焊接時火光與刀鋒交錯的場所,那些角色人格與自身衝突的時刻,肉身與精神同時都要面臨威脅與挑戰。那是真正切身的危險,是關係著血、肉和生命,是最直接的、無可逃避的,與什麼夢想、現實,未來、過去,想像、真實這些常見的辭彙都毫無關係,在學生劇場中,這些切身的危險才是他們經常面對,又總是被忽略的。疲倦、疼痛、勞累與無依,經常是工作中反覆出現的情緒,人們無所遁逃,只能自己面對;不過或許正因為這些反覆挑戰的過程,才有機會看見現實與理想中那條微弱聯繫的線,也因此,才能更加確定自己的意念。

* * *

……那時候也真純憑一股熱情就連絡了舞監。沒想到這樣一拍兩三個月一眨眼就過了。今天在幫他們拍合照時,其實心中念頭百轉千迴,好想跟他們說聲謝謝,必恭必敬地向他們敬禮。他們毫無理由的讓我拿著相機攻擊著他們,讓我恣肆地在排練場、工廠和衣裝間撒野,而且無論喜不喜歡面對鏡頭的人,都無法躲避我的拍攝。

到現在我都還在質疑自己究竟在幹嘛,我用一種極為暴力的方式讓自己無法逃避問題,這是一個艱辛的挑戰。加油,為自己也為他們加油吧。

Load In.日記片段.2006. Nov. 11* * *

在劇場中,我是一個特異的份子,每個人都有明確的事情要做,就只有我一個人背著相機四處閒晃,好像一個遊魂一樣在各處閒晃。我有時候會一邊拍照一邊和他們閒聊,但大多數時刻,都是安靜的。

他們很常跟我謝謝,我都會微笑請他們別這麼說;那些感謝讓我壓力倍增,總怕自己做的不夠好。「排戲的回憶都只剩下畫面殘影與破碎的文字,不知從何說起。」這是Lucy說得另一句讓我印象深刻的話。我希望為這群努力的人們多留下一些記錄,成為他們回憶的助手,並且讓外人得以一窺究竟,了解後台工作的辛勞。

是我該謝謝你們,也是所有看戲的人都該謝謝那些隱身在布幕後無光之處的人們。

這是一本關於後台的攝影集,獻給台大戲劇系的朋友,也獻給所有在劇場中打拼奮鬥逐夢的人。

後記

進入後台拍攝記錄,是誤打誤撞的意外,但前前後後也在劇場中待了將近一年的時光。認真來看,一年的工作與跟拍根本不算長,但大學將告一段落,或許真是該做一個階段總結的時刻。

我深深感謝戲劇系的朋友,你們讓我這樣一個陌生人入侵生活空間,熱情的以朋友之姿相待,忍耐我對你們的語彙、生活規則的不熟悉。我希望過去諸多冒犯,可以成為你們生活中一種突發的樂趣。我也和許多人變成好朋友,從你們身上我學到許多,也讓我發自內心的想為你們做些什麼。

另外,身邊不少攝影的朋友也給我許多幫助。在平常閒聊時,我總是選擇安靜,在一旁記下你們獨特的觀點,並試著聆聽你們如何理解、批評或解釋;我會偷偷帶著你們的話語一年半載且反覆咀嚼,然後在某一次按快門或是在暗房的寂靜黑暗中,突然明白某些字句的意義,而這些潛移默化對我的影響,是無可估量的。

最後則是一些不斷激勵我,並且一次又一次等著我兌現不斷跳票的承諾的朋友們。這些鼓勵來自各地,來自各個時間點,某一句無心的讚美都可能帶給我無比的動力。沒有你們的耐心陪伴與支持,我想我是不可能完成這本作品的。

如果可能,我將試著不害臊地獻上這本作品,給你們。

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A Postscript, Writing after The Image

“I think it’s a pity that people only watch the performance, but they don’t understand how we did this. It would be great if someone records how “Chance” was produced”

Lucy, the actress of the graduation production, “Chance,” graduated from Department of Drama and Theatre in 2001

“I remembered that no one believed that Xiao-bao (the director) could have done it because it was a script composed by everyone. What we could do was try our best. We drank in Lane86 if we confronted difficulties in rehearsal.”

Gorge, the actor of graduation production, “Chance,” graduated from Department of Drama and Theatre in 2003

I was frequently asked about a tough question hard to be answered: “Why?”

The Spurt of Blood, which was directed by Ying-juan Wei, had its first night during last May. I was doing the image recording then. After the performance, I interviewed Xiao-bao and Lucy, who graduated from Department of Drama and Theatre in 2001. It was a random interview but lasted for 45 minutes. With extreme sincerity and earnest, they talked about their experiences in theatre, and their graduation production……

I saw an article by a friend in the Department of Drama and Theatre last summer, which says, “I saw the picture that Shih took for The Spurt of Blood. The pictures are really delicate and exquisite. But just because they are too beautiful, they lack vitality. I feel that the vivid people in the worn and messy Spurt were exactly what I’ve seen and what I’ve breathed in. That’s why I say that his pictures are like a lake of life; a life, which I’ve lived. It’s interesting that I think the pictures I took randomly, are in fact much more lively.”

What is the meaning of a performance or a theatre for the audience? And what are they for the performers? “What is it?” may be what I am looking for. For the audience, what they participate are seeing the advertisement, buying tickets, entering the theatre, and then leaving the theatre with tear or glee. At most, they might also read reviews and write their thoughts down. However, all these are merely a comma for the participants. Their beginning is the moment that they receive the scripts while the ending is the complete wistfulness when they tear down the stage they had just performed on it. The audience is always attracted by light, drawing by the director’s arrangement. Yet for a drama, the splendor under the lamplight doesn’t exist if without the preparation in the darkness. Where the audience’s eyes couldn’t reach is the darkness and the backstage part. From choosing

scripts, collecting informations, to the ceaseless workshop, the following highly concentrated rehearsals, and the preparation of factory, costume, stage lighting and administrative job; all of these are what the audience never see and are beyond their imagination.

During these days, suddenly I was conscious of where I am was just exactly the backstage part of this unperformed play. By observing the performers’ painstaking rehearsals and the toilsome stage construction, some possible directions for recording occurred gradually. Taking photos as a remembrance for their hardness and trying to present this generalized backstage part, which ordinary people couldn’t see, probably were my reason to plunge into this job.

I hope this book would provide a clearer answer.

***

I usually think of the contests between classes in high school, which might be basketball games or the competition. We were just seventeen, naive and without masterly skills. I remembered that we just practice ceaselessly. We rehearsed from morning to night, from Monday to Sunday, and were late to school on Monday morning. Then, we continued practicing from Monday night. At that time, no one would ask for leave because of job, tests, or a date. We didn’t have anything, unless the endless passion and time. This was our only advantage, and was also the most valuable advantage. Fame and glamour didn’t derive from the dazzlingly skills but came from the irresistible attraction of the single-minded willpower. It was just like the HBL (High School Basketball League), and was just like the Koshien tradition of Japan senior high school.

This purity of faith, which is the opposite of the fame and wealth in society, allowed us to forget the greediness and hypocrisy of reality.

In the student theatre, there exists a similar atmosphere, although not exactly the same. The Department of Drama and Theatre, more or less, forces students to cooperate with each other by credits. However, maybe because of this restriction, the theatre maintains certain stability and purity. Observing them participating all of the practices and works regularly and punctually day after day, I felt their strong concentration and passion generated from the rehearsal classrooms and the scene shop.

Attributing their success in performance to “concentration” is too arbitrary and appealing to senses, for it is hard to be measured and is lack of logical reasoning. I tried to observe from the aspect of their deliberate ability or masterly skills. Nevertheless, when I observed and got along with them, I truly felt that their energy still derived from their pure concentration.

They revealed wholehearted concentration in many incidental moments, no matter in cutting the woods, tying the straps, or even squatting in the corner waiting for rehearsal. In the concept of skills, it’s impossible for the students to compete with the skillful professionals. Yet their expression in eyes and movements, which full of high spirits and vigor, provided them with power, value, and beauty in every single condition. I believe, if “performance” is what they were achieving, the everyday concentration was the

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foundation of the possibility in reaching their goal.These descriptions might have overvalued, and maybe they

don’t think so themselves. Yet indeed, in some moments they ignored, they revealed the concentration which surpassed everyday expression. Thus, I tried to capture these moments in the images of thirtieth or fifteenth second. In the ceaseless noises of camera shutter which break the silence, and in my photographing progress, which disturbs people, I hope this intention, which I think with good purpose, would provide redemption to the attack from my camera.

***

What a friend said to me is impressive, “Drama is genuine truth because it presents boldly the feeling and the desire that people dare not to express and to talk about, and presents the real stories which couldn’t be recorded.”

At the beginning, what I focused on was “What is ‘A Play’?” As the job progressed and the document files accumulated, I gradually founded out that this work led me to pass a perplexity confused me for a long time.

In my experience of learning, it seems that I was trying to know some events or abstract concepts. But think deeply, I was learning how to “understand.” I was frequently told to observe from the aspect of time or space, or to put the spirit and intention at the developing center. In my comprehension, I was usually told to notice “the first-hand text,” from which to perceive how people arrange and treat the change of the time and space they are in, or the transition of thoughts and conception. According to people’s document and research, I could reach the so-called “event”. Then, more discussions and analyses point out the transition in time and space of an event. Thus, I was like in a three-dimensional framework, exploring the context of an event and its cause and effect.

However, I still need to answer a question: does the concept of learning really helps me to truly and genuinely face the events which happen around me, and allows me to say “this event is……?”

As the work progressed, I gradually recognized the value and the emotional transition behind “documenting an event.” Facing the new information pouring in everyday and the coming routine of the future, I felt anxious as if in mist. Everything seemed so clear and simple when I looked at them separately, but they also seemed so vague if I looked at them more closely. Everyday I had to make decisions. “Where to go?” Things was happening everywhere: in the rehearsal classrooms, the costume shop, the scent shop, and the stage painting. These trivial things were the elements which weaved “this event.” Which one was more important? Which should be documented while others could be put away temporarily? Which needed to be observed in person, and which could be understood through words or text by discussion? These everyday struggles and conflicts led me to the meaning of “observing,” which I haven’t experienced. Especially during March, 2007, when all the photos were arranged and were about to be chosen, these episodes, which mixed with emotions and

memories, seemed different from what I have gone through. The feeling which doesn’t exist at the past but occurs in my memories, provided me new aspects to revalue these episodes. Whether I became more sentimental, thus lost the ability to value, or became more familiar with my friends in the theatre, thus I could observe the secrets that outsiders could not see? Maybe these troubles and contradictions could never be solved, but I did have to make choice in this struggle. This was what I have learned, which also led me to more possibilities in the future.

***

……Indeed, these mentioned reflections upon “recording” are additional. What I thought at the beginning, was to witness how a drama was formed, and to capture something for myself. This does need time, lots of time, but by this I could witness many things, which I have never seen and I have never imagined. It was so wonderful……

In the rehearsal classroom, Fragments of Diary, Sep 20, 2006

***

NTU Theatre, which is a space of two levels high, is at the second floor of Luming Hall. During the period without working, it is an empty large room, with high erected scaffolds and the piled chairs, wood boards, and the tool kits.

This is the appearance of every theatre before a performance starts.

Most of my friends have been to a play. Thus when they heard of that I take pictures for a theatre, I usually read admiring expressions on their faces, accompanied with questions like “The theatre must be an interesting place, right?” This question was simple, but was also hard for me to explain. Interesting? Maybe.

The scaffolds in the theatre were so high that they could reach the roof. Between the scaffolds, there was a horizontal iron tube called “TRUSS,” on which was full of lamps. At first I couldn’t figure out how the heavy lamps were placed on it. Did it have a hoist? Did they have any mysterious magic tool? This question couldn’t find its answer until the working week.

Everyone said that Jia-quan Lin is a master of stage illumination. I had no idea about this praise until then. He tied the rock climbing belt on his hip. After giving me a gesture of “victory”, he swiftly crept on the scaffold, dismantling, assembling, and fixing the position of all the heavy lights. When he was on the truss, there was only a strip which linked up the iron tube and him. He crawled along the truss with both hands and feet. It was ten meters high, without any safety protection! What I saw was Jia-quan immediately arranged all the problems on the truss, climbing down from the scaffold swiftly, posting again a gesture of “victory” to me, who were staring in open-mouthed wonder, and then leaving for other works.

Jia-quan acted as an actor in two performance on May and December of 2006. He was not the crew of lamplight group, but climbing on the truss is what he used to do. Everyone in the

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theatre, no matter they were actors, directors, or even the teacher, had to wear a helmet and a black suit. Everyone participated the construction of the stage. Is this interesting? It might be interesting, but is there such an “interesting” so dangerous?

Until I witnessed how they worked on the truss, I saw the concealed “theatre.” At the periods that they climb to and fro on the high scaffolds, at the duration that they need to wear their helmets tightly, at the places that blaze and glow interlaced while cutting and welding, and at the moments that their roles conflicted with their own characters, their flesh and mind faced threats and challenges. This was the genuine and the most direct and inevitable danger of blood, fresh, and mind, which had nothing to do with the familiar terms like dream, reality, future, past, imagine, or truth. This keenly aware danger was what they regularly faced, but was usually ignored in the student theatre. Tiredness, bitterness, fatigue and helplessness were the emotions occurred frequently that they couldn’t escape from but face by themselves. Nevertheless, because of these repeated challenges, they sighted the linking between reality and ideal, and then confirmed their faith.

***

……just by a sudden impulse, I connected the stage manager. I couldn’t believe that two or three months passed so quickly, as if in the twinkling of an eye. Thousands of thoughts emerged from my mind when I was taking the group pictures today. I really wanted to say thanks to them, with the most sincere salute. They in no reason permitted me to intrude on them with my camera,

and allowed me to behave at will in rehearsal classrooms, the scene shop, and the costume shop. Besides, no matter they were accustomed to face the camera lens or not, they couldn’t escape from being photographed.

I am still wondering what exactly I am doing now. I forbid myself to escape from problems in a violent way. This is an arduous challenge. Do the best! For me and both for them!

Load In. Fragments of Diary. Nov. 11, 2006

***

I was a peculiar member in the theatre. Everyone had certain job to do, while I meandered around with my camera, as if I was a lingering ghost. I talked with them when I took pictures sometimes, but most of the time, I was quiet.

They thanked me frequently, but with smile I asked them not to say so. Their appreciation increased my nerve that I might not be able to do well. “The left memories of rehearsal are only fragments of images and words. I just don’t know how to talk about it.” This was Lucy’s words which impressed me also. I hoped to keep some remembrances for these hard-working people, and help the outsiders to catch on and understand the backstage diligence.

It is me who should say thank you, and it is the audience who need to thank the people in the darkness.

This is a backstage portfolio. This is for my friends in the Department of Drama and Theatre, and for all the people who are reaching their dreams in theatres.

The AfterwordStarting Backstage photographing was an accident, yet I’ve stayed in the theatre for an year approximately. To say

properly, working and tracking shot for one year isn’t long indeed. However, with the coming of the end of college years, perhaps it is the time of retrospection.

With my all heart I acknowledge my friends in Department of Drama and Theatre. You permitted me to intrude your life as a stranger, endured my unfamiliarity of your rendezvous and lifestyle, but still treated me as friends with cordiality. I hope the offense at past could become certain surprise in your life. I made many friends also, who brought me much stimulation and inspiration, and thus motivated me to do something for all of you from the bottom of my heart.

Besides, many of my friends who are also enthusiastic about photography helped me a lot. I always chosen to be silent, taking down your inspiring concepts, and trying to listen how you understand, criticize and analyze. I kept your words in mind for months or years, contemplating them again and again, and suddenly understood their meaning in the voice when I pressed the release bottom or in the silence in the darkroom. This imperceptible influence really has immeasurable significance to me.

Last but not least, I thank the friends who encouraged me frequently and waited for me with patience to realize my unfulfilled promises. Your support came from everywhere, at every moment. An unintended praise might brought me incomparable motive force. Without your kindness, company, and assistance, I think I couldn’t complete this work.

For you all, if possible, I would