"ECCE HOMO" MAKES WORLD DEBUT AT PACIFIC
On April 13, Media X and the Department of Theatre Arts collaborate with the School of Engineering and Computer Science to bring together live motion-capture and the theater in the inaugural production of "Ecce Homo," by playwright Jonathan Luskin, which is making its debut at University of the Pacific.
THE PLOT
The story follows two aspiring actors, Troy Steel and Annabella. Troy is an aspiring action movie hero, fired from a reality television show for his inability to lie and left publicly humiliated but internationally famous. Annabella is a talented actress, too big-boned and brusque for a career on screen, she can only find work performing behind the mask of computer animated characters.
When Troy is hired to animate a heroic warrior using a motion-capture suit, he is unable to perform even the simplest of scenes without suffering a crisis of confidence. The producer coerces Annabella to act Troy's part for him. The animated pilot is a wild success and Troy and Annabella are bound together by her secret work on his behalf and his unknowing collaboration.
Their journey together is perilously guided by therapy sessions with Oona, a plush-toy orca, and Troy's grandparents, famous vaudeville actors who return from the past.
CELEBRATING MEDIA X
Theatre arts Professor Lisa Tromovitch selected Luskin’s multimedia production to celebrate Pacific's digital media major, Media X.
This new major is designed for students who are interested in pursuing combinations of coursework that relate to traditional, digital and emerging media. Tromovitch saw "Ecce Homo" as a perfect fit to highlight this mission, given that the play itself is on the cutting edge of live production, mixing real-time motion capture sequences and digitally recorded motion capture video combined with animated digital sequences.
The play is the product of hard work by actors and the production crew, students who are all dedicated to bringing the characters on stage (and on screen) to life.
“To have actors in the play who truly understand their characters, that bring their characters to life — that is something that people cannot miss.” — Luke Weinberg '18, who plays character Gus Lund
TECHNOLOGY & THE ARTS
The changing role of technology in the entertainment industry is one of the main themes of the production.
“(As the story unfolds), you start to see how — yes, there’s technology — but you have to be a good actor in order for the technology to be useful. You see people being afraid of the technology. You see people embracing the technology, but ultimately it doesn’t matter that we keep throwing technology at it, we still need the live performers — actors trained as actors.” — Lisa Tromovitch, play director
GENDER THEMES
"Ecce Homo" offers a critique of the gender bias that women face in the entertainment industry. Despite the fact that Troy is not as strong an actor as Annabella, his celebrity status earns him the lead role in the animation. That highlights the persistant issue of gender bias in the entertainment industry by looking at its implications in animation. It begs the question, according to Tromovitch, “Who cares? It’s animation. Actors should be cast in the role they fit best.”
"Ecce Homo" allows the audience to examine the issue as the production unfolds. "It unmasks us. It's animation, and we still make up excuses for gender bias and for pigeonholing people and saying that they should be a certain way. There’s no reason for it. We’re in animation now and we still cling to this gender bias that has been going on forever,” Tromovitch said.
STUDENTS AND THE THEATER
Engagement in the arts provides a variety of useful skills for students, including the ability to change the perspective from which they see the world to foster empathy and compassion.
“The arts and humanities in general remind us that we do have to work at being human — at least the humane part — it’s not necessarily automatic that we can learn to be compassionate and empathetic. The arts give us the chance to do that. Theater is especially great because you get to try things on for size.” — Tromovitch
"Acting connects to just about everything. Acting enables you to use your voice, to be better in public speaking, to observe things and make connections. There is nothing more important than the aspect of role playing. You have the classic line, 'walk in someone else’s shoes.' The theater actually enables you to do that.” — Weinberg
Weinberg is acting in his first production at Pacific. His passion for acting is something he plans to continue into his career. "For me, theater has been this tool that provides an outlet to express yourself," he said. "The arts have done that for generations. You can see yourself being a different person, which is just a fun thing to do.”
ANIMATION IN ACTION
"Ecce Homo" incorporates live motion capture into the production in real-time. That means audience members will get a behind-the-scenes look at how this popular type of animation is done.
"Even more than a typical play, the digital technology components of this production require that (actors and crew) have to be on their game. They learn time management. They learn how to be really focused — you can't screw up a cue because that screws up everybody." - Tromovitch
Audience members will witness live motion capture in the making and have the opportunity to hear actors reflecting on what acting means to them. Tromovitch believes that "Ecce Homo" is a great play for all types of people, even those who have never been to the theater before.
“It’s a great first play. A group of people can go and each of them will find something different that they liked.”
Weinberg encourages people to attend because the theater provides “a surreal experience. It's s nothing like going to a movie theater. People will enjoy watching a story unfold in front of their eyes that has to do a lot with societal changes.”
Online reservations for tickets are free. The reservation period will end 24 hours before the show. Tickets will be $5 at the door.
CAST AND CREW
CAST
Troy Steel .................. Eric Orosco
Annabella ........................ Jess Hess
Dick Pacman ............... George Cruz
Fanny .............. Rosalind Jackson Roe
Gus ............................. Luke Weinberg
Oona/Mandee ............. Morgan Post
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director .............. Lisa A. Tromovitch
Stage Managers ........ Javier Guerra and Lee Kaj
Scenic & Sound Designer, Technical Director ...... Gary Scheiding
Costume Designer & Shop Manager ......... Kathleen Lowe
Lighting Designer & Assistant Technical Director ..... John Farrell
Props Master ...................................... Lulu Zhang
Wardrobe Manager & Dresser ............... Michelle Yan
Sound Board Operator .......................... Liz Malone
ANIMATION & MOTION CAPTURE
Animator ............ Austin Broder
Concept Artist .................... Jess Eth
Motion Capture Director ....... Mike Doherty
Motion Capture & Coding ............. Mike Davis and Zach Sturtz
Animation Modeling .............. Daniel Hong
Farm Game Designer ................. Luke Bolle
FILM CREW
Editor & Director of Photography ................... Jon Sosidka
Film Crew .................. Cameron Matabuena, Cleve Brown
ADMINISTRATION
Producer ............... Cathie McClellan
Administrative Assistant ................. Adnan Hashtam
Marketing Coordinator & Box Office Manager ....... Alayna Myrick