Approaching Ecstasy: a documentary
Donation protected
This documentary short film explores Approaching Ecstasy, a choral ballet composed by Eric Banks and choreographed by Olivier Wevers. Set to poetry by Constantine Cavafy, Approaching Ecstasy reveals the sensual and closeted life of Cavafy in late 19th, early 20th century Alexandria, Egypt. Premiered in 2012 in Seattle, WA, Approaching Ecstasy was very well received in its first iteration.
In June, 2017, the Esoterics, a Seattle choral ensemble, and Whim W’Him, a Seattle dance company, are collaborating in a reprisal of Approaching Ecstasy. Our film will tell the story of this 2nd production from the initial idea born on a vacation to Egypt to the final performance. We will interview Banks and Wevers to gain insight into Cavafy’s poetry and how it is presented in musical and dance form. We will also interview dancers, singers, and other musicians to gain their perspectives. And we will film rehearsals and performances to see the beauty of the dancers and musicians.
About the film maker
Bruce Weber is a photographer, musician, and filmmaker based in Seattle, WA. He has close ties to Eric Banks and The Esoterics having sung in the group for 16 years. Weber was a singer in the 2012 production of Approaching Ecstasy and remembers it as one of the highlights of his creative life. New to filmmaking, Weber brings over 40 years of creating visual arts to the project.
Where the money will go
We plan on approximately 10 days of shooting, which will be spread out between March and June, 2017. Six days will concentrate on conducting interviews at various locations, and 4 days will be spent filming choral and dance rehearsals, as well as dress rehearsals and performances
· For the days interviewing, we estimate we will need to rent approximately $250 in lighting and sound equipment each day.
· We will need to hire a camera operator for two of the rehearsal/performance days at a cost of approximately $500 per day.
· And we expect there to be approximately $500 in craft services and miscellaneous expenses.
More about Approaching Ecstasy
In Approaching ecstasy, Banks has set eighteen of Cavafy’s poems—in both the original Greek, and in his own English translation. The poems that Banks chose are vivid portraits of Cavafy’s lovers as well as his friends, “expressions of fear, hope, remembered love, and excruciating beauty.” Cavafy’s verses are clandestine, courageous, intensely intimate, and inspire hope for the openness of a future society. Wevers’ choreography will interpret the sensuality and sincerity of the poet’s desire, as well as express the frustration, danger, and oppression that Cavafy must have experienced in his daily life. The choir will be singing in alternating Greek and English, with both instruments and a cappella, in ensembles that range from a quartet of singers to the entire choral complement.
Approaching Ecstasy was a transformative experience for many of the people who were part of it in 2012. We hope to capture the magic and emotion we felt the first time in this little film, so we can share it will all of you. Thank you so much for helping us out!
In June, 2017, the Esoterics, a Seattle choral ensemble, and Whim W’Him, a Seattle dance company, are collaborating in a reprisal of Approaching Ecstasy. Our film will tell the story of this 2nd production from the initial idea born on a vacation to Egypt to the final performance. We will interview Banks and Wevers to gain insight into Cavafy’s poetry and how it is presented in musical and dance form. We will also interview dancers, singers, and other musicians to gain their perspectives. And we will film rehearsals and performances to see the beauty of the dancers and musicians.
About the film maker
Bruce Weber is a photographer, musician, and filmmaker based in Seattle, WA. He has close ties to Eric Banks and The Esoterics having sung in the group for 16 years. Weber was a singer in the 2012 production of Approaching Ecstasy and remembers it as one of the highlights of his creative life. New to filmmaking, Weber brings over 40 years of creating visual arts to the project.
Where the money will go
We plan on approximately 10 days of shooting, which will be spread out between March and June, 2017. Six days will concentrate on conducting interviews at various locations, and 4 days will be spent filming choral and dance rehearsals, as well as dress rehearsals and performances
· For the days interviewing, we estimate we will need to rent approximately $250 in lighting and sound equipment each day.
· We will need to hire a camera operator for two of the rehearsal/performance days at a cost of approximately $500 per day.
· And we expect there to be approximately $500 in craft services and miscellaneous expenses.
More about Approaching Ecstasy
In Approaching ecstasy, Banks has set eighteen of Cavafy’s poems—in both the original Greek, and in his own English translation. The poems that Banks chose are vivid portraits of Cavafy’s lovers as well as his friends, “expressions of fear, hope, remembered love, and excruciating beauty.” Cavafy’s verses are clandestine, courageous, intensely intimate, and inspire hope for the openness of a future society. Wevers’ choreography will interpret the sensuality and sincerity of the poet’s desire, as well as express the frustration, danger, and oppression that Cavafy must have experienced in his daily life. The choir will be singing in alternating Greek and English, with both instruments and a cappella, in ensembles that range from a quartet of singers to the entire choral complement.
Approaching Ecstasy was a transformative experience for many of the people who were part of it in 2012. We hope to capture the magic and emotion we felt the first time in this little film, so we can share it will all of you. Thank you so much for helping us out!
Organizer
Bruce Weber
Organizer
Seattle, WA
