Combining Languages: Exercises developed at the Hungary Lab

LOCATION: FELSOORS, HUNGARY

DAY 2 of LAB - WEDNESDAY 29/01/2025

OPEN SPACE 2 (Brigi, Ollie, Ophélie, Jus)

Theme: combining languages and seeing how this affects the scene and the characters.

Brigi: There was a moment in one of yesterday’s scenes when Ophelie was very emotional and switched to French. I found that very cinematic. Switching languages is interesting when other people are present, such as when interacting with different customers in a restaurant. It creates more risk when the two main characters are not alone in the room.

Juš: I wanted to explore free scenes where everyone speaks their language and see how it plays out. Even if we don’t understand each other, how can we express ourselves so that others grasp our intent? What happens if some people understand a language that others don’t? I’d love to create some games around this idea.

Brigi: Even though it’s a verbal scene, let's try not to talk constantly.

Ophelie: I find it interesting when the group shares the same objective. If we are all dancers at an audition, we need each other to achieve the same goal.

Scene Examples

1. A wealthy couple – Slovenian and French

   • An interesting tool could be incorporating the Hungarian and Slovenian languages, which many people don’t usually understand.

2. A couple in an apartment

   • Establish intimacy at the beginning of the scene through physicality, by yelling at each other from different rooms.

3. Speaking English unless it’s something significant

   • Use your native language only when expressing something significant.

4. A world where speaking French is illegal

   • Examine the impact of this restriction on communication and relationships.

5. A four-person scene between friends

   • We stay on the surface when unsure if everyone is on the same page. Push more profoundly into the conversation.

6. A car breaks down

   • Is it essential to define relationships immediately?

   • The trap: Constantly asking, "What did you say?" or avoiding defining anything because we’re uncertain.

   • Try establishing relationships for yourself, even if they aren’t immediately apparent to everyone else.

     
     

Learning points

• Doing something is always easier than just sitting.

• Emotions make the intent behind words more straightforward.

• Sharing a situation or objective strengthens the scene.

• Make decisions, even if you’re unsure or don’t share them with others.

• Act like you know what’s happening, but stay open to reacting to mistakes.

• Consequences matter: Everything that happens in a scene is essential.

• Object work is essential—everything is open to interpretation until it’s defined physically. The same applies to emotions.

  • Irrational tilt—deciding to react strongly to something and making it significant.

    
    

Juš: We never leave time at the end for the audience to ask questions or talk to us. We tend to avoid this, but a post-show talkback or Q&A could be valuable for this project. Actors would get feedback on what audiences understand. Since we’re trying to reach new, unfamiliar audiences, it would be helpful to learn what they’re taking away from it.