What is Creative Constellations?
Creative Constellations is drawing upon the transformative method of Systemic Constellations*. Originally used to explore deep-rooted patterns in families and organizations, this innovative approach can unlock the secrets of narratives and characters.
By delving into hidden dynamics and relationships, Creative Constellations unearth profound insights that drive the essence of a story, resulting in narratives that captivate and resonate with audiences on a deeper level.
It also serves as a compass, untangling complex challenges—be they personal, interpersonal, or project-related—and providing comprehensive supervision that keeps the project firmly aligned with its vision.
Ultimately, Creative Constellations propel storytelling and filmmaking into uncharted territories, empowering creatives to tell immersive and impactful stories.
*Developed in Germany in the 1980s, Systemic Constellations is also known as Family Constellations.
How does Constellations help creatives?
Writers, directors and producers can face a plethora of challenges in bringing a story to screen.
Even when following a tried and tested formula, issues may still surface around plot development, timings, character motivation and endings.
This is where Constellations come into play. The process illuminates new pathways and injects fresh momentum into narratives that are stuck. It acts as a catalyst for overcoming creative stagnation and propelling the story forward with renewed energy and clarity.
Constellations focus on unearthing truth and authenticity within a story. This approach goes beyond traditional methods by enabling writers to truly "meet" their characters, resulting in newfound insights and a revitalization of their inner source of creativity.
Moreover, Constellations examine the writer's relationship with their material itself. By delving into this unique connection, the process uncovers hidden layers, allowing writers to deepen their understanding and refine their storytelling.
Constellations also serve as a valuable supervision process. They provide invaluable insight and shed light on the complex dynamics within interpersonal professional relationships. Whether exploring the intricate dynamics within a creative project or examining the professional interactions between individuals involved, Constellations reveal a wealth of knowledge that can enhance collaboration and foster greater creative synergy.
Story-questions the process can answer:
The method assumes that every story has a life of its own, which can be revealed through the Constellations process.
In the early stages of development these answers can be invaluable. Solutions often reveal themselves in the most unexpected of ways.
As the script evolves and takes shape, Constellations take on a new role, resembling a workshop with actors. It offers a fresh and unconventional avenue for the performers to engage with their characters, inviting them to explore and experience their roles in an entirely different light. This immersive approach breathes life into the characters, infusing them with depth and authenticity, ultimately enriching the on-screen portrayal and captivating audiences on a profound level.
How it works
The Constellations process works in the following way:
The participants choose between a group setting with people not linked to the project or a more intimate setting, with people directly related to the material. People in the Constellation act as representatives.
A conversation between the facilitator and the participants determines the goal of the Constellation.
The process begins, working as an experiential journey rather than an intellectual exercise.
The facilitator gathers information that informs the further course of the Constellation.
Once the process has finished, ways to integrate the fresh insights can be discussed.
Hidden comes to light, dynamics are revealed, new possibilities appear, characters are seen clearly.
Across the course of the Constellation, representatives will:
Show reactions based simply on their physical distance to one another.
Share information about how they feel.
Demonstrate their feelings unconsciously, through small movements.
All of this will reveal the inherent truth of characters and story. There is no acting or improvisation involved, the representatives just provide information about how they feel. Guided by the facilitator, a clearer image will emerge.
The process can feel like alchemy.