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Vladimir VagnerProducer
Country:
 Ukraine |
Content:
- The Showrunner
- The Creative Process
- The Impact
- The Creative Team
- "Not only learn..."
- The Children
- Are these performers from professional groups?
- The Technical Aspects
- The Festival's Conclusion
- "And every year, I believe they're right."
- The Audience
- Beyond 'Artek'
- Doesn't it pain you that your work is lost?
- Other Projects
The Showrunner
The International Children's Film Festival in "Artek" is renowned not only for its competition films and visiting celebrities. Everyone who has ever had the privilege of attending remembers with genuine awe the festival's extraordinary opening show. The director of this vibrant spectacle is Vladimir Wagner, a man infinitely devoted to his craft and the children involved. It is through his efforts that talented children from across the CIS flock to "Artek" year after year, delighting audiences with their impeccably professional performances.
The Creative Process
How do you manage to create such extraordinary shows, Vladimir Karlovich?
"It's a process that is both simple and complex at the same time. At the start of each International Children's Film Festival opening show preparation, I'm convinced it won't turn out well. I don't want to repeat myself, but new ideas are born through struggle... Usually, I create very gentle, lyrical works, sometimes poignant. But this time, I wanted to do something action-packed. In the end, the action itself didn't materialize, but the narrative about the action seems to have come together."
"In reality, I couldn't have done any of this alone. And that's no exaggeration. I have a vast network of friends. There's Olga Yudakhina, a brilliant composer from Moscow; Misha Dagayev, an exceptional arranger; the theater; the children. Galina and Vladimir Chaikovskie, the incredible ballet masters from Kirovohrad."
The Impact
Your show has gained widespread recognition."It's a great honor to be a part of it. Each year, our general director secures complimentary camp passes for the show's participants. As a result, the children and their supervisors can utilize the extra resources to invest in new costumes, for instance. They prepare for the event as meticulously as Natasha Rostova prepared for her first ball. For them, it's a groundbreaking event."
"You mentioned that there's nothing like it in Moscow. That's not true. There is. I've done a similar show." (Laughs) "Remember the 'Disney on Ice' performance at 'Olimpiysky' last year? There was a children's festival held as part of that show. 'Disney on Ice' flopped, but we were a huge success."
The Creative Team
In the program booklet for the opening of the film festival, you're listed as the screenplay writer, lyricist, and principal director.
"Principal because each segment has its own director, my students. They're typically between sixteen and seventeen years old (the oldest is twenty-seven, but he's been working with me for seven years). I always emphasize that this is where they learn the most."
"Not only learn..."
"Yes. It's also a fantastic social event for them. It grants them access to places not everyone can get to. For example, the ship where the guests stay, or the banquet where they can stand close to a star, or even have the chance to ride with Lenya Yakubovich for three hundred meters at full speed."
The Children
Do the child performers come to "Artek" specifically to participate in your shows?
"Children from various countries come here to collaborate because they need to express themselves. They need to feel exceptional. And whenever I speak to them, I always tell them they're brilliant, that they're the most talented of all."
Are these performers from professional groups?
"Their creativity is of an extremely high caliber. We invite children from various backgrounds. There are exceptional ensembles like the 'Excentric-Ballet' from Yekaterinburg and young dancers from the 'Rosinka' ensemble in Kirovohrad, who performed authentic miracles this time."
"The rest are considerably less skilled. But they quickly catch up. Because by working together, they can accomplish in three days something that would take one person a year alone."
The Technical Aspects
Your show's lighting was spectacular. Who's responsible for that?"Two brothers, Vladimir and Yuri Andriushchenko, are passionate about their work. They're brilliant pyrotechnicians and true lighting artists."
An intriguing detective story was shown on the large screen alongside the action taking place on stage. Who filmed it?
"There's a remarkable artist named Leonid Starozhuk from Kharkiv, the head of the 'Telekomiks' studio. Children between the ages of fourteen and fifteen, who are proficient in using professional film equipment, train at this studio. This year, four students from 'Telekomiks' came to 'Artek' with Starozhuk."
"They chose some children from 'Artek,' filmed them, and then edited them into a genuine detective story."
The Festival's Conclusion
How is the Children's Film Festival typically closed?"This year, it's a gala concert."
A gala concert by celebrities?
"Child stars. While all the acts for the opening show are specifically produced by us, the gala concert showcases the children's own talents."
"I've often heard from actors and directors that this is the most powerful performance they've ever seen at any film festival."
"They say there's nothing like it at any other film festival. They say the last show was the finest of the seven years that the Children's Film Festival has been running. And they say that every year."
"And every year, I believe they're right."
The Man Behind the ScenesDo you attend the competitive film screenings yourself?
"I adore movies, and I'm obsessed with children's films. I watch all of them before the children do."
Creative people work in a variety of ways. Some work for the audience, while others work for themselves...
"Tolstoy proposed a theory of rational selfishness. Its essence lies in the idea that a person should be selfish in a way that brings joy to those around them."
"I'm a rational egoist. I work for myself, and it gives me immense pleasure to bring joy to children. My greatest joy comes from knowing that my work makes others happy."
"In the basement during the show (during the performance, Vladimir Karlovich is positioned below the stage), I don't do anything. My students are in charge. I sit in a chair, tap my foot, get really worked up, and sweat. And I keep asking myself the same question: how are the kids doing? I don't care what adults say about my work; I'm nearly indifferent to it. But when a little girl came up to me today and said, 'Grandpa Vova, I liked Scarytales,' I was overjoyed."
Yes, the boy who played Professor Moriarty is quite a performer. Despite his youthful appearance, he is more akin to a small angel.
"He's a young imp, that Professor Moriarty. Tormented everyone. He's such a ham. Seryozha Kirillov is only seven years old, but he only listens on stage and follows directions only on stage. In everyday life, he's insufferable, but on stage, he's an angel."
The Audience
Vladimir Karlovich, can you visualize your audience?"Absolutely. I've worked extensively with children. And I know, however presumptuous it may sound, what children require. First and foremost, children need a plot."
"Second, children need a character or strong emotional resonance. Third, children should be able to understand everything; there should be no symbolism on stage."
When you have a snake charmer in one corner, a girl singing in another, and drummer girls marching in the center of the stage, it's all consciously designed. How do you establish the logical threads on stage?
"I try to paint a picture for myself. For instance, for this show, titled 'A Frighteningly Frightful, Kindly Kind Detective Story,' I wanted every corner of the stage to feel intimidating. Is a snake terrifying? Yes. Does the color scheme of red and white evoke unpleasant feelings? Yes, the Inquisition wore red and white. Is black difficult to look at? Yes. And in order to keep it from being genuinely frightening, we play an ironic detective story on the screen. And the playful melody 'shu-ba-du-ba-du-ba' (hums) is played."
"The goal is to help children realize that it's all a game. I don't intend to scare them; I want to entertain them."
Beyond 'Artek'
Can children and their parents only see your show at 'Artek'?"Each year, the International Children's Film Festival's diary is broadcast on television: in its entirety on Ukrainian television and excerpts on NTV."
Doesn't it pain you that your work is lost?
"It pains me immensely. I'm waiting for a brilliant producer to show interest in our work. What we do can be done in any city, on any stage."
Other Projects
As a director, do you have any aspirations to work in television?"There used to be a show called 'Star Teenager' on ATV. We produced the final segment of that show in 'Artek' - a spectacular dance performance. And the show was a huge hit."
"But I've always wanted to do... an abortion on that baby. Because I made a mistake with the people I had to work with. It turned out their main interest wasn't in children's joy and excitement, but
