Category: Other
Playful Creative Summit: Using improv techniques for writing
In April 2021 I was one of the speakers at the Playful Creative Summit.
I discussed how improv theatre has helped me with my writing and my creative process, and offer tips and tools to use improv skills in your creative work as well.
Workshops & Lectures on Games
(click on links for detailed info)
Keynote speech ‘Don’t be afraid to Lead‘, Creative Campfire, 2023
Lecture ‘So you (don’t) want to write for Mobile Games‘, East Coast Game Conference, 2023
Twitch guest Games for Thought on the mobile game industry, 2023
Interviews & Podcasts
(click on links for detailed info)
Interview Narrative Design in Mobile Gaming, Pocketgamer.biz
Podcast Evolution of Storytelling in Games, Hidden Levels Haptic Podcast
Podcast Creativity vs Reality, Evolution Nordics Exchange Podcast
Interview Gamesindustry.biz about past, present and future of gamewriting
Podcast Female Leadership, Evolution Nordics Exchange Podcast
Traveling for Geeks
My Traveling for Geeks website is a serious hobby project, listing geeky places all over the world. I write some of the listings and every now and then I add a blogpost about general geeky travel tips. My favourite blog is the one about the tours and events on Game of Thrones locations all over the world – it’s interesting to see how movie tourism has become so big.
The Nirvana Podcast
The Nirvana Podcast is an independent podcast about one of the greatest and most interesting bands in the history of rock music: Nirvana. The podcasters discuss the music and history of Kurt Cobain and his bandmates.
I’m proud to be a co-host on this podcast, which is the perfect opportunity to have joyful, informal talks about cultural history, music theory, songwriting and everything Nirvana. You can listen to our ongoing series via your usual podcast app, inclusing Spotify, Stitcher and Apple podcasts.
And, we were happy to get an endorsement from Nick Soulsby, writer of several in-depth Nirvana books that have inspired us as well.
Continue reading “The Nirvana Podcast”
Workshops & Lectures Film/Theatre
FILM LECTURES & WORKSHOPS
Lectures on specific films, filmmakers and themes for cultural organisations, libraries, film festivals and schools; I must’ve given over 100 lectures on at least 50 different films/topics.
Introductory talks of 5-20 minutes for several filmtheatres and Imagine Filmfestival.
Interviews with special guests for film screenings at Imagine Filmfestival.
Workshops filmmaking and scriptwriting for schools, teachers and companies, plus developing materials for these workshops during my time at the FilmSet foundation.
THEATRE WORKSHOPS
Improv and theatresports lessons – with 10+ years of experience as an improv player, I have regularly taught improv groups, both longform as well as shortform.
General theatre workshops for amateur groups and youth groups, as an introductory course or based on a specific theme or subject.
Coaching for actors playing solo shows. As a director I have directed several solos and know how to help actors entering this very specific area of theatre.
Improv Theatre
I’ve been active as an improv player for a great many years. After having started my improv career with Placebo at the Crea theatre in Amsterdam, I am currently active in 2 different improv activities.
The international ‘Werewolves: the improv show‘ is an improv group that exclusively plays a special format, based on the well-known party game Werewolves. We play in English (and occasionally in Dutch) and have performed at several international improv festivals.
The other group I perform with is One Trick Ponies. This is a small group of experienced improv players who train irregularly and play matches in theatre sports and compete in championships every now and then.
I also give workshops in improv theatre and theatre sports.
Every now and then, I write a blog on impro-related things for Improblog.nl (in Dutch).
Singing and Conducting
Music has always played a big part in my private and professional life, and I have worked with and for music projects often. I have a degree in choir conducting and work with choirs and singers on stage often. Here’s an overview of the work I have done in music:
Continue reading “Singing and Conducting”
Werewolves: the improv show
The international ‘Werewolves: the improv show‘ is an improv group that exclusively plays a special format, based on the well-known party game Werewolves. We play in English (and occasionally in Dutch) and have performed at several international improv festivals. Our performance at Big IF in Barcelona was reviewed by Theatretrip, who said: ‘This is an incredible show that you’ll remember for a very long time.’
Continue reading “Werewolves: the improv show”
Songwriting and Musical Theatre
I have written and translated many songs for musical theatre productions; Continue reading “Songwriting and Musical Theatre”
Management, Councils & Advice
During the course of my career I have had many management and (non-gamerelated) lead-roles. I have also been on committees and advisory boards. Here is a short overview:
ADVICE
Currently:
Capital Regional District Arts Advisory Council member
VAF, Flemish Audiovisual Fund – member of the Committee for entertainment games and artistic games
External Expert for EACEA (Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency of the European Commission)
In the past:
Interactive Fiction Technology Foundation – boardmember
Boardmember Arts Committee Zeeburg, Amsterdam
Boardmember Unheard Filmfestival
Chairman APR, advisory board on cable tv issues
Committee member Amsterdam Art Council
Chairman NFTVM, organisation for new filmmakers
Programming committee het Ketelhuis, Dutch arthouse cinema
MANAGEMENT
In the past:
Company Manager for V&V/Stage Entertainment
Managing Director of filmtheatre De Fabriek, arthouse cinema in Zaandam
Managing Director of FilmSet, a nonprofit educational arts organization
Senior Producer and Production Manager for tv
OTHER
Belgian Game Awards Jury 2020
Imagine Melies Short Film Award Jury 2018