Juuso-Matias is an artist-expert in portraying violence and intimacy.
The two process types
My approaches to work depend on what I do. When working as an educator, I value slow, careful and open-ended processes of learning. In contrast, as a movement director, I value clarity and communication.
Educational settings
Work in an educational setting means courses, workshops or full educational programs where goal is to teach a variety of physical techniques to be used in future projects.
My step-by-step training method in performer physicality includes techniques for body education, technical physical theatre and specific sustainable methods for crafting intimacy and violence.
My education is all about personal journeys.
Project-based work
In a project environment my work is to weave my expertise to help us tell the story we want to tell.
In contrast to education, the tools I choose when working with a production are very specifically built to serve the working group. My technical focus is on preparation for the artistic journeys and practical, physical choices. I value the effective use of time and energy, but understand human limits.
The intent here is to tell the best possible story.
When working with a project intimacy or violence, I use two different processes. The choice depends on whether I work with live performance or if we wish to record the performance.
Intimacy Direction for Live Performance
Intimacy Direction is a process weaved to the production all the way to its premiere.
Intimacy Coordination for Recorded Media
Intimacy Coordination is a process weaved to the process where the goal is to record the performance.
PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY
This Curriculum Vitae paints a rough overview of my relevant professional experience.
I follow the international standards for intimacy work title as follows: Intimacy Coordinator (IC, for recorded media, läheisyyskoordinaattori in Finnish), Intimacy Director (ID, for live performance, läheisyysohjaaja in Finnish). I also apply the same logic for movement, fight and stunt work.
Directly below (in mobile version of the site) or next to this text (deskop) is my Picture Portfolio to give a rough visual impression of my professional journey since 2011.
MY WORKING JOURNEY WITHIN INTIMACY, VIOLENCE AND PEDAGOGY
Turun Suurtorin keskiaika ry: Elävöitetty Pyhiinvaellus (2023) as Theatre Director.
Avatar’s Journey Travel Agency & The International Theatre of Finland: Love Simulation EVE (2023) as Intimacy Director
The University of the Arts Helsinki: Intimacy Choreography course (2023) as Guest Lecturer.
Warner Bros: Aallonmurtaja, 4th Season (2022) as Intimacy Coordinator.
Tekele Productions: Kiitos elämä (2022) as Intimacy Coordinator.
Kaiho Republic: Swang, 2nd Season (2022) as Intimacy Coordinator.
Tuffi Films (2022, postponed) as Intimacy Coordinator.
Turku University of Applied Sciences: Eräänä… Zombietrilogia (2022) as Fight Coordinator.
Teatteri Soittorasia: Stage Violence course (2022) as Theatre Teacher.
Team EVE: Water Spirits (2020–2022) as Intimacy Director.
coffee n’ movies: Memento Mori (2021, postponed) as Intimacy Coordinator.
Fyr Films: The Demon of Midday (2021) as Intimacy Coordinator and Fight Director.
Turku University of Applied Sciences: Physical Expression 1 (autumn 2021) as Stand-in for Theatre Teacher.
Finnish-language Community College Turku: Humane Theatre Course (autumn 2021) as Theatre Teacher.
Kuroa Kollektiivi (2021 onwards) as Resident Intimacy Director (as needed).
Arvo Jean-Michael Saarinen’s Work Safety Project at North Karelia as Intimacy Educator.
Turku Medieval Market: Medieval Ferry (summer 2021) as Director, Fight Director and Performer.
EVE — An Immersive Performance (cancelled 2021, 2018–2021) as Movement Director and Intimacy Educator.
Varsinais-Suomen kansanopisto: Theatre and Make-up Program (spring 2020) as Stand-in for Main Theatre Teacher.
Suomen Musiikkiteatteri Akatemia (2014–2017) as Physical Theatre Teacher, Resident Fight Director.
Åbolands Teaterskola: Basic Education in Theatre Program (2018–2019) as Theatre Teacher.
Suomen Teatteriopisto: Performer techniques for Violence and Intimacy (autumn 2018) as Guest Teacher.
Koskikotikeskus: Humane Theatre (2018) as Guest Teacher.
Pirkan Opisto: Stage Combat Course (2017) as Guest Teacher.
PUBLICATIONS
Consent Studio: Intimacy in Translation: Bridging Consent in Culture and Language (2022) as a discussion partner.
Meteli, Equity Paper: Alastonkohtaukset ja läheisyyden koreografiointi (2020).
Novia University of Applied Sciences (BA thesis): A Search for the Inner Dragon : A Student’s Analysis of Physical Acting Technique (2015)
POINTS ON MY OWN EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY (under progress)
Master Student in Performing Arts (2023-) with Stockholm University of the Arts.
Intimacy Director (Live Performance) (Certification Pending from 2022) with Intimacy Directors Coordinators
Intimacy Director Mentor Program (2017–2020) with Intimacy Directors International.
BA in Theatre and Drama Pedagogy (2019) with Novia University of Applied Sciences.
Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts in Physical Theatre (2015) at Novia University of Applied Sciences
OTHER WORK IN PERFORMING ARTS
Turku Medieval Market (See films at Film 1, Film 2, Film 3 and Film 4) as Film Director.
Dramatic Combat Finland and Nordic Stage Fight Society: Summer Clash 2022 (2022) as Workshop Producer.
Dramatic Combat Finland: Kesämäiske’21 (2021) as Workshop Producer.
Turku Dansart: Physical theatre lessons for professional performers (2021) as Teacher.
Teatteri Iris: Tyttö ja Herra K (spring-summer 2017) as Physical Actor, Theatre Pedagogue.
Kompastusjoukko: Lepus ®evolution (2017) as Group Member.
Jyväskylän kansannäyttämö: Saaren kätköissä - A 50-year anniversary play (spring 2016) as Theatre Director.
Kompastusjoukko: Jäävuorivaara (2016) as Group Member.
Kompastusjoukko: More Amore (2015) as Group Member.
CURRENT SEATS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Vice-chairperson at Live Art Society.
Board Member at Performance Center.
Board Member at Theatre Workers Union.
Board Member at Turku Dansart.
Board Member at Dramatic Combat Finland.
Board Member at Koulutuspoliittinen Vasemmisto KOVA.
Vice Board Member at Nordic Stage Fight Society.
Vice Board Member of The Swedish Section of Education Commitee at Turku City.
Board Member at Turun seudun Seta ry.