Analysing movement

Movement components- 

-Dynamics

-Relationships

-Actions

-Space

Physical settings-

-Lighting 

-Costumes

-Set

-Props

Motifs for dance

I chose Icarus which we had to do 3 motifs to explain the story through dance.

Motif 1:- Sadness, this shows the falling of the bird and death. This motif will show this through levels, being grounded and fuild.

-Starts on flood facing back on knees
-Up and over thought the foot with arms going up and over to face the front, keep head low to the legs.
-Wrapping left over right into a shift going into a bunny hope shift.
-Then hips facing back on tilt right leg straight, left bent in air with arms mirroring legs.
-Kartwheel into floor, into tummy roll.
-Shift X2 to standing to pencil turn into side fall to the back
-Fall to floor on the left side
-Roll to front stretching out then in roll to back
-contract up then elbow in then drop, repeat this twice.

Motif 2:- Happiness, this shows them flying and being free like in the stporoy when they start to fly. This could be shown through being elevated and resistant.

-Jazz 3rd (right inverted) ripple x2 with right arm
-Right up leg to wide 4th left leg bent
-turn to diagonal back into second facing diagonal right corner
-Bulchange to 4th with bent front leg to face diagonal left corner
-Contract to push off to land on left leg to left down stage
-Hook right round left sharp down up then sharp head right
-Step right jump and swap legs into roll
-Stand up with right leg inverting/twisting into turn then push into pose on right leg with low arebesce
-Step then jump floor
-Into small cartwheel with head up into a shift back the way I came
-Stand up to right knee by left with hand spread above head

Motif 3:- Try to build wings, the inverted legs show a animalistic feel the hand of being crossed and spread out show the wing/feather feel.

-Invert feet to back of room hand above twist hand x2
-Right leg up then down to first facing front
-Crumple to inverted legs
-Lift right leg up left leg then do it sharp
-Push right out into invertion then lift body/arms up and twist hands again 

-Into bird with tondue out of left lift up

-Into two bent legs into turn with arms up near ear

-Roll to front, push knee to the side rebound

-Shift to back into handstand bum the highest then tilt with counter balance (face back right up and bent)

-2turns with hands flexed

-step to diagonal (right leg to right corner) bend on left leg

-Step right then left with back bent falling forwards 

-Parallel plié curved I've then stack up body

-Step right left into down then faster arabesque with parrelle arms reaching forward

-Step right left into pirouette position right foot up

-Turn round right leg slide to floor tummy roll shift into standing on rise and collapse to invert

Components of Fitness

Health:-
- Cardiovascular Endurance
- Muscular Endurance
- Strength
- Flexibility
- Body Composition:- Endomorph
                                    Ectomorph
                                    Mesomorph
Endomorph:- They look pear-shaped because of the high tendency to store body fat. They do train with intensity, watch their carb intake and build up the shoulders. They don't do endless crunshes, joy for hours or drink sports drinks. The endomorph is the hardest body type to have in terms of managing you weight and overall fitness.

Ectomorph:- They look lean and long because of the difficulty to build up muscles. They train with compound moves, get enough protein anad use isolation moves to finish. They don't overemphasise isolation moves or do too much cardio. Ectomorphs have to work harder on the weights in order to gain a toned physique.

Mesomorph:- They look well build as they have a high metabolism and responsive muscle cells. They train like an athlete, they time their workouts and set a personal best. They don't take their bodies for granted or eat whatever they like. If they do take their body for granted it could lead to diluted workouts and poor diets.Keeping in peak physical condition is often tempered by scattered approach to eating and training.

Skill:-
-Balance
-Power
-Coordination
-Reaction Time
-Speed
-Agility

We had a improvisation task which was done in pairs, you had your partner touch a body part and move it in a way they want you to, that's all improvised. Then the next task was to choreograph movement, which we had to keep the body parts that we moved in the same order that our partner did the movement then we had created a small motif.

Body parts:-
1)Arm (right)
2) Shoulder (left)
3) Head
4) Shoulder (right)
5) Foot (left)
6) spine
7) Feet
8) Head

Icarus

We were given four questions and we had to research two of them. I did the poem "The River" and also the Icarus story. I think these where the most interesting out of the four of them as the poem you can find out the meaning and look at the structure of it e.g. if it repeats.


The river I found a summery of each verse of the poem:-


The River's a wanderer,
A nomad, a tramp
He never chooses one place
To set up his camp


Verse 1:- The river flows/moves without stopping. Wanderer- a person who walks one place to another without hurry/ purpose. Nomad- member of group who move around with no permanent home. Tramp- no home, moves place to place.


The River's a winder;
Through valley and hill
He twists and he turns,
He just cannot be still.


Verse 2:- River doesn't move in a straight line, will turn left/right. Winder- turns/rolls something. Valley- gaps between hill. Twist- bends.


The River's a hoarder
And he buries down deep
Those little treasures
That he wants to keep.


Verse 3:- River collects the things that it find as it is moving, hides these things deep down at the bottom of the river. Hoarder- collects things. Buries- hide treasures/valuables.


The River's a baby,
He gurgles and hums,
And sounds like he's happily
Sucking his thumbs.


Verse 4:- Soft sound when flows as if the river is happy. The soft sounds are like a baby's gurgle/hum. Gurgles and hums- baby makes bubbly sounds, continuous sounds like a bee.


The River's a singer,
As he dances along,
The countryside echoes
The notes of his song.


Verse 5:- Sound of the flowing river is like a song, movement of flowing river is like a dance, when the river flows down through the village the river's sounds can be heard by the villagers. Echoes-bounce back.


The River's a monster,
Hungry and vexed,
He's gobbled up trees
And he'll swallow you next.


Verse 6:- River is like a monster when it floods, floods can destroy animals, plants, humans and homes. Vexed-angry. Gobbled- eat noisily & quickly. Swallow- pass down the throat.


The Icarus story, I read over the story and explored what the different moods could be. There would be a moment of happiness due to the bird like theme, feeling as though I could fly. I could do this by doing jumps and the use of elevation. It would be very up and feel free. Whereas there is also a feeling of sadness and worried like when he falls to his death, this part could be much more grounded and fluid. I can show the contrast using different dynamics like levels.


I chose Icarus to do out of these two for a solo as I feel like I can play around with the moods and it has more depth in which I can perform in my solo. It also has a bigger contrast as it has lots of happiness then ends in death which are on complete opposite ends of the scale.

Rooster Ruby Tuesday

Analyse the movement: Action/Space/Dynamics/Relationship. How do they support the theme and intention of the work?

The dance is performed by a women, soloist. Having a women do a solo shows the sexism. There is already a man on stage but as soon as the women comes on, he exits stage right using the movement of the rooster which is cocky and arrogant. In the first phrase of Ruby Tuesday the women comes on back wing stage left then walks forward with her hands behind her back and her focus lowered. She lifts her leg forward, collapses back as she steps behind, lifts her leg again with her arm extended and again collapses back as she curls her torso forward and falls backwards wrapping her arms around her. She appears slightly fragile, with her focus down and her backwards steps. This may show that she is quite shy and cautious, just by walking on shows the audience the gender difference. Movement theme and motifs are introduced in the first phrase, then developed and manipulated throughout subsequent phrases through the use of choreographic devices.

 

The lyrics take a big part in the story. The song is called ‘Ruby Tuesday’, by The Rolling Stones. She doesn’t dance to the song it’s self she dances along to the lyrics of the song. “Don’t question why she needs to be so free. She’ll tell you it’s the only way to be. She just can’t be chained to a life where nothings gained and nothings lost, at such a cost”, this shows that life should be lived in the moment. Reality of war and nuclear arms means your life could end at any moment, by someone else’s choice. The Rolling Stones were around in the 60’s and there wasn’t very many equal rights, therefore women didn’t have much choice or say in anything.

 

There are lots of sustained movements, times of suspension using moments of reaching to demonstrate the idea of reaching for hope. There are movement which use the choreographic devices, abstraction was used to transform original gestures of twirling the hair or flicking it upside down which indicates the idea of thoughtfulness. The use of addition, she swings her leg then repeats but adding a hop forward, wrapping her arms round herself. There is use of tempo as well, some places is fast then other slow then there is moments of stillness when she goes to pick up something from the floor, maybe flowers.

 

Her pathways are direct, she knew where she was going. This may give the idea of determination and independence. She knows what she is aiming for and how she is going to get there. Using diagonal or straight lines, she travels there quickly of various part, meaning the quick she gets want she wants to do done, it’s over.

 

His intention is to focus on the political and personal issues. He using usual starting points to create up movement: poetry, literature, music, newspaper articles and world events. Through choreography he voices his concerns. The story line is based on relationship between men and women. His intention is to celebrate the music of “The rolling Stones”, using qualities ans stories behind the song to reflect ‘sexual tension’ (witnessed when growing up in 1960s).

Rooster has 8 sections,each with a different song. Each piece could easily be a solo but it’s done together to create atmosphere and contemporary attitudes. There are 5 dancer, 1 solo female, joined by 4 men.

week 4 term 1

On Monday we had a guest come in to teach us a piece from the show 'Rooster', Ruby Tuesday. We had a workshop which we worked on the whole lesson.


What Went Well?
1) I was able to get a good understanding of what the style was like.
2) I was able to take three of the movements and create a whole new motif.
3) I could pick up the choreography easily.


Even Better If?
1) I could have took more risks when doing the routine given to us.
2)When I rehearse I need to do the arms properly so when I'm actually performing it my arms will be held in a more stronger position
3) Make use of the lyrics in the music to go with the movements, use the lyrics to get an understanding of the feelings.

Rambert

Rooster was choreographed by a man called Christopher Bruce. He was born 1945 in Leicester, England. He started studying dance at the age of 11. After study at Rambert School he joined Rambert Ballet in 1963 and became a lead male dancer. The company began experimenting with ballet and modern, specifically Martha Graham technique.
In 1977 he was appointed associate director of the company until 1987. He created over 20 works for the company.
Influences
He focused on the political and personal issues. He using usual starting points to create up movement, poetry, literature, music, newspaper articles and world events. Through the choreography he would voice his concerns. His other works are:- Ghost dances/Swansong/Silence is the end of our song/ Cruel Garden/Sargeant Early's Dream.
Themes and ideas
The story line is based on relationship between men and women. His intention is to celebrate the music of 'The Rolling Stones', using qualities and stories behind the song to reflect 'sexual tension' (witnessed when growing up in 1960s). When Bruce grew up he was surrounded by sexism and racism. There were 8 specific songs by the rolling stones e.g Little red rooster / Ruby Tuesday/ Play with fire
Set and lighting
Not much set, the stage was undecorated. The lighting was simplistic throughout the whole piece. A bare stage is a key feature of Bruce's work as he is aware that dancers need plenty of room to dance.
Costumes
The costumes reflect on the 60'. The men wore velvet jackets, shirts and ties (each male with different colours) with black trousers and jazz shoes. In 'Ruby Tuesday' there were 4 males who wear all black jackets. The women are all identical, wearing simple black and red colour scheme. The male influences by Mick Jagger. This shows the sexism as the men are represented as different however the women all dress the same as though they are all seen as one person and no able to have their own identity.
The Dance
It has 8 sections each with a different song, It piece could easily be solos but its done together to create atmosphere and contemporary attitudes.
Distinctive movements though-out
'Rooster strut:- Men mimic cockerels
Grooming gestures:- Straightening cuffs, Sticking down their hair.
Jumps:- Men suggests a chicken trying to fly with stubby wings.
Everyday gestures:- Handshaking
Repeated floor work:- Both sexes, rolling and turning on the floor.
Repeated courtly geestures:- first in 'Lady Jane' but is repeated several times.
Ruby Tuesday
There are 5 dancers, 1 solo female, joined by 4 men
The men perform simple movements in unison/pairs. The choreography for the women are very typical style of Bruce and classical in nature. The female dancer plays with her hair a lot and picks something from the floor, maybe flowers? She twists her arms and hand suggest of underlying tension.

Character profile

1.  Who:- Kid playing in the park
    Age:- 9 Years old
   Gender:- Girl
   Manner:- The movement for the kid would be quick, agile, energetic. I would represent this through the use of dynamics, through the use of levels for example showing the natural movements one would use in the park and on the equipment. I could also use suspense to contrast the various levels of energy of the child.
    
    
2. Who:- Dog walker
   Age:- Mid-twenties
   Gender:- Female
   Manner:- The movement  for the dog walker would be brisk, energetic and using a direct pathway. I would represent this through the use of dynamics, using the relationship with the idea of a dog and the music.

Week 3 Term 1

Today we did a technique class a bit like last Thursday. We repeated the exercises from last night:-
1)Roll Down
2)Curls and Tilts


This was the second time I did these so I knew them better so instead of thinking about the exercise I could add dynamic range to them, using suspense and whether the movements are sharp and strong or heavy and fluid.We learnt part of a dance which is by Jasmin Vardiman. It's set in a park, this will be performed in duets or trios. Each person in the duet/trio will have a character. We will develop the way that character would perform the movement. Then identify the ways in which the characters will react and see the similarities and difference in their relationship between on another.


What Went Well?
I remembered the exercises which helped me develop the movement. I used a range of dynamics to make it look more interesting. I was able to get an understanding of Jasmin Vardiman choreography. The corner work I was able to develop the jumps and rolls which helped my strength.


Even Better If?
Next time I should use facial expression to tell more of a story. I would also take more risks, in doing this it will make it look better and mature as a dancer.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8SzLBPTiYk

Inspirations

Akram Khan

Background:-

He began dancing and training in the classical Indian dance form of Kathka at the age of seven. He began his stage career at the age of thirteen. Kathak is one of eight Indian classical dances, originating from India. He later studied contemporary dance.

Works:-

“Rush” seems to have nearly no music just sounds each movement is isolated and change from fast to slow movement. The movement flow into each other. Free fall is a physical state between speed and stillness.

“Scared monsters” is more dainty and free. In my opinion I would class it as contemporary with Akram Khan incorporating kathak into the dance, in a contemporary style.

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui

He was born in Antwerp in 1976. His career started in 2000. AT the age of fifteen he was really hooked on dance. He has had collaborations with Akram Khan, Antony Gormley and the Chinese Shaolin monks. At the same time he began to take classes in all kinds of styles – ballet, tap, hip-hop, jazz, flamenco.

Works:-

“Sutra” is worked with a group of monks and also with himself as an outsider. He works with props/set which are big boxes. The themes are cultural, personal, and religious and spiritual differences. He works with more network music other than narrative music. There is a lot of contact work which can turn into shadowing each other then turning into one big creature.

Collaboration between both of them:-

The show “Zero degrees” was a collaboration between Akran Khan and Sidi Larbi. They found similarities in their work and were also raised in the same way. Combining the kathak dance with the contemporary moves creating speed and precision. In August 2000, he launched Akram Khan Company. His first full-length work Kaash, a collaboration with Anish Kapoor and Nitin Sawhney, was performed at the Edinburgh Festival in 2002.

Choreography/Improvisation

We explored choreography and improvisation today. Improvisation is when you do movements that you haven't thought of and it just comes to mind. The music was playing in the background while we were given instruction on what to do, e.g we imagined we had a ball and we rolled it around the body, then we dipped a body part in paint and then had to draw everywhere in the room with that body part and paint. This warmed the body up and loosened the muscles up which will then be easier for other movements.


We got "Mary Berry" recipe which we went through and highlighted the words that are most like "doing words". We had to chose 10 over all, I chose:- Pushing, Melted, Stand, Shape, Roll, Spread, Dust, Stir, Turn out and Sifted. I used this to make a motif, I then developed my motif by using choreographic devices, I chose to use:
Staging- To change the direction in which you perform.
Repetition- Repeat a phrase
Additive/Incorporative- Turning the movement into things like, running, jumping or sliding.


We then performed the movement I think I managed to create and develop it well but next I should challenge myself and take more risks.

Principles Of Training

Progress overload


Increase the intensity to improve a particular skill on the muscle group e.g going from 1 minute plank then increasing the time by a curtain amount. We can increase how many times we do the exercise per week.


FITT:-
Frequency- How often you do something for
Intensity- How much it's pushing you as an individual
Time- How long you do it for
Type- How you change it to make it harder for yourself


Today we worked on core strength, doing plank and sit ups using weights. We also worked on cardio endurance, warming up, we ran around and got given instructions on what to do to get the heart rate up. Through-out the warm up and parts of the lesson we worked on muscular endurance.

Dance As

Week 2 Term1

Today was the first Dance As lesson of the year. From todays lesson I got a deeper understanding of the course that I will be taking. We do a written paper for an hour and a half which is out of 60 marks (40%). The other practical work which includes a solo choreography and Performance, a duet/Trio Performance out of 90 marks (60%).
The course is based on mainly contemporary, but also jazz technique. We will research historical and cultural of contemporary and jazz.

What Went Well?
I picked up the choreography quickly. By doing this I could then work on the dynamics of the motifs. For example when we do the swing motif, I used the heaviness of my head, this makes it look more interesting to watch as it looks relaxed and is fluid.

Even Better If?
Next time I think I will focus on traveling and the core strength so when I turn and finish in parallel so it looks effortless. Working on the core will also help me travel. I will also work on my elevation, coming from the corner will did jumping and rolling. Jumping after the floor is a lot of work, it requires core strength and elevation.

Final Showcase

TORN was performed on Monday 9th February, 2015. The shows went really well. On Monday we had a full day of dance, starting at 8.30am in the studio and finishing 8.30ish pm. This was a busy day, but I loved it. We managed to run the show start to finish with two dress runs. Before each performance we had a warm up and focus session. This was helpful as it calmed me down before the show and shook the nerves out of me. The warm up included things such as, press ups, sit ups and role downs etc. We then closed our eyes and got given instructions to follow so we could get in the zone and calm down.


Today on the Thursday 12th February we watched the show back and I gave myself critical and positive feedback. I have done this for each of the dances I was in.


1) Park- South London park were all different types of characters were hanging out.
WWW:- I think my characterisation came across how I wanted it to be. As a group I felt like our characters made the scene feel more realistic.
IBF:- I think I could have for filled the music more so I wasn't too early or too late. I could do this by extending more.


2) Basketball-Playing a basketball game which then leads to messages about a rave so then everyone rushes off to get ready.
WWW:- I think we all portrayed our characters and I understood the timing.
EBI:- I think I could have made the movements stronger.


3) Glam- This piece is when everyone is getting ready for the rave, doing hair and make up with lots of selfies.
WWW:- I think I performed the piece well. My movements were strong and clear.
EBI:- I think we needed to sort out the spacing. In the pyramid me and Chloe were on top of each other quite a lot as we tried to get in the gaps, but the two in front were to far in Also the part when we come down in a line we weren't in the right spacing. Also trying to make the clothes fly up in the air to make it more hectic.


4) Packing- packing to get away as conflict creeps up on them. The fear of getting sent to refugee camp.
WWW:- I was clear on my movements, I used extension.
IBF:- when standing up, walking to the front and then walking off, I think I could have taken my time to get off as I rushed, but I had enough time.


5) Rave/escape- The different social groups come in, girly girls, drunk lot, lads and the show offs. This rave ends up in a fight due to a dance battle. The escape is everyone trying to get away from conflict.
WWW:- I think my movements were strong and I got into character well. I hit the movements in the slow motion and watching it back it looks like we are actually in slow motion as a collective.
IBF:- I think I could have made the contrast clearer going from the rave into the escape. Made the slow motion more exaggerated.


6) Rave Fight:- The dance battle is competitive, then causing a fight, everyone try's to leg it and get out.
WWW:- The reactions to the fight and trying to brake the fight up.
IBF:- I think I could have been more exaggerated with the fight and made it more realistic.


7) Refugee- A refugee camp, in which everyone feels is like a prison which is unsafe and cramped
WWW:- I was on time also I think I did well on the counts. I was grounded, able to get low to the ground. I used my breath well.

EBF:- I could have pointed my feet a lot more, used hyper extension especially on the jumps.


8) Dimas Story- small group piece explaining terror and explosions within conflict. The teddies show the love we have for them but in the end we are split apart from them.
WWW:- I think I used big movements and had the right timing. I think our group created a great piece and we worked really well together.
EBI;- I think we would have made our spacing exact, maybe use more extension.


9) Hope- This showed hope when we were finding and collecting our precious objects.
WWW:- We kept in time and I got into character when trying to find my object to then finding my object through expressions and gestures.
EBI:- Not all the time but as a group, we would put our precious objects in the middle a bit to early so we were standing for along time, but that didn't matter so much as it still worked.


Over all I think our FML went really well. I think our year work really well together as a collective, we communicate and put ideas forward. After the show we had really positive feedback, things were said such as, we got the story across really well, with all the costumes, lights and dances. Everyone I spoke to said that they loved it and that it was amazing.

Monday 2nd February

These are my notes- 

On Monday we managed to get two full dress rehearsals done. By Thursday I need to get with my group "girly girls" and work out what else we could do because one of my notes were to change the selfie moments to something different. For the first time when we are coming onto the stage, we were thinking of maybe checking each other's clothes to see if we look okay. Then later on in the peice maybe choreograph another 8 counts to fill it in or do a bit more acting such as, checking if our outfits or sorting out eachothers makeup. I also need to alter costumes which I have now done I just need to iron them. I have cut the stripes out, but need to double check if I have time to do the button up for Glam and the Rave as I have quick changes.

TORN

On Thursday 29th January we went over Some of the dances slowly so everyone had the same movements at the same time. This was also to get our technique correct. I think this was very benifital as we now understand what we were doing wrong and how to correct those mistakes. 

 

We only have 9 days til our show but I think it's going to be a great FMP. We have a dress rehearsal monday which will be fun then we are in the obie on Thursday and Friday then the show on Monday 9th February.

Run of the show "TORN"

Today (Thursday 22nd January) we ran the whole show. The running order is as follows:-

1)Park

2) Av Animation 

3) Family group

4) getting ready (Glam)

5) Packing

6) Rave

7) Escape

8) Rave Fight

9) Sofa

10) Solo/Duet

11) Year 10's

12) Refugee

13) Miran Story

14) Dimas Story 

15) Av Footage

16) Hope

We got given some of our costumes and things we need to buy/bring for next Monday as we are going to do a dress run. We tried on our different costumes. We've been asked to go get things like black shoes, bring in jeans and disco pants. We are wearing black leotard and shorts all show under costumes.

(This didn't upload at the right time so it's abit late) 

Jumpers

The jumpers are having a good response. Me and Hannah went through many stages in the process of getting these jumpers.

We first talked to Mr Collins about the logo design, in which he introduced us to a post 16 media student to help us with the project. Firstly we organised a meeting to talk about are intial ideas for our logo. After a few days he emailed us the prototype of the Divided logo for the front of the jumper/poster/programme.

After we showed it to our teachers they made a few changes to the logo. This is how it looks now (the finalised logo)

We then designed the text going down the left arm. We had got many suggestions from students about the fonts which we wanted to use. We thoughts this font looked interesting/relevant to the performance.

We also had to design the text for the back of the jumper:

But in the end we changed it to a clear background and black text as white wouldn't show up on the jumper.

We got in contact with clothes2order many time before we got the right combination for the jumper. There were many alterations that had to be made in the process, but we are happy with the  results of the jumper.