Friday, 14 October 2011

Learn Some Choreography..

The following choreography is from 'The Envelope', it is the main phrase which is repeated various time through the work. It is performed on both legs in the routine:-

Right
  • Step into an attitude and pirouette on the right leg, arms are in a curved high 'V' position. During the spin the right foot is flat. The left knee is turned out.
  • The left knee then turns to parallel as it sweeps forward.
  • Step forward on the left leg and double pirouette.
Left
  • Step into an attitude and pirouette on the left leg, arms are in a curved high 'V' position. During the spin the right foot is flat. The right knee is turned out.
  • The right knee then turns to parallel as it sweeps forward.
  • Step forward on the right leg and double pirouette.
Creative Task

After learning this short piece of choreography, I want you to perform these movement on both legs, then create your own development of them. You can add your own movements, but stay within this dance style. Remember to use choreographic devices, for example, motif development- changing levels, directions, speed etc. Work in groups, up to four people in each group.

The Envelope- Movement..

The main motif in this professional work is performed in an unique position, which is on a medium level, with knees slightly bent. The spine is curved and hands are placed on the stomach with the elbows as far forward as possible, when this movement is performed, the dynamics are stiff and sustained. This movement is in contrast with the shape of an envelope, as it is curved whereas the envelope is very angular. There is a reoccuring phrase which is performed in the routine, which begins with an attitude pirouette, into a sweep of the leg, then a step forward into a double pirouette. This movement is executed on both legs, and is featured in the opening section,the ballet section and in the finale.The dynamics for this phrase are sharp,precise and strong. There is alot of action content in every section, for example, in the 'duo' section there is running,turns, pirouettes, hops on the leg whilst flicking the other leg, jumps,floorwork, spiral of the spine, and contact work. The contact work is where the one dancer runs and jumps in a cradle position but with bent legs and lands in the remaining dancers arms. The dynamics for this section are strong,bouncy,sharp, energetic,lively,jumpy,jerky and fast. The whole piece dynamics are sharp,strong and sustained, every movement is precise and accurate. There is alot of space used throughout this whole piece, there is general space used in both of the solo sections, in the duo section, the one dancer holds a position in the back left corner, whereas the other dance performs in the front right corner but moves in a circular pathway. In the  'Curiosity' section, the dancers perform in a circular formation in the center of the stage, there are four dancers around the outside, then two dancers in the middle one dancer on the others shoulders. The dynamics for this section are springy,bouncy,sharp,sustained and energetic. There are sections of the piece which it is visable that it has been influenced by another dance style, this is in the 'ballet' section, where the movements are similar to ballet movements. For example when the dancer has their arms bent at the elbows and the hands straight, which represents to 'swan' from Swan Lake, which is a very well known Ballet piece. There is alot of contact work in this routine, an example of this is in the 'effiency' and 'pass it on' sections where there is the passing of the envelope and where the two dancers crawl through each others legs. This movement of the crawling beneather the other dancers legs, could represent a letter in an evelope being taken out of the envelope, as it is replicating the same action. There are many different relationships during this piece, such as solo's, duo's and group works. There are also lots of choreographic devices used throughout this piece, such as:-
  • Repetition- The main phrase which is repeated throughout the routine which was described previously.
  • Contrasting movements- Where in the duo, the one dancer is holding a position, meanwhile the other dancer is participating in strenuous movements.
  • Unison- In the curiousity section, where in the circle movements, every dancer performs at the same time.
  • Canon- In the ballet section, where the 'ballet' dancer executes a movement, and then the four remaining dancers repeat the movement slightly after. And also in the pass it on section where the envelope in passed down in canon.
  • Motif development- where two dancers come onstage during the efficiency section and repeat movements from the curiousity section, however this time the movements are faster and facing the back.
The facial expressions throughout this piece are more exaggerated because of the fact that the headress covers the majority of the face. However the facial expressions are very serious, but also curious and confused, this is portrayed well to the audience.

The Envelope- Design..

In previous blog entries, I have explained about the costume,props and types of staging for this work, however I haven't spoken about the lighting. The lighting for this piece is very minimal, because the stage and dancers are wearing black, the lighting appears a white spotlight. The spotlight moves around the space and follows various dancers. The dancers who aren't dancing in the spotlight can still be seen, however the lighting on them is very minimal. The movement of the lighting helps create the idea of 'where is the envelope' as it keeps moving around the space, it allows the audience to follow the movement of the envelope easily. There are no use of levels in this design, this could be because the shape of an envelope is flat, therefore because the staging is in the shape of an envelope, there is no need for levels in the set. The entrances and exits for this work are one entrance/exit at either side of the stage, I think this is because there is only one way to open an envelope, which therefore there is only one way to get off the stage from either side.

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The Envelope-Accompaniment..

The accompaniment for this proffession work was composed by Rossini, who I have previously spoken about in a different blog entry. The style of the music is classical, and the piece for 'The Envelope' was created by a mixture of different Rossini pieces. The accompaniment at the beginning of the work, has a specific tune which is played then is paused just before the envelope is dropped or thrown back on the stage. This pause helps emphasise this movement. The tune for this section gives off a mysterious vibe, as it makes the audience wonder what is in the envelope, also this music has fluid dynamics however the pauses begin soft but turn abrupt. There are various sections throughout this piece where there is very upbeat and energetic musical dynamics, this presents the idea of the envelope having a 'life of it's own'. The opening of each section has an abrupt musical dynamic change to express the new dance section, for example, at the beginning of the 'death' section, the music changes from lively and upbeat to suddenly a loud chord which gives the idea of mystery and darkness. The accompaniment in this work really helps to exaggerate and emphasise movements, it also helps to emphasise the meaning of the envelope, such as the music is loud in some areas, yet when the dancers are confused and intrigued by the envelope, the music is quieter to present this to the audience. The change in musical dynamics could also be seen as to represent the life and characteristics of the envelope, it could be used as a type of personification for the envelope, where the mood of the envelope is always changing, hence from the upbeat music in the ballet section, to the dark music in the death section.

The Envelope- Dancers..

In this proffessional work, there are 7 dancers, there are four female dancers and three male dancers. The main solo sections are performed by male dancers. The costume for each dancer is exactly the same, which is described in the 'costume' section of the blog. Throughout this piece, every dancer has a relationship with the envelope. The envelope is used to both initate and inspire movement. The envelope is used to initate movement, as it takes on the role of having a 'life of its own'. The subject matter is used to inspire movement because the dancers perform specific travelling sequences and arm movements, to move closer or further away from the envelope, therefore the movements are related and inspired towards the envelope. There is alot of contact with the envelope in this piece, such as when the dancers throw the envelope off stage. The envelope is used by every dancer in the 'group-pass it on section' this is where there is a short sharp raising of the arm where the envelope is passed from dancer to dancer, this creates the idea of the journey of the envelope passing from town to town to get to its destination.