Another of the pieces I proposed to make this year is a dance integrating choreographic choices in tap and contemporary dance. As of now, it is a duet that I am creating with another dancer, she being the contemporary dancer and myself the tapper. This particular dance has given me the most worry as what I outlined just now is all I really know about this dance so far. I don't have a greater idea or anything like that, just that I want to integrate tapping in some way. Megen and I got together today and I tried two things to get us started. First, we just improvised in a fashion familiar to tappers, but not completely unfamiliar to other styles of dance. We "traded 8s" back and forth, both focusing on direction and quality of movement, as well as rhythm. I took some of these passes and edited them beside each other so I could see correlations and patterns emerge, possibly helpful in later choreography. I also created a rhythm in which we each danced in some fashion and then put those phrases side by side. The video below are some of the results!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Lights up!
I found flashlights!!!!
At least, preliminary flashlights to use for the dancers, maybe not the audience. I think I will try and borrow some for the performance outside of the ones used in the "dances". I found sets of 2 flashlights that are regular sized at Walmart for $3, so I bought them out (12 flashlights total) and sets of 2 LED flashlights at Target for $4.44 (6 total). So for now, I have 18 flashlights to work with and that will leave one for each dancer, with a couple to spare. Megen came in to work with me so I could see the lights and helped me decide that the "regular" (non-LED) lights looked best as they complimented skin tones with their warmth, whereas the LED lights were too gray.
I got into the theater today and started playing around (mainly wanting to make sure the flashlights were bright enough and maneuverable) and taped some things with my Flip-cam. I tried a few different perspectives:
1. Row of up-facing lights and two sidelights
2. Bundle of lights pointing in one direction on the ground
3. Dancing with flashlight in hand
4. Lights lined up up-stage and shining towards the audience (back light effect)
Here is a video from the first perspective (using LED lights):
The other perspectives were too dim to see on video, but I think more bodies and added height to the light will make a difference. I am also not opposed to using theater lights to fill out anything that is left lacking.
I think all of these vantages have potential, though some are more camera-capturable than others. It also made me realize costuming is going to be more of a factor than I originally planned. My initial thought was simple black formfitting clothing, but now I'm thinking it may be trickier. Because light is minimal, black is more difficult to see. White will be too bright because it will be visible even without the direct light, so something in between is more desirable. Skin tone looks really nice with the flashlights, so I think minimal clothing will work best (per the comfort of the dancers) but I'm going to have to experiment with color and looseness of clothing. Flowing clothing might be interesting as it will give a separate dimension to the movement.
At least, preliminary flashlights to use for the dancers, maybe not the audience. I think I will try and borrow some for the performance outside of the ones used in the "dances". I found sets of 2 flashlights that are regular sized at Walmart for $3, so I bought them out (12 flashlights total) and sets of 2 LED flashlights at Target for $4.44 (6 total). So for now, I have 18 flashlights to work with and that will leave one for each dancer, with a couple to spare. Megen came in to work with me so I could see the lights and helped me decide that the "regular" (non-LED) lights looked best as they complimented skin tones with their warmth, whereas the LED lights were too gray.
I got into the theater today and started playing around (mainly wanting to make sure the flashlights were bright enough and maneuverable) and taped some things with my Flip-cam. I tried a few different perspectives:
1. Row of up-facing lights and two sidelights
2. Bundle of lights pointing in one direction on the ground
3. Dancing with flashlight in hand
4. Lights lined up up-stage and shining towards the audience (back light effect)
Here is a video from the first perspective (using LED lights):
The other perspectives were too dim to see on video, but I think more bodies and added height to the light will make a difference. I am also not opposed to using theater lights to fill out anything that is left lacking.
I think all of these vantages have potential, though some are more camera-capturable than others. It also made me realize costuming is going to be more of a factor than I originally planned. My initial thought was simple black formfitting clothing, but now I'm thinking it may be trickier. Because light is minimal, black is more difficult to see. White will be too bright because it will be visible even without the direct light, so something in between is more desirable. Skin tone looks really nice with the flashlights, so I think minimal clothing will work best (per the comfort of the dancers) but I'm going to have to experiment with color and looseness of clothing. Flowing clothing might be interesting as it will give a separate dimension to the movement.
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