week one, introduction to choreography
This week we explored different improvisation techniques to help us create a series of fluid movements using something as simple as our name and phone number.
To help us get engaged in our first lesson, we improvised across the room going from low levels on the ground to standing and increasing our energy as we did so. I felt challenged in this task, as I haven't experienced improvisation much before and I would like to work on increasing my floor work abilities, for example learning different types of rolls or travelling lunges.
We then spelt out our names in the air using our fingers and then with other body parts, such as our knees and head, which quickly transformed this simple task into a more interesting and creative series of movements. After this, we were given a movement for each number of our phone numbers, for example 7 was a kick/leg extension. Once we had created our sequence, we were given three adjectives to help develop our expression and dynamics of our choreography - impact, impulse and release. I chose to use 'release' for my name sequence and 'impact' for my phone number sequence. I felt very free to express myself during these exercises and I enjoyed seeing the development of my sequence from the start to the end of the lesson, as I focused on my attack and projection to alter the dynamics of my choreography.
After watching back my video, I feel as though my piece would have been better if I had used my breath more to develop the flow and continuity between my movements. I think it would also have been better if I had attacked the 'impact' movements with more power and control to make the release more effective, as there would have been a clearer difference between the execution of each section. However, I was proud of my ability to think quickly on my feet in the creation process and for performing in front of the class with confidence. I am looking forward to trying more of these techniques throughout the course to develop my abilities in improvisation.
To help us get engaged in our first lesson, we improvised across the room going from low levels on the ground to standing and increasing our energy as we did so. I felt challenged in this task, as I haven't experienced improvisation much before and I would like to work on increasing my floor work abilities, for example learning different types of rolls or travelling lunges.
We then spelt out our names in the air using our fingers and then with other body parts, such as our knees and head, which quickly transformed this simple task into a more interesting and creative series of movements. After this, we were given a movement for each number of our phone numbers, for example 7 was a kick/leg extension. Once we had created our sequence, we were given three adjectives to help develop our expression and dynamics of our choreography - impact, impulse and release. I chose to use 'release' for my name sequence and 'impact' for my phone number sequence. I felt very free to express myself during these exercises and I enjoyed seeing the development of my sequence from the start to the end of the lesson, as I focused on my attack and projection to alter the dynamics of my choreography.
After watching back my video, I feel as though my piece would have been better if I had used my breath more to develop the flow and continuity between my movements. I think it would also have been better if I had attacked the 'impact' movements with more power and control to make the release more effective, as there would have been a clearer difference between the execution of each section. However, I was proud of my ability to think quickly on my feet in the creation process and for performing in front of the class with confidence. I am looking forward to trying more of these techniques throughout the course to develop my abilities in improvisation.
This is an excellent start to your creative blog posts! You have clearly addressed most of the questions set in the task, analysing your thoughts and feelings as well as stated the purpose of each task completed within the lesson. I am also very impressed with the spelling and grammar used throughout and the structure of your post.
ReplyDeletePlease reference the video within the blog, providing a brief description of what the video contains, this will help the reader understand the content. You do not have to limit yourself to one video – multiple videos and referencing could help illustrate each task.
You could also improve your analysis of your own strengths and weaknesses, although throughout your post you have highlighted your thoughts and feelings as asked within the task, you haven’t really gone into much detail about your strengths and weaknesses that you have recognised from the lesson.
Please recognise your strengths and how they assisted you within the task. As well as discussing how you could improve your recognised weaknesses over the course of the module. Also consider what you would change if you performed this task again.
Nonetheless, your post is of high quality and I am very much looking forward to seeing what you produce in the coming months.
Miss Norman
The video that I have included shows my completed name and number sequence.
DeleteOne of my strengths in this exercise is that I was enthusiastic and open to the task that we were given, so I was able to generate a variety of ideas and give things a go even if they didn’t work initially. However, I struggled with transition movements in particular and this also was a factor which inhibited the fluidity in my piece. If I performed this task again, I would also consider including pauses in my sequence before each impact movement, to make the contrast in adjectives more dynamic and powerful. Therefore, my attack in each 'impact' movement would be more prominent.
Your choreography was very well put together as it was soft at the beginning, showing your adjective of release. At 0.22 I saw the power you projected out communicating your adjective of impact. It juxtaposed nicely with the fluidity at the start. What decisions led you to choose these adjectives? and what movements would you have done if you chose the adjective impulse?
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned that your piece would have looked better if you used your breath more. What specific movements would you like to do this to?
Over all I enjoyed watching and reading your blog as you mention that you wasn't the most confident, however, you picked up your choreography quickly and was determined to show the class what you produced. I am looking forward to watching your choreography develop over these next few weeks.
Thankyou for your comment, I chose these adjectives because I thought that they juxtaposed each other well and therefore I would be able to show a variety of dynamics in my piece. If I had chosen impulse then I would have chosen more energetic movements such as leaps, as well as sudden changes in direction and levels, to create an unexpected quality to my movement. I would like to have used my breath more in the transitions between movements to help them be more fluid.
DeleteThis is a really nice piece of choreography. I like the different dynamics you show throughout the piece and the fluidity you show in your arms, contrasting to sharper and harsher arm movements you show later on in the piece. Did you find this choreography piece challenging to create and if so why? Also, where there any specific parts you found more challenging than others, for example, did you find that the release aspect of the piece was most challenging to include in your choreography?
ReplyDeleteYour review of your own piece is very detailed and I think that this helps the readers understand your thoughts towards what you would have liked to do differently. However, even though you explained your thoughts on the movement towards your adjective, I just wondered whether you thought that your adjective made any improvements on your overall final piece.
Overall I thought that this was a really strong blog and your have given detailed explanations of most aspects well done!
Personally, I found the impact part of my choreography most difficult to choreography because I usually feel most comfortable dancing softly and delicately, so these sharper dynamics pushed me out of my comfort zone. I definitely think that adding adjectives improved my piece because it meant that I thought about the execution of each of my movements much more carefully. Thankyou for your comments.
DeleteWell done Daisy, you have addressed all the criteria with great detail and have cleverly structured your post making it very clear to follow and understand. Although you stated you would like to develop the "release" aspect in your choreography, I definitely feel you portrayed this quality throughout. If you changed the adjective to "impulse," how would you alter the quality of your movements? And which movements would you highlight in this scenario?
ReplyDeleteThankyou Louisa. I feel as though if I changed to the adjective 'impulse' then my movements would need to begin powerfully but with resistance to make them seem as though they are bursting out without thought. In this scenario I would like to highlight movements such as the shunt forwards and the shoulder roll into the gallop to show that each movement rolls into the next with impulsively.
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