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One other choreographer that we chose was Ryan Hefington, he choreographed the piece for Sia’s Chandelier video, within this music video the dancer performs many ugly and abstract movements which at first would seem a bit weird to the audience, however we used this within our piece especially for our sleep paralysis idea.

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Another practitioner who influenced us was Merce Cunningham, we used is method of chance that he is well known for to select our formation in the end section, to do this we had 4 pennies that represented each dancer and threw them up into the air, the position that they land in would be the position that we would dance in, we did this about 5 times and then picked our favourite from these 5.

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this is the formation we decided to go with

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We looked at was Wayne McGregor which he inspired our stillness within our piece, specifically in his piece Atomos he uses stillness as an artistic choice. We felt like stillness was very effective in our piece.

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throughout this piece you can see how McGregor has added in stillness.

Youtube.com. (2020). YouTube. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di1H8IJtkxY&t=483s [Accessed 14 Jan. 2020].

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after sharing our piece with everyone, we was handed feedback that individuals had written down for us
feedback -
- love the concept
- strong movement, like pillow idea, clear message
- timing is good, project more, good material, dance with more intension and interaction
- creative concept
- clear motif
- think of dynamics

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we had one last time to run our piece in the space with an audience watching

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in this rehearsal we went straight into choreographing the last 2 sections, we needed to make sure I was being highlighted in the sleep paralysis section and then tied all sections back together in the final section.

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we wanted to included quirky and 'ugly' movements in this section, hence the flexed feet sand bent legs in shoulder stand.

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we tried out two different ways to do the walkover, we felt like this way look very primary school

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we decided to go with this version as it didn't feel too basic and flowed nicer

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in this rehearsal we:
- went from the start
- started to link sections/add transitions
- finished pillow section
- changed direction of second canon in insomnia
- transitioned into Nightmares
formatted Nightmare section
- began sleep paralysis section

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this shows how we've linked movement and played around with formations.
(we are also missing a dancer due to injury)

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over Christmas we have/must:
- have all been allocated 2 counts of 8 for sleep paralysis
- create movement for that 2 counts and send to group chat.

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we took chads advice on board as we added a contact section in at the end of insomnia

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- Our aim for this rehearsal is to create insomnia section
The idea for this section is that 1 person (Cerys) would have insomnia and everyone else physicalises that persons insomnia.

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During this rehearsal we had a different teacher come round and watch our piece, we showed what we had created so far and he gave us his feedback...
He said that we need to use contact within the insomnia section to show that we are keeping Cerys awake.

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For this rehearsal we had the day in but all agreed we would spend time in the studio carrying on with creating movement.
The aim of this rehearsal was to begin the pillow section however we decided that we would need time to properly listen to the lyrics as we wanted to emphasis specific words, therefore we moved onto creating a motif.

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once we all learnt the motif we then started to add in canon, we used over lapping canon as would join in once the person in front had done the first 2 counts

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for this canon we still did over lapping however instead of waiting for the person in front to do 2 counts we joined in after 1 count so it flowed better, we also changed formations

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- Created a motif
- Put it in canon
- Started to develop it differently
- We began to try and create choreography for pillow section however we need more time to figure out music

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The idea for the opening to our piece is that we would use addition/cumulative canon, by starting of with Yana and finishing with Cerys

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We wanted to start in a opening position where everyone looks intertwined but also individually representing their state of sleep

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within this lesson we:
- Have starting position representing our different sleep states
- Yana begins moving representation of Lucid Dreams
- Used cumulative canon to add in Lydia then me then Cerys

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we aim to:
- Walk to pillows
- Begin speech/pillow section
- Use lyrics to create choreography
- Drop pillows on the 'mic drop'

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causes of nightmares;
- stress
- trauma
- existing mental health conditions
- specific medications such as antidepressants
- feelings of anxiousness or guilt

"Nightmare disorder is a parasomnia, a category of sleep disorders that involves unwanted events or experiences that occur while you are falling asleep, sleeping or waking up." (Sleepeducation.org, 2018)

Nightmares tend to happen during REM sleep
"REM Sleep is often associated with very vivid dreams due to the increase in brain activity. because the muscles are immobilized yet the brain is very active, this stage of sleep is sometimes called paradoxical sleep." (Medical News Today, n.d.)

"During REM sleep, the body and brain go through several changes, including; Rapid movement of the eyes, fast and irregular breathing, increased heart rate (to near walking levels), changes in body temperature, increased blood pressure. In most people, a state of temporary paralysis is experienced as the brain signals the spinal cord to cease moment of the arms and legs." (Medical News Today, n.d.)

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nhs.uk. (2019). Night terrors and nightmares. [online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/night-terrors/ [Accessed 20th Nov 2019].

Sleepeducation.org. (2018). Overview. [online] Available at: http://sleepeducation.org/sleep-disorders-by-category/parasomnias/nightmares/overview [Accessed 6 Jan. 2020].

Medical News Today. (n.d.). REM sleep: Definition, functions, the effects of alcohol, and disorders. [online] Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/247927.php#what-is-rem-sleep [Accessed 6 Jan. 2020].

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Facts:
- The feeling of being awake but not being able to move
- Very common, there are more than 1 million cases per year in the UK
- Treatments can help manage condition, however there is no known cure
- Doesn't require lab testing
- Common for ages 18-35
- Family history may increase likelihood

what it feels like:
- You feel awake but cannot move, speak or open your eyes
- Like someone is in your room
- Like something pushing you down
- Frightened
- Feelings can last up to several minuets

causes of sleep paralysis:
- Linked with insomnia
- Disrupted sleeping pattern - shift work or jet lag
- Narcolepsy - a long term condition that causes a person to suddenly fall asleep
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- General anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- A family history of sleep paralysis

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Bing. (2019) sleep paralysis [ONLINE] Available at: https://binged.it/2QVBccU [accessed on 12th December]

NHS. (2012) sleep paralysis [ONLINE[ Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Sleep-paralysis/ [accessed on 30th November]

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Before we began choreographing each section we wanted to have clear understanding of each state of sleep, so individually we went away and researched about our own state of sleep

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Insomnia is a sleeping disorder where you cannot sleep or stay asleep.
There are 3 types of insomnia based on how long you have insomnia for;
- Transient - few days to a week
- Acute - lasts a few weeks
- Chronic - long term insomnia months/years
Causes of insomnia:
- worry/concerns
- stress
- anxiety/depression
- change in sleeping pattern
- nagging issues
- illness
- bad environment
symptoms of insomnia:
- Fatigue
- Mood changes
- Irritability
- tired
restless leg syndrome can also cause insomnia as the twitchiness and discomfort in the leg is common when going to bed.

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This article explains the various types of Insomnia and their causes and symptoms
.
Healthline. 2020. Insomnia: Causes, Symptoms, Types, and More. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/insomnia. [Accessed 06 January 2020].

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Each music we have selected for our piece has all been chosen for different reasons, down to the meaning behind the lyrics, the beats and rhythms, etc.

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We chose this song for our opening as it gave the feel of floating which we wanted to show in our Lucid Dreams section, we wanted to go with the idea of feeling weightless and felt like this song really complemented this.

Youtube.com. (2020). YouTube. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou-rVp6EbhM [Accessed 8 Jan. 2020].

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We chose this poem/spoken work as it is entirely about dreams and having control over what you're dreaming. This fits perfectly with Lucid Dreams as in a lucid dream you are able to control your dreams as you are fully aware that you are dreaming.

Youtube.com. (2020). YouTube. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RMHHwJ9Eqk [Accessed 24 Dec. 2019].

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This song was chosen for our Nightmare and Sleep Paralysis section as there are many dynamic beats and many layers within it, we thought that the dynamic of the last two sections compared to the sections before this should contrast with each other as it shows how the states of sleep get worse.

Youtube.com. (2020). YouTube. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t7SclAXoQw [Accessed 18 Dec. 2019].

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Prior to beginning creating our piece we sent a document to our teacher with the plan, aims and deadlines for the piece. including what our piece is about and the sections it involves

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Name of everyone in Group:
Yana Jones
Cerys Buckland
Ellie Taylor
Lydia Hughes
Name of Piece:
Awaken From This Illusion
Bio of Piece (Concise breakdown/overview of your narrative/what you are exploring):
Narrative: Different states of sleep, going from Lucid Dreaming through sleep insomnia to nightmares and sleep paralysis.
To include music/audio used. Has it been edited and finalised?
Music:
Its ok, you're ok - Bonjr
Dreams - Nuages
Human - Sevdaliza
Rough overview of props, costume, important lighting or features.
props - Pillows
costume - flowy top, bare legs, resemble night gown
lighting - match the mood of each state of sleep, Nightmare - red light, lucid reams - soft lighting, insomnia - bright white lights, sleep paralysis - mix of strobe and dark lights.
Discuss structure of the piece, and how you plan to apply/explain/execute your narrative accordingly to the structure:
Structure - Lucid dreams - Sleep Insomnia - Nightmares - Sleep Paralysis
Each section focuses on a different person each of whom are suffering from one of the states of sleep and the others are representing what's happening in their minds.
Frustrations and blockages?
- We had ideas to be very specific to the music within certain sections, this is something we struggled to do and create movement too, however we have now started this section and are moving on.
- Utilizing the pillows in a way that's more creative and mature
Injuries within the group. How much have you got left to go? How do you plan on structuring that? i.e. 'We have 3 minuets and have designated ourselves 3 working weeks left until the assignment'
We plan to accomplish all setting and structure within 3 deadlines within the 1st week. Each deadline will be the completion of 1 min of content.
2nd week is a week for us to get our costume together, develop/rework/layer the piece.
3rd week, solidifying everything we have laid out, and allowing a week to clean and work solely on intent and performance quality.
2 major sections left to do and then all that is left to do is clean and link sections together.
Aim to have the piece completed before Wednesday so we have Thursday and Friday of the last week before Christmas to start piecing together and cleaning the performance.
Over half term we are all going to individually work on our roles, i.e. music, lighting, costume.
First week back after half term we plan to continue cleaning and developing our final product to something we are happy with.

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There are many choreographic devices that can alter and develop a motif.
For example;
1. Repetition
2. Retrograde
3. Embellishment
4. Addition
5. Fragmentation
and many more...

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Within this first few lessons of our choreographic lessons we started to play around with different canon's and how they can be incorporated within our piece.

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Lydia would do a motif then I would copy once she had finished, so we don't cross over
Example;
123
123

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Lydia would begin her motif however unlike non overlapping canon I would copy what she does but while she is halfway through the motif
Example;
123
123

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Simultaneous canon is where everyone does the same phrase at the same time, however starting on their own section first.
Example;
1234
2341
3412
4123

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Youtube.com. (2020). YouTube. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vjPBrBU-TM [Accessed 14 Jan. 2020].

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In our opening section we start the piece of with addition, Yana is the one to begin the motif and as she matches each dancers positions that then when they join in with her.
Example;
1234
234
34
4