Friday 1st November

- Starting rehearsals I have contributed ideas to make sure we are sticking to the stimulus, that being the journey of burnout with dancers. I had an idea after the upbeat jazz funk at the start of the performance, three dancers walk in wearing the finally outfit and stand and stare and intimidate the dancers who were dancing and expressing themselves freely. Signifying how dancers are potentially feeling forced to dance or act a certain way due to upcoming trends and a change in popularity in styles. A suppression in freedom with dancing and strict rules on what we as dancers should/need to look like in order to be popular.

This idea was inspired by free your mind as they had an upbeat section with their dancers and a group of dancers came in wearing suits and glasses moving in identical order to signify their a group and they stared and intimidated before moving into the matrix section of their performance.

Jaded meaning - the feeling of boredom and exhaustion due to doing the same thing a repetitive amount of times.

Portraying the use of iconic fashion trends, music and dance styles throughout the 1980s to present day and futuristic implications for the finally.

Inspired by the life of dancers the piece will be up for interpretation as we see the dancers go through the decades in a studio. Seen rehearsing styles, the performance starts super high energy with a dark contrast towards the end.

With creating this piece we hope to leave our audience with questions and to delve deeper into themselves to find the answer, are we supressing our dancers of expression?

APPENDIX 2

High energy jazz

Heavily inspired by the Chorus Line musical, more specifically the song "I hope I get It."

The video attached was performed by the Texas State University when they performed their modern take on the 1975 Broadway musical. The musical consists of 17 Broadway dancers journey auditioning for a chorus line.

We will be using the use of mirrors, costume, individuality presented by each dancer, music and journey through a dancers life and headspace facing the challenging notions of the industry.

Music heavily inspired and helped the dance scene to grow including Michaels Thriller music video with the thriller dance choreography

This quote expresses how dance in the 80s spread like wildfire and was popularized because people truly loved it.

The evolution of 80s dance culture (2024)

In the corner is an old fashion radio player, someone presses off button and warm up music stops and they say "everyone standing in positions ready!" then presses play to new song and all dancers face the audience and break out into high energy ensemble.

Friday 1st November,

Today I created this choreography towards the piece.

This choreography would possibly be put in after the opening dance which is high energy jazz and Lucy’s tap solo.

As the performance transforms the music gets darker and the meaning of the piece flows into a darker meaning of a dancers burn out. We didn’t want the music or shift in mood and choreography to be to sudden so this piece will foreshadow the ending.

The intent behind this piece is to be intimidating and a contrast to the high energy beginning. To foreshadow the dancers will eventually become burnt out.

Today I put my choreography on a group of 7 of my peers, I like the bigger group as I feel it adds to the tension. This piece is the piece before the finally, so it needs to add tension to our finally piece which will be are climax.

In this piece the dancers are loosing expression and there movement becomes more clean and staccato which is contrasting the beginning pieces in our performance.

My experience so far

I have had positive experience working with my dancers and choreographing on others, I feel I am confident in leading and directing pieces.

I feel as creative director I have done well in relating back to are stimulus and with each piece contributing ideas that fit with the narrative of our overall performance.

Tuesday 12th Nov

We all came in out of timetable on Monday to rehearse and got multiple dances finished, everyone came in and we worked well as a team to make strong progression

• 80's Jazz Opening

• 90's Jazz Funk

• Bloodstream

• 2000's Commercial

• Bloodstream

• Futuristic Commercial

• Futuristic Contemporary

APPENDIX 3

Unfortunately due to personal reasons we have lost one of our members going from 9 to 8.

Thankfully we have been working really hard as a team and every Monday in November we have gone in and done an extra rehearsal.

with this extra rehearsal we have been able to adapt all the dances and thankfully there was no drastic changes necessary.

Unfortunately all week I haven't felt well enough to attend university and currently the show is next week, I have continued to have good communication with my team throughout my illness. Fortunately we are in a good position where my absence isn't to crucial as I am confident with all choreography and next week I will work hard to catch up on anything missed.

Wednesday 27th November

We performed Infront of the whole year, with us coming in every Monday for extra rehearsals throughout November we are in a really good position.

We decided we are feeling strong and confident in the choreography enough to actually test out the costumes, we noticed we were the only group to trial costume throughout the run.

The costume defiantly added extra stress and highlight some issues in the quick changes, there were a few points we didn't make it on stage in time for the routines.

However this has put us in a good position for fixing these errors to make sure on Thursday it can go as well as possible. To fix the issues we are going to be taking dancers off earlier and for some of the costumes we have made them more simple and easier to change into.

I took note of the feedback Jasmin gave us and sent it into our group chat, and asked everyone to use it as a guide for future sessions. We have already ticked of this list and now in the position to be cleaning the dances as we are happy with the material and storyline intentions.

Unfortunately we lost a member due to personal reasons, but thankfully due to us working well as a team and having strong communication skills we were able to quickly adapt are dances and move forward quickly.

Due to being in a good place because for the majority of the process we came in every Monday for additional rehearsals. We felt confident in are performance and the progress we were making.

Unfortunately I also became ill in the same week of a members absence, I communicated everyday with my team and they adapted and changed any pieces on my behalf for me.

"Malou is an Amsterdam based choreographer and educator that aims to portray dancers in the strongest way possible. Through her choreography she likes to evoke a combination of sensuality, mystery and power."

Linders , M. (2024) Choreography & training, Malou Linders. Available at: https://maloulinders.com/ (Accessed: 13 December 2024).

Although Malous choreography, classes and intensives are usually taught in heels I still take inspiration from her overall quality of movement and how her choreography portrays her dancers.

It was important that my dancers for my piece felt powerful and presented a powerful demeanour as this piece is the transition into the darker section of our performance.

The evolution of 80s dance culture (2024) Newretro.Net. Available at: https://newretro.net/blogs/main/the-evolution-of-80s-dance-culture (Accessed: 12 December 2024).

TXSTMUSICALTHEATRE (2017) YouTube. Available at: https://youtu.be/R97Iml6f9GA?si=5BQMTmbcQMh2xW6- (Accessed: 12 December 2024).

This was my original idea however I have completely changed this idea. Despite still liking this idea, I feel I will have more creative freedom with my new idea.

costume inspiration worn by Andrew Neyman (movie protagonist)

Climax of the movie, will also signify the climax of my concept video

please read attached link of a deeper and in-depth description of why I chose this costume from Andrew as inspiration.

please see link here

Document4.docx

I chose for my final outfit, black tights, white shirt, Laduca heels.

The outfit was easy to dance in and I was happy with my final outfit, if I was to do it again I would put a black tie with the outfit and maybe a black blazer.

Here you can see the outfit before the "crash scene" or climax the suit is clean then I used fake blood in an effort to create similar impact to the movies after the car crash scene. The blood signifies desperation as a career driven character that will stop at nothing to pursue their dreams.

song Caravan by Juan Tizol and Duke Ellington

I chose this song as it is the song Teacher (Terrence Fletcher) repeatedly uses when training his band for performances, there are multiple intense scenes used with this song to foreshadow the films ending with Andrews drum solo and well anticipated success also being to the song Caravan.

an example of tension built through the use of the song is when Terrence says to student and protagonist Andrew Neyman

"Were you rushing or were you dragging?Oh my dear God - are you one of those single tear people? You are a worthless pansy-ass who is now weeping and slobbering all over my drum set like a nine year old girl!" REFERENCE HERE

a quote to show one of the many verbal abuses directed at Andrew by Terrence, signifying their toxic and intense relationship as student and teacher. Terrence said this to Andrew when the band was collectively practicing the song , the abuse was directed at Andrew causing him to cry from embarrassment.

As Andrew later performs and has incredible success to this song later on in the film it raises the question of whether the treatment, although toxic and stress inducing, from Fletcher was all with good reasoning in the end.

final idea

• fake blood

• white shirt

• drum sticks

  
  

The sticks represent Andrews decline in mental health and personal well being, as in the beginning he is motivated however his life is not yet consumed by his craft. The more the film perseveres so does his decline in his mental state and an increase in desperation for self perfection in his craft.

In my concept the drumsticks will be used to also signify the rapid decline in mental state and desperation for success told through movement and through the use of props.

I will start with the drumsticks clean and no blood, seen throughout the visual in the background. I have created motifs around the sticks to represent the motivation yet no desperation as of just yet. As my concept continues I will be using fake blood to add the affects similar to the films with the amplified desperation as Andrew trains until the sticks are bloodied.

piece overview-

please see attached link for my piece overview, explaining the important scenes and inspirations I have taken from the movie and themes I will be showcasing throughout my concept piece.

https://boltonuni-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/r/personal/nr18ocd_bolton_ac_uk/Documents/Year%202%20choreographic%20devices%20solo.docx?d=w1d05ad89450e4eaf8bd0ace7b3467054&csf=1&web=1&e=ooYfIu

The movie is about how the pursuit for success can consume your entire life, joys, dreams, identity and relationships.

There are many interpretations of the film, it shows a toxic relationship between Andrew (protagonist student) and Teacher (Terrence Fletcher). Andrew is desperate for Fletchers approval, however Fletchers approval is extremely difficult to earn and may never even come.

I personally interpret the film the show the resilience and power of Andrew whilst still telling a cautionary tale about how excessive sacrifice for the idea of artistic perfection can dramatically alter ones life and personal well being.

Please see attached link for my piece structure over view

piece structure year 2 solo.docx

The obstacle-

The obstacle that Andrew faces in the film is a Car crash that leaves him bloodied and injured before his big performance. In my concept video I wanted to showcase an obstacle that although not physically damaging still will affect and create a challenge for my character in this piece.

The first letter being a rejection letter stating that unfortunately there will be no further continuation for my characters involvement with a large company. As my character is seen throughout working tirelessly this rejection affects them greatly. I will visually show this affect through the change of costume with blood on it, symbolising the costume from the film after the crash.

The second letter that ends my piece is the acceptance letter into my characters dream job. Whiplash provides social commentary on the lengths individuals can go for the sake of success, damaging mental health, destroying personal relationships and even pushing through physical injuries. The film questions whether in the end its worth all the sacrifices made, which is left up to the viewer to decide.

The ending of Whiplash has inspired the ending of my piece as my character similar to the films, after all the pain and hard work is granted with the success they dreamed off.

Andrew (film) gets his drum solo and validation from Terrence.

And my character gets the acceptance letter for there dream job.

However it is up to the viewer to decide whether after all the work, sacrifice and potential injuries the dedication to success is worth it.

I have decided to have my character to be completely emotionless after receiving the acceptance letter, it is often that dancers loose passion after beating the love out of it by taking it to seriously so i aim to create this impression on my viewers.

Please see an attached link which describes a more in depth analysis on the reoccurring theme of injuries and teaching strategies that happen throughout the film Whiplash. And how i have related that to dancers in training to inspire and closely relate to my personal career therefore creating inspiring themes for my concept video.

Motif ( a short movement phrase that can be developed through the use of choreographic devices)

As movie protagonist Andrew is an aspiring drummer and is seen countless times in the movie practicing solo drumming. I have created a foot tapping and hand drumming motif.

There is a moment in the film where Andrew is shouted at by his family for constantly tapping rhythms on the table, this signifies even when around family he is constantly focused on his craft. Emphasising the take over affect drumming has had on his personal life as well as his aspiring career.

I will first be performing the foot tapping and hand drumming motif with emotions of joy, desire, motivation and happiness. I will be showcasing the motif with little energy as i would like to develop this motif to be much more extreme towards the end of my concept for a dramatic effect and to represent the decline of my characters mental state. Relating to how Andrews mental state was declining through the film with the more he was mentored by Terrence, sacrifices he made and injuries he pushed through.

The reason I chose this space for filming is because the gym is in my apartment so it is easily accessible, free and I am aware of the quietest hours for filming.

15th March-

After filming my gym scene, i am pleased with the location i chose. If i was to use this space again i would make more use of the entire gym as opposed to the one room i chose this time.

This space is in my apartment complex so it is easily accessible, free and usually has no one else in it, so it was perfect for filming my concept.

I am really pleased with the visuals i was able to capture using this space and definitely will keep it in mind for future projects. To expand for future projects i would consider filming at night time as the lighting is much different and sets a different tone.

Whilst choosing an outdoor space i needed to be careful with the weather, i would like my concept to be shot in the sun as i feel that would fit the tone and dynamic of my piece very well. I have been on top of checking the weather for Saturday and it seems like it will be sunny which is perfect for my piece.

The space is clean and has nice decoration and layout which works well for the visual aspects of my piece as i want it to be as visually appealing as possible.

This was my original location, located in the Northern Quatre in Manchester town.

I was initially intrigued by this space due to the graffiti walls, structured buildings and busy setting with civilians.

However i chose not to use this space as after visiting i realised that it was to busy to film with how many people where there it wasn't realistic.

Thinking of time efficiency i decided that a much less busy location would be important for me to quickly and efficiently capture my choreography without disturbing others.

here is the motif developed through the use of emotions and props included.

At first the motif is used with just my hands i then have chosen to add drumsticks.

the drum stick motif starts in the first costume change after watching the tv screen filled with inspirations.

The drumsticks are clean, i am excited to be using them and dancing with them.

As the climax hits the drumsticks are bloodied and the movement has become much more frantic and change of tempo with choreography when using them.

I have created a visual for the tv screen in my location, my character walks up to the screen and watches drumming pioneers on screen. such as Duke Ellington which links to my piece as he is the original creator of song Caravan. Also showing clips of Buddy Rich, which in the movie is Andrews biggest inspiration and Buddy is consistently mentioned by Andrew throughout.

I chose to add drum pioneers that relate to the movie and Andrews character as i feel it sticks to the theme.

The tv screen scene plays out that my character (myself) walks up to the screen in casual clothes witnessing the pioneers on screen. The camera then pans from the screen back to me wearing my first costume change, that being the suit inspired by the movie alongside drumsticks as my prop.

In order to gain more knowledge into the creative processes of choreographers, "A Choreographer's Handbook" by Jonathan Burrows offers insights on the complexity that is making dance performances. Burrows, an internationally renowned dancer and choreographer states:

"Choreography is a negotiation with the patterns your body is thinking." ​Burrows, J. (2024)

This book serves as both a personal reflection in Burrows journey and a professional guide for other professionals within the entertainment industry.

25th Febuary started choreography

here’s a video showing the development of my tapping motif throughout my concept video

Choreographic devices used-

Repetition (repeating a movement or phrase to highlight importance)

Size (condensing or expanding movement)

Tempo (varying the speed, creating sense of new emotions for example excitement, calm or urgency)

Rhythm (manipulating timing and patterns with movement)

Quality (altering the way movement is performed)

Fragmentation

Here are some clips that i trialled whilst in my original location which i have now changed.

These were filmed in the Northern Quatre, i am trialling movement and using the space to see what it would look like on film.

Although i liked the area it was to busy to film here, i can be seen trialling the foot tap motif as well which i have decided to stick with for my final piece.

I was experimenting with angles and have taken some inspiration from these clips for my final visual.

solo- blue+purple

​I loved the movie whiplash upon first watch, i love the visuals, editing, intense script and storyline.

In Book

"The Art of Watching Films", Joseph M. Boggs and Dennis W. Petrie sate that film analysis enhances our experience when watching movies and expands are appreciation by engaging us intellectually and creatively. The analysis of movies we love leads to a deeper understanding and enjoyment of the films we enjoy to watch. Boggs, J.M. and Petrie, D.W., (2020).

Further highlighting my reason for choosing the movie whiplash to use as a stimulus and theme for my concept video.

I hope you enjoy watching this as much as i enjoyed creating it!

I chose to not add this section into my final piece, i chose also not to edit the clips how i would have in the final concept. However here are some of the clips i took for the workout scene.

I hope you can see from these clips my original inspiration and reasoning for why i chose to originally do this scene.

However for visual purposes and story telling of my piece i feel it visually looked better to not add these clips.

Instead of this scene i have decided to add more emphasis on my motifs, that being my drum motif with the clean drumsticks. I feel pleased with how the replacement scene looks and i do feel i made the right decision to change it.

Short clip shows how actor Miles Teller when playing character Andrew Neiman in Whiplash actually suffered from injuries and exhaustion as real drum practice went into the role.

This further amplifies the notion that creatives will do what it takes for success at their craft as actor Miles put himself through pain and rigorous training to perfect the role as Andrew.

He is training past the point of pain and injury, further suggesting he has lack of self boundaries and will stop at nothing to get his success.

Award Clips , A. (2017)

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