This week when I arrived I felt slightly ill and so decided to observe from the side and took notes. The group started by warming up, this week the warm up was not focused on one particular area but instead used almost the entire body at different stages. The variety in the warm ups was also unusual, Liz had the group going from rocking gently one moment to stamping their feet and moving the next. It was great to see moments of great contrast.
Following this, the group completed a Qigong exercise from earlier in the semester where they had to create a balloon of energy between their arms and chest, it was stretched and moved and manipulated before gathering the energy and pulling into their centre.
The next exercise was really physical, whenever Liz was moving, everyone else also had to be moving, when Liz was still, everyone else had to be still. This was to increase the awareness of how other's were performing in the space around them. It was interesting to watch as people fed off the energies of others throughout the exercise. The use of levels in particular was notable as when one person decided to move lower to the ground, there was a moment where almost half the group went from standing to a crouching position.
This was then repeated in pairs, it looked a lot harder to focus on your partner when so much was happening in the space around you, but also easier as there was really only one person who you had to be aware of. As Dougie and Esther were working close to me, I observed them in a bit more detail. I noticed that they would often mirror one another when moving, and they took turns in leading the movement. Liz then changed the rules of the improvisation so that only one person in the pair was allowed to move at any one time, so when one stopped the other started. This appeared to make it easier to be aware of moments when the partner decided to stop or move, but because only one person was moving, there was less energy to feed off from their partner and so sometimes because repetitive.
Holding onto each other's hips and trying to break away through the space was repeated as previously experimented in earlier weeks. Liz told us all this time to focus on freeing the chest (I think because this is what predominantly leads the movement). This was another great moment of contrast, the exercise had went from a relatively peaceful exercise into one full of energy and power. It was really effective one again for me as an audience member.
The group were then asked to move through the space, one side of the room to the other, in group of three using their spines and centres of gravity. Things to note from this were the use of proximity between the performers and the moments of stillness or speed. There were some great moments where groups worked to mirror each other or work against one another to emphasise the contrast.
Logomotion was also explored, however Liz asked the group to stand in complete stillness upon finishing the exercise, the contrast once again was very powerful. The stillness was very dramatic alongside the very manic and full on logomotion. I noticed that during the first time of performing that a lot of people committed a lot of energy in the beginning but it became less and less as the performance went on. It was good to watch the silent section and see how the body can be used to really transfer their words into images. During the second time of performing, the stillness was a lot more focused, this had such an impact on the performance, before there were a lot of little distractions and it didn't really feel like a moment of stillness. As well as being more focused, I felt like the group took on board Liz's advice on what posture to adopt for the standing. The third time of performing the transitions between the different stages of logomotion were quite fluent and it was less obvious that there was a thought process involved.
We were told that these exercises were going to form a lot of the summative assessment at the end of April, I was pleased to hear this as I feel there is a good chance for me to improve on skills I have already started to develop during this semester. I am starting to see the importance of all the different exercises we do on a weekly basis.
Steptoe and Son - March 16th 2013
As part of another module, we were advised to go and see a production by theatre company 'Kneehigh' at Northern Stage called 'Steptoe & Son'. Not categorized as a movement or dance styled piece, I still felt there were some great moments of physicality that I could share within this module. I am a big fan of Kneehigh's work, it is often very physical and musical.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHhCCAOlW3g This is the advert for the piece which I went to see on Saturday 16th March 2013.
There were some moments of choreographed dance, all of the actors on stage moved simultaneously, this was a really effective part of the performance for emphasising the joy/excitement of the characters. This worked in contrast to the otherwise quite realistic style of acting utilised throughout, the dance made it seem as though it were some sort of dream sequence.
There were also some moments where the actors would fall to the floor, the motion was very smooth and fluid, supported by their breath, something which we have always worked on in our workshops.
Below are some photos from the tour, including a promotional shot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHhCCAOlW3g This is the advert for the piece which I went to see on Saturday 16th March 2013.
There were some moments of choreographed dance, all of the actors on stage moved simultaneously, this was a really effective part of the performance for emphasising the joy/excitement of the characters. This worked in contrast to the otherwise quite realistic style of acting utilised throughout, the dance made it seem as though it were some sort of dream sequence.
There were also some moments where the actors would fall to the floor, the motion was very smooth and fluid, supported by their breath, something which we have always worked on in our workshops.
Below are some photos from the tour, including a promotional shot.
Week 8 - Monday 11th March 2013
We warmed up on the floor again this week, there was a combination of all the previous weeks within this, some of it was working the back, others on the different joints, as well as supporting ourselves with the breath. We then moved from a position on the floor to our knees, using our breath, we were asked to relax into the floor so that we could roll onto our back and then by breathing in we could lift and support ourselves to come back up into the same position from the opposite direction. I really enjoy this style of exercise, it is something that I have felt comfortable doing since early on in semester one and I have missed this throughout second semester as it hasn't been explored in as much detail. We then worked on material from semester one again, focusing on the arms, we stretched these by gripping one another's arms in pairs and lowering ourselves towards the floor by creasing at the hip and bending the knees. Again, this was a very comfortable warm up, and it was good to refresh my memory.
We then worked on the idea of keeping in contact with our partner. We were told we could use the ideas of rolling, sliding, turning etc as ways to move whilst in contact. Me and my partner struggled initially to think of original ideas and simply turned for the entire duration. Liz then showed us some examples of ways to vary the movement and we all tried again, it was a lot easier this time, however, we did loose contact now and then.
Staying in these pairs, we then worked on the idea of weight sharing, and the role as either the supporter or the supported. One of the two people would get into a position on the floor on their hands and knees, the other tried a few position, giving weight in each instance, starting by simply sitting on their back, and by the end being able to drape across them and lift all limbs up from the floor. Liz really emphasised the importance of making sure you were always placing your centre above that of your partners to make the exercise easier to complete. After a few minutes, we were then working on moving from a supported position into a position where you are able to support your partner and they would then be supported by you. This became very fluid, however we did lose contact now and then as our movements got bigger and more adventurous.
That exercise introduced us to part of the assessment for semester two which will be performed at a later date. Staying in these pairs, Liz told us that one of the two was to lie on the floor, the other then gave some weight and stayed in that position for a period of time (roughly 30 seconds). After that time, the roles would be switched by movement and the task repeated once again, this time with a shorter period of time (20 - 25 seconds). This was repeated over and over so that eventually the period of time spent in a still position was eliminated and we could move from one position to another freely, and always in contact. It was difficult to focus on the timings, but after a few goes, I started to realise how important it was to emphasise the stillness at the beginning in contrast to the constant movement at the end.
We then worked on the section of the assessment which will precede the contact improvisation, the stillness and logomotion. We were all told to stand in a neutral position facing forwards, we had to remain as still as possible, once a signal was sounded, one person would read out the words "the subject is .... starting now"(the subject given by Liz which is different every time). This is when we would start the logomotion, completing last week's task of the three stages. Moving with words, moving in silence and moving with sounds. This week, the transitions had started to become clearer, but it was still obvious that there was a thought process involved which looked slightly awkward and untidy. This is something I am going to have to work on!!
We then worked on the idea of keeping in contact with our partner. We were told we could use the ideas of rolling, sliding, turning etc as ways to move whilst in contact. Me and my partner struggled initially to think of original ideas and simply turned for the entire duration. Liz then showed us some examples of ways to vary the movement and we all tried again, it was a lot easier this time, however, we did loose contact now and then.
Staying in these pairs, we then worked on the idea of weight sharing, and the role as either the supporter or the supported. One of the two people would get into a position on the floor on their hands and knees, the other tried a few position, giving weight in each instance, starting by simply sitting on their back, and by the end being able to drape across them and lift all limbs up from the floor. Liz really emphasised the importance of making sure you were always placing your centre above that of your partners to make the exercise easier to complete. After a few minutes, we were then working on moving from a supported position into a position where you are able to support your partner and they would then be supported by you. This became very fluid, however we did lose contact now and then as our movements got bigger and more adventurous.
That exercise introduced us to part of the assessment for semester two which will be performed at a later date. Staying in these pairs, Liz told us that one of the two was to lie on the floor, the other then gave some weight and stayed in that position for a period of time (roughly 30 seconds). After that time, the roles would be switched by movement and the task repeated once again, this time with a shorter period of time (20 - 25 seconds). This was repeated over and over so that eventually the period of time spent in a still position was eliminated and we could move from one position to another freely, and always in contact. It was difficult to focus on the timings, but after a few goes, I started to realise how important it was to emphasise the stillness at the beginning in contrast to the constant movement at the end.
We then worked on the section of the assessment which will precede the contact improvisation, the stillness and logomotion. We were all told to stand in a neutral position facing forwards, we had to remain as still as possible, once a signal was sounded, one person would read out the words "the subject is .... starting now"(the subject given by Liz which is different every time). This is when we would start the logomotion, completing last week's task of the three stages. Moving with words, moving in silence and moving with sounds. This week, the transitions had started to become clearer, but it was still obvious that there was a thought process involved which looked slightly awkward and untidy. This is something I am going to have to work on!!
Week 7 - Monday 4th March 2013
We warmed up with a variety of exercises today, it was one of the first weeks where we hadn't been working on the floor. Rather than completing stretches we had previously learned, we warmed up by using a lot of different parts of the body, moving them all in different ways so as shaking the hands and wrists, standing up and crouching down with different sounds at each moment, some heavy breathing with sighs which became quicker and quicker so that it became a sort of panting. Upon warming up all of our body, we were asked to gather round as a group, Liz stuck a poster on the wall which introduced us to 'phrasing', specifically the classification of phrasing by Vera Maletic. They are as follows;
1 - Increasing. 2 - Decreasing. 3 - Accented. 4 - Even. 5 - Vibratory. 6 - Resilient.
Liz then asked us to think about what each of these meant to us, and in small groups we had to think which of our warm ups would be categorised as which category of phrasing. It was hard for us to do, we hadn't been told anything about the phrases and had to try and work out by their titles what sort of action would go with both, we picked some right and some wrong. As a group, we then went through a warm up which included each type of phrasing to ensure we understood them all.
We then lay on the floor, on our backs, with our arms and legs extended so they were completely flat. Liz asked us to close our eyes and listen to any sounds from within the room, picking up on any vibrations we could feel in our bodies from the floor. For this, it was important to allow my body to relax into the floor so that it could pick up any small vibrations. Liz moved through the space, making sounds with her feet and hands, we listened and took in all the different noises. After, she asked us to start copying the noises she was making, it was hard because we didn't know which part of her body she was using as our eyes were closed. We really had to focus on the sound and then repeat the noises to her. These became more pattern-like and we had to repeat them in the same pattern. We formed a group circle with the whole class and, with our eyes open this time, began to perform and copy one another's patterns using different part of our body to move the noise.
This led into an exercise where we worked in pairs, each pair stood in a line, the one behind would use their hands and feet to make some sounds either against the floor or their partners back, they then had to copy the rhythm using claps to replace any moment when they had been patted on the back. It was really hard to focus on the pattern because there were so many being performed at once. It was essential to feel the rhythm/beat with your body and then copy this. We then combined the pairs to make groups of four, again we stood in a row and the person at the back started a pattern, the third person copied and passed on to the second, and then the second on to the first. As a group, we were asked to try and repeat the pattern at the same time and pace as each other. I found this a lot easier as there was less noise within the room and therefore easier to concentrate. However, we had become more comfortable and so the patterns became quite adventurous.
Following on from that exercise, we worked in pairs to communicate with one another, we weren't allowed to use words, only sound and movement, a lot of the time the performance didn't work, I feel that it was because rather than watching and listening to what my partner was doing, I spent a lot of my time trying to think of what I could do next. Over time, after changing partners a few times, the exercise started to become a bit easier. After swapping a few times, we were then asked to change the task quite a bit, now one person would speak as though telling a story, and the other would move in response to those words. Initially we found it hard to talk about the different subjects, we soon realised this wasn't the most important element and that we could say whatever we liked. Instead it was more about the reaction and movement from the other person, in the beginning, a lot of us found ourselves simply trying to re-enact the story, but Liz told us that we should instead be focusing on the tone and pace of the story and convey this within our movement instead. I felt very uncomfortable performing one on one, especially as the person speaking was watching to see how you responded.
This became a bit easier once were put into groups of four or five, and the elements of logomotion were introduced. We started the exercise the same way, however now, we were to move in accordance to our own story (I think this is why I found more comfortable), once a signal had been made, we were then to cut out all sound, we were to move through the space the same way we had been doing, and upon hearing a further signal, we were then to keep moving, but add sounds to the performance, not words. It was weird trying to transition from one to the another once the signals were made, and we often found ourselves pausing in between and then starting again. Making the sounds was very surreal, it was hard to imagine a story in your head but be saying something completely different, also, it was hard to think what sort of sound would match with the movement and tone of the story trying to be conveyed.
To finish off the session, Liz played some music and told us we were free to move anyway we wanted in response to the music, I remembered Ionization by Bill. T. Jones from the previous week and decided that it was important to really listen to the music, as well as being aware of the performances around me. Liz then created a space in the middle of the room, now we were free to enter the space and perform the music when we felt like it, or we could sit on the outside and observe others. It was great fun to be part of, being able to tell an improvised story with other people from the music was interesting. It was also a great opportunity to see all of the different styles of movement from the group.
1 - Increasing. 2 - Decreasing. 3 - Accented. 4 - Even. 5 - Vibratory. 6 - Resilient.
Liz then asked us to think about what each of these meant to us, and in small groups we had to think which of our warm ups would be categorised as which category of phrasing. It was hard for us to do, we hadn't been told anything about the phrases and had to try and work out by their titles what sort of action would go with both, we picked some right and some wrong. As a group, we then went through a warm up which included each type of phrasing to ensure we understood them all.
We then lay on the floor, on our backs, with our arms and legs extended so they were completely flat. Liz asked us to close our eyes and listen to any sounds from within the room, picking up on any vibrations we could feel in our bodies from the floor. For this, it was important to allow my body to relax into the floor so that it could pick up any small vibrations. Liz moved through the space, making sounds with her feet and hands, we listened and took in all the different noises. After, she asked us to start copying the noises she was making, it was hard because we didn't know which part of her body she was using as our eyes were closed. We really had to focus on the sound and then repeat the noises to her. These became more pattern-like and we had to repeat them in the same pattern. We formed a group circle with the whole class and, with our eyes open this time, began to perform and copy one another's patterns using different part of our body to move the noise.
This led into an exercise where we worked in pairs, each pair stood in a line, the one behind would use their hands and feet to make some sounds either against the floor or their partners back, they then had to copy the rhythm using claps to replace any moment when they had been patted on the back. It was really hard to focus on the pattern because there were so many being performed at once. It was essential to feel the rhythm/beat with your body and then copy this. We then combined the pairs to make groups of four, again we stood in a row and the person at the back started a pattern, the third person copied and passed on to the second, and then the second on to the first. As a group, we were asked to try and repeat the pattern at the same time and pace as each other. I found this a lot easier as there was less noise within the room and therefore easier to concentrate. However, we had become more comfortable and so the patterns became quite adventurous.
Following on from that exercise, we worked in pairs to communicate with one another, we weren't allowed to use words, only sound and movement, a lot of the time the performance didn't work, I feel that it was because rather than watching and listening to what my partner was doing, I spent a lot of my time trying to think of what I could do next. Over time, after changing partners a few times, the exercise started to become a bit easier. After swapping a few times, we were then asked to change the task quite a bit, now one person would speak as though telling a story, and the other would move in response to those words. Initially we found it hard to talk about the different subjects, we soon realised this wasn't the most important element and that we could say whatever we liked. Instead it was more about the reaction and movement from the other person, in the beginning, a lot of us found ourselves simply trying to re-enact the story, but Liz told us that we should instead be focusing on the tone and pace of the story and convey this within our movement instead. I felt very uncomfortable performing one on one, especially as the person speaking was watching to see how you responded.
This became a bit easier once were put into groups of four or five, and the elements of logomotion were introduced. We started the exercise the same way, however now, we were to move in accordance to our own story (I think this is why I found more comfortable), once a signal had been made, we were then to cut out all sound, we were to move through the space the same way we had been doing, and upon hearing a further signal, we were then to keep moving, but add sounds to the performance, not words. It was weird trying to transition from one to the another once the signals were made, and we often found ourselves pausing in between and then starting again. Making the sounds was very surreal, it was hard to imagine a story in your head but be saying something completely different, also, it was hard to think what sort of sound would match with the movement and tone of the story trying to be conveyed.
To finish off the session, Liz played some music and told us we were free to move anyway we wanted in response to the music, I remembered Ionization by Bill. T. Jones from the previous week and decided that it was important to really listen to the music, as well as being aware of the performances around me. Liz then created a space in the middle of the room, now we were free to enter the space and perform the music when we felt like it, or we could sit on the outside and observe others. It was great fun to be part of, being able to tell an improvised story with other people from the music was interesting. It was also a great opportunity to see all of the different styles of movement from the group.
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