Overall I feel very positive about the movement module, I have learnt some very valuable skills throughout, and have already seen and witnessed through my own experiences how these can be used in all aspects of my performance. I think that my positive view on the module from the beginning and my open minded attitude has allowed me to take in as much of the learning as possible, and therefore has aided my understanding of the process and results a lot more than I initially anticipated. I think that my improved organisation has allowed me to focus more on the current learning at each stage, and therefore I have been able to concentrate more on the individual studies each week. This is something which I pointed out as a personal weakness at the start of the module, and so I am happy that I feel I have improved on this.
I also feel that I have been able to develop some of the strengths which I identified within myself at the start of the module, I feel especially more flexible through the different stretches and warm ups I have learned. This was also one of my goals for the module, as well as being able to remember some of the stretches, which I have also done by performing these on a routine basis. However, I have not been able to learn which areas of the body are worked on through these different stretches, but I have noticed overall that my body feels a lot fitter and able to move in a more liberated way.
As an optional module for Semester 1 of my second year of BA (Hons) Performance, I have selected to study contemporary dance, I hope that I will be able to enjoy that module in the same way I have movement, and I hope to adopt all of the strategies I have used in movement in that module also.
GIFT 2013
On Thursday 2nd May 2013 I went to the opening night of the 3rd edition of GIFT (Gateshead International Festival of Theatre). I watched two very different performances, one by theatre company Massive Owl (UK) called We Used To Wait, which explored modern relationships between people, and the other by Sudermann and Soderberg called A Talk.
The first, we used to wait, was very physical, all of the characters moved throughout the space quite a lot, and moved to music as certain stages of the performance. I was able to compare the way in which they worked as a group to the way in which we had been asked to work within movement. It was very clear to see how these four individuals worked together as an ensemble. There were also moments where the characters were in contact with one another, two of the characters moved down onto the floor, I noticed that they were not using their breath effectively as a way to support them as they softened into the floor, and instead seemed to be holding their breath throughout. Because of this, it made a lot of the movement very heavy and laboured.
The second piece, a talk, was very contrasting to the first. The entire performance was very minimalistic in terms of movement. Instead, they chose to focus on the musicality and rhythm of typical conversations, the original idea behind their piece. Both of the women worked incredibly well during the synchronised moments, and there was an obvious sense that they worked as a team. The two women used their breath very well throughout the piece, to support them in their movement as they created beats with their own body parts and the floor, and to support their voice whilst performing quick and tricky speeches, even whilst lying on the floor.
It was interesting to see how I would choose to use elements from movement within these performances, and also to see what elements were already included. Therefore I can see clearly how the skills I have acquired within movement can be transposed into other areas of my acting and performance.
The first, we used to wait, was very physical, all of the characters moved throughout the space quite a lot, and moved to music as certain stages of the performance. I was able to compare the way in which they worked as a group to the way in which we had been asked to work within movement. It was very clear to see how these four individuals worked together as an ensemble. There were also moments where the characters were in contact with one another, two of the characters moved down onto the floor, I noticed that they were not using their breath effectively as a way to support them as they softened into the floor, and instead seemed to be holding their breath throughout. Because of this, it made a lot of the movement very heavy and laboured.
The second piece, a talk, was very contrasting to the first. The entire performance was very minimalistic in terms of movement. Instead, they chose to focus on the musicality and rhythm of typical conversations, the original idea behind their piece. Both of the women worked incredibly well during the synchronised moments, and there was an obvious sense that they worked as a team. The two women used their breath very well throughout the piece, to support them in their movement as they created beats with their own body parts and the floor, and to support their voice whilst performing quick and tricky speeches, even whilst lying on the floor.
It was interesting to see how I would choose to use elements from movement within these performances, and also to see what elements were already included. Therefore I can see clearly how the skills I have acquired within movement can be transposed into other areas of my acting and performance.
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