Week 3: Phrasing

In this weeks lesson we focused on the idea of phrasing we started off by moving around the space as if you were stuck in mud this was so that we would think about what each slight movement required. We then had to improvise a natural movement sequence using the idea of being stuck in the mud and thinking about each individual body part moving like the feet,for example my sequence was low and always on plié it also had no sudden movements in it so each movement could flow easily into the next.

The next exercise focused more on the actual phrasing of a sequence we had to create a sequence which had a start, middle and an end that moved across the space as if a timeline. I wanted to show a clear difference in each of my phrases so started on the floor and used a series of rolls and slides. My middle phrase consisted of lower movements for example deep plié's in second and lunges. And the my ending had high turns and suspensions. Watching others I really liked the changes in levels they used as It clearly defined where one phrase finished and where the next started. It also helped highlight the progression each person had across the space.

We then had to think of three iconic moments I our lives and show them through phrases. At the beginning I found it hard to pick three exact events but when I had chosen them I found it ever easy to choreograph as they were personal to me.
Phrase 1:Showed me being young and oblivious the movement consisted of skipping and small jolly jumps my facial expression was happy.
Phrase 2: Showed a section of my life where grief completely took over me and I was lost and confused. This phrases movements were very slow and was mainly on the floor, I curled up in a ball on the floor to symbolise that I wanted to be alone and added flinching hand gestures to convey my anger.
Phrase 3:Showed me coming back stronger then before this phrase consisted of weighted free flowing movements that were no longer floor bound, these movements took up lots of space to show I was finally getting back to normal. 
We then performed them to random music, when I performed mine I danced to a pop song. I think that this really changed the intention of my movement as it took the emotional value I had worked so hard to contain away.

We then explored our phrases again but this time by making selected movements slow-motion. This was a really effective technique as it looked at the finer details in everyone's movements and enhanced them. But again this changed the clarity and the idea of the original movement. Also by adding slow-motion sections it created a focus point that effected everything around you.

Chloe x

Week 2: Rhythm

In my lesson this week we explored different types of rhythm. We started off by thinking about breath rhythm. We created a short sequence of any movement thinking about your breath when moving. As I am asthmatic I am always consciously thinking about my breathing when I am dancing, but in this exercise I used the inhale and exhale to enhance my movement for example to get onto the floor I turned and exhaled as my body moved down then inhaling and rebounding back onto my feet. I really liked this type of rhythm as there was no rush with the movements as breathing is normally a thing that just happens without us realising.

We then looked at Motor Rhythm. This is when you create your own rhythm for example a walking rhythm could be 1,2,1,2 (marching rhythm) then to this rhythm you can enhance it by adding movements which follow the same 1,2,1,2 rhythm. I added in jumps and lunges as they weren't to complex so I could easily hear my 1,2,1,2 marching rhythm. I did find this exercise difficult at first but as soon as you found the rhythm you wanted it was easier to stick too. I also never really think about my own rhythm I normally just associate it with music but I liked the different view as I have never thought about having my own rhythm.

We would have also looked at emotional rhythm but we ran out of time.

Chloe x

Week 1: Habits

In my first choreography lesson we started by creating a short sequence based on movement habits. This is a movement you always use/lean back on when choreographing.

I picked an arm sequence to begin with which I have used many times before, it consists of a sharp twist of the torso to the right (as if looking behind you) arms held as if flat on a table then rebounding back to the front you repeat the movement but this time the arms swing up ad relax around your neck as you turn your torso back to the front. I also chose a sweeping gallop back and a backwards roll as I always rely on these to move you across the space. I found it quite easy to pick out my habits as I am so used to picking these movements to fill in a gaps in my previous choreographies.

We then had to create a sequence of movement which we wouldn't normally pick (non-habit). I found this sequence a lot harder to put together as I often keep to very similar movements when I choreograph. To help myself I started off on the floor as I usually start up, from here I created some floor work consisting of rolls and plank positions as I hardly use these movements. I then got off the floor and turned circling my arms in the air before landing in a lunge. Even though these are movements I wouldn't normally pick I found that after practising the sequence a few times I started to put my own spin on the movements taking them away from what they originally were. Looking back I think I should have kept the movement at its purest form as I was changing them so they felt comfortable and my 'normal' when they should have felt completely different to my habit movements.

The next task was to put the two sequences together. I found this quite easy as I liked how my two sequences together changed levels as I alternated between each other. I also found that there was a big change in dynamic between each sequence for example my habit sequence was weighty and fast in comparison to my non habit floor sequence which was softer and flowed freely.

Chloe x