Reviewing and evaluating our work, Chair motifs WK 16

Thursday 3rd March 2016




This week we played back snippets of our previous rehearsals and collectively discussed what we thought was appropriate with performance potential and what aspects needed improvement to turn into performance possibilities to weave into our final piece.
The two videos below show this.

http://youtu.be/88NFH4-2wIY

http://youtu.be/Zg0hTdRHgrE

The two videos above show the exploration and performance possibilities

http://youtu.be/po_6jE8VH74

This clip demonstrates us discussing aspects we thought worked well in addition with areas where development was needed to meet the style of Frantic. This was the most recent rehearsal session. In the lesson the group was required to focus their eye contact on the main prop being the TV, throughout the movement.

http://youtu.be/S1jwgd1s1LY

Video 4 is the clip of everyone on stage, while self reflecting and contributing to the work we discussed the prior points mentioned. 

http://youtu.be/Iowt1DAymCE

Above is our response to the scenario of only one person remaining on the stage. During discussion we talked about showing different perspectives the performance can be viewed from and what would be more appropriate to exemplify Frantic's unique style. The idea of one person left alone can link to the 4:48 excerpt, possibly we can use our style of collisions, chaos, varied speed and levels to show the chaos and disarray of the characters mind and nature as within the 4:48 script the main character, suffers from various mental disorders (depression , shows schizophrenic tendencies) of which can be exemplified in our movement and can ask as the stimulus of which our movement will describe the storyline.

http://youtu.be/7tP8pcOKu_k

Another response video of which we talk about the explorations entailed of performing in slow motion, as well as other improvements to be included.

http://youtu.be/Y4kHB3l4CVI

this clips shows us considering performance possibilities for the preshow. We discussed 
how we could structure the final performance considering previous stimuli and motifs generated.
(Shown below)

Exploring performance possibilities for the ending WK 15

Thursday 25th February 2016

Below is an example of our class exploring performance possibilities with movement we have created previously. Its similar to work we have been focusing on during our last lessons. Yet there were 2 twists this time. One the direction of performance was changed, the audience now wasn't where the mirrors where. This challenged the class as we weren't used to changing the props around and not looking at our movement. Additionally an addition prop, a TV was included of which was the sole focus of our direction. Eye contact on the TV was to be consistent throughout our movement even during the duets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As2QMUtFaUo&feature=youtu.be


Here is another video of our company looking at performance possibilities, still with our focus on TV, however this time we are seeing what happens/ what it looks like when we are all
left on the stage. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1UNd_zX9bs&feature=youtu.be


This video demonstrates us doing the same thing except we experimented with just one person being left on stage.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6eB2HF6PN8&feature=youtu.be

We also explored other ideas such as slow motion to stop...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KFRvNYXSI0&feature=youtu.be

Recapping motifs and self improvement WK 14

Thursday 18th February 2016

This lesson we were all in the dance studio rehearsing our devised chair duets. We were still working in our pairs, yet performing our duets in front of the mirrors to aid our rehearsal all in one line.

https://youtu.be/Cpmyy-sEQRA

Afterwards we watched a video of another theatre group's chair duets also inspired by Frantic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ_9Eaog2yw

We were then told that we would each perform a count of 8 of our devised pieces. Then the next pair would have 8 counts to create a contact transition with the pair to get onto the chair, and so forth. We were looking for harsh, sharp , face threatening transitions to add to the performance intensity (without causing harm). Below shows our performance exploration and feedback.

https://youtu.be/SE_5RHdRMoo

Finally we began to explore various transitions between each pairs chair duets to help the performance run with more fluidity.

Motif recap and exploring more performance possiblities WK 13

Thursday 11th February 2016



The second lesson of the week we began to look at all the various performance possibilities we could come up with using our generated movement. In the video below you can see that we still include the "hip lifts" and "rocks" but this time we've included the table into the space, to enhance the performance. By using these collection of props same as Frantic we are able to generate a stylized piece inspired by their company. In addition it allows us to combine 2 unique motifs as well as the company generated chair motif all into one performance. Also the performance was solely improvised, no sequence was scheduled in, this meant each performance would be slightly different making it engaging, unique and also surprising. Of which being comments Frantic's work has received by many critics.

From watching the video you can see the progress we made collectively. Everyone is more confident as the movement is in our muscle memory, and due to previous trust exercises by Frantic we were confident in each other allowing us to eliminate external stimuli of embarrassment or fear allowing us to progress together.
We took a lot more risks in the movement in improvisation and non verbal communication which helped enhance the performance and add to the intensity.

In the second portion of the video we had unfocused post show discussion rehearsal technique in our duets. We went over our motifs and performed it to seek out improvements
Feedback we received from Matthew and Megan, was to rehearse the ending sequence of our table duets. As you can see we were unsure as to the next action and dynamics, so a duel rehearsal time will need to be scheduled to allow us to practice more and get the movement into our muscle memory so that it flows better.

The feedback I gave to Matthew and Megan was to have sharper dynamics. There actions are diverse and unique yet some limp dynamics hinder the intensity they've built up.

Exploring movement and incorporating motifs WK 13

Tuesday 9th February 2016

This lesson we were working as an entire company opposed to our pairs that we'd been doing the last few lessons. Now that each pair had generated separate and unique motifs for their own devised chair duets and table stimuli, we were able to combine them all into one activity.

We began with two chairs in the centre of the room facing the audience. Our teacher asked us to walk around the space at a consistent speed.

 In a previous lesson we learnt afew counter-balances, there were rocks: one person on all fours with a tight core to enable their back to be stable, the second person jumps over the rock using their arm for balance, or sit their hips onto the rocks back and lean over and touch the floor. The other was a hip lift, one person stands up and wraps their arm around the other, bend their knees lean over slightly and turn. 
  We were told to incorporate the "rocks" and "hip lifts" into our movement around the space. In addition as the pace of the music and intensity rose as did our pace, dynamics and movement to fit in with Frantic Assembly's style of work, as learnt from my research.

At the start of the video we began at a low, steady pace around the space. Our special awareness was key, we had to try to be evenly spread out so that areas weren't congested with many members of the company. As the rhythm and speed increased we were to find a way onto the chairs to begin to perform the chair motifs learnt as a company or the chair duets we made in pairs either with our partner or solo. The aim was to try to not give anyone too much time on the chair to perform their motifs.

This didn't work well at first as people didn't have enough time on the chair to perform sections of their motifs before being pulled or pushed off.(1 minute 40 seconds So this was noted as an area to improve on next lesson.
Yet at (3:38) me and Iyla were able to complete our chair duets fully on the chairs. I believe this to of looked effective as our sharp dynamics suited the timing and pace of the music and added to the intensity.

Additionally to fit the style of Frantic, we needed to use unique and more aggressive looking transitions onto the chair as well as removing people off, to add to the aesthetics of the performance.

Further performance possibility exploration, alternative seating WK 12

Thursday 4th February 2016

Continuing on this week, me and Iyla continued exploring different possibilities for our end performance.

We decided to use different seating for the motifs in particular our devised chair duets.

Our first idea was to use wheelie chairs opposed to the regular school chairs. We attempted to perform the first 8 counts of the taught chair motif whilst simultaneously spinning our chair around either clockwise or anti-clockwise. I thought this idea could be more aesthetically pleasing and unique, as we weren't using traditional props, of which allowing us to perform like Frantic by using more abstract props.

Then we reflected upon the idea, considering its suitability.

Afterwards we tried to perform our devised chair duets on a bench opposed to the standard chairs.

Followed by another reflection...

Lastly we decided to test out the motif on the table followed by an evaluation

Exploring further performance possibilities, location WK 11

Thursday 28th January 2016

This week me and Iyla decided to explore more into other performance possibilities, in particular in different more divergent locations.

At first we had only performed on the table and chairs but decided to use our surroundings to change the direction,location or position of the motifs.

First we tried out chair motif on the staircase...

Then we evaluated whether it had performance potential.

Afterwards we decided to link it to our storyline with 4:48 of split personalities but with Frantic's style of performance. We shown the two personalities by performing facing each other through a glass wall to show the contrast of characters if we chose. Additionally the unique and quirky location and position was similar to that of Frantic.

Then after, again we reflected upon the suitability.