Jessica Smith

18 | Dancer at Northampton University | First Year

[jessmith18]

"STRONGER" (2010) - Dance Screen on Tour

This piece shows a lot of different camera angles and shots which I think create the piece to become more interesting alone. For me, because of how the camera is set and the angle the dancers are filmed I wasn't sure if they we're traveling up a very steep hill or it was the way the camera was shot which I liked. The dancers movements also looked almost impossible yet I wasn't sure if this was because of the style of dance or the way the camera was angled when filming them. The variety of follow shots, jump cuts and top shots I felt were nice and really enhanced the strength and interest in the movement.

[jessmith18]

While we believe that the essence of dance can never be captured or fully reproduced through any technology, digitally mediated spaces are useful because they allow us to create multiple representations and the interact with these representations in space and in time.

Lisa Naugle and John Crawford (2012)The International Journal of Screen Dance Reflections on Heidegger: Performing Translations in Active Space Environments

[jessmith18]

"STRONGER" (2010) - Dance Screen on Tour

[jessmith18]

"STRONGER" (2010) - Dance Screen on Tour

[jessmith18]

"BLUE YELLOW" (2010) - Jonathan Burrows

The framing and shot within this screen dance almost feels as if the dancer does not know she is being watched. It gives the impression someone is looking in on what she is doing without her being aware as she shows no signs of knowing the camera is there either through facial expression or movement wise. This is also shown by the camera filming through a door way, allowing the audience to see the edges of the room as if someone was standing outside of it. The camera uses a follow shot to follow the dancers movements often getting closer, then stepping back again always remaining outside the room like a stranger.

[jessmith18]

What we are creating is not a dance, nor is it a video of a dance or even for that matter simply a video.

McPherson, Katrina (2006) Making video dance: a step-by-step guide to creating dance for the screen Abingdon: Routledge.

[jessmith18]

"BLUE YELLOW" (2010) - Jonathan Burrows

[jessmith18]

"BLUE YELLOW" (2010) - Jonathan Burrows

[jessmith18]

"WEAPON OF CHOICE" (2006) - Fatboy Slim

I chose to analyse a different sort of screen dance this week which uses the camera in exactly the same way as the others. The camera uses a variety of jump cuts to change the scene behind the dancer, throughout the music video the camera is following the dancer around the building almost as if he is taking us on a journey which can only be experienced through film.  As the dancer is facing the camera the whole time it is as if he is aware he isn't alone and is performing to the camera as an audience.

[jessmith18]

Our work needs to draw people in and take them on a journey.

McPherson, Katrina (2006) Making video dance: a step-by-step guide to creating dance for the screen Abingdon: Routledge

[jessmith18]

"WEAPON OF CHOICE" (2006) - Fatboy Slim

[jessmith18]

"WEAPON OF CHOICE" (2006) - Fatboy Slim

[jessmith18]

"A STUDY IN CHOREOGRAPHY FOR CAMERA" (1945) - Maya Deren

Although the video I have chosen is older footage, the camera techniques are still the same as we use today however in this particular video they are used cleverly to show the impossible. The camera shots vary from a follow shot to jump cuts. The use of jump cuts are effective as each jump changes to a new piece of scenery completely contrasting to the shot before hand creating the impossible almost. The movement has been choreographed in a way that can be continues into the next shot to give the impression the dancer is continuing dancing in the same spot with the scenery changing behind them which creates an interesting effect.

[jessmith18]

The challenge to anyone making video dance is to invent a new language for the screen.

McPherson, Katrina (2006) Making video dance: a step-by-step guide to creating dance for the screen Abingdon: Routledge

[jessmith18]

"A STUDY IN CHOREOGRAPHY FOR CAMERA" (1945) - Maya Deren

[jessmith18]

"A STUDY IN CHOREOGRAPHY FOR CAMERA" (1945) - Maya Deren

[jessmith18]

"POINTS IN SPACE" (1986) - Merce Cunningham

The close ups used in this footage as well as the camera angles creates the audience to see movement that would not be seen in the same detail if it was to be watched as a stage performance. The angles of the camera shown in the photo for example create nice images of dancers performing through shapes of another dancers body as if the other dancer was creating their performance space for them. Later in the film the camera then moves into a close up of a duet which allows the audience to see the movement and power behind it which would not be shown unless it was filmed close up.