BP1: Mediatization & Dance
Couldry and Hepp postulate that our reality is shaped by communicative practices that are tightly bound to the role of media; this process is termed mediatization. Our everyday life is heavily dependent on media. I completely relate to their point of how media communicative streams have deep roots in our constructed reality of life. I use Instagram and Telegram upon waking and just before sleeping, spending the first and last 30 minutes of my day on these applications. Throughout the day, I check on what my friends are posting, and have an extended text conversation with them. In this post specifically, I would like to touch on Instagram and its links to the local dance scene. Being a dancer myself, I have seen how the experience of taking an open class at a dance studio has transitioned from being unrelated to media to being heavily influenced by media. I started taking classes in 2013, and saw how Instagram played a pivotal role in a dancer's journey. It used to be quite simple. I would try different genres and styles by signing up for many different classes. We would always end the class with 'video runs', where we would break into smaller groups and perform the choreography while being recorded. The intent behind it is to allow you to watch the recording and pick up mistakes, strengths, and room for growth. People rarely shared these videos online, as the studio was a safe space to explore and try new styles.
However, in 2021, it is wildly different.
Firstly, we have the pre-class hype, when the instructor of the class posts his/her song choice on Instagram, occasionally including a practice video/sneak peak of the choreography to drum up excitement. Then, we have the 'camping', a colloquial phrase used to describe people waiting to book tickets for the class once the slots are released at 0000, a few days before the class is held, with the classes being sold out in 30 seconds. Ever since the safety distancing protocol was announced, the capacity of the studios have been greatly reduced. People would post on Instagram how they managed to or was not able to secure a slot. This, again, would create a buzz for the class. Then, the actual experience of taking a class is very different as well. It is no longer the mindset of "I am here to learn, explore and make mistakes.", but sounds something more like this, "I am here to look good doing this choreography during the video run, so that I can post it on Instagram and receive compliments". Personally, I am guilty of having this mindset, of only taking classes that I am comfortable in and no longer pushing myself to extend my diversity and versatility. The chase for adoration on social media for one's dance skills can be very pressurising. This is especially valid in the case of the dance instructors. Instagram has become the main point of reference when someone wishes to enroll for a class. They view videos of the instructor's past choreographies, see who usually attends their classes, and whether or not this instructor is "popular" on the social media reality of the local dance scene. This point is particularly important as an instructor is paid by the amount of students attending the class (i.e. a commissions basis). This pushes instructors to create more visually appealing and eye-catching choreographies for the purpose of posting them online, in a bid to increase their social media presence and potential salary.
Thus, the choices made by instructors and students of a class is very much influenced by the content consumed on Instagram. Students wish to "look good performing" in every class, sacrificing diversification of skills. Instructors pursue clicks and likes, instead of creating choreographies that truly represent their passion for this art form.
What happens on social media affects real world decisions. Here is a link to an article if you would like to read an in-depth, Western view on what I have mentioned above.
