* First Class *

Hello everyone who may have found this blog!

I am a student at Roehampton University in London, UK. I am currently working towards my BA(Hons) degree in Dance Studies and I am in my third and (hopefully) final year. One of the modules I chose is entitled "The Resourceful Choreographer" (DAN020X321A) and for this, I have to keep a running journal-type blog of my progress etc.

Today was the first class. Simon (our tutor) gave us the task of introducing each other via favourite film and dance piece. Mine were Mary Poppins and Swan Lake. From this, I was almost forced into reminding myself that I prefer the classic and iconic side to things. I'm not one for much abstract works and often wonder how things like a pile of bricks can be labelled as an art work.

Working in pairs, we questioned the use of stillness and the way you can perceive an object. You can zoom in and focus on the tinist fingernail or even zoom out so far, the object appears to be the size of a fingernail. In this case, our eyes were the "camera" in the sense that you can turn it on and off (by blinking) and blur the lens (by squinting). This helped to open up possibilities of where the audience can be situated and how you can change and control the way in which the object is seen.

Simon introduced a few different sources of light and the new task of experimentation with the light was given. We created a short study using a fresnel light closely focusing on the upper body. You were not able to see the body from the ribs down. In this case, you are more susceptible to notice the smaller movements of the hair and breath (as you can control these to be still on command, within reason).

For my own reference: Simon's Blog