Broadway Melody Ballet

Question 1

What actions are used?

Answer 1

1. Ballet vocabulary heavy - pas de deux, romantic.
   Releve, turns, running on toes, couru, attitude turns, balance, leg extension, turnout
2. use of fabric - Don wrapping the white fabric around himself, fabric is manipulated by both dancers
3. repetition of arms outstretched and focus lifted upwards. Towards and away from each other
4. Don kneels down and Cyd moves around him

Question 2

How is space used?

Answer 2

1. levels used - use of stairs, Don on his knees, lifting, dipping, she is mainly on the higher level
2. direction based facing towards eachother
3. moments of large size moment (arms outstretched and leg extensions), mainly small to reflect delicacy of the ballet style
4. variety of pathways used

Question 3

What are the dynamics?

Answer 3

• soft
• gentle
• sustained
• sharp (on outstretching of arms)
• moments of acceleration and deceleration
• fluid

Question 4

What are the relationships?

Answer 4

1. contact heavy
2. lead and follow
3. mirroring used in some moments when facing eachother
4. lots of unison

Question 5

Whats the aural setting?

Answer 5

1. orchestral - strings instruments
2. classical music reflects the classical movement style - ballet
3. cymbals heard when both dancers pause with arms outstretched - climax
4. softer and smoother during pas de deus - legato

Question 6

Whats the lighting/set?

Answer 6

1. purple and pink hues, romantic and typical of a romantic ballet. Links to ‘You were meant for me’
2. large cloth material being manipulated by wind machine, stairs - also links to YWMFM due to wind machine present and ladder
3. vast open space to suggest a dream with just the two dancers (contrast to the busy awards/dance room) - Don only has eyes for her - this could be his imagination of Kathy
4. chandelier in the dance room to show opulence and wealth

Question 7

Whats the costume/props?

Answer 7

1. don - black tuxedo, very formal like an awards dinner
2. then black trousers and short sleeved shirt to dance in
3. Cyd Charisse - white fitted ‘bridal’ gown and head piece with feathers. Then for dance sequence wears white floaty V neck cut mini dress with white shorts underneath
4. black bob wig but then flowing hair for dream ballet
5. white flowing fabric attached to the dance dress - vail like

Question 8

What Kelly stylistic features used?

Answer 8

All are seen
1. strong, masculine, dynamic movement at the start
2. broad range of music used - musical theatre inspired Orchestral, Jazz, Ballet (classical)
3. reflect character - progresses narrative (dancing cavalier) but also shows an insight into Dons mind
4. use of camera - huge range of camera techniques used including illusion of Don ‘flying’ at the end
5. blending dance techniques - variety of styles shown
6. hugley MT inspired - aural setting taken from source, vaudeville and broadway links throughout the number, elaborate set, scarface influence (coin tossing gangster), costuming etc.