cool Flashcards
key motifs
During the middle of the fast-paced section ‘Cool’ in West Side Story, the Jets are split into three groups: one female trio and two male quintets. One by one, the groups explode out into higher levels, their arms thrown either upwards or outwards as they look towards their outstretched arms and splayed hands. They perform this cannon twice whilst shouting words such as ‘cool’ and ‘crazy’.
The group all jump in sync through each other, separating the males and females. The men then burst out their arms into jazz positions such as jazz fourth and fifth whilst also shooting their leg out to the side. They do this in canon, drawing our attention to opposite sides of the screen and creating chaos but excitement for the viewers. Then, as a group in unison they all bring their left leg up to the side as they mirror the action with both their arms, raising them to the ceiling along with splayed hands and raised heads. This part is done with them all in an orderly formation, adding some order to the chaos
dancers in cool
13 dancers, 10 male 3 female
robbins choreographic style
Incorporating narrative into dancing
Use of camera to create narrative through dancing (dug holes in the ground, birds eye view)
Eclectic use of style
Using his own experiences in NYC
Use of social themes, gang culture
Stereotypes particularly between genders masculine and feminine
Intense rehearsal, separating gangs
Working closely with Leonard Bernstein to create strong relationship between dance and music
Working with Robert Wise to direct the film and help with blocking
Using performers who are triple threats
Using the setting of NYC as this is where Robins, Bernstein, Smith live and are familiar with
dynamics in cool
Sharp, sudden movements
Energetic
Fast paced
Calmer dynamics during moments of naturalism eg. walking and clicking
relationships in cool
Contact/partner work between male and female dancers (male turns and moves the female around)
Other small moments of contact between the Jets eg. hand on the shoulder to tell dancer to calm down
Canon eg. the trio of females clap their hands in a slight crouched position before tuning to face the other way as they kick their leg and throw their arms up, in canon the 2 male groups repeat this phrase
Unison to show the gangs
costumes in cool
The male dancers wear an assortment of trousers (some light some dark)with belts and t-shirts and zipped up jackets
The female dancers wear sleeveless tops or shirts with rolled sleeves and a knee length
All the costume colours are muted versions of blue , black , brown and creams
set in cool
The lighting is low and the dancers are in a large room with low ceilings
Around the edge of the room black cars are lined up with their headlights on
There are also pillars around the edge of the room with writing on the walls
At the end of the dance the group walk outside through a large sliding door to stand in front of a brick wall
