Smoke - exam prep Flashcards
CULTURAL INFLUENCE EI - SAMPLE ONE
INFLUENCE: ek’s previous choreographic work
modernising traditional ballets and highlighting the psychological factors and emotions of characters. Previous work includes: Romeo and Juliet and Giselle at Culberg Ballet
HOW: his career and projects as he worked and choreographed with the Culberg Ballet from 1984-1993
IMPACT:study of human relationships and how they develop as a result of passion reflected in the woman’s character as she is abandoned and follows her journey of self identity
CULTURAL INFLUENCE EI - SAMPLE TWO
INFLUENCE: PHSYCHOLOGY
scientific study of the human mind and behaviour. Ek was particularly interested in psyche which was the study of the human soul, mind and spirit. Sigmund Freud impacted on ek as his theory of psychoanalysis focuses on the study of human relationships and mental processes.
HOW:personal interest and trademark throughout his work
IMPACT: portrayal of the male character evolving and becoming stronger opposed to the female who became weak and without identity
CULTURAL INFLUENCE FORM - SAMPLE ONE
INFLUENCE: psychology
scientific study of the human mind and behaviour. Ek was particularly interested in psyche which was the study of the human soul, mind and spirit. Sigmund Freud impacted on ek as his theory of psychoanalysis focuses on the study of human relationships and mental processes.
HOW: :personal interest and trademark throughout his work
IMPACT:The impact of psychology was portrayed in Smoke’s form with the representation of the woman’s diminishing mindset which conveys the free form structure. Through using this structure Ek was able to portray the intricate workings of the mind and how it can not be confined by a structured and logical narrative form.
CULTURAL INFLUENCE FORM - SAMPLE TWO
INFLUENCE: POST MODERNISM
was a movement within the 20th century which heavily influenced art. The main focus of the movement was the ideology that nothing had inherent meaning, and was instead expressed through a series of sign
HOW: when he was choreographing was within the peak of the art movement, allowing Ek to draw inspiration from the art movement which influenced creators, including dance
IMPACT: due to the free form, with no meaning therefore relating directly to the ideology of the movement. While it is the sequence of movements which generally create context and meaning, throughout Smoke post modernism has allowed a free form to create unity throughout Smoke.
CULTURAL INFLUENCE PA - SAMPLE ONE
INFLUENCE: filmic format
specifically created in order to be filmed and developed into a short film, rather than to be performed on a stage in front of an audience. Mats Ek was exposed to the creation of this film,as requested by main dancer Sylvie Guile
HOW: his relationship with dancer sylvie and her request for it to be filmed when it was then turned into a stage production known as a solo for two
IMPACT: reversible costume change that was digitally controlled as was otherwise impossible if on stage
CULTURAL INFLUENCES MV - SAMPLE ONE
INFLUENCE: Donna Feuer
american dancer and choreographer who was a pioneer of modern dance, influenced by german expressionism joined the martha graham company after training at the dullard school known for highly theatrical portrayal of human personality
HOW: due to her highly known status as a pioneer of modern dance, experimenting and manipulating movement
IMPACT: main dancer portraying her emotions as she uses her hands to pul down on her cheeks to depict exhaustion and lack of independence
CULTURAL INFLUENCE MV - SAMPLE TWO
INFLUENCE: ex’s previous ballet training
grew up with ballet as his mother birgit culberg was the founder of the culberg ballet. After dancing with the corps de ballet he co directed the company in 1978 and became sole director in 1985.
HOW: his life through his exposure to art form by his mother and training at the school
IMPACT: manipulation of standard ballet movements e.g. high leg extension. performing side develope to display basis of eks training
BODY ACTIONS - SAMPLE ONE - GESTURE
GESTURE
MV: side splits - facing downstage right hand corner
while in splits performs hand shaking gesture as she demonstrates vibratory while rotating hands erratically from the wrist
EI: to convey the character’s desperation of help + communication from the outside world which is restricted by her ‘other’ like form of behaviour. Caused by the loss and despair due the the abandonment of her male counter part
BODY ACTIONS - SAMPLE TWO - LOCOMOTION
LOCOMOTION
MV: stilted walk downstage rocking side to side/waddling
EI: to portray masculine behaviour as she attempts to define her self by the masculinity of her male counter part attempting to be somebody she isn’t. Expresses confusion as she portrays both female and male behaviours as she unsatisfied by the absence of a relationship
BODY ACTIONS - SAMPLE THREE - ELEVATION
ELEVATION
MV: forwards jete with, right arm extended vertically from shoulder and left arm horizontal
EI: contrasting use of fluid and clear movement which is automatically refuted as she attempts to consume a piece of paper displaying how she truly can not define her own identity
BODY ACTIONS - SAMPLE FOUR - FALLING
FALLING
MV: two steps towards the back of the stage to perform a tripping movement as she fails to gain control from her core, throws arms freely into the air to regain balance
EI: to convey the breaking of the ‘fourth’ wall between character and audience to portray the fracture within an ideal/perfect life. Displays her grief and loss, displaying that can happen to anyone and not just a character.
BODY ACTIONS - SAMPLE FIVE - TURNING
TURNING
MV: commando roll downstage before sitting up in side splits
EI: erratic behaviour to convey her loss of control and self identity, looking for fulfilment in herself as she completes the survival tactic/ commando mode as she looses all hope in finding her identity naturally
BODY ACTIONS - SAMPLE SIX - STILLNESS
STILLNESS
MV: left leg developed onto wall, leans away from leg as she covers both eyes with her hands
EI: stillness is rarely seen throughout smoke but was used to convey the characters dependance which she needs to survive due to her declining mental state. Stillness has been used to convey the dancers momentary consideration of herself before and whether she needs a seperate person to fulfil her needs as an individual
PHYSICAL SKILLS - SAMPLE ONE - BALANCE
BALANCE
MV: attitude turn as the dancer pose’s onto left leg to arch lower back and create an attitude position with the right leg. The dancer extends both arms backwards beyond the line of her shoulder. completes 1.5 turns
EI: conveys the momentary feeling of being internally stabilised and content within her identity a she suspends the position on one leg
SD: requires core strength of the abdominals.
INJRUY: falling out of turn and injury joint eg. ankle.
EXERCISES: core in abdominals which can be achieved by completing: sit ups, planks
PHYSICAL SKILLS - SAMPLE TWO - FLEXIBILITY
FLEXIBILITY
MV: dancer sits in middle splits, displaying open position while erratically shaking hands above her head around in a circle.
EI: portrays her desire for communication from the outside world screaming for help as she sits in the open position
SD: adequate hip rotation must be obtained. in order to maximise the position.
INJURY: Places danger on the hip joints. To avoid injury
WARM UP: essential to reach the full potential of the dancers rotation . Dancer already obtains 180 degree rotation but can warm up by leg swings and clams
