The Paso Doble Flashcards
Intention of the Paso Doble
In my opinion, the Paso Doble work featured in the 1992 film, Strictly Ballroom, which was choreographed by John O’Connell is about ……
- The intention of a traditional Paso Doble is to imitate the sport of bullfighting, where a man (male dancer) will wave a cape (female dancer) to attract and anger a bull.
- Scott and Fran, perform at the Pan Pacific Grande Prix to authenticate the traditional dance of the Paso Doble whilst rebelling against the Ballroom federation’s restrictive rules which limit creative freedom.
- Barry Fife is symbolic of the structured and backwards views of the ADF, he is also representative of a bias in the sport. Scott and Fran are rebelling against him to bring back joy and creativity into the artform.
- Scott and Fran are inspired to continue dancing their routine by Doug Hastings and Fran’s grandmother, who are convinced that true dancing should come from the heart.
- The falling of Barry Fife and trophies is symbolic of the Ballroom Federation’s restrictive rules falling, and becoming no longer relevant to Scott and Fran. Proving it is not necessary to dance to win, but it is more important to dance because of a love for it.
Formal Structure of the Paso Doble
I perceive the formal structure of the Paso Doble work to be Narrative and contains three sections (A, B, & C).
Section A of the Paso Doble (Intention and Movement Vocabulary)
0.00-2.19
Intention:
Begins with the couple’s dramatic and late entrance to the dance floor and shows them dancing amongst the other competitors.
Scott and Fran perform authentic Paso Doble steps that the ADF and audience have never seen. Their routine includes figure of eight pathways and turns to show the Matador maneuvering his cape who is symbolised by Fran.
Movement Vocab:
Scott commences by sliding on the floor then bows down at Fran as she strikes a pose with her hands crossed and her front leg in a bevile.
Section B of the Paso Doble (Intention and Movement Vocabulary)
2.20-5.28
Intention:
Begins after the disqualification when Scott responds to the percussive clapping of his encouraging father and the audience, and he re-commences their dance while everyone watches on with just the sound of the audience clapping around them The fact that Scott and Fran continue to dance after they have been asked to leave shows them defying not only Barry Fife, but the whole Ballroom Federation.
Movement Vocabulary:
Barry is seen disqualifying Scott and Fran who then release their embrace and part ways letting go of each other’s hands before moving on a diagonal away from each other and performing a bow to each other. They are encouraged continue their routine by Doug. Scott and Fran perform their routine to the rhythmic claps of the audience. The other competitors watch.
Section C of the Paso Doble (Intention and Movement Vocabulary)
5.28-6.18
Intention:
Continues the dance as the musical accompaniment is turned back on and their dance reaches a climatic and passionate conclusion.
The travelling on the dance floor represents Scott and Fran breaking out the constraints of the ADF. It also gives Scott and Fran the creative freedom to represent an authentic Paso Doble.
Movement Vocabulary:
Liz plugs the music back in. Scott and Fran continue their routine to music, there is more traveling in this section due to them having the whole dance floor to themselves, with the section commencing with Scott and Fran taking large steps forward.
Influences on Intention (Paso Doble)
Influence 1: Defying the ADF and Barry Fife
Influence 2: Scott’s love for Fran/being authentic to oneself
Influence 3: Scott’s family history
Influence 1: Defying the ADF and Barry Fife
- From the beginning of the film, Scott’s struggles between wanting to win the Pan Pacific Grand Prix, and desperately wanting creative freedom and the opportunity to dance his own steps.
- Barry Fife (ADF President) attempts to manipulate Scott to dance with Liz, with a twisted and inaccurate story about his parent’s dance past. Little does Scott know that the championship is rigged, and Fife has no intention of allowing Scott to with the Pan Pacific Grand Prix.
- Ultimately, despite Fife’s emotional manipulation, Scott selects to dance with Fran. By the end of the film, Scott ignores the order of disqualification from Barry Fife, instead choosing to dance with purpose and meaning.
- Scott demonstrates strength of character and growth by dancing from the heart, dancing for his family, and for Fran in the final two sections of the Paso Doble.
- Scott and Fran’s final dance shows the demolition of power that Barry Fife held… during Section C we see Barry fall over, knock the table of trophies over and be defeated by the mass of support shown for Scott and Fran.
Influence 2: Scott’s love for Fran/being authentic to oneself
Fran is Scott’s love interest in the film who eventually goes on to be his dance partner. She is from a traditional Spanish family and teaches Scott about authenticity, dancing from the heart, and being your true self.
She is represented in contrast to the other females, especially at the beginning of the film, large glasses, no make-up, baggy clothes, and is quite shy.
Although she embodies the ‘Ugly Duckling’ storyline throughout the film, she also encourages Scott to look at the steps he is creating and “dance from the heart”. Although technically a beginner she teaches Scott, an ‘Open amateur’ how to ground his movement in tradition and passion.
As their relationship develops Fran educates Scott about bravery and fear. ‘A life lived in fear is a life half lived.’ This carries Scott to the climax of the film choosing to dance with Fran and their non federation steps, rather than with his old partner Liz for a chance to win the competition.
Influences on Movement Vocabulary (Paso Doble)
Influence 1: Scott & Fran’s Spanish Latin dance draws on the more traditional style of the Paso Doble.
Influence 2: John O’Connell’s dance training and long-standing collaborative partnership with director, Baz Lurhmann.
Influence 3: In the film, Scott & Fran’s Paso Doble routine is taught to them by Fran’s Spanish immigrant father, Rico. As such, the work is inspired by traditional movement vocabulary, allowing for a more authentic performance, rather than the overtly showy steps of the ADF.
Influence 1: Scott & Fran’s Spanish Latin dance draws on the more traditional style of the Paso Doble.
Influence 2: John O’Connell’s dance training and long-standing collaborative partnership with director, Baz Lurhmann.
