west side story and the prolouge

Question 1

how did robbins research for WSS

Answer 1

he went to the poorer parts of new york city to observe the gang culture

Question 2

who are the jets

Answer 2

the white american gang

Question 3

who are the sharks

Answer 3

the porto rican gang

Question 4

when was WSS filmed

Answer 4

1961

Question 5

how did WSS represent america at the time

Answer 5

there was lots of division between jews , catholics and mexicans which created rivalries

Question 6

what are the themes in west side story

Answer 6

community
brotherly love between tony and riff / bernado and chino
forbiden love
fussion of dance styles
hatred causing murder

Question 7

how did robbins get the gang mentality whilst filming

Answer 7

he seperated the jet and shark actors on set

Question 8

what influenced the music of wss

Answer 8

the rite of spring by stravinsky

Question 9

when did robbins dance in romeo and juliet

Answer 9

1943

Question 10

how was use of camera important to west side story

Answer 10

they used birds eye shots
filmed through obsticles
lower angles
filmed in the round

Question 11

how did the male and female dance styles differ in wss

Answer 11

men had more sharp dynamics
women used swishy skirts and had a more ballet / lyrical style

Question 12

actions in the prolouge

Answer 12

Clicking
Low, grounded turns and runs.
Low step ball changes/gallops,
High kicks with extended arms,
Ushering and pushing gesture,
Circular springs,
High jumps,
Playing basketball,
Play fighting action,
Leapfrog

Question 13

space in the prolouge

Answer 13

Lots of travel (running after each other),
Following each other doing the road,
Facing each other in stillness (rival gangs),
Change of direction a lot as they are running away from each other

Question 14

dynamics in the prolouge

Answer 14

Fast paced, powerful, sharp, frantic and aggressive

Question 15

relationships in the prolouge

Answer 15

Unison within the gang members show their close relationships
Contact within the gangs > Rest elbows on each others shoulder shows community
Contact between the gangs > fighting/rivalry
Contrast between the gangs > jets appear to be more dominance

Question 16

costume in the prolouge

Answer 16

The sharks wear their tops tucked into their trousers and they all seem to wear elements of red. They also each wear a leather wristband on their right hand.
The Jets are all dressed in plain coloured trousers and trainers, and different coloured shirts. They represent normal real life people and this can be seen through them following fashion trends of the 50s.

Question 17

props in the prolouge

Answer 17

Two of the jets are seen stealing fruit from a stand on the street, then 3 sharks approach them and take the lemon off of him. As they walk further down the street, the 3 sharks are met by more jets who take the lemon and gesture for them to move out. The use of the lemon as a prop symbolises which gang has the power at that current moment.

Question 18

themes in the prolouge

Answer 18

Divided Communities
The Jets are seen first in the Prologue and we then meet Sharks as they grow into bigger groups. The prologue carries on and we see both groups tormenting the other. As seen when the two groups see each other at the shops and the Sharks take their fruit they have got and chase them down the street but then the Jets get the upper hand and then proceed to chase the Jets. They break into a fight through the song and continue to try and aggravate the other so they cause conflict and end in violence.
Naturalism
The dancers are walking around the basketball court, playing basketball etc.
Strong Sense of Community
Each time one group tries to attack a member of the other, the members of the group being attacked back up their other members.
Violence
A fight breaks out between the two gangs and we see them attacking and punching each other. Specifically at the end of the section where a huge fight breaks out and the cops have to break it up.
Urban Life
The NYC setting and how they travel around the streets, shops and playgrounds

Question 19

dance style in the prolouge

Answer 19

Naturalism
Characterisation
Pedestrian movement
Jazz
Athletic movement
Humour
Ballet

Question 20

dancers in the prolouge

Answer 20

7 dancers in each gang
Form of 2 rival gangs
All males

Question 21

key motifs in the prolouge

Answer 21

The (Jets?) are all on the street whilst they step ball change through each other, their arms outstretched in a jazz second position. They take this in turns before doing it all in unison and then performing a pencil jump with their arms up above their head; their hands splayed

Towards the end of the dance, and in an attempt to catch up with the Sharks, 5 members of The Jets establish an evenly spread ‘gang-like’ formation as they execute 2 consecutive straight leg picked up turns to the right. This is done in unison with one another, with their arms in attitude with the right arm curved above their head. High levels of athleticism can be seen in this phrase through the height of their jump along with the ease in which it is repeated.