west side story and the prolouge Flashcards
how did robbins research for WSS
he went to the poorer parts of new york city to observe the gang culture
who are the jets
the white american gang
who are the sharks
the porto rican gang
when was WSS filmed
1961
how did WSS represent america at the time
there was lots of division between jews , catholics and mexicans which created rivalries
what are the themes in west side story
community
brotherly love between tony and riff / bernado and chino
forbiden love
fussion of dance styles
hatred causing murder
how did robbins get the gang mentality whilst filming
he seperated the jet and shark actors on set
what influenced the music of wss
the rite of spring by stravinsky
when did robbins dance in romeo and juliet
1943
how was use of camera important to west side story
they used birds eye shots
filmed through obsticles
lower angles
filmed in the round
how did the male and female dance styles differ in wss
men had more sharp dynamics
women used swishy skirts and had a more ballet / lyrical style
actions in the prolouge
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
space in the prolouge
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
dynamics in the prolouge
Fast paced, powerful, sharp, frantic and aggressive
relationships in the prolouge
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
costume in the prolouge
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.
props in the prolouge
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.
themes in the prolouge
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
dance style in the prolouge
Naturalism
Characterisation
Pedestrian movement
Jazz
Athletic movement
Humour
Ballet
dancers in the prolouge
7 dancers in each gang
Form of 2 rival gangs
All males
key motifs in the prolouge
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.
