Within Her Eyes

Question 1

Choreographer

Answer 1

James Cousins

Question 2

name of company

Answer 2

James Cousins company founded in 2014 by James and Creative producer Francesca Mosely

Question 3

Date of first performance

Answer 3

February 2016 (launch)

inspiration from stage production- 7th September 2012 (date of first performance of there we have been)

Question 4

Dance style

Answer 4

Contemporary / contact work

Question 5

Choreographic approach

Answer 5

the film uses the choreography from Cousins’ stage production ‘there we have been’ and sets it outdoors in a bleak landscape. For original choreography James worked from two starting points; narrative and emotional themes and the physical idea of keeping the female dancer off the floor.
The movement was created in collaboration with the dancers through improvisation, which was all filmed and then learnt back from the video. James then pieced these segments together into a structure that reflected the narrative arc of the story

Question 6

What was the stimulus

Answer 6

James wanted to create a love story with a twist. Inspired by both personal experiences and well known narratives, Cousins wanted to portray a unique narrative combining themes of love and loss, dependency and loyalty , longing and memory. Rather than a conventional love story where, despite a bumpy road, the characters end up together- cousins wanted to flip this and show a love story where no matter what happened they could ultimately never be together.

Question 7

What was/ is the choreographic intention

Answer 7

create a dance film that maintained the emotional intensity and energy of the live stage performance ‘there we have been’ and portray an abstract tragic love story which is open for interpretation.
The female dancer is constantly wrapping, reaching, balancing and falling on and around the male dancer. The choreography contrasts the folding into him and the pulling away to highlight the pull she feels to her late over whilst trying to allow herself to move on with the man who cares so much for her.
The male dancer never initiates or manipulates, he merely responds to her every move, devoted to her. He needs her as much as she needs him.

Question 8

Describe the mood of the piece and how this links with the choreographic intention

Answer 8

The mood is very tender, emotional and somber. Intensity is also achieved by having the dancers perform in complete contact- dependent on each other. This creates a very unique vocabulary and style both physically and emotionally. The duet combines both impressive physicality with a dark emotional heart, resulting in a daring and intimate work that both moves audiences emotionally and inspires them physically.

Question 9

how many dancers

Answer 9

one male one female

Question 10

duration

Answer 10

17 minutes

Question 11

Describe the structure

Answer 11

prologue followed by 6 continuous sections, defined by changing locations, physicality and music that reflect the developing relationship. The overall effect is one seamless journey

Question 12

what is the aural setting

Answer 12

The accompaniment is a composition created specifically for the work, which evolved alongside the choreography, created by the composer Seymour Milton in collaboration with James. The music combines electronic elements with strings and piano creating a haunting and emotive mood

Question 13

describe the costume

Answer 13

costumes are stylised everyday clothes. The female dancer wears a beige shirt and skirt whilst the male wears a khaki jumper and jeans. The darkness of his costume contrasts with the lightness of hers which adds to the illusion of her just floating on him in space. The darkness of his costume links him to the earth whereas the lightness of hers gives a more ethereal and celestial feel.

Question 14

Describe the lighting

Answer 14

The film uses only natural light of the environment. There is a development form daytime to evening to night to show passage of time of the relationship. The darker setting towards the end of the duet also adds to the intensity and intimacy of the final section.

Question 15

what is the performance environment

Answer 15

site sensitive, dance for camera

Question 16

who filmed the dance

Answer 16

Scratch

Question 17

Describe the performance environment - camera movements

Answer 17

The film is shot and graded to reflect the dark atmosphere of the inspiration. After the prologue the camera starts very far away form the dancers giving the feel they are completely isolated and in their own world- the viewer is a secret observer. Gradually as the dancers relationship grows closer, the camera moves in closer but still keeps distance until the first time the dancers look at each other when it moves right in to close up on their faces.
The majority of the film is shot with the camera on a track, giving a very smooth quality. For the penultimate section it switches to hand held camera giving it a much more raw and unstable feeling, reflecting the female characters heightened emotional sate.

Question 18

describe the staging/set

Answer 18

The film is set in remote locations to give a feeling of isolation and highlight the characters separation form society. The locations progress from very open landscapes to more intimate settings to show a passage of time and to reflect their relationship getting more intimate and restricted as it progresses

Question 19

who styled the costumes

Answer 19

Katie McGoldrick

Question 20

Name the 7 different sections

Answer 20

1- prologue
2-the beginning 
3-moving closer
4-flow 1 
5- kneeling
6- flow 2 
7- floor

Question 21

name some of the choreographic devices used

Answer 21

call and response, contact, highlights, climax, motif, motif and development , contrast

Question 22

describe an example of repetition used by the female dancer

Answer 22

repetition of the motif where the female dancer sits on the male dancers shoulders with her hands placed on his head. In the early stages ( the beginning) she shows connection with him by touching his head, but shows her inner turmoil as her focus is away form him. In a later repetition (moving closer) she clearly looks down at him. This shift of focus is a highlight that shows she is starting to trust him and the relationship is becoming closer- relationship has progressed

Question 23

what does the repetition in the prologue show

Answer 23

repetition in the prologue of her walking away, suggesting it is happening over a period of time

Question 24

Describe the highlight in ‘moving closer’

Answer 24

highlight in moving closer as she drops suddenly to the floor. This enhances the idea of her being on her own path and the determination

Question 25

describe the repetition in section 1

Answer 25

slowly leaning away whilst staying connected, emphasises the need for the past

Question 26

Describe the contrast in flow one

Answer 26

Contrast in flow one as the dancers switch from flowing movements to a very slow revolving movement that corresponds with when the camera cuts to a wide shot. The flowing dynamics show a shift in the relationship. By contrasting this with a very slow movement it emphasises this more

Question 27

what highlight adds to the suspense in ‘the beginning’

Answer 27

Highlight in the beginning when she faces away from him with her legs wrapped back around his thighs, she suddenly drops forwards as he catches her by the shoulder and waist. This highlight adds to the suspense, as we don’t know if he’ll catch her or not

Question 28

describe the repetition in ‘flow two’

Answer 28

repetition in flow two when the actions is repeated of her opening and closing towards him. This emphasises her inner turmoil

Question 29

where are the two climaxes

Answer 29

section 3 and section 5

Question 30

describe use of contrast in section 4

Answer 30

contrasts the previous section as the energy change is significant, this maintains our attention to the change

Question 31

describe a highlight in flow two

Answer 31

at the start the female is lifted above the male parallel to the floor with her legs extending straight down. The surge in energy correlates to a long string note in the music which focuses the shift in the relationship

Question 32

how is contrast used between flow one and kneeling

Answer 32

After the momentum and energy of flow one, kneeling starts with them completely still. Dynamics are softer, clear contrast in pace and energy. This sudden shift holds the viewers attention