1/3/18

given the task of watching two videos Crapshooters ballet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr-xMMI8ie0  and the old globes crapshooters dance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qC2tFmAnYE   ; and writing down aspects of them, you wanted to use in our dance. Here is a list of the aspects of the two dances I wanted to include in ours:

In the crapshooters ballet at the start (0:00-0:17) there are three separate groups that do separate actions in cannon according to when the light comes above them. I believe that this aspect should be used in our own as it forces the audience to look at the three groups individually so that they can build up a richer sense of the atmosphere of the song, compared to I it were all happening at the same time.

Later on in the same video, (0:38-0:40) a person jumps up into the air and throws the dice behind them I believe that this is a great move for us to use in our own production and possibly expand on it.

A few seconds later (1:37-1:40) the dances have one jump up in the air while being pushed away. Their combined momentum allows them to reach a very significant height. I have no doubt that we could replicate that so that the audience could be in as much awe as I was when I first watched the video.

After this (1:50-2:02) there is a very small acting scene in which a man pleads to others presumably for cheating them in a crap game. This scene is in time with the music and contains a fast lift. I believe that inputting this into our own piece would further reinforce the idea of underground gambling and high steaks to the audience so that they feel more involved with the world of the story. In the next video, (1:00-1:05) they have I scene in which a person goes down the middle collecting all of the money from the other people. Including this would allow the audience to further understand that the collective goal of the group of these gamblers is money, or at least the chance of money.

In the next video, (1:00-1:05) they have I scene in which a person goes down the middle collecting all of the money from the other people. Including this would allow the audience to further understand that the collective goal of the group of these gamblers is money, or at least the chance of money.  In addition, we could perhaps add to this idea, since they are all on their knees perhaps we could imply that the gamblers are servants to the will of wealth, and add in a sub message to the dance piece.

Directly after this (1:05-1:10) they have a cannon use of throwing dice. I really like the idea of this as since they are so perfectly in time you can imagine the dice roll at the same speed in which the cannon moves.

27/3/18

After the run through was over we were shown a video of a performance of the song Sit down you’re rocking the boat and told to take notes of anything that we thought would be worth replicating. The video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rmAme3WciA

Near the start of the song, (1:06-1:10) all of the background characters do a similar twitch in time with the rhythm of the music. I think the subtlety of this is quite effective, and as a result we should considering incorporating it into our own piece. Also, by Nelson doing it by himself just before (1:01-1:06) I displays his nervous disposition to the audience.

Soon after this is over (1:13-1:17) Nelson commands rows of people to sit down after each time the words “Sit down” is said. This is effective as the repletion of the movement at different segments of the cast complement the repetition of the song itself. In addition, it also adequately displays how Nelson has assumed a temporary position of power by how he is commanding those who we just minutes ago commanding him.

Later on in the song, (2:14) Nelson crouches down at the same time as the rest of the cast stand up straight therefore alternating the levels previously. I believe that we could incorporate this piece of movement into our own as it effectively displays the power dynamic that Nelson exudes, being in control but nervous and losing some of his power as a result shown by the brief switch of levels.

Finally, near the end of the song (2:49-2:254) the cast do a series of moves that are quite similar to frantic assembly’s chair duets in time with the music. This will no doubt increase the energy of the piece; however, if done poorly the lack of synchronicity of the moves could damage the perception of our show.