This was her last film with MGM who were releasing her from her long standing contract. Kelly was not interested in making this film initially as he was on vacation. However when Kelly heard that it was going to be her last film and made especially for her, he signed on and ended his vacation immediately. He had starred in his first movie “For Me and My Gal” with Garland when he was a nobody. He held a great affection for her despite his frustrations with her drug and personal issues. It is said this number he choreographed for her as a gift.
Can you put into your own words what you see Kelly expressing or communicating in this dance, both onscreen in the context of the story and in terms of the offscreen influences?
Try for a paragraph that you can bring to class for correction next week. Make sure you do some of your own research that is not just based on my comments.
BODY ACTIONS
The body actions to be learnt and analysed are: Gesture, Locomotion, Elevation, Falling, Turning, Stillness. A great way to remember them is GLEFTS.
GESTURE
Small movements, usually made by the hands and arms to communicate a feeling or universal sign, ie a wave hello, a tip of the hat, one hand held up to communicate “Stop”. They can be more abstract in classical and contemporary dance styles such as a port de bra with the arms slowly opening as the dancer presents herself in a gesture that communicates “I am here” or even more abstracted in contemporary dance.
Find examples of Kelly's use of gesture in this dance. What is he communicating through these gestures?
LOCOMOTION
Ways of travelling. We can locomote by hopping, walking, running, skipping, any succession of movements that get the dancer from A – B.
How does Kelly use locomotion? Does his locomotion build during the work? Which directions does he use when locomoting? What does his increase on locomotion communicate?
ELEVATION
Jumps and leaps, but also elevating one body part from a lower plane to a higher plane, such as leg and arm elevations.
How is elevation used by Kelly in this dance? What does his use of elevation communicate?
FALLING
Moves that take the dancer to the floor, also body parts that fall from one plane to another, again arms and legs falling or a plie can be seen as a fall, collapsing the torso to fall.
Does Kelly use falls in this dance? If so what do the use of falls communicate?
TURNING
Any movement that turns, there are so many varied ways to turn, one foot to two feet, two feet to one, turns in fifth alternating feet, elevated turns, turns into the floor.
How does Kelly use turns to communicate the intention of this dance?
STILLNESS.
To come to a complete stop.
Does Kelly use stillness? To what effect?
PHYSICAL SKILLS
The list of Physical Skills are:
Alignment Balance Co-ordination Flexibility Muscular Strength and Control Stamina Transference of Weight
Each of these skills are required to execute the above body actions safely.
Make a list of the Body Actions and match the Physical Skills required to safely perform that action. ie) The body action of turning requires the physical skill of balance. Describe how the body maintains balance during a turn. What do we need to do to achieve strong consistent balance?
Then go through the examples of body actions that Kelly used througout the Newspaper Dance in Summer Stock and add in what Physical Skills are required to safely complete the movement.
Try to link to accurate muscle groups, placement of body parts etc to detail out your answer. If you are unsure do some research on the internet and see what you come up with. If you are unsure of any of the physical skills, have a go, it doesn't matter if you get it wrong, have a try and we'll go over them many times in class.
EXPRESSIVE INTENTION.
This was her last film with MGM who were releasing her from her long standing contract. Kelly was not interested in making this film initially as he was on vacation. However when Kelly heard that it was going to be her last film and made especially for her, he signed on and ended his vacation immediately. He had starred in his first movie “For Me and My Gal” with Garland when he was a nobody. He held a great affection for her despite his frustrations with her drug and personal issues. It is said this number he choreographed for her as a gift.
Can you put into your own words what you see Kelly expressing or communicating in this dance, both onscreen in the context of the story and in terms of the offscreen influences?
Try for a paragraph that you can bring to class for correction next week. Make sure you do some of your own research that is not just based on my comments.
BODY ACTIONS
The body actions to be learnt and analysed are: Gesture, Locomotion, Elevation, Falling, Turning, Stillness.
A great way to remember them is GLEFTS.
GESTURE
Small movements, usually made by the hands and arms to communicate a feeling or universal sign, ie a wave hello, a tip of the hat, one hand held up to communicate “Stop”. They can be more abstract in classical and contemporary dance styles such as a port de bra with the arms slowly opening as the dancer presents herself in a gesture that communicates “I am here” or even more abstracted in contemporary dance.
LOCOMOTION
Ways of travelling. We can locomote by hopping, walking, running, skipping, any succession of movements that get the dancer from A – B.
ELEVATION
Jumps and leaps, but also elevating one body part from a lower plane to a higher plane, such as leg and arm elevations.
FALLING
Moves that take the dancer to the floor, also body parts that fall from one plane to another, again arms and legs falling or a plie can be seen as a fall, collapsing the torso to fall.
TURNING
Any movement that turns, there are so many varied ways to turn, one foot to two feet, two feet to one, turns in fifth alternating feet, elevated turns, turns into the floor.
STILLNESS.
To come to a complete stop.
PHYSICAL SKILLS
The list of Physical Skills are:
Alignment
Balance
Co-ordination
Flexibility
Muscular Strength and Control
Stamina
Transference of Weight
Each of these skills are required to execute the above body actions safely.