Planet Ireland

PERSONAL EVALUATION

2006-05-18T01:49:00.000-07:00

When I began this project I knew I had only very basic computer knowledge. However, I tried not to look at this as a hindrance but focused on what subject I liked and wanted to portray in a movie. I have always enjoyed musical theatre and in some form it has always been part of my life, either dancing, making costume or watching performances. When I chose Irish Dancing I didin't comprehend what was involved in recording the dance, editing the clips, keeping the steps in time with the music and mastering iMovie, just as well! The most challenging area was editing clips to slow motion, which stretched the time line, then removing sections of steps to keep in time with the music. If I approached the same subject again I would change the middle section of the dance. I thought the tempo of the music was right, but I thought the dance was weak and lacked the clarity that the beginning and ending had.

My adise to another student about to start on this project would be, go for it, its really exciting! but just as rehersals are paramount for the dancer they have the same importance for the movie maker. Through rehersals you understand the dance and notice extra special little shots which will make the movie!

Now the project is complete I am happy I chose the subject I did. I found it mentally challening and that challenge held my interest to complete it. When you watch my movie I hope I have portrayed Irish Dance as a technical form of dance, interesting and exciting as a performance and maybe a form of dance you would appreciate and give a second glance to in the future.

EDITING THE CLIPS

2006-05-13T11:19:00.000-07:00

Once I began loading my clips onto the computer I realised how beautiful my dancer looked. It was at this point my idea changed to incorporate the dancer into the film, where initially the only focus was going to be the shoes. From this the overall idea for the movie changed and has become a close up production about a performance of Irish dancing to portray the beauty, within the contrast of simple and complex steps, and the hard work of the legs and feet.

Editing has been a challenge, Karen is a hard task master. I found it very difficult to grasp cutting a clip from one position in a step then attaching another to it from a different angle. However, once mastered, I appreciate more what is required from filming to be able to achieve these angles. Had I been more proficient at filming I could have had better edits. As it stood after filming I felt I didn't have much choice for these edits.

2006-04-23T10:54:00.000-07:00

FILMING

The Drama Black Box Studio had been hired for 4 hours filming. My initial concerns were:-

1. Due to the studio being so busy I had not been able to look at the space in advance.
2. My experience with the video camera was limited, I had only had it for 5 days.
3. The number of times I was asking the dancer to repeat the dance for filming from various positions. It would be inevitable that the quality of dancing would deteriorate during filming.

We began with a full run through of the dance without filming to familiarise ourselves with the space and to set positions for centre and overall boundaries to dance within.

Filming went ahead from all the angles I had set. Filming from centre front, right and left angles of the space were very successful. Filming from standing at the top of step ladders was unsuccessful, I didn't find fimling easy without a tripod. Filming the dancers reflection through the mirror was successful for some steps. This could have been better with a bigger piece of mirror, short steps looked good, steps with kicks were lost from the mirror.

Once I became more familiar with the space I realised dancing across the lights created a beautiful effect. I then asked the dancer to perform a number of steps moving close into and across the lighting, which created a weaving effect between the movement of the legs and the lighting.

2006-04-06T02:57:00.000-07:00

CREATING THE DANCE

To create the dance I drew on my own knowledge and the dancers experience.

THE REQUIREMENTS

For the introduction I chose a Light Jig. The first step leading around the floor space to centre back, into the second step using the diagnals. A Light Jig is a soft and graceful dance difficult to perform because of its simplicity.

For the second stage I increased the tempo with a Hard Reel. This would give coverage across the space and also introduce quickened steps, high kicks and turns which I could exagerate within the effects during movie making.

For the close of the dance I introduced Hard Shoes (fitted with fiberglass heels and tips) to introduce the beat from the shoes over the music and to further highlight how hard the feet work. The music further increases in tempo for the finale.

PLAN FOR FILMING

First filming - film from the centre front with tripod
Second filming - film from front right with tripod
Third filming - film from front left with tripod
Fourth filming - film from above on steps freehand
Fifth filming - film certain steps, dancing on the spot, with a mirror at the side of the feet, filming the reflection in the mirror

Lord of the Dance Compilation CD

2006-03-20T01:51:00.000-08:00

THE IDEA

To create a movie/short story approx. 31/2 minutes covering new hard and soft irish dancing shoes, showing the typical wear through dance with the final clip showing the worn shoes.

THE MUSIC

A compilation CD I have created from Lord of the Dance
Tracks 7, 11, 16 and 17 for New Media Project.

"Nothing exceeds like excess" Michael Flatley

Introdution to music:-
Track 7 Introduction to Lord of the Dance (Flute)
Track 7 Slip Jig
Track 11 Reel
Track 16 Hard Shoes, Entrance Finale to Lord of the Dance
Track 17 Group Finale

THE DANCER

For this I have chosen an experienced dancer, not only experienced in competition but also in stage dance. I felt it was important to have a reliable dancer with experience of both. The use of space and lighting on stage and to be able to repeat the same movement within the space is crucial to the movie.

A BIT OF HISTORY!

The world-wide success of Riverdance, Lord of the Dance and more recently Feet of Flames has placed Irish Dance on the International Stage. Dancing schools today are filled with young pupils keen to imitate and learn the dancing styles which brought Jean Butler and Michael Flatley international acclaim.

Irish Dance technique is not easy to master. It is a form of dance depending soely on natural balance without the use of arms. The steps are generally more complicated than most forms of traditional or folk dance. The rigid upper body and intricate footwork make for an interesting contrast referred to as "the unusual style of the ice of body and fire of feet" (My Irish Dance, Peggy Carter). The almost regimental discipline is rewarded with grace, beauty and elegance of movement which are characteristic of irish dancing.