21 January 2014

Submitting, Reviewing and Revising your ATS® Movement Dialect

Several weeks ago, I introduced a new category of movement to the American Tribal Style® language.  Movement Dialect describes the unique combinations and creations of a particular troupe or group. This Movement Dialect naturally evolves through the creative process of personal and group collaboration.

I gave you a format for submitting your Movement Dialect to me and promised an example.  The same week that I was writing the Movement Dialogue blog post, Dawn Ruckert (Nandana) and her troupe mate, Lisa Allred Draper were visiting the studio from North Carolina.  Prior to their visit, they had sent me a video of several steps that Dawn had been creating for use with their troupe in NC, Dayanisma.  I was so impressed with the way in which she presented her material that I asked her if we could use it as an example for others and she agreed.  Below is a step-by-step example of the process by which I would like you to share your Movement Dialects with me.

If you have something that you have been developing, I would love to see it.  Here are the steps for you to follow:

Submitting your ATS® Movement Dialect
Film your ATS® Movement Dialect; this can be as formal as iMovie, or as informal as a YouTube clip.
You may include up to five new steps but please limit each demonstration to one minute. Please demonstrate each step separately.  When you present your step, please include a brief explanation; you can add it as a voiceover, or present it in person when you film it.
Demonstrate your ATS® Movement Dialect in the context of a brief performance, using approximately 3/4 ATS® Movement Dialect and 1/4 Classic ATS®, so I can see it in context. Limit the performance to 5 minutes.
Compile this into one video; this may include navigation (preferred) or be presented as one long clip.
Dawn presented several steps in her initial video.  She submitted the video with navigation and voice over.  It was brief, only giving me the necessary information to understand her specific Movement Dialect.  Here is one of the Movement Dialect steps that she submitted for me to review, The Flamenco Flare.


Reviewing your ATS® Movement Dialect
There’s no charge for me to view your ATS® Movement Dialect, as I always enjoy being included in your creative process. However, if you’d like a personalized review and comments, we will set up a 30 minute phone call to provide feedback as we view the video together. The fee for this is $60.

As it happened, Dawn was in San Francisco and had scheduled a time to meet with me to discuss her Movement Dialect.  I was able to watch she and Lisa demonstrate the steps and give them feedback immediately.  Although I would love for you to come and visit, I am happy to provide feedback via a phone call.  We will cue your video and watch it together, stopping for me to give you feedback.

Dawn and Lisa thought it might be helpful for you to hear how our feedback session went.  Here is a video of them discussing the process.

3. Revising your ATS® Movement Dialect (if you so desire)
Dawn knew that she wanted to integrate my feedback into the revision of the Flamenco Flare.  With the help of Lisa, they created 3 variations that included my specific feedback about how to improve the original step.  They sent me a video with the revised steps so that we could discuss which option we liked the best. 

To do this, we had a phone consultation where we reviewed all three of the revised steps and agreed upon the final version of the Flamenco Flare.  Here it is!

If you have Movement Dialects to share, I am happy to engage with you at whatever level you would like.  I can watch them.  I can watch them and schedule a follow-up call to give you feedback or I can work with you through out the revision process until you have a powerful Movement Dialect that most accurately fits within the ATS® lexicon.

I look forward to hearing from you and sharing in your creative process.

09 January 2014

L3...wait for it..

This week, we explored the creation of a solo choreography. We started it in the last L3 class of 2013.
I told the dancers that they didn't have enough "fear" when approaching this piece of music, Marseillais Du Nord by Cheb Mami. The song is so rich and filled with emotion and orchestration, his voice is pleading you to dance with everything you have. I wanted them to feel what it feels like on stage when you can't turn back, you have to get it right.
And to that end, I also recommend that you listen to Lose Yourself by Eminem from the movie 8 Mile. He sums it up, completely.
Enjoy.