Dance Coursework, Self-assessment

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Dexter Pickett                 Choreography assessment

Dance Coursework, Self-assessment

Title Thoughts of Brotherhood

Concept – I have based the dance on the theme of gun violence, especially focusing on the effects of guns on young minds.

Accompaniment – Annihilation

Composer – DJ Shadow

Description

My dance begins in centre-upper stage. I based my dance on basic motif’s that go through a cycle of: innocence, temptation, self-conflict, sin, further advancement and struggle (which is basically embedded into different stages of the dance). These are incorporated and developed into different stages; of innocence – portrayed by the arms which are ‘chained’ together by the mark of conscience/guilt at the start of the dance, extending downwards with the legs in neutral position and forms the sign of the cross moving up and down and to the side together (with repetition of these movements above and below the head to show frustration and doubt); temptation – shown by the soft stretching of the arms over the back as the right leg extends backwards from the left in another stretch (the struggle to loosen the bonds); self-conflict – shown by the travelling spins with the right arm leading the body forward to stage left, falling to the ground and then stretching with right arm reaching up, and the body supported backwards by the left arm on the floor. This is symbolic of the link directed up to God and the prayer whilst kneeling; sin – decision is represented by the forming of the cross, which distorts and moves forward in a travelling spin and another stretch upwards from the ground. A very important point from this is when the gun, focused around the head rises with the ‘victim’ who is almost now a puppet (also symbolic of peer pressure). When the sin is actually committed, this is shown by a ripple from the body downwards and back up when he does his first deed, which ironically affects himself/his soul; further advancement – represented by the gesture of the ‘gun’ pointing forward (a short period of control, mixed with regret/premonitions of death). Death is symbolised by the ‘signpost’ pointing down to hell; and, after a short outburst of frustration and anger (a sense of struggle, the same as in innocence), fuelled by peer pressure represented by the array of spins and sudden changes in direction (portraying confusion and doubt/self-conflict), ends quite suddenly on a small spin and a still neutral figure ends the conclusion with an undecided cliff-hanger.

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Appraisal

I have tried to consider the relationships between the gun and the ‘victim’, such as guns and their control over young minds, but yet their lack of control when used. This is emphasised by contrasts in dynamics, direction and the use of repetition. Additionally, the use of accompaniment was well suited to my choreography, with a fast, upbeat tempo that creates a dynamic quality of movement and synchronises well with the suspenseful build of my piece. This is shown in the fact that is followed the set route of my choreography, in which the opening ...

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