SHUT DOWN Dance Performance

SHUT DOWN is created and designed by Charlotte Vincent alongside a talented team working with the Vincent Dance Theatre Company. It's their first ever all male production and 'explores the spectrum of modern day masculinity and investigates the pressures, contradictions and confusions of being a man.' They are touring the country with this live performance as well as it being made into a 6 screen video artwork.



We gave students the opportunity to see this show while it was here in Farnham at The Maltings in February 2019. The show was an amazing experience, one that shocked but also inspired and made you question yourself and the way you think about the issues and topics surrounding masculinity. It used so many diverse styles of dance from pop & lock, to contemporary to gestural movements etc to try explore and represent masculinity. Each type of dance was used so specifically to link to the ideas they would explore in that scene. It combined the art form of dance alongside a multitude of others to create this powerful performance. It used Spoken Word, Rap and real life testimonies to make this piece even more charged. The spoken word was said with such passion and really felt like a integral part of the piece, to not only see visually how these men are impacted but also to hear how they feel and drive the piece forward in this sense as well.

I feel like this show is one that will be perceived differently by everyone but the biggest divide will be how men perceive this show, compared to women. As a women myself watching this, I felt on edge at times almost wanting to cry for the way these men were demonstrating the most simplest of issues to us, at times almost feeling bad for the part I may have to play in these issues societally. However at other times I found myself smiling and even laughing at the obvious but comical stereotypes we were also being presented with. This show really is a rollercoaster of ups and downs and that is what made it so exciting and impactful, really making me think about the way men and masculinity can be thought of in current day society and the problems this presents. It was an experience not worth missing and I would encourage anyone, even if not into dance, to go see this.

Other people have said:

‘Once again I was blown away by @VincentDT. #VDTShutDown is fearless, meaningful and so relevant. Everyone needs to see it.’ Audience Feedback, London.

'SHUT DOWN seems to present simultaneously a manifesto, a rebellion, a cry for help, and a mapping of the many identities ‘a man’ could take on.’ Exeunt Magazine.

'This was my highlight of the Festival – honest, thoughtful, funny, gut-wrenching.’ Audience Member, Brighton Festival 2018

Written by Billie Williams

Pictures from:

https://dancetabs.com/2017/11/vincent-dance-theatre-shut-down-london/

https://www.vincentdt.com/project/shut-down/

Quotes from:

https://www.vincentdt.com/project/shut-down/

https://www.vincentdt.com/project/shut-down-installation/

Second Year Dance Project 'Avoidance' moving into Film Festivals

Having now graduated from DFSA there are many projects I look back on as being moments of inspiration for me as a practitioner and creative. There have been projects that have shown me where my skills lie and have let me develop these, projects that have let me realise the areas I maybe don't want to work in and projects that I have enjoyed so much that they have been pivotal in my own creative journey. For me the Second Year Dance Video project was a massive inspirational and pivotal project for me which had many ups and downs but overall I loved taking part in it and learnt many things from it. Whats made it even more important for me and the crew is that our Dance Film has now gone on to achieve in film festivals and we are still pushing it out their now. Here is how we got there:

We began in second year with a choice for this unit between creating an experimental film for Fields and Frames or making a Dance Video. I began by exploring both these options and working on both, this is something I strongly encourage; you pay for the course so you might as well get the most out of it as you can! However Dance Video did start to steal my attention, especially after the original dance workshops with visiting teacher and professional Choreographer Rachel Deadman. She taught us the basics of dance (which definitely came more naturally to some than others!) and we then moved on to look into choreography techniques and how to start building dances together based on themes. These workshops were really helpful at inspiring us with ways to really dive into this project. This along with a lot of personal research into the medium and genre helped us to begin forming ideas. 

I quickly formed the idea of phobias as this was something which had interested me at the time because of the obscurity and unknown nature of why people sometimes have certain phobias. During the workshops I formed a group/crew with other people in the class who were interested in this idea and passionate about making a dance video. The original crew consisted of 3 including myself (Billie Williams) as Director & Choreographer alongside a Producer & Editor (Katherine Whetton) and a DOP/Cinematographer (Sugini Nageswaran). These were the main bases covered and the three of us set out to work; tediously researching and fleshing out the idea and compiling and creating the needed documents and paperwork for the production. We had to take our prior filmmaking knowledge on all of this and transfer and adapt that to work for a dance video.

Production Photo from Avoidance

It took a lot of time and work from all three of us to make sure we have a fully realised and refined concept which could be demonstrated through choreography and visuals, in particular through the camera as the film techniques and camera work to us was just as important as the dance itself. With dance video it is best to realise this earlier on because the camera techniques are so key to really making a piece of choreography stand out in a video format. Thankfully I had a really talented DOP working with me who was eager to learn more about dance video techniques. She also utilised her knowledge on other areas too employing horror film camera techniques and shots she knew about as this worked with out theme well particularly to create fear surrounding the chosen phobias. In essence our final realised idea was to take three phobias which were chosen based on first and second hand research; Arachnophobia (Fear of Spiders), Claustrophobia (Fear of small spaces) and Astraphobia (fear of thunder and lightning). Then create contemporary choreography with a dancer that would embody and represent each of these phobias but also then demonstrate the fear behind these phobias and the way suffers feel to and about them. Overall we wanted to create an intense and immersive contemporary dance video which experimentally represents certain phobias to the audience making them feel vulnerable and therefore more understanding to the sufferers of these.

Production Photo from Avoidance

One of the main triumphs for our group was managing to get such a talented dancer involved in this project. Through our Producers eager advertising round dance schools, collages, social media and in the area we had a fair amount of dancers apply and send us audition videos. We were fortunate enough that we had an amazingly talented young female dancer who was local to the area apply, she had done many dance competitions in America and round the world and she was very excited to give working with video a go! This was amazing and of course we followed all procedures like having an official meeting in person, signing paperwork and seeing her dance skills first hand but we knew she was the right dancer for the piece. She danced in a contemporary style, had a good understanding of dance and building choreography and was also skilled in gymnastics and flexible which was particularly helpful for some of the dance ideas I had in mind, again relating back to the horror and fear aspect of the piece. Myself and Grace (Dancer Colebrook) worked together to build the choreography using techniques learnt in the workshop and building off of the ideas we had already come up with as a group. With limited rehearsals we managed to get the three sections of our piece choreographed and we then went and refined this further after tutorials with Rachel (dance tutor). It was so fun and exciting to work with dance as it is so different to other film making processes in the fact that its a lot more hands on and I had the privilege of working with different types of practitioners in a more energetic and fast paced environment.

Production Photo from Avoidance

We also found through out the process of all this going on that out crew began to grow as we got more people interested in the piece and we also found we needed specialists in certain areas for things such as lighting. We gained a Gaffer, multiple runners, a clapper and camera operators. This meant we could really make sure that things were being planned and produced to their full potential but it also meant that things then flowed a lot better on set especially since we only had two shoot days to film this 6 minute dance video in. We also got a original sound track made for us to specs we set by the band 'False Idols' and this fitted again exactly with the piece the way we had wanted it to. All these elements came together in the end and so did we all as a crew/team and we managed to produce a 6 minute dance video which in our eyes was successful and turned out how we had hoped and envisioned.

Production Photo from Avoidance

We were so proud of what we had managed to produce in a few months, especially working in an area of film which was new for each and every one of us. We pushed ourselves to do something different and something bold (also something long) and we pulled it off. I am proud of all our efforts but also proud of all the skills we each managed to learn and develop over the course of this project. We overcame many challenges as well and managed to keep true to what we wanted to make. It also opened up a whole medium and genre to me that I can now confidently and comfortably work in (and have since) which has added skills to me as a creative practitioner and allowed me to expand into an area of film I really enjoy.

On Set Crew for Avoidance

Since making it we decided to enter a film festival the summer of the year it was finished (2017), however we found ourselves unsuccessful, yet we still got a lovely response from the festival. However undeterred by this, this summer I applied with the film to more film festivals. This time though I applied in particular for U.Dance film festival as it had been suggested to us by Rosie (course leader) and  it seemed more fitting for our piece because it focused much more precisely on making choreography and dance for the camera/screen. This time our talents were recognised and we found ourselves winning alongside 7 other amazing dance films. The 8 films now proudly stand on the U.Dance Website and on their youtube. They were also displayed at live dance events in front of audiences this summer and we are featured in the events official brochure too. It's amazing publicity for us and has made me even happier than I was that I got to branch off into the exciting and extravagant world of dance video. And I haven't stopped their, I am now trying to spread the film out further now by entering some European film and dance film festivals! Fingers Crossed for those!

Dance Video 'Avoidance' :

Written By Billie Williams
Photos By Ethan Salley

Open Day Presentation

Here is our Open Day Presentation for anyone who may wish to see it or revisit after coming to UCA Farnham. We encourage you to come see our amazing facilities and experience the campus so you get the vibe and meet the team.

https://prezi.com/xcm7fxgazj5t/digital-film-screen-arts/

Choreography & The Camera

Posting after the horse has bolted but it has been a busy time kicking off the start of term.

The team and I are proud of the marvelous exhibition that finished today in the James Hockey Gallery at UCA Farnham. A looped screening of the best dancevideo from DFSA since we started the Y2 project in 2009 was compiled by our tutor tech Philip Osbourne and installed beautifully by Richard Hylton and his team before we came back from summer leave. Big thanks to all involved and to DFSA graduate teaching assistant Cecilia Reed for helping us to find films buried deep in the archives.

For those that missed it, here are some images and I hope some of our grads and current students will spot their amazing work:

Well done to all. Very proud!

Call for Submission: Cinedans Dance Film Competition

Cinedans Student Competition extended deadline: till the 1st of December 2016!

The Cinedans team invites students to submit their dance films to our Entry Call again! Cinedans is a platform for dance on screen and brings together a wide range of movement expressions on film and other media under the same roof. We are mapping the international field of dance film and new media and supporting the development of the genre. Modern dance, urban dance, found choreography, abstract movement sequences of forms & figures, animation, experimental: it is the movement that counts! We are curious to see the work of the new generation of dance film makers! Since 2015 Cinedans organizes the Student Competition. The interest and response has been enthusiastic! In the last couple of years we have received a highly diverse collection of films from all around the globe. So spread the news to everyone!

The best films will be selected and presented at our next festival in EYE Amsterdam in March 2017. The winner of the Cinedans Student Award will be announced by the jury right after the official screening. The winning film will be included in the Cinedans on Tour, traveling all over the world!

Submission Deadline: 1st of December 2016

Visit: http://cinedans.nl/en/festival/#entry-call

In Our Minds

During the summer Rosie Gunn took part in Everyday People, a project that was produced by Rachel Palmer of The Dancemovement with funding from the Arts Council to give six non dancers the opportunity to choreograph a performance with professional dancers. Rosie also visited the National Archives in Kew as part of a UCA collaboration for staff and students to view and respond to their collection on mental health. This research was an important part of the inspiration for the dance work and the documentation is now on a tour of UCA campuses (starting in Canterbury) with the other artists' responses. The tour will come to Farnham in November and finish at the National Archive in January 2017.

In Our Minds dance performance choreographed by @rgunnshots exhibit in Canterbury. Farnham Nov. Nat Archive Jan @UniCreativeArts #dfsacourse pic.twitter.com/gQEww1a8gz

— DFSA Degree Course (@UCA_DFSA) October 9, 2016

DFSA host Dance Film Festival

A big well done to our Year 2 students for organising this great night at the Maltings last Tuesday. And thanks to ex-DFSAer, Owen Davey, for his support and useful advice.  They screened a fantastic selection of dance film made by all current years of Digital Film & Screen Arts along with previous years too.

Great feedback was given by all those who attended including Tim Pilgrim who wrote an online review that includes links to two of the many films that were screened during the evening.

http://www.ucreative.ac.uk/news/2015/may/dfsa-dance-film-festival#.VVzs0evPdT-

What a great way to see out this academic year. We hope you all enjoy the summer and the DFSA team are looking forward to working with you next year.

Dear DFSA alumni,

After the success of last night's DFSA Dance Film Festival at the Farnham Malting, we'd like to now invite you to the private view of the DFSA degree show tomorrow, Thursday 21st May, 5pm-9pm at UCA Farnham.

If you would like to come, please be sure to sign up here for a ticket, otherwise you will not gain entry.  This has turned out to be a small but vintage year for our graduates, with a mature showreel in the cinema and installations in the gallery space.

Please register for tickets here: https://uca.hobsonsradius.com/ssc/eform/N8kC26zx67020x675.ssc

Thanks.

The students of DFSA are proud to present an evening of dance films across all three years of study at the Farnham Maltings, Tuesday 19th at 6pm.  This is a chance for the crews, dancers, friends and family to watch all the finished outcomes of their hard work whilst at UCA and to celebrate the success of the Dance Film modules.

Free entrance on the door but it will be helpful if you sign up for a ticket here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dfsa-dance-film-festival-tickets-16956621712

Bridge Square, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7QR.

A DFSA Dance Film Evening at the Maltings 19th May

In response to requests by our Year 2 students we are making big plans for a mini festival of dance film. We hope to show a headlining dance film (to be announced) along with two Year 3 grad films including Rachel Burns dance performance at the Watts Chapel that you can read about in a previous post https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7039064168142624804#editor/target=post;postID=5901090224857382607;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=9;src=postname and a new work by Edrei Cunan in single screen version - his work will also be at the Graduate Show as a three screen installation.  Y2 will screen their productions from the Dance Video project in our Innovation & Interference unit and we will also include a short showreel of Y1 dance film exercises.

Details to follow but please hold the date and spread the word.

Dance Film at the Watts Chapel in Compton

Y3 DFSA students recently worked with London-based dancer Rachel Burn to film her site-specific dance performance work at the Watts Chapel in Compton near Guildford.

Watts Cemetery Chapel is a Grade I listed building which stands on Budburrow Hill in Compton near Guildford in Surrey. In May 1894 Compton Parish Council announced their plans to purchase this plot of land to use as burial ground. Four years later, on 1st July 1898, the Chapel was consecrated by the Bishop of Winchester and today it is still a working cemetery chapel. Visitors are drawn to the bright red brick of this Arts and Crafts masterpiece. Up close the extraordinary design and decoration both fascinates and overwhelms. Mary Watts (1849-1938) most likely had the vision to design, build and decorate the Chapel in 1891. You can read more about  fascinating history here: http://www.wattsgallery.org.uk/watts-chapel

Getting permission to film and risk assessment approval for the Chapel was a real challenge for third year producer Tamara Lenz as nothing can be attached to the decorative structure and rigorous precautions had to be taken to ensure no damage occurred during the process. During part of the dance Rachel traces a notional labyrinth through her movements around the circular structure. Director Al Lamlum wanted to film this from above to get a full birds eye view of the complex pathways that the dance creates so he devised a resourceful method of using a GoPro as pictured.

The picture below shows the camera view of the crew - Jacob Dixon, Marco Lee, Ethan Iveson, Tamara Lenz and Al Lamlum - along with choreographer and dancer, Rachel Burn.

We look forward to seeing the final film production soon.

DFSA Student, Tarik Safraoui - The European Disease

DFSA student Tarik Safraoui's - 'The European Disease' shown at the 'Festival of Antifascist Film' in Reims, France.
The European Disease is a dance video that implicitly, through a dance semiotic and an artistic approach, shows the evolution of Eléna, a 22 year old fictional character, in relation to "the Disease" that infects her country in 2013. This young Greek lady is outraged and deeply affected by the influence of the neo-nazi Party « Golden Dawn » in the nation she grew up in. She can't stand the changes of Greece into fear and into hate, the change of relationships between citizens. The video reveals in three parts her evolution facing the rise of fascism. First she closes herself; the violent, racist and nationalist speech is infecting her body. Then, in the second part, she fights back, she realises how destructive these thoughts are, she takes back the control that she lost. In the conclusion of the video, a link with Nazi Germany is made by a reading, in German, of the Martin Niemöller statement : "First they came..."

Click on the link to view 'The European Disease' blog:

http://europeandisease.wordpress.com/the-project/

Watch 'The European Disease' here: 

Day One of Dancing In Space

Dancing In the UCA Space today

A different kind of day at UCA as the dancers explored our space with their improvisations. We had a good mixture of interactions with students and staff, including a group from DFSA filming the first two dances using our new glidecam.

It was interesting watching the reactions of passers by many of whom seemed rather puzzled or even, dare I say it, intimidated! However there was a Y2 student from Fine Art who let the dancers work with her amazing masks and a number of visitors who came onto campus especially for this event. The session in the library was received particularly enthusiastically - video to follow...

Sadly I missed today's finale in the Foyer Gallery where the technicians even joined in but there are great images on the Dancemovement's Facebook page linked below.

https://www.facebook.com/thedancemovementcouk

We are looking forward to Wednesday and Thursday. Come and join us if you dare!

Dancing In Space 7th, 9th and 10th April UCA Farnham Campus

These are the details. All students, staff, ex-students and public invited (sign in as visitors at reception):

We are looking forward to meeting you next week and Dancing In (your) Space.  To date we have had around 15 interactions (via course leaders, text, email and twitter) that we are incorporating into our plans.

Don't forget it's up to you to decide how to interact with each dance improvisation. Some people have provided costumes, others are filming and photographing the work. You can do more of the same or even lend your bodies to the process.

FYI we shall be following the timetable as outlined below. I have included a brief taster of what to expect.

11am  Location 1:  Reception/Foyer Gallery
Waiting and Anticipation
Greeting and Welcoming

(Masks provided by Fine Art Student Year 2)

12pm  Location 2:  Outside ‘Quad’ areas
1. Dancers as Temporary Structures
The choreographer will provide 'action' instruction cards for audience members to stick against the windows, which instruct the dancers on how to move.  You can also join in with this improvisation and do the actions, adding your own body as a temporary structure.
2. 'Collecting and Building' with existing materials found within the space - you can join in with this task.

1pm    Location 3:  Canteen Glasshouse café
'Sccattegorise' (No more information available.....it's a surprise!)
'Another Late Night' (No more information available.....it's a surprise!)
'In the Detail', a LIVE digitally streamed performance, focusing on the small detailed movements we make everyday

2pm    Location 4:  Corridor/window seat outside Y29
An exploration of sound within the space

3pm    Location 5:  Ground Floor of Library
'Re-Reading' - a study into research, reading, re-reading and a lack of concentration

4pm    Location 6:  Main Quad Area, on the two green raised areas.
Ms. World (Or Miss. UCA?) - a Parade of the acquired knowledge gathered during each day

NB: Timings of locations may move around if the weather permits us from being outside so text Where R U? to 07855 941 229 or follow us on twitter @thdancemovement to determine precise locations.

Lets get COLLABORATING

All the best,

Rachel

Rachel Palmer
PROGRAMME DIRECTOR

The Dance Movement
Farnham Maltings
Bridge Square
Farnham
Surrey
GU9 7QR

P: 0845 450 5441
M: 07855 941 229
www.thedancemovement.co.uk
Twitter: @thdancemovement
Facebook:  /thedancemovementcouk

The Dance Movement - Developing and Sustaining Dance

Registered company 3893579

Dancing In Space

This residency by the Dance Movement is hosted by DFSA.

This is a great opportunity to engage with professional dancers: watch, film, draw, photograph - use any materials you like! They want you to interact and will collaborate with your ideas.

Please note these dates in your diary: 7th, 9th 10th April!

Video Dance

Enjoyed screening lots of old and new dance film this morning for Y2 and wanted to share one of my favourite dance films...

http://youtu.be/uLfFV-FM0vs