Dance film
Encyclopedia
Dance Film is the creation of choreography
that exists only in the medium of film/video. At its best, DanceFilm uses filming and editing techniques to create twists in the plotline, multiple layers of reality, and emotional/psychological depth.
DanceFilm is also known as the cinematic
interpretation of existing dance
works, originally created for live performance. When existing dance works are modified for the purposes of filming this can involve a wide variety of film techniques. Depending on the amount of choreographic and / or presentational adjustment an original work is subjected to, the filmed version may be considered as Dance for Camera.
These definitions are not agreed upon by those working with dance and film/video.
, directed by Lloyd Newson, is well known for its film versions of staged works. The reworking of Enter Achilles (1995) for film in 1996 is a seminal example of Dance for camera. Recently acclaimed works include "The Cost of Living".
Australia's The Physical TV Company, directed by Richard James Allen
and Karen Pearlman
, is well known for creating original works that are a sophisticated meeting of the possibilities of cinema with those of dance. Dance films such as "Rubberman Accepts The Nobel Prize" (2001), "No Surrender" (2002), and "Down Time Jaz" (2003) are differing examples of the possibilities of this approach involving comedy, visual effects, drama, and animation.
work by Chris Brandt: 'Dance, Voldo, Dance
' which uses computer game characters within the game Soulcalibur to act out a live, choreographed dance. Two players simultaneously performed the dance piece using game controllers. The work existed as a live performance on screen, and has since been edited and distributed on the internet as a video work.
The Mitchell Rose's
Deere John, part of his Modern Daydreams suite, that features a man doing a pas de deux
with a 22-ton John Deere Excavator
.
Choreography
Choreography is the art of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. Choreography may also refer to the design itself, which is sometimes expressed by means of dance notation. The word choreography literally means "dance-writing" from the Greek words "χορεία" ...
that exists only in the medium of film/video. At its best, DanceFilm uses filming and editing techniques to create twists in the plotline, multiple layers of reality, and emotional/psychological depth.
DanceFilm is also known as the cinematic
Cinematography
Cinematography is the making of lighting and camera choices when recording photographic images for cinema. It is closely related to the art of still photography...
interpretation of existing dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
works, originally created for live performance. When existing dance works are modified for the purposes of filming this can involve a wide variety of film techniques. Depending on the amount of choreographic and / or presentational adjustment an original work is subjected to, the filmed version may be considered as Dance for Camera.
These definitions are not agreed upon by those working with dance and film/video.
Creators of Dance Film
Britain's DV8 Physical TheatreDV8 Physical Theatre
DV8 Physical Theatre is a dance company based at Artsadmin in London, UK. It was founded in 1986 by an independent collective of chiefly modern dancers. It is led by Lloyd Newson, whose intent has been to have a different approach to most contemporary dance than other existing companies...
, directed by Lloyd Newson, is well known for its film versions of staged works. The reworking of Enter Achilles (1995) for film in 1996 is a seminal example of Dance for camera. Recently acclaimed works include "The Cost of Living".
Australia's The Physical TV Company, directed by Richard James Allen
Richard James Allen
Richard James Allen is a contemporary Australian poet, dancer and filmmaker. The former Artistic Director of the , and founding director of the , Richard was Co-Artistic Director with Karen Pearlman of That Was Fast and Tasdance , and now at The Physical TV Company .Richard James Allen recently...
and Karen Pearlman
Karen Pearlman
Dr Karen Pearlman, author of Cutting Rhythms, Shaping the Film Edit is known for her pioneering work in articulating underlying principles concerning what rhythm in film is, how it is shaped and the purpose it serves in modulating cycles of tension and release for viewers...
, is well known for creating original works that are a sophisticated meeting of the possibilities of cinema with those of dance. Dance films such as "Rubberman Accepts The Nobel Prize" (2001), "No Surrender" (2002), and "Down Time Jaz" (2003) are differing examples of the possibilities of this approach involving comedy, visual effects, drama, and animation.
Other Examples
The MachinimaMachinima
Machinima is the use of real-time 3D computer graphics rendering engines to create a cinematic production. Most often, video games are used to generate the computer animation...
work by Chris Brandt: 'Dance, Voldo, Dance
Dance, Voldo, Dance
Dance, Voldo, Dance is a machinima-based music video produced in 2002 by Chris Brandt. The video, created using the fighting game Soulcalibur, features two players both controlling the character Voldo, using existing in-game animation to have the characters perform a synchronized dance to the song...
' which uses computer game characters within the game Soulcalibur to act out a live, choreographed dance. Two players simultaneously performed the dance piece using game controllers. The work existed as a live performance on screen, and has since been edited and distributed on the internet as a video work.
The Mitchell Rose's
Mitchell Rose
Mitchell Rose is an American director of short films known for comedic work. He began his career as a choreographer and performance artist and became known at "the dance world's Woody Allen" after being so dubbed by The New York Times . He then migrated to film and his works have won numerous...
Deere John, part of his Modern Daydreams suite, that features a man doing a pas de deux
Pas de deux
In ballet, a pas de deux is a duet in which ballet dancers perform the dance together. It usually consists of an entrée, adagio, two variations , and a coda.-Notable Pas de deux:...
with a 22-ton John Deere Excavator
Excavator
Excavators are heavy construction equipment consisting of a boom, stick, bucket and cab on a rotating platform . The house sits atop an undercarriage with tracks or wheels. A cable-operated excavator uses winches and steel ropes to accomplish the movements. They are a natural progression from the...
.
See also
- DanceDanceDance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
- List of dance style categories
- Dance for camera
- ChoreographyChoreographyChoreography is the art of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. Choreography may also refer to the design itself, which is sometimes expressed by means of dance notation. The word choreography literally means "dance-writing" from the Greek words "χορεία" ...
- cinematographyCinematographyCinematography is the making of lighting and camera choices when recording photographic images for cinema. It is closely related to the art of still photography...
- Dance in filmDance in filmThis is a list of movies featuring recognizable dance forms, demonstrating them, shedding light on their origin, or being the base of a plot.This article is not about Dance film or Dance for camera which are separate genres. It is also not about Musical films, although they often contain a...
- Films that contain dance sequences but are not dance works per se - Musical filmMusical filmThe musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
- VideodanceVideodanceVideodance is the contemporary term for the genre of dance made for the camera. In videodance, movement is the primary expressive element in the work rather than dialogue or music...
External links
- Dance Films Association's Dance on Camera Festival on Hulu
- Dance Camera West
- DV8 Physical Theatre
- Dance Films Association
- Dance, Voldo, Dance'
- IMZ dance screen
- Media & Dance Network
- The Physical TV Company
- Videodance.org.uk
- DANCELEN(D)S Cinema
- Exploring Dance Film A unit on Dance Film at the Council of Ontario Drama and Dance Educators website.