For 3 weeks in performing arts we have been working on our jazz assignment. We were split into groups to create a 30 second dance one group was doing lyrical jazz, one group hip hop jazz and the last group rock n roll jazz. Jazz dance includes many different styles, and people have many different interpritations of Jazz dance,as there are no rules.
I was in the lyrical jazz group with Alice Norris and Kelly Rolfe. We chose to make up our dance to 'beautiful' by Cristina Agularia. We chose this song because it has a strong backing beat when it gets into the song, and the lyrics where very emotion to follow the style. We where able to add the lyrical feel to jazz movements. Each movement was flowing but snappy and strong. Every movement was contemporary/lyrical and had a jazz feel to it because it was quicker and more sharp than flowing. Then as part of the jazz workshop we had to teach are dance to the rest of the class, and where filmed to see our teaching skills. We divided our dance into different sections so we could each teach part of the dance. Alice taught section 1, Kelly taught section 2 and I taught section 3. We went over the dance a few times and everyone in our class got it really quickly. Once everyone new it we asked them to perform it without us, to see if they had picked it up well, and new what to do.
The next group was Ellie, Chloe Green, Laura-Ann, Louise and Shauna. They made up Rock n Roll Jazz choreography to Candyman, which I wasnt used to doing as it is a style I have never really done. There dance had a lot of positions and was very fast and precise, if you werent doing the same it wouldnt look as effective. They taught this to the class and it took a lot longer. This is because Rock n Roll is a very different dance style and not a lot of people have had the opportunity to try it. Precision is so important. I really liked this dance as it was really up beat and exciting, however it was very tiring because you are constantly moving and didnt really have breaks in the music or choreography.
The last group was Shannon, Katie and Chloe stockman. They were teaching us a hip hop Jazz sequence. Which was very different, as I dont have much experience with Hip Hop, so it took a bit longer as I had to grasp they style of it. The dance was very fast and sharp and all the movements were very too the beat, but it also had a lyric essence.
I loved doing the Jazz workshop as we got a feel of many styles but they all had there simularties.
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Performing arts lessons
In our performing arts lessons we have completed all our audition pieces for musical theatre. We did an audition piece in dance, drama and singing.
My acting piece was a piece where I was speaking at my dads funeral, It included a lot of emotion as my dad and I's relationship was tragic, he used to abuse me, however in the speech I couldnt show to much emotion but I had to stay strong but show how much he effected my life. I researched into the background of how she must have felt, and tried to relate to her so I would be able to act better as her charecter. When making the speech I spoke about the past and what happened with my father, brother and mother. It was very effective because the character was a very strong girl of whom had a lot of emotion.
My singing piece was a duet with Kelly Rolfe, I was very nervous about this, as singing isn't my strong point. We sang 'i know him so well'. When we first got this song we didnt know it very well and weren't very confident, first we sang through the song a few times with our teacher and the word sheet, this got us into the feel of the song and helped us learn the tune and timings of the singing. Within the song we each had individual pieces to sing to show of our voices and there were some harmonies to compliment eachothers voice, this was hard to get used to at first, but got easier as we rehersed. After we had learnt the song and words we added simple movement to the song as it is a slow and emotional song. We used it as a chess game, so our movements included many directions rather thasn choreographed steps.
For my dance auditon piece I choreographed a dance based around the theme of the zebra from the dance film 'still life at the penguin cafe'. I watched the zebra dance and looked at the different moves used to make it more zebra like. As a base of my choreography I found several motiffs which I developed futher. The music I used was very tribal, this helped when choreographing as it was simular to the theme.
And as a whole group we all worked together to create a group performance to 'All That Jazz' following a fossey theme.
I have really enjoyed studying musical theatre, and I found it very different to all of the other units. I found it fun auditioning and covering all dance, drama and singing.
My acting piece was a piece where I was speaking at my dads funeral, It included a lot of emotion as my dad and I's relationship was tragic, he used to abuse me, however in the speech I couldnt show to much emotion but I had to stay strong but show how much he effected my life. I researched into the background of how she must have felt, and tried to relate to her so I would be able to act better as her charecter. When making the speech I spoke about the past and what happened with my father, brother and mother. It was very effective because the character was a very strong girl of whom had a lot of emotion.
My singing piece was a duet with Kelly Rolfe, I was very nervous about this, as singing isn't my strong point. We sang 'i know him so well'. When we first got this song we didnt know it very well and weren't very confident, first we sang through the song a few times with our teacher and the word sheet, this got us into the feel of the song and helped us learn the tune and timings of the singing. Within the song we each had individual pieces to sing to show of our voices and there were some harmonies to compliment eachothers voice, this was hard to get used to at first, but got easier as we rehersed. After we had learnt the song and words we added simple movement to the song as it is a slow and emotional song. We used it as a chess game, so our movements included many directions rather thasn choreographed steps.
For my dance auditon piece I choreographed a dance based around the theme of the zebra from the dance film 'still life at the penguin cafe'. I watched the zebra dance and looked at the different moves used to make it more zebra like. As a base of my choreography I found several motiffs which I developed futher. The music I used was very tribal, this helped when choreographing as it was simular to the theme.
And as a whole group we all worked together to create a group performance to 'All That Jazz' following a fossey theme.
I have really enjoyed studying musical theatre, and I found it very different to all of the other units. I found it fun auditioning and covering all dance, drama and singing.
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
MSH has got talent!
On sunday 2nd October Kings Langley's schools btec performing arts class took place in a charity event which is close to most of our hearts, at Watersmeed theatre in Rickmansworth. We had two weeks to work on our performance of which to deside what we where doing we made a mind map of different ideas. We chose hairspray which I think was the best choice as it was fun to do and had a great combination of high energy singing and dancing.
We rehearsed every btec lesson and some lunch times so our performance was of a high quality we chose to perform 'you cant stop the beat' from hairspray. We choreographed our dances which included maximum energy so by the end of our performance we would be extremly worn out! The singing got layered in once the dances where made up. This was such a fun performance to do and everyone had such great ideas. We where all looking forward to competeing for a great cause at MSH has got talent! Miss Norris kindly brought our costumes to go with the theme of hairspray. We wore white skirts and and different coloured tops, here is a picture of us in our costumes-
After two weeks of rehersals we where ready to perform! We went to watersmeet theatre and arrived there for 2 o'clock where we had a practise of our performance. This was great fun, but we had to make a few changes to our routine just as the stage is much bigger than what we are used to. The run through went really well, everyone had big smiles on their faces and high energy levels. All the staff there where extremly nice and welcoming so we thought we didnt have anything to worry about later on! Here is a picture of us on the stage after our rehersal-
We rehearsed every btec lesson and some lunch times so our performance was of a high quality we chose to perform 'you cant stop the beat' from hairspray. We choreographed our dances which included maximum energy so by the end of our performance we would be extremly worn out! The singing got layered in once the dances where made up. This was such a fun performance to do and everyone had such great ideas. We where all looking forward to competeing for a great cause at MSH has got talent! Miss Norris kindly brought our costumes to go with the theme of hairspray. We wore white skirts and and different coloured tops, here is a picture of us in our costumes-
After our rehearsals we went out for lunch at a Chinese, after the rehearsal I thought we deserved it! Then we came back to the theater and escorted to our changing rooms, where slowly but glamorously we got ourselves ready. Curly big hair was our mission a long with pink lips, blusher and glitzy eye shadows. Here is a close up picture of mine and Alices makeup and hair one it was done-
Once we where all ready it was show time!
Sunday, 11 September 2011
First week back
First week back and things have already got started. We are still focussing on musical theatre which we have to complete before moving on. In our first lesson back to school we checked through the assignment sheet to see if anything was missing from our portfolio. We then made sure everything was in the correct order. As well as this we also completed all the work we still had left to complete for this assignment, and catch up on anything we had to.
In our costume construction lesson we did the same thing and completed our drawings and costume design. I'm looking forward to our next lesson putting together our mood boards.
In our next performing arts lesson most of us performed our monologues to Miss Dolan, but there are still a few people who have to complete theirs. We need to perform our songs to Miss Dolan as well as a short one minute dance and our group performance of 'All that Jazz' all of these will be used as evidence and be recorded for our portfolios, and at the end we get an overall grade just like all the other assignments.
Before we broke up from school we did a work experience at Watford Palace Theatre so Miss Dolan made a task for us revolving around our work experience. During our work experience we learnt all about the jobs involved and theatre companies. We learnt about some of the job roles individually which was interesting as some of them I didn't really know much about. At the end of the week we performed a performance called 'Alice' there where many jobs to choose from such as lighting, director, stage management, sound, being the performer, set design.. and the list goes on. But you need each of these job roles for a performance to work and be put together. I learnt a lot from this week and will use this experience in the future.
In our costume construction lesson we did the same thing and completed our drawings and costume design. I'm looking forward to our next lesson putting together our mood boards.
In our next performing arts lesson most of us performed our monologues to Miss Dolan, but there are still a few people who have to complete theirs. We need to perform our songs to Miss Dolan as well as a short one minute dance and our group performance of 'All that Jazz' all of these will be used as evidence and be recorded for our portfolios, and at the end we get an overall grade just like all the other assignments.
Before we broke up from school we did a work experience at Watford Palace Theatre so Miss Dolan made a task for us revolving around our work experience. During our work experience we learnt all about the jobs involved and theatre companies. We learnt about some of the job roles individually which was interesting as some of them I didn't really know much about. At the end of the week we performed a performance called 'Alice' there where many jobs to choose from such as lighting, director, stage management, sound, being the performer, set design.. and the list goes on. But you need each of these job roles for a performance to work and be put together. I learnt a lot from this week and will use this experience in the future.
Monday, 5 September 2011
Rock Challange FINALS
First year in premier and we rocked it! 4th place, this was absolutely amazing something which shocked us all not because we aren't good enough, but because that has never been done in a first year! This outcome was breath taking, and left everyone speechless! We went to Portsmouth to compete, everyone was hoping for the best but we all knew it could go either way! The effort and hard work that was put into our performance cant be put into words, not possible for any more to be put in!
As the day went on everyone's nerves where rising, but excitement quickly took over, the atmosphere gets your adrenalin so high, and not one person doesn't want to be there! Its great! But as we where getting ready and doing the final touches with hair and make up nerves took over. But happiness still filled the air, and everyone was still extremely exited. We had watched the other schools rehearse early on, so we had a slight idea, but this could all change. Everything's different with costumes, make up etc! But as 'Kings Langley' was called nerves where kicking in people started to panic that they didn't no their routines, but all was fine just that last panic!
My heart was beating its fastest in our opening positions whilst being introduced and I couldn't help but smile, all those hours and hours and hours of hard work put into these 8 minuets this is what it is all down to, I didn't want to let anyone down, as everyone in Kings Langley works as a team to create such an amazing performance! The curtains slowly opened and it was our time to shine! I put EVERYTHING into my dances and I am sure as did everyone else! I could dance it with my eyes closed, in my sleep! that is how well I knew my routine. It came to that last second, and everyone was still putting their maximum effort in.. the music stops and curtains close with the crowd screaming. That was it! All our hard work done, but it's never over with Kings Langley Miss Dolan never has a rest of rock challenge its an on going thing for us! BRING ON NEXT YEAR is all I can say! let the hard work commence.
Waiting for the results is most definitely the most nerve racking part of the day, waiting for the judges feedback and results! Everyone is tired but that still doesn't stop us!
The results where announced KINGS LANGLEY FOURTH PLACE! screams and shouts is all I could hear literally! An amazing result which I would say was well deserved!
As the day went on everyone's nerves where rising, but excitement quickly took over, the atmosphere gets your adrenalin so high, and not one person doesn't want to be there! Its great! But as we where getting ready and doing the final touches with hair and make up nerves took over. But happiness still filled the air, and everyone was still extremely exited. We had watched the other schools rehearse early on, so we had a slight idea, but this could all change. Everything's different with costumes, make up etc! But as 'Kings Langley' was called nerves where kicking in people started to panic that they didn't no their routines, but all was fine just that last panic!
My heart was beating its fastest in our opening positions whilst being introduced and I couldn't help but smile, all those hours and hours and hours of hard work put into these 8 minuets this is what it is all down to, I didn't want to let anyone down, as everyone in Kings Langley works as a team to create such an amazing performance! The curtains slowly opened and it was our time to shine! I put EVERYTHING into my dances and I am sure as did everyone else! I could dance it with my eyes closed, in my sleep! that is how well I knew my routine. It came to that last second, and everyone was still putting their maximum effort in.. the music stops and curtains close with the crowd screaming. That was it! All our hard work done, but it's never over with Kings Langley Miss Dolan never has a rest of rock challenge its an on going thing for us! BRING ON NEXT YEAR is all I can say! let the hard work commence.
Waiting for the results is most definitely the most nerve racking part of the day, waiting for the judges feedback and results! Everyone is tired but that still doesn't stop us!
The results where announced KINGS LANGLEY FOURTH PLACE! screams and shouts is all I could hear literally! An amazing result which I would say was well deserved!
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Tap, Modern and drama exams
I did my tap, modern exams where on the same day! This was a lot of fun although I was very tired at the end of the day! My tap was first, I was extremely nervous..
I went in with Kelly and Issy, and I think we where all as nervous as each other! We started the exam showing the examiner our warm up and then the rest of the syllabus, I loved it and although I was nervous it was so much fun! I have got my results back and I got an A (distinction) I couldn't believe it I was over the moon when I got told, as I wasn't too sure how I did, and as you get higher in grades it becomes harder and harder to get A's but I was so so happy and definitely felt a sigh of relief once I new my results! Now I just have to wait for my next tap exam, which I am sure will be even more nerve racking!
I will upload a picture of me before the exam once my dance teacher sends me it!
After my tap exam I went home to relax, and practised my modern! Then I had to go back and do my modern exam, and I was again with Kelly and Issy. Similar to the tap, we did our warm up then the rest of the syllabus, but again I was so nervous?! I don't know why, as I knew what I was doing, but It was again such a great experience, and I came out of the exam knackered and all sweaty! My results came through for this as well, after an extremely long wait, and I got an A (distinction) again, I couldn't believe this! I was so happy!
My drama exam went very well, It was a group exam there was a group of four of us, which was a nice combination! And we all worked well together. We did a piece called 'Cadged Birds' which was so much fun to do! The examiner was watching us like a hawk, so there was no time for mistakes or forgetting lines! We all managed though, and did great getting us a distinction! We where so happy when we got our results back! And this was the first drama exam in a long time I have done so it was great to get back into it again!
I went in with Kelly and Issy, and I think we where all as nervous as each other! We started the exam showing the examiner our warm up and then the rest of the syllabus, I loved it and although I was nervous it was so much fun! I have got my results back and I got an A (distinction) I couldn't believe it I was over the moon when I got told, as I wasn't too sure how I did, and as you get higher in grades it becomes harder and harder to get A's but I was so so happy and definitely felt a sigh of relief once I new my results! Now I just have to wait for my next tap exam, which I am sure will be even more nerve racking!
I will upload a picture of me before the exam once my dance teacher sends me it!
After my tap exam I went home to relax, and practised my modern! Then I had to go back and do my modern exam, and I was again with Kelly and Issy. Similar to the tap, we did our warm up then the rest of the syllabus, but again I was so nervous?! I don't know why, as I knew what I was doing, but It was again such a great experience, and I came out of the exam knackered and all sweaty! My results came through for this as well, after an extremely long wait, and I got an A (distinction) again, I couldn't believe this! I was so happy!
My drama exam went very well, It was a group exam there was a group of four of us, which was a nice combination! And we all worked well together. We did a piece called 'Cadged Birds' which was so much fun to do! The examiner was watching us like a hawk, so there was no time for mistakes or forgetting lines! We all managed though, and did great getting us a distinction! We where so happy when we got our results back! And this was the first drama exam in a long time I have done so it was great to get back into it again!
SUMMER SCHOOL
In the summer holidays a enjoyed a weeks summer school for dancing. It was great fun! And I learnt lots of new things I would have never done before. It was a great experience and I didn't want it to end! It was run by my dance teachers daughter who is a professional dancer, and each day a different friend of hers (who where also professional dancers) would arrive with a different style and new routine to teach us!
The fist day was a Monday and on this day we arrived there at 10 o'clock, everyone was a bit shy as it was the first day but as the day went on everyone started to talk more and not hold back as much. It was Katherine and James teaching us today, and to start we did a massive warm up where we stood in a circle and had to think of your own little movement covering 2 counts. Once you had thought of one we would go round the circle and learn everyone's move and try to remember them. Once this was done with the music was turned on and the game was that someone would do there move then someone else's then the persons move they did would have to do there own move then again someone else's with no hesitation. It was great fun! After this we had a stretch which was painful, as I hadn't done much stretching in the summer holidays before this.
We spilt into seniors and juniors the seniors went with Katherine, and juniors with James. With Katherine we did a commercial dance to Lady Gaga which was so much fun! As we where learning it, it was difficult but once we had practised it and new what we where doing a bit more we could all add flavour and style to it.
Then we went with James who taught us a 'Jazz Contemporary' routine to Jessie J, this was very very hard to grasp the style but with practise and advice from him who made it look so easy we all managed! It was a great routine very unique and different to something I would usually do, but I liked the style a lot, once I got it!
Once this was over, we all came back together and learnt a contemporary freeze, this was again hard at the beginning but became much easier with practise, and after this we where paired up seniors with juniors and we had to make up a mini routine to two counts of eight. This was a lot of fun!
In the afternoon we did T- shirt painting to wear for our performance at the end of the week, this was a lot of fun, and everyone made funky tops! at 4 o'clock it was time to go home. I was exhausted but had so much fun!
The next day came at the same time and we did a different warm up and massive stretch then we just spent the day polishing and finishing the routines from yesterday. And then after all of this we did a little bit of drama, this was a lot of fun, played some games then did a little role play! After that we finished off our tops, so the afternoon was nice and relaxing.
On Wednesday James had left and we had a girl called Mandy who was an amazing dancer too! We did the usual warm up and stretches then began, Mandy taught us musical theatre and we did a routine to a song from Sister Act, this was great fun, and we had to use acting as well as dancing, but it wasn't like the other routines which included a lot of dancing, it was more subtle movements with drama, this was a lot of fun though and took longer as we had to combine it with the younger ones, then with Katherine we added to the Lady Gaga, as this was our longest dance, and then in the afternoon, we all came together and learnt a routine to the Hand Jive from Greece! This was so much fun, but required a lot of energy!
On Thursday Mandy left and we had a girl called Emma, who again like all of the others was an amazing dancer! Like every other day we did a big warm up and stretches and split off! Emma taught us tap to Fourty Second Street. This was a hard routine and took a while to get used to but it was amazing! and so much fun! I loved it! We met with Katherine in the afternoon, who we went over and polished all the routines with and finished them all, after this she then taught us the finale which was so much fun! Once we had done all of this we did a run through of everything as tomorrow was performance day!
Friday, PERFORMANCE DAY! It starts at 3 as it was only a 20 minuet performance to show our parents what we have been up too. We got there in the morning and did lots of run through's! Then we got our self ready (hair and make up) and we where ready to start. Parents had arrived and the show began, it was great fun! I was quite nervous for some reason, but nerves are always a good sign! I loved every moment of it and would happily do it again!
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Platform 1
On saturday 11th May 2011, a few students from Kings Langley school took place in a dance event called Platform 1 at Watford palace Theatre. It was great fun! Miss Dolan selected around 20 students to take part, its an evening with mainly hip hop crews so its a great show to watch and gets everyone wanting to jump out of their seats! We arrived at the theatre at 10.30 where we had a rehersal and after that I went home to get my stuff ready for that evening. Then at 7 o'clock I went back to the theatre where we all got ready! Our school Performed first which meant we could watch all the other crews and acts!
We used our rockchallange dances, which the students ourselves make up, with a little guidance from our teachers, this is a great way to make up routines and is also a great experience. I (along with others) learnt all the other dances which meant I was doing hip hop as well which was nerve racking but I did it which was a good experience! The reason I was nervous about doing the street is because I haven't had much experience with this style so I didn't feel as comfortable as I would if it was for example contemporary or tap. But I have started hip hop classes so next year I will have tuns more confidence! We obviously cut the Rock Challange short as the dance we performed at Platform 1 had to be shorter but with Miss Dolan telling us what to do we still managed to make it look good! We dressed up like witches wearing red and black, then Miss Dolan, Miss Smith and Mrs Norris did our makeup and hair which had to look spooky!
I was nerous as was everyone else, but when they called our school the nerves turned to excitment. We where on stage waiting for the lights to go up and music to come on, and when it did we all danced our socks off! It was great fun, and the two years I have been a part of footnotes I have loved and enjoyed so much.. I cannot wait until next year!
We used our rockchallange dances, which the students ourselves make up, with a little guidance from our teachers, this is a great way to make up routines and is also a great experience. I (along with others) learnt all the other dances which meant I was doing hip hop as well which was nerve racking but I did it which was a good experience! The reason I was nervous about doing the street is because I haven't had much experience with this style so I didn't feel as comfortable as I would if it was for example contemporary or tap. But I have started hip hop classes so next year I will have tuns more confidence! We obviously cut the Rock Challange short as the dance we performed at Platform 1 had to be shorter but with Miss Dolan telling us what to do we still managed to make it look good! We dressed up like witches wearing red and black, then Miss Dolan, Miss Smith and Mrs Norris did our makeup and hair which had to look spooky!
I was nerous as was everyone else, but when they called our school the nerves turned to excitment. We where on stage waiting for the lights to go up and music to come on, and when it did we all danced our socks off! It was great fun, and the two years I have been a part of footnotes I have loved and enjoyed so much.. I cannot wait until next year!
Sunday, 12 June 2011
We will rock you so far..
We Will Rock You!
In Btec Performing Arts we have been focussing on We Will Rock You, during this course I have learnt many things about the theatre production one being the style of their costumes. They tend to be very punk and stylish, so when I made my costume for this I used a combination of both tartan and denim to construct the costumes. I used these fabrics as they help the style of music We Will Rock You consists of and adds flavour to the characters. Rather than completely constructing my costume from scratch I decided that I would modify a costume from denim jeans to make it look more professional. This would also make sure that the costume would fit me properly rather than having to measure myself.
In Btec Performing Arts we have been focussing on We Will Rock You, during this course I have learnt many things about the theatre production one being the style of their costumes. They tend to be very punk and stylish, so when I made my costume for this I used a combination of both tartan and denim to construct the costumes. I used these fabrics as they help the style of music We Will Rock You consists of and adds flavour to the characters. Rather than completely constructing my costume from scratch I decided that I would modify a costume from denim jeans to make it look more professional. This would also make sure that the costume would fit me properly rather than having to measure myself.
I then measured and cut the top of my jeans and used the seams to hem the edges this would make the costume look more professional and neat. I ensured the seams where fixed securely fixed with a hot glue gun before I continued to make my skirt. Once this was done, I used tartan to pleat into a skirt and then again created a hem along the bottom. To make our costume more funky and nicer to look at I personalized it by adding details to the skirt such as using safety pins for the punk rock feeling, and rosettes. I also added buttons and badges.
Whilst I was constructing my costume I also had to be aware of the health and safety aspects. The glue gun being one, if I didn’t use this appropriately it could burn my skin, I also had to be aware of the fabric scissors as these are very sharp and could cause many problems.
The costume I made would be used to perform in, I will be constructing further items to accompany my skirt. I will also be involved in the makeup and accessory creation. And once this is all done I will model the costume I have made and professionally photograph them.
Below is an image of my skirt in progress, since then I have added seams to the bottoms of the skirt, and more rosettes.
corset research
The history of corsets-
In the 1830’s after using my research I have found the corset was thought of as a medical piece of clothing. I feel it was believed that a woman was very fragile and delicate and needed assistance from some form to stay up. Even girls as young as three or four where laced up into bodices, and wore corsets no matter what age. Gradually these garments were lengthened and tightened. By the time they were teenagers, the girls were unable to sit or stand for any length of time without wearing a canvas corset reinforced with whale bone or steel. The corset wasn’t healthy and for those who wore it, it deformed the internal organs making it impossible to draw deep breaths in or out whilst wearing a corset. Because of this Victorian women were always fainting and getting the vapors, so no matter what the outcome was ladies in mainly the 16th-19th century would have to wear the lovely elegant looking things that caused such problem.
This shows me that women were thought of as the weaker sex, therefore their minds and bodies were weak. So the corset was said to be morally and medically necessary. I have found from my research that corsets really set an impression on the person; a loose corset was probably a sign of a loose woman. So to keep your innocence a lady had to be chaperoned everywhere she went. She could not read or see any plays, even Shakespeare was though unsuitable for ladies. A woman needed to protect herself from inappropriate men, by wearing heavily reinforced layers of clothing and tight corsets and simple clothes is what they did to do this. This was because they didn’t need the freedom to do household chores, as those who wore corsets where those who where wealthy so could just pay servants to do this.
I feel that the history of corsets have changed over years, from being something beautiful and something people had to wear to now being looked at as a piece of underwear. Corsets have existed for centuries and can be traced back to Greek and Minoan times. However when the subject of corsets is mentioned many people immediately think of the tight lacing that is associated with the Victorian era, and the horror stories of practices that took place in that time in order for woman’s shapes to me moulded to what was accepted and constantly held up straight.
In the 1830’s after using my research I have found the corset was thought of as a medical piece of clothing. I feel it was believed that a woman was very fragile and delicate and needed assistance from some form to stay up. Even girls as young as three or four where laced up into bodices, and wore corsets no matter what age. Gradually these garments were lengthened and tightened. By the time they were teenagers, the girls were unable to sit or stand for any length of time without wearing a canvas corset reinforced with whale bone or steel. The corset wasn’t healthy and for those who wore it, it deformed the internal organs making it impossible to draw deep breaths in or out whilst wearing a corset. Because of this Victorian women were always fainting and getting the vapors, so no matter what the outcome was ladies in mainly the 16th-19th century would have to wear the lovely elegant looking things that caused such problem.
This shows me that women were thought of as the weaker sex, therefore their minds and bodies were weak. So the corset was said to be morally and medically necessary. I have found from my research that corsets really set an impression on the person; a loose corset was probably a sign of a loose woman. So to keep your innocence a lady had to be chaperoned everywhere she went. She could not read or see any plays, even Shakespeare was though unsuitable for ladies. A woman needed to protect herself from inappropriate men, by wearing heavily reinforced layers of clothing and tight corsets and simple clothes is what they did to do this. This was because they didn’t need the freedom to do household chores, as those who wore corsets where those who where wealthy so could just pay servants to do this.
constructing a corset
On top of all our practical work we are also constructing a corset in our costume construction lessons to go with our denim and tartan skirts we made.
To make our corset we have to do the following steps-
-Place a template on the denim and carefully cut around it using material scissors to get a quality cut
-Once they have all been cut out I had to pin each section in the right order to start making the shape of the corset
-To make sure they stayed together I used a needle and thread to tack over where I had pinned, I did this because when I had to start using the sewing machine I had guidelines of where to sew and that it was all in the correct place which would make it easier to use the sewing machine and save a lot of time.
-Once I have completed the bodice shape using the sewing machine, I will add accessories like rosettes and previous techniques we have learnt as well as badges and puns to decorate the bodice to match the skirt. Once we have finished the bodice I will add a denim edging so it looks neat and a finished look.
-On the back of my corset I am going to be adding an elastic strip to it to make sure it fits correctly and can stretch as well as being comfortable when performing in.
I am really enjoying making all these costumes and have found it quite easy, I thought it would be hard to make costumes but once you have learned all techniques it makes it all so much easier!
Here is a picture of my corset without decoration and the final decorations.
To make our corset we have to do the following steps-
-Place a template on the denim and carefully cut around it using material scissors to get a quality cut
-Once they have all been cut out I had to pin each section in the right order to start making the shape of the corset
-To make sure they stayed together I used a needle and thread to tack over where I had pinned, I did this because when I had to start using the sewing machine I had guidelines of where to sew and that it was all in the correct place which would make it easier to use the sewing machine and save a lot of time.
-Once I have completed the bodice shape using the sewing machine, I will add accessories like rosettes and previous techniques we have learnt as well as badges and puns to decorate the bodice to match the skirt. Once we have finished the bodice I will add a denim edging so it looks neat and a finished look.
-On the back of my corset I am going to be adding an elastic strip to it to make sure it fits correctly and can stretch as well as being comfortable when performing in.
I am really enjoying making all these costumes and have found it quite easy, I thought it would be hard to make costumes but once you have learned all techniques it makes it all so much easier!
Here is a picture of my corset without decoration and the final decorations.
Monday, 4 April 2011
evaluation of unit 2
Evaluation of Unit 2
I have been focussing on Bhangra for this unit and how it has been influenced by western dance styles. Whilst doing this project I have looked at famous Bhangra dancers, actors and singers one of the main performers we have looked at is Hrithik Roshan. He helped a lot with me grasping the feel of Bhangra dance as he is a real inspiration to ‘Bollywood’ and bringing the east to the west. During this unit we started with the style of Bhangra dance. I really enjoyed this, as it is such a different style to ones I am used to. I noticed it is full of energy and fun! The music also has a strong beat to it, and was repeated throughout. We started with two dances both pieces of music where both so different but yet so similar, and they were very catchy. The dances where different to each other, but used a lot of repetition, and both performed in large groups in unison.
It was all a big shock to us, and before we started everyone was worried about it, and that we were going to look weird doing the style as no one was used to it. Bhangra dance style was very different to how I thought, and we were all so excited to try it and start the topic.
Our first practical lesson was a double, and we learnt basic movements associated with bhangra. We split into groups, and started to get a taste of the style, and created are own bhangra routines. At the start I did have many ideas, well I did but I was just not confident enough to share them. But towards the end, everyone was sharing ideas, and it was great fun! Some really good routines where made! The second lesson we started to add western style to our movements. The styles are very different, but mix well together. They both use dynamic sharp movements, with isolations so in this way they are similar. We were all in love with bhangra and couldn’t wait for more lessons, and our dances turned out to be very good!
It was all a big shock to us, and before we started everyone was worried about it, and that we were going to look weird doing the style as no one was used to it. Bhangra dance style was very different to how I thought, and we were all so excited to try it and start the topic.
Our first practical lesson was a double, and we learnt basic movements associated with bhangra. We split into groups, and started to get a taste of the style, and created are own bhangra routines. At the start I did have many ideas, well I did but I was just not confident enough to share them. But towards the end, everyone was sharing ideas, and it was great fun! Some really good routines where made! The second lesson we started to add western style to our movements. The styles are very different, but mix well together. They both use dynamic sharp movements, with isolations so in this way they are similar. We were all in love with bhangra and couldn’t wait for more lessons, and our dances turned out to be very good!
This was one week of what I did, but I created a couple of dances and one main piece which we later performed at Cabaret, an annual show at our school.
We danced at cabaret for out practical assessment. Although we only participated in one dance it was still worthwhile, and a great assessment dance. It showed everything we had learnt through the course and added a western style to our dance Hrithik Roshan influenced this.
Conclusion-In conclusion to the course I have learnt so many new skills I would have never thought I’d be able to do. I loved every moment of it especially researching the culture of Bhangra dance. I enjoyed learning the steps and putting my full energy into my moves. I learnt that Bhangra always tells a story, and has a happy ending. It always features a bit of comedy.
I could have improved my choreography and made it more exotic as even though I interoperated the style of Bhangra I could have done this in a more traditional way.
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Cabaret
On Friday we did our cabaret performance which our performing arts group participated in doing a Bhangra story shown through dance! Our whole topic this term has been focussed on Bhangra so we put together all the new skills we had learnt and made a performance piece based around a certain theme of our choice which we chose forbidden love.
We have been rehearsing all week to make sure this would be polished and ready to perform. I think we worked really hard and my favourite topic in the unit was when we where making are performance with a story line, I found this reallt fun as we had a real go and feel of Bhangra dance, and the choreography needed etc. When we performed Miss Butt lent us some traditional Bhangra scarfs to dance in, I thought these where really pretty! We all did are makeup to suit the theme of Bhangra as well as are hair, with the help from Miss Butt who knows the culture of Bhangra dance, so she was a real help!
We had our own interpretation for are choreography which made both the groups unique! We opened the second hald so during the interval we had a practise to made sure everyone remembered what they where doing. As we got on stage I started to become nervous but I had so much fun with what I was doing, and found it such a fun style of dance to do and research. There was a massive applause and it was a great atmosphere. Miss Dolan videoed the performance so we could watch it back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGKy5O7cfRs&feature=player_embedded
I loved focussing on Bhangra and found the style so much fun to do! I definatley will remember all the skills I have learnt and use it in the future.
We have been rehearsing all week to make sure this would be polished and ready to perform. I think we worked really hard and my favourite topic in the unit was when we where making are performance with a story line, I found this reallt fun as we had a real go and feel of Bhangra dance, and the choreography needed etc. When we performed Miss Butt lent us some traditional Bhangra scarfs to dance in, I thought these where really pretty! We all did are makeup to suit the theme of Bhangra as well as are hair, with the help from Miss Butt who knows the culture of Bhangra dance, so she was a real help!
We had our own interpretation for are choreography which made both the groups unique! We opened the second hald so during the interval we had a practise to made sure everyone remembered what they where doing. As we got on stage I started to become nervous but I had so much fun with what I was doing, and found it such a fun style of dance to do and research. There was a massive applause and it was a great atmosphere. Miss Dolan videoed the performance so we could watch it back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGKy5O7cfRs&feature=player_embedded
I loved focussing on Bhangra and found the style so much fun to do! I definatley will remember all the skills I have learnt and use it in the future.
Hrithik Roshan - live performances at the 12th Rajiv Ghandhi 2009
I have watched Hrithik Roshans live performance at the 12th Rajiv Gandhi Awards. The music that opened the performance was true traditional Bhangra music, with traditional Bhangra moves and choreography. It started off with all men dancing with swords on the stage, I found it very interesting and enjoy watching the choreography in detail. Some female dancers came on stage to join the men wearing traditional Bhanrga costumes. The music didnt change genres through the whole performances it stayed traditional Bhangra the whole way through but as the performance went on the movements started to get more westernised like the movements we choreographed for our Bhangra performance. As it became more westernised the movements got stronger and sharper. There was a random part where clowns came onto the stage like they where in a circus, this was to follow the tradition of comedy as Bhanga performances always have an aspect of comedy.
I watched the choreography in detail, and saw like all Bhangra performances it was very energetic at all times, the steps they did where very quick too! But they again followed Bhangra tradition and danced in unison. Everyone followed Hrithik Roshans moves and gave the same feel across. The movements he did where very repetative but it looked good as everyone was doing it. Hrithik Roshan was very good at isolations these occured a lot throughout the performance. Even though isolations would be classed as more street dance, Hrithik Roshan still mixed it into Bhanrga to make the performance flow and more exciting to watch. Even though the movements they where doing had a westernised feel to them, they still stuck to beautiful traditional music and costumes, I thought having this mix made it very different and exciting to watch. The way they move is so beautiful, and I can see why people look up to Hrithik Roshan as he has such a talent!
I watched the choreography in detail, and saw like all Bhangra performances it was very energetic at all times, the steps they did where very quick too! But they again followed Bhangra tradition and danced in unison. Everyone followed Hrithik Roshans moves and gave the same feel across. The movements he did where very repetative but it looked good as everyone was doing it. Hrithik Roshan was very good at isolations these occured a lot throughout the performance. Even though isolations would be classed as more street dance, Hrithik Roshan still mixed it into Bhanrga to make the performance flow and more exciting to watch. Even though the movements they where doing had a westernised feel to them, they still stuck to beautiful traditional music and costumes, I thought having this mix made it very different and exciting to watch. The way they move is so beautiful, and I can see why people look up to Hrithik Roshan as he has such a talent!
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Bhangra
This week has been great fun, we started looking into the idea of strorytelling through Bhangra dance. We learnt about how every bit of choreography tells a story, which is most often based around Forbidden love, chasing someone, betrayal and love. We have also found out that all Bhangra performances have a comedy section and a happy ending.
We got split into groups of around 6 with the above storys we could use. We started brainstorming ideas for choreography once we had chose what theme we wanted to use. My group used forbidden love, we then started to create a story that would go well with our theme. We are focussing on Romeo and Juliet, and have split the group into 3's gang one and gang two. Both gangs have different religions. Gang one have a street twist and shannon is romeo, and gang 2 have a more contemporary feel to there moves, and I am juliet. We have done the street and contemporary twist to are bhangra moves to show the different religions. Romeo and Juliet fall in love, but realise they cant be together because of there religions, then there is a battle scene after this they realise they can be together following the traditional happy ending.
Once we split the group and had a theme, we started to create some motifs, after 4 lessons, we have now created are story and planned out how we are going to tell it through dance. We are more than half way through our choreography. The first dance is gang 1 then it goes into gang 2, after they have done there dances everyone joins together romeo and juliet at the front with the gang members around gang 1 do there dance at the same time as gang 2 are doing theres, showing a difference that gang 1 are more sharp and funky whereas gang 2's movements flow more. Romeo and Juliet then fall in love, and they have a duo dance, they then realise they cant be together and the battle scene begins! After the battle scene they realise they can be together and celebrate!
We still have to mix are music, but we have planned out where we need to cut the songs etc. We have chosen the songs Bombay, Nachdi De, Jai ho, Buttons and Romantic Jatt all bhangra based and some more traditional than others. Are dance so far looks great, we just need to finish off our choreography mix the music, and then add facial expressions!
On our last lesson of the week we all watched the latest Bollywood movie 'dabangg' we were watching this to analyse the dance sections and understand how they add story to there choreogaphy to help us with ours! In this film the dance was used to add comedy and show a relationship. They looked like they where having such great fun! We noticed that is rare you see one person dancing along, there are always large groups of people dancing always in unison. Watching this film has helped me have a clearer understanding of story telling through dance, and I really enjoyed myself and can not wait for next week!
Splat presents..
Another Bit o'splatter..
On the 26th February I went to sarrat to watch something I used to do from when I was a little girl until last year usually it is a panto but this year it was just different performances, like singing, monolouges, dances, sketches etc. It was very weird to not be involved in the show, and to be sitting in the audience to see people I have grown up with perform!
It was a good night and I found it very fun to watch! Maybe next year I will get back involved in the perfomance!
On the 26th February I went to sarrat to watch something I used to do from when I was a little girl until last year usually it is a panto but this year it was just different performances, like singing, monolouges, dances, sketches etc. It was very weird to not be involved in the show, and to be sitting in the audience to see people I have grown up with perform!
It was a good night and I found it very fun to watch! Maybe next year I will get back involved in the perfomance!
Roald Dahls twisted tales..
On February 21st my dance school went into London to see Roald Dahls twisted tales. Me and Kelly arrived at our dance school where we all met and got on the coach at around 5:30, we do a theatre trip every year! Once we had got into London, and arrived at the theatre we got some chrisps and chocolates and then went into the room, Kelly and I sat next to eachother. No one knew really what to expect of the show but all in all it was very good!
It was about all Roald Dahls tales put together, the set for the show was very simple but very effective. One of the tales that was included in the performance we had read in English. When the performance was over we got on the coach home. I enjoyed myself, but wouldnt really recommend the show, but it is very different and not like every show you see in the theatre. There was no dancing or singing it was all acting, I was dissapointed by this as I love watching all three but it is what suited the performance.
The costumes where just simple costumes, as it had no exciting storys so the costumes used where suitable. The actors involved where no famous actors or actress' but they where very strong, and loud and clear! It wasnt a professional piece of theatre, but I personally feel they did very well!
It was about all Roald Dahls tales put together, the set for the show was very simple but very effective. One of the tales that was included in the performance we had read in English. When the performance was over we got on the coach home. I enjoyed myself, but wouldnt really recommend the show, but it is very different and not like every show you see in the theatre. There was no dancing or singing it was all acting, I was dissapointed by this as I love watching all three but it is what suited the performance.
The costumes where just simple costumes, as it had no exciting storys so the costumes used where suitable. The actors involved where no famous actors or actress' but they where very strong, and loud and clear! It wasnt a professional piece of theatre, but I personally feel they did very well!
Evening of Singing and Drama..
On February 18th I performed in an evening of Singing and drama, this was with my dance school outside of school, where I also act and sing. This evening was great fun, it happens once every year, and this was my first year of doing it. We prepared for it in lessons, to work up for the evening. I went there straight after school, where each class had a rehersal first was my drama second was my singing. It was great fun sitting and watching everyone elses, as we hadnt seen the other classes before. Once everyone had rehersed we all went backstage and got ourself ready into are costumes, and hair and makeup done! Nerves started to build up as it got closer and closer for my group to go on stage. When it was finally are turn, we performed really well! Drama was first, which we got told was a very touching piece and was the best drama piece of the night! Then I went backstage again and got changed into my singing outfit, I then waited again until it was time.. We then went on stage we where the last number of the night! This again was said to have been the best singing performance of the night, and made some people cry!
For singing I am in senor singing and we sang Beautiful by Christina Agulara this was such a lovely song to sing, and the harmonies my singing teacher gave us where amazing. We wore black on the bottem half and a coloured top, plain and simple to show you are beautiful no matter what! I felt this went really well, and we sang it the best we ever have done! For drama I did a peice with five other girls, this was amazing to it was a very effective piece called Find Me, about a young girl named Verity it was set in the olden days when they didnt no much about children with mental problems. The young girl verity suffered from a mental health disorder where no one new what was wrong with her. Her parents tried to send her into a home, as she was distorying the family but no one would take her in! So she was sent to a mental home, where she burnt a chair value of six pounds, they then sent her to prison, as no one knew what to do with her! We made this very effective and powerful.
All in all it was a great night! And I would love to do it all over again!
For singing I am in senor singing and we sang Beautiful by Christina Agulara this was such a lovely song to sing, and the harmonies my singing teacher gave us where amazing. We wore black on the bottem half and a coloured top, plain and simple to show you are beautiful no matter what! I felt this went really well, and we sang it the best we ever have done! For drama I did a peice with five other girls, this was amazing to it was a very effective piece called Find Me, about a young girl named Verity it was set in the olden days when they didnt no much about children with mental problems. The young girl verity suffered from a mental health disorder where no one new what was wrong with her. Her parents tried to send her into a home, as she was distorying the family but no one would take her in! So she was sent to a mental home, where she burnt a chair value of six pounds, they then sent her to prison, as no one knew what to do with her! We made this very effective and powerful.
All in all it was a great night! And I would love to do it all over again!
ROCK CHALLANGE!
On Tuesday 15th February Kings Langley school performed at stevange in Rock Challange. The school have been doing this for ten years, of which I have been in 4 (including this one) usually we would have performed and aimed to win meaning we will have a place in the next round at Portsmouth, however due to winning 3 years in a row in previous years we have been put into premier league! Meaning we were only showcasing in Stevanage.
Rock Challange meens so much to the school, and even though we were not competeing there was still a lot of pressure on us as we wanted to be the best and prove to all the other schools we deserve to be premier league and show them the difference between a premier school, and a non premier school! We rehearsed hard for this causing stress but it was all worth while! As the event was coming up everyone was attending a lot more rehearsals as they felt the pressure, and a lot of time was spent on painting and doing the set which was amazing!! Nerves has started to kick in, and everyone was so excited!
The day before our last rehersal went very well, and the set and costumes looked amazing! No one could belive tomorrow was the big day! Everyone had worked so hard, and it was moments away, especially the teachers and it started to get a bit scary as we knew that we had no time to change anything, but there was no need to as it looked great!
The next day came, and we had to be at school for 7:30 in the morning! But it wasnt as bad as we thought as all the excitement had kicked in! We got to Stevange where the atmosphere was amazing! And was great fun, it came to are turn to reherse on stage, and even though it was a rehersal we felt the nerves as all the other schools where watching! It was going so well, until we realised our set was slightly big for the stage.. But this was fine, as the teachers worked it all out, and managed it in our second rehersal which went so well! We got a lot of praise from the other schools, so I am guessing this ment they could see that we deserved that premier league title!
We had the day time events, where all schools would mix together and the atmosphere was amazing! I had so much fun, and this is what makes Rock Challange so special! Once this was all over with the manic started in the changing room, when everyone from all schools started to get ready for the show! It was great to see everyone with their hair and makeup done, as well as in their costumes! everyone looked fantastic! As we where waiting to go on stage the nerves had really started to kick in, we where standing in the room, steps away from the stage, we where waiting for the school before us to finish so are perfomance could begin!
It was finally are turn, and to hear our music start was petrifying! The whole performance went perfectly and to just have that experience was amazing! I had so much fun, the whole day was great we won 13 awards of exellence which made it even better than before! I really love being involved in Rock Challange, and I cant wait to go to Pourtsmouth and show everyone out there how amazing we are, and just the general feel of are first year in premier league and see all the other schools perform to such high standards!
week 2 of Bhangra
This week in performing arts we worked on perfecting the Bhangra dance we had made up and made it flow. We have been inspired by the films we watched creating are dance to be really effective. They arms are something we focussed on as well as the head and hips, we took this step by step. One lesson we focussed on the arms, the next head movements and then hip movement as this is what they do in Bhangra a lot of isolations. Once we had done this we made it into more of a dance and polished it so it looked more professional. The street section to are dance is really hard but now we have practised it I am starting to get the hang of it. We polished it to make it look more effective and professional. We have been researching Bhangra dance for homework as we have to write an essay, I have found this very interesting and found out many facts I never knew! Bhangra is so different from all the other styles and is so interesting to learn. I find it so fun, and learning about the culture as well as the history so interesting and different. I think its great they we are attempting to make our own Bhangra piece as it is something I would have never thought of trying out before.
In costume construction this week we are continuing to work on our We Will Rock you mood boards. We have already reasearched about the history of the show, the music, costumes and the storyline, so we are now focussing more on the charecters. It is really interesting as from researching this I have found that the personalities of the charecters influence the clothes they wear and there makeup and hair style.
I finished my mood boards of the charecters etc, and completed my skirt so next lesson I am going to make a start on making my corset, as I have already designed a few. We have to make sure it is comfortable to wear and also follows the We Will Rock You theme of punk rock, and denim. During this lesson I made sre everything was completed and up to good standards.
In costume construction this week we are continuing to work on our We Will Rock you mood boards. We have already reasearched about the history of the show, the music, costumes and the storyline, so we are now focussing more on the charecters. It is really interesting as from researching this I have found that the personalities of the charecters influence the clothes they wear and there makeup and hair style.
I finished my mood boards of the charecters etc, and completed my skirt so next lesson I am going to make a start on making my corset, as I have already designed a few. We have to make sure it is comfortable to wear and also follows the We Will Rock You theme of punk rock, and denim. During this lesson I made sre everything was completed and up to good standards.
Sunday, 30 January 2011
week one-bhangra
This week was completely different, we are focussing on a new style dance, that was a shock to us all at first but is great fun now we are getting used to it! We started by watching two videos that use the dance style bhangra, and whilst watching these, I noticed it is fulll of energy and fun! The music also has a strong beat to it, and was repeated throughout. Both peices of music where both so different but yet so simular, and they where very catchy. The dances where different to eachother, but used a lot of repetition, and both performed in large groups in unison.
It was all a big shock to us, and before we started everyone was worried about it, and that we where going to look weird doing the style as noone was used to it. Bhangra dance style was very different to how I thought, and we where all so excited to try it and start the topic.
Our first practical lesson was a double, and we learnt basic movements associated with bhangra. We split into groups, and started to get a taste of the style, and created are own bhangra routines. At the start nobody had many ideas, well we did just were not confident enough to share them. But towards the end, everyone was shareing ideas, and it was great fun! some really good routines where made! The second lesson we strarted to add western style to our movements. The styles are very different, but mix well together. They both use dynamic sharp movements, with isolations so in this way they are simular. We where all in love with bhangra and couldnt wait for more lessons, and our dances turned out to be very good!
In the last practical lesson of the week we added in isolations to our dances as bhangra is big on this! We started with our hands, and then came up with a count of eight for this, aswell as our heads, ribs/chest. It was more complicated to pick up as it isnt something we are used to, but at the end the movements looked effective.
This week in costume construction we are again focussing on We Will Rock You, we have already done a lot of work on this, for example we researched it, including the history, cast and story behind it. This is so we are not behind when it comes to handing it in, and have longer to design our costumes. I am really enjoying all the work we are doing! In both practical and costume construction!
It was all a big shock to us, and before we started everyone was worried about it, and that we where going to look weird doing the style as noone was used to it. Bhangra dance style was very different to how I thought, and we where all so excited to try it and start the topic.
Our first practical lesson was a double, and we learnt basic movements associated with bhangra. We split into groups, and started to get a taste of the style, and created are own bhangra routines. At the start nobody had many ideas, well we did just were not confident enough to share them. But towards the end, everyone was shareing ideas, and it was great fun! some really good routines where made! The second lesson we strarted to add western style to our movements. The styles are very different, but mix well together. They both use dynamic sharp movements, with isolations so in this way they are simular. We where all in love with bhangra and couldnt wait for more lessons, and our dances turned out to be very good!
In the last practical lesson of the week we added in isolations to our dances as bhangra is big on this! We started with our hands, and then came up with a count of eight for this, aswell as our heads, ribs/chest. It was more complicated to pick up as it isnt something we are used to, but at the end the movements looked effective.
This week in costume construction we are again focussing on We Will Rock You, we have already done a lot of work on this, for example we researched it, including the history, cast and story behind it. This is so we are not behind when it comes to handing it in, and have longer to design our costumes. I am really enjoying all the work we are doing! In both practical and costume construction!
corsets
The history of corsets-In the 1830’s after using my research I have found the corset was thought of as a medical piece of clothing. I feel it was believed that a woman was very fragile and delicate and needed assistance from some form to stay up. Even girls as young as three or four where laced up into bodices, and wore corsets no matter what age. Gradually these garments were lengthened and tightened. By the time they were teenagers, the girls were unable to sit or stand for any length of time without wearing a canvas corset reinforced with whale bone or steel. The corset wasn’t healthy and for those who wore it, it deformed the internal organs making it impossible to draw deep breaths in or out whilst wearing a corset. Because of this Victorian women were always fainting and getting the vapors, so no matter what the outcome was ladies in mainly the 16th-19th century would have to wear the lovely elegant looking things that caused such problem.
This shows me that women were thought of as the weaker sex, therefore their minds and bodies were weak. So the corset was said to be morally and medically necessary. I have found from my research that corsets really set an impression on the person; a loose corset was probably a sign of a loose woman. So to keep your innocence a lady had to be chaperoned everywhere she went. She could not read or see any plays, even Shakespeare was though unsuitable for ladies. A woman needed to protect herself from inappropriate men, by wearing heavily reinforced layers of clothing and tight corsets and simple clothes is what they did to do this. This was because they didn’t need the freedom to do household chores, as those who wore corsets where those who where wealthy so could just pay servants to do this.
This shows me that women were thought of as the weaker sex, therefore their minds and bodies were weak. So the corset was said to be morally and medically necessary. I have found from my research that corsets really set an impression on the person; a loose corset was probably a sign of a loose woman. So to keep your innocence a lady had to be chaperoned everywhere she went. She could not read or see any plays, even Shakespeare was though unsuitable for ladies. A woman needed to protect herself from inappropriate men, by wearing heavily reinforced layers of clothing and tight corsets and simple clothes is what they did to do this. This was because they didn’t need the freedom to do household chores, as those who wore corsets where those who where wealthy so could just pay servants to do this.
4th january
This week in btec performing arts it was a very short week, as we only had three days at school. We only had costume construction lessons, and we where foccusing on preparing are work to hand in to be marked. I was all of the work we have done so far, so it made me nervous that I wasnt going to get it all done to good quality standards.
We finished most of our written work before we broke up for the christmas holidays so now all we had to do was place are work onto mood boards, and make them look presentable. We are using denim and tartan so we used these on our mood boards for decoration and detail. In the lessons we had been stuffing peices of felt into tartan fabric then tying the bottem bits, this was to show skills we had with materials etc. We also did many other techneques like sticking, joining, sewing etc.
We finished most of our written work before we broke up for the christmas holidays so now all we had to do was place are work onto mood boards, and make them look presentable. We are using denim and tartan so we used these on our mood boards for decoration and detail. In the lessons we had been stuffing peices of felt into tartan fabric then tying the bottem bits, this was to show skills we had with materials etc. We also did many other techneques like sticking, joining, sewing etc.
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Dance that means something!
Friday was finally the day all our hard work would be shown, performance night! We were all extremly nervous, and couldnt wait to get onto that stage and perform to our friends, teachers and family! We were not expecting as many people to turn up that did, which was great as it made us feel we had a proper audience that had come to watch us show our DV8 performances and many more. This was our first performance the btec performing arts group had done together which made us feel the nerves even more, as nobody knew what to expect!
Before the evening started we set the room up so it looked presentable, and put a programme on each chair. The programmes where made by Kelly and I which will also go to out final grade so we had to put a lot of effort into these aswell. Once the room etc was ready everyone was running through their dances and we started to get excited! Me, Kelly and Alice where given the task to perform a presentation Kelly had put together to explain what DV8 was so the audience had an idea. I was so nervous as my throat was killing me, and I had just recovered from the flu, so I was worried the audience wouldnt be able to hear what I was saying.
The audience started to come through, we had to welcome them and collect money for Btec and the CRY charity. We had mood boards up at the back of the room showing the Costume construction work we had done, and we explained to the audience about our work, and showed them a few of the costumes we had made. The performance started at 7 o'clock, the audience took there seats, and we got ourselves ready. We opened the show with a dance called 'Heartbeat' this was choreographed by Miss Dolan, and included everyone from the btec group! The evening was chilled and we didnt feel the pressure. I can not wait for another performance!
Here is the running order-
HeartbeatBallet/Contemporary duo
Boom boom shake shake
DV8 presentationTeardropRaindrop
Teardrop
Requiem of a tower,
Unfinished sympathy
All in your mindINTERVAL
Fourth one down
Last requestA level solo
Rock 'n' Roll
Hide and seekMajorettes
Ramalama
All the ones that have been highlighted I was in.It came to the end of the night, I was happy we had done it, but I wanted to do it again, as it was so much fun! I think we could have performed better, but we had fun, and tryed our best. I really enjoyed it and hope the audience to, I now cant wait for the next performance we do! I am so glad we managed to do something like this, it was such a good experience.
Before the evening started we set the room up so it looked presentable, and put a programme on each chair. The programmes where made by Kelly and I which will also go to out final grade so we had to put a lot of effort into these aswell. Once the room etc was ready everyone was running through their dances and we started to get excited! Me, Kelly and Alice where given the task to perform a presentation Kelly had put together to explain what DV8 was so the audience had an idea. I was so nervous as my throat was killing me, and I had just recovered from the flu, so I was worried the audience wouldnt be able to hear what I was saying.
The audience started to come through, we had to welcome them and collect money for Btec and the CRY charity. We had mood boards up at the back of the room showing the Costume construction work we had done, and we explained to the audience about our work, and showed them a few of the costumes we had made. The performance started at 7 o'clock, the audience took there seats, and we got ourselves ready. We opened the show with a dance called 'Heartbeat' this was choreographed by Miss Dolan, and included everyone from the btec group! The evening was chilled and we didnt feel the pressure. I can not wait for another performance!
Here is the running order-
HeartbeatBallet/Contemporary duo
Boom boom shake shake
DV8 presentationTeardropRaindrop
Teardrop
Requiem of a tower,
Unfinished sympathy
All in your mindINTERVAL
Fourth one down
Last requestA level solo
Rock 'n' Roll
Hide and seekMajorettes
Ramalama
All the ones that have been highlighted I was in.It came to the end of the night, I was happy we had done it, but I wanted to do it again, as it was so much fun! I think we could have performed better, but we had fun, and tryed our best. I really enjoyed it and hope the audience to, I now cant wait for the next performance we do! I am so glad we managed to do something like this, it was such a good experience.
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