Down and Out Research

The 5 stages:
1) Stimulus - You research this, to decide on the type of dance you're going to be performing, and how it's going to be presented.
2) Improvisation.
3) Select + Refine - to decide and finalise on appropriate material.
4) Create a motif.
5) Motif development - Kat gave us a sheet which gave us 16 ways (choreographic devices) so we can achieve this.

Choreographic devices:
1) Repetition
2) Retrograde - movement performed backwards.
3) Inversion
4) Size, Tempo, Rhythm
5) Quality and Force
6) Background - change the design of the rest of your body, and perform the motif like this.
7) Staging
8) Embellishment (ornamentation)
9) Change of planes/levels - make the motif horizontal or vertical.
10) Additive/Incorporative
11) Fragmentation - using only a part of the motif.
12) Combination

I decided to choreograph for Bugsy Malone. Me and others are choreographing the song 'Down and Out.' Firstly, we had to do some research. I knew Bugsy was based in the 1920s era, which immediately made me link it to The Great Gatsby, so I watched the dance sections within the film, hoping to find some inspiration. I noticed that arms and legs performed sharp movements, and the dancing was mostly performed in duets. Afterwards, I watched other performances of Bugsy Malone, whilst doing this, I had to keep in mind that our version of the show wasn't going to be performed proscenium; the audience will be dotted around the stage, sat at their own tables. A clip that was particularly helpful was the film's version of 'Down and Out' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBdat4QeEr8

What I took from the film clip was that the style was very much like Oliver! The Musical. I took notes of props used, which were mainly plates and cutlery. There were marching sequences, which added a military slickness to the piece. Majority of the song is performed in unison. One thing that I really liked and would like to include in our version is the tap section.This is because it adds to the military feel, and is something which isn't seen in every musical.

Overall, the choreography I've watched is repetitive, involves a lot of stamping, short and static momvent, and is quite rhythmic. This song contrasts to the rest of the show, which is very glitz and glam.