Tonight, my wife, my son, and I went to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Scera Theatre in Orem. The play started at 8pm which was late enough for it to get dark before the play was over. Yes, the theatre is outdoors. The stage was proscenium and somewhat box style. Most of the audience sat directly in front of the stage. All of the seats were great with all of them being on a large hill. It was also a little chilly for me (I didn't bring a coat or jacket).
The lighting was interesting because half of the play was done before the sun set. Spotlights were used to emphasize a particular character or event in the play. The costumes ranged from tie-dye to casual (jeans) to elegant (dress). The theme of the play was Las Vegas. The music included Elvis Presley, 70s music, and a carribean piece.
My wife and I were entertained. The dancers were not all together at some points, but it was still well performed. One thing that my wife pointed out was that there were a couple of disabled people performing in the play. I thought that was great.
We enjoyed the experience and are happy that we went. I give the experience 9 due to the chilly night for me.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Dance Sport at BYU
I went to the Dance Sport Competition at BYU this evening. I had never been to this event before. I've been to the BYU Ballroom Concert twice and have loved it each time. The competition wasn't what I expected it to be like. I thought that one couple would dance a 2 minute song and then a new couple would go. What happened was that about 10 to 12 couples were on the dance floor at that same time, dancing to a short song. Three different groups of the about the same size danced to the same song. There were three heats (three different songs) for all of the couples to dance to. The music was waltz, tango, and the quick step. I loved the music.
It was interesting to see how so many dancers could dance on the floor at the same time. There were occasions where one couple would run into another because either one of them weren't paying attention to where they were going. All of the couples wanted to do their own thing, but at the same time, had to be cautious of the other dancers on the floor.
The dancers seemed to glide both horizontally and vertically. That would bounce a little here and there, but were mainly closer to the ground with their knees bent. It did make the dancers look a little heavy, but the up and down movement made it actually seem lighter. The use of gravity in the dances were very evident as we discussed is class two weeks ago.
The costumes were also both elegant and free. The womens' dress were very vibrant (bright colors) while most of the men wore black tuxes. I liked the contrast between the black and the colors of the dresses.
Overall, I enjoyed the experience. I like watching ballroom dance and listening to the music that accompanies it. I paid $10 dollars for a ticket. Not too bad, but too much for how long I stayed. I only stayed for about 45 minutes. The atmosphere was relaxed and enjoyable. I'll give the experience a 7.
It was interesting to see how so many dancers could dance on the floor at the same time. There were occasions where one couple would run into another because either one of them weren't paying attention to where they were going. All of the couples wanted to do their own thing, but at the same time, had to be cautious of the other dancers on the floor.
The dancers seemed to glide both horizontally and vertically. That would bounce a little here and there, but were mainly closer to the ground with their knees bent. It did make the dancers look a little heavy, but the up and down movement made it actually seem lighter. The use of gravity in the dances were very evident as we discussed is class two weeks ago.
The costumes were also both elegant and free. The womens' dress were very vibrant (bright colors) while most of the men wore black tuxes. I liked the contrast between the black and the colors of the dresses.
Overall, I enjoyed the experience. I like watching ballroom dance and listening to the music that accompanies it. I paid $10 dollars for a ticket. Not too bad, but too much for how long I stayed. I only stayed for about 45 minutes. The atmosphere was relaxed and enjoyable. I'll give the experience a 7.
Reading About Film
We were asked to read a handout about film this week. There was no title to the piece, but it discussed how video is an art form. It is a form of art that has the ability to take advantage of almost every natural sense of the human body. One of the things from the reading that stuck out to me was what Germaine Dulac said about the meaning of cinema residing in image and not the story. That was true in the early days of cinema as well as today (and much more today, I think). The image of the video is very important in order to connect with the viewers no matter what the story is. The story or plot of a film may be the best ever written, but if the images used to portray that story don't match up, then the movie could be considered worthless and uninteresting.
Another example of this is the current use of special effects. Today's films have been able to utilize special effects in a way that make the action look real. An explosion, a gun shot, or a dead or wounded body are made to look more real than ever now which plays on the emotions of the viewer in thinking that it really is real.
Film has been a blessing to all of us. However, with all of the special effects, I hope that we understand what really is real.
Another example of this is the current use of special effects. Today's films have been able to utilize special effects in a way that make the action look real. An explosion, a gun shot, or a dead or wounded body are made to look more real than ever now which plays on the emotions of the viewer in thinking that it really is real.
Film has been a blessing to all of us. However, with all of the special effects, I hope that we understand what really is real.
Film
This week in class we discussed film or cinematography. We discussed its history and elements. The one thing that stuck out to me the most about film's history is how fast it was invented after the photograph was. I think it was somewhere around 20 years or so. The gates of Heaven had been opened. I did think about the restoration of the gospel when I though of how fast film developed after photography did.
I enjoyed watching some of the first films in class as well. The film about the moon was great. The special effects were good (for then). It is amazing for me to see how much film has changed over 100 years! Watching that movie also made me think about what everyone thought of moon in that time. We have come so far.
I also liked learning the different elements and techniques of film. The different responsibilities of the director, cinematographer, editor, etc. were interesting to know. I didn't really know any of that before. We also learned the different camera angles and shots. See the movies as examples of these shots helped me understand that concepts much better.
I'll probably view movies and TV with a new approach and understanding. Everything makes more sense when one understands that reasons for why a film or TV show was filmed the way it was filmed.
I enjoyed watching some of the first films in class as well. The film about the moon was great. The special effects were good (for then). It is amazing for me to see how much film has changed over 100 years! Watching that movie also made me think about what everyone thought of moon in that time. We have come so far.
I also liked learning the different elements and techniques of film. The different responsibilities of the director, cinematographer, editor, etc. were interesting to know. I didn't really know any of that before. We also learned the different camera angles and shots. See the movies as examples of these shots helped me understand that concepts much better.
I'll probably view movies and TV with a new approach and understanding. Everything makes more sense when one understands that reasons for why a film or TV show was filmed the way it was filmed.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Walter Wick Exhibit
I went to the Walter Wick Exhibit at the BYU Museum of Art today. I loved it. To be honest with you, I had never heard of this artist before this summer. I'm glad I have now.
His work is very unique in that he takes simple figures, materials, and objects, rearranges them in a particular way, and then photographs them. The way he organizes his art for the photo creates illusions and a representation of the complex with what is simple. He uses mirrors in most of his illusions. Also, his illusions are created from the angle at which the photo is taken.
The photos look realistic or like a very detailed painting. It was also interesting to see some of the models next to the photos and imagining what was done to create the photo (getting the right lighting and shadows to create the image).
Here is a picture of my son Trevor outside the exhibit.
His work is very unique in that he takes simple figures, materials, and objects, rearranges them in a particular way, and then photographs them. The way he organizes his art for the photo creates illusions and a representation of the complex with what is simple. He uses mirrors in most of his illusions. Also, his illusions are created from the angle at which the photo is taken.
The photos look realistic or like a very detailed painting. It was also interesting to see some of the models next to the photos and imagining what was done to create the photo (getting the right lighting and shadows to create the image).
Here is a picture of my son Trevor outside the exhibit.
Class Discussion on Music
In class on Wednesday, we finished discussing the history and elements of music. I've grown up loving music. My mom taught me how to play the piano and I was involved in choir from Middle School through High School. I find myself relieving my frustrations and expressing myself a lot through music. I enjoyed learning about the history of music and then listening to the music from the different eras. I loved the song "Claire de Lune" by Claude Debussy. The original piano piece is beautiful. I find it very interesting how well the composers wrote down and interprated their feelings, emotions, nature, and more. To me, they are geniuses. I will try to learn their music better and appreciate it more.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Modern and Contemporary Theatre
In Monday's class, we were asked to pick a movement in the history of theatre and give a short history of it. I chose Modern and contemporary drama.
The Modern Drama era began as an antirealistic reaction. A group called Avant-garde was form which constituted several factions against the realist movement. The modern movement occurred in the late 19th century with a German opera composer named Richard Wagner. He believed that the responsibility of a playwright or composer was to create myths. He was very good at this. He also wanted to portray the people in the play as real characters that were very much related to the audience. He incorporated all of the parts of drams into his work and put more emphasis on the individual parts. In order to create a feeling of unity among the people in the audience and get them focused on the play at hand, he dimmed the lights before each showing to get the focus on the stage. Wagner also rearranged the seating, sloping the floor so that every spectator could have an equal view of the stage.
Reference: http://litera1no4.tripod.com/dramahistory.html
The Modern Drama era began as an antirealistic reaction. A group called Avant-garde was form which constituted several factions against the realist movement. The modern movement occurred in the late 19th century with a German opera composer named Richard Wagner. He believed that the responsibility of a playwright or composer was to create myths. He was very good at this. He also wanted to portray the people in the play as real characters that were very much related to the audience. He incorporated all of the parts of drams into his work and put more emphasis on the individual parts. In order to create a feeling of unity among the people in the audience and get them focused on the play at hand, he dimmed the lights before each showing to get the focus on the stage. Wagner also rearranged the seating, sloping the floor so that every spectator could have an equal view of the stage.
Reference: http://litera1no4.tripod.com/dramahistory.html
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