where the allusivness of dance meet the intimacy of film to create a new kind of magic !
( Duende y Misterio del Flamenco, film by Edgar Neville)
There are amny similarities between the two field , the Dance Industry and the Movie industry. According to some professional in the performing art 'field , these two fields have some common elements, such as the spirit, the power and the freedom of communication Even if some people of the public may consider these, two different types of arts they cannot ignore the fact they they both convey an emotion... I remember one of my closest friends in London when he was asked about the relationship between dance and movies he said “ they have nothing to do with each other, these are two completely different entities, one use the bpdy and the non verbal communication channel and the other use the visual image, how can they have some common elements?”. Even if he is a professional and has been working in the film field for many years, that time I had to disagree with him. I honestly believe that these two form of arts have in common the element of “ emotion”. They both convey emotions and can make the public feel what they feel during their exhibition whether they are dancing in the theatre or acting on the stage. I remember when I took an acting class some years ago and at the first lesson the teacher taught me how to use my body to convey an emotion. I remember having to take body languages classes a tolearn the the movements that can be used to better get in touch with the audience. For this reason I truly belive that in both the dance and the film fields there are some important elements that need to be taken into consideration, or just for the simple reason that they are both “ arts vehicles”.
One of the best examples in which when these two types of arts find themselves can be in the movies about dancers or choreographers 'lives. In the past years this form of convergence between film and dance has taken up an higher levels, when Hollywood film production companies decided to start producing film that would include stories of important dancers or ordinary people who found a solution and a salvation for their problem thanks to the practice of dance . One of the best and well made movies that is concerned with this issue is “ A Time to dance””(1996).The film explains the stories of tow young girls, Sam and Jules who were bets friend since they were nine. The story begins at the start of senior year where Sam and Jules were attending a party, each of them discussing what they would like to do after the school.. They are both dancers working very hard to prepare the final performance for the senior year before going to colleges/. However their plans were halted when Jules begins to feel pain in her hip and after several attempts to sort out the problem , she finally finds out that she had cancer. The movies described both Jules' and Sam's reactions to the cancer and how they felt often recalling memories from their childhood. However, Jules decide not to give up and start fighting against the cancer, holding on to the only thing that could keep her sane, the dance, therefore, the overall film has a lot of different dance related scenes , such as when she was admitted at the one of the most prestigious dance school in the country and or the final performance that she had to do before singing herself up to the hospital for cures.. The movie tries to convey a positive message and used the beauty of the dance and the power of the image to convey emotions such as the freedom, sadness and anger.
Another of the most interesting and well knowns examples of artworks where film meets the dance can be found in one of the oldest performing arts , the Musical. They are films that are centred on combinations of music, dance, songs or choreography. In traditional musicals, cast members are ones who sings. Musical highlights various musical artists or dancing stars with lyrics that support the story line, often with an alternative, escapist vision of reality, a search for love, success wealth and popularity. This genre has been considered the most “ escapist” of all major film genres. Tremendous film choreography and orchestration often enhances musical ability to affect and amaze the audience in so different levels. The Musical has a long way back , with the coming of talking motion pictures the musical film genre emerged. Stage musicals, and operettas, revenues, cabaret, musical comedy, music halls and vaudeville, are all examples of artworks where the Dance meets the power of the images. It is worth indicating that the first ever produced musical in history was “ The Broadway Melody (1929). It premièred in Hollywood in early February of 1929 at Grauman's Chinese Theatre and was the first widely-distributed t sound film incorporating dances to win an Academy Award for Best Picture, in 1935 and in 1937.
In nowadays, the increasing studies and research in both these field had let to the creation of new types of artworks, such as Dance festival incorporating elements of movies and camera shootings. Some of these festivals and organization that incorporate dance and film are really specific and unique. One of the most famous festivals of these kinds is called “ Dance Camera West Film festival”. This particular festival who is based in Los Angeles, California offers the most outstanding examples of dance on screen a rich medium that hit the boundaries to redefine both dance and film .
It was founded in 2001, the Dance Camera West Film festival has established itself as a vital ingredient in LA evolving cultural landscapes . This film festival has presented over 1,000 international dance films since it first festival in 2002 making it the leading voice for the innovative genre of Dance art Film. As some reporters have stated “ as the world of dance film,and dance media evolve to include new innovative forms, so does out festival and our organisation evolve to include new venues and new events and new audiences. We are always interested in seeing everything that the dance film world has to offer”. Moreover this festival offer an occasion for the audience to truly estimate the value of dance and of film and the fabulous creations that these two forms of arts can create when used with balance and grace . As Steven d. Lavine. Ex president of California institute of the Arts has stated “ this festival is a significant presence, exerting a strong influence on the development of dance and dance audiences in our city”.
Along the line of Dance Festival there some organisation which were originated with the intent of getting in touch with different dance and film companies, One of the most recognized Association is (DFA) and is dedicated to furthering the art of dance film. It is DFA's aim to connect artists and organisation fostering new works for new audience and sharing essential resources . It is a not-for profit membership corporation with accomplishes this mission by promoting and facilitating production, distribution and use of dance films and video , supporting the public about the history and the development of dance films and videos, and supporting the efforts of educators institutions and community groups to present dance films , offering courses such as Camera Touring program. It was founded by Susan Braun in 199 and included Ted Shawn, as well as modern and dance pioneer Jose Liomon and ballerina Alicia Markova as members of its first Board of Directors. Ms. Bran has devoted her l;life to finding, showcasting , preserving dance films and videos until her death in 1995 and for that reason it is important to keep her dream alive, by going and supporting this Dance Film festivals.
References:
http://www.dancefilmsassn.org/Aboutmission.html
http://www.dancecamerawest.com/
www.allreaders.com/topics/info_29297.asp
http://www.dancefilmscotland.com/
www.filmsite.org/musicalfilms.htm
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