04/10/2018

1

BTEC Level 1/Level 2Tech Awards in Performing Arts

(Dance)

Component 1: Exploring The performing Arts

Component 2:Developing Skills & Techniques in the Performing Arts

Aim and purpose

Learners will develop their understanding of the performing arts by examining practitioners’ work and the processes used to create performance.

Learning Aims

On completion of this component a learners should:• Examine professional practitioners’ performance work • Explore the interrelationships between constituent features of existing performance

material.

Component 1: Exploring the Performing Arts

Aim and purpose

In this component learners will develop performing arts skills and techniques through the reproduction of dance repertoire, specifically Commercial Dance. Learners will produce and perform dances, demonstrating basic understanding of commercial dance styles and technique.

Learning Aims

On completion of this component a learner should:Develop skills and techniques for performanceApply skills and techniques in rehearsal and performanceReview own development and performance

Component 2: Developing Skills & Techniques in the Performing Arts

Component 1: Exploring the Performing Arts

Component 2: Developing Skills & Techniques in the Performing Arts Learning Outcomes

Distinguish the characteristics of Peters’ technique

Understand the creative intentions of Thriller

Explore the roles and responsibilities of those involved in creating Thriller

Apply commercial technique to a range of exercises.

04/10/2018

2

Michael Peters– History, Career and Technique Who is Michael Peters?

Peters was born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in New York City. He was most recognized for his choreography work in Michael Jackson's videos, especially the smash hit "Thriller", directed by John Landis, and "Beat It" directed by Bob Giraldi, which is vaguely reminiscent of West Side Story. Peters died in Los Angeles, California of an AIDS related illness at 46.

Peters’ Facts – Career awards 1982 Tony Award for Best Choreography – Dreamgirls

1987 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography – Liberty Weekend

1993 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography – The Jacksons: An American Dream

1994 American Choreography Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Feature Film

Thriller video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOnqjkJTMaA

Creative intentions

Theme: horror themed pop song

Issues: Michael was a self-trained dancer who never had any formal dance training

Choreographic style- zombie inspired movements, pedestrian actions, jumps

Style/genre: Commercial dance

Collaboration and influence of other practitioners

04/10/2018

3

Response to stimulus Purpose of Thriller video

To entertain!

Michael Jackson and Michael Peters’ collaboration combined with dancing zombies, a dramatic horror story line and a world music video premiere on MTV brewed the perfect spell to craft a spooky success. While the music video may be filled with ghoulish characters portraying the dead, “Thriller” is very much alive!

Roles involved in the choreography process

• Artistic director

• Choreographer

• Makeup artists

• Dancers

• Costume designer

• Set designer

• Lighting designer

Artistic directors role

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGcQWBoRgio

Watch the video of ‘Michael Jackson explains Thriller’ and make notes on the what Jackson’s intentions were.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn4yv1P2lhI

Watch the video clip of ‘Michael Jackson In the Creative Process of Thriller’ and make notes on the what Jackson’s role as artistic director.

Role of the choreographer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daNPQACJeOY&list=RDdaNPQACJeOY&t=46

Watch the video clip of some of the rehearsals and make notes on the choreographers role.

Role of the makeup artists

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Puwta5lYmu4

Watch the video clip of ‘The making of Thriller’ and make notes on the makeup artists role.

04/10/2018

4

Other roles involved in the making of Thriller

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFRMkCC8pCs

Watch the video ‘Michael Jackson- The Making of Thriller’ and make notes on any other roles involved in making Thriller.

Responsibilities and skills required for each role in the choreography

processWhat responsibilities do you think the following roles would have had in creating Thriller?:

•Artistic director/producer?

•Choreographer?

•Dancers?

•Makeup artist?

•Costume designer?

•Music producer?

•Film editor?

Artistic director An artistic director has the vision for the whole choreography and what the end product will look like. They take charge for the whole production alongside other people.

They will be on the audition panel.

They love movement and the art of dance, but most of all love to inspire others by sharing their creative ideas.

Skills needed for being an artistic director: LeadershipCreativity Discipline

Michael Jackson is the artistic director for Thriller.

Choreographer

A choreographer designs and directs routines used in dances and performances.

They will be on the audition panel.

They love movement and the art of dance, but most of all love to inspire others by sharing their creative ideas.

Skills needed for being a Choreographer: LeadershipCreativity Discipline

Michael Peters is the choreographer for Thriller.

Dancers- 32!The dancers will be professionally trained and very passionate about dance.

They love movement and the art of dance, but most of all love to inspire others by sharing their creative ideas.

Skills needed for being a dancer: Creativity DisciplineConfidenceFlexibility

Makeup artists

Makeup artists are very talented and have a keen eye for detail. They are creative and arty. They work alongside the artistic director, choreographer and film editors.

Makeup is important as it can enhance a performance and change the atmosphere of a piece.

Skills:

Work under pressure and to tight deadlines

Good eye for detail

Creative

04/10/2018

5

Film editor(s)Film editors are in charge of making sure the set and lighting is correct to compliment the

choreography. A film editor works with the artistic director, choreographer, costume designer, and sound designer to create the lighting, atmosphere, and time of day for the production in response to the choreography, while keeping in mind issues of visibility, safety, and cost.

Lighting is important as it can enhance a performance and change the atmosphere of a piece.

Skills neededWork under pressure and to tight deadlinesGood eye for detailCreative

Malcolm Campbell and George Folsey Jr were the film editors for Thriller.

Costume designerCostume designers create the look of each performer by

designing clothes and accessories the dancers will wear in performance.

Depending on their style and complexity, costumes are made, bought, revamped out of existing stock or rented.

Skills needed to be a costume designerImagination and design skills.Leadership ability.OrganisedCost awareness.A good eye for detail.The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Kelly Kimball and Deborah Nadoolman were the costume designers for Thriller.

Music producer

Skills needed to be a costume designerImagination.Leadership ability.Organised.Cost awareness.A good ear for detail.The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Elmer Bernstein was the music producer for Thriller.

Music producers design the sound for choreography.

They work closely with the artistic director and choreographer to ensure that the music compliments the movements and lighting/set.

B1: Processes used in performance

1.What was the first thing you explored practically when you started to learn Thriller? Why?

2.How did you develop movement ideas? Do you think Peters and Jackson did this with their dancers when teaching them repertoire as well? Why?

3.How did you learn movement material? How do you think this would differ from Peters and Jacksons dancers? What might they do differently? Why?

B2: Techniques and approaches used in performance

1. Explain your rehearsals. Why did you do them? Do you think Peters and Jackson would have had planned rehearsals for Thriller? Why? Would they have had more/less than you? Why?

2.What did the production of your work look like? Did you have lighting, music, costume? Why?

3.What did the production of Thriller look like? Did they have professional lighting, music, costume? How did this differ to yours? Why?

Assignment 1Task: Complete component 1 assignment

Possible ways to produce your assignment: Mood board/written report/power point

Learning Aims to cover: A1, A2, B1 and B2

Deadline:

04/10/2018

6

Assignment 2Task: Complete component 2 assignment

Material to complete assignment: Log book & written report (review your 2 minute performance)

Learning Aims to cover: A1, A2, B1, B2C1, C2

Deadline:

Learn repertoire and explore techniques and approaches used

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm9uiw_p3Sk Commercial warm up 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_BuaY8uBnw Isolation warm up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdsHs0ss6fs Plie warm up 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWa0kF-_8jM Thriller dance