A dance film by Laura Lidker, Daisy Barrett, Jack Long and Sophia Matelli.
Material Choreographies
Abstract Machinations at RMIT
A dance film by Laura Lidker, Daisy Barrett, Jack Long and Sophia Matelli.
Ohh I really liked the aesthetics of your brief – the shots, scenery and choice of black and white (was there a specific reason?). It really complemented with the song’s melancholic tone and your choreography was interesting to watch. It was fluid, then erratic, then fluid AND erratic. What story/message/theme was meant to be implied in your piece? Your title ‘Aporia’, has the definition of ‘expression of doubt’. Is that where some of the erratic movements come from? Overall, it’s a really well done piece and you guys did an amazing job ✨
I think that black and white added a lot to this piece – for me it helped set the tone and emphasised the figure/s within each space. The lighting also added an emphatic quality. Really loved the construction of each shot – I could tell that a lot of thought had gone into it. Regarding the choreography – it was quite noticeable that there was a commonality across them – they seemed to focus on the shoulders and arms, that sort of flow/sway back and forth. I was wondering what this was trying to say – what kind of relation to ‘aporia’ it had. In some scenes (eg. feat. Sophia & Jack) it seemed like you were stuck – trying to move forward but facing indecisiveness. Sort of dancing with your decisions. In others, it seemed quite blissful and peaceful – not sure that was intended.
Hey guys!
First off congrats for being the first group I’ve seen (so far) to actually incorporate dance into your video, a bold move that worked super well. You pulled off that classic ‘haunting yet beautiful’ tone perfectly with your colour scheme, choice of music and choreography.
The dancing and music persists until you meet the top of the staircase – what I took from this is a feeling of freedom and unburdening. Up until that point the dance you shared with Jack seemed unsteady and uncertain, as the choreography didn’t match and you were both constantly moving between different settings and shots.
Linking those two things, my assumption was that the video was meant to encourage an empowering and freedom of the self, through moving forward from bad relationships, or vexing people ; and in turn freeing yourself from the negative emotions and other burdens that coincide with it.
This is really aesthetically pleasing, I like that it’s in black and white and the editing here is really seamless. You guys really stayed true to the ‘dance’ part of the brief which was fascinating, great performances by both Sophia and Jack. I thought the title, ‘Aporia’ was clever, given that it means an internal irresolvable contradiction. The dance really seemed to reflect that conflict/contradiction, though I think it could have been interesting to explore that more internally. Perhaps having only one dancer who is in conflict with themselves, rather than another physical being, would have demonstrated that. Regardless, really good job.
First off I must compliment the dancers in this film, watching you on screen was so moving and you seemed really in your element so I thank you for such a beautiful experience. I found myself entranced often while watching this, my own body being pulled into the dance of conflict/indecisiveness. The black and white worked incredibly well for the feeling you were trying to convey, and the shots featuring the windows and stairs gave me a feeling of hope being on the other side. That shot looking down the stairwell to Sophia dancing at the bottom is one I think will stick with me for a long time.
Good job you guys, an absolute pleasure to watch!
The tone of the piece is portrayed SOOO well through the use of music and shots and the movement, everything is so cohesive! The movement is very neo-classical Martha Graham esque which worked so well with the location and it was so nice to see Sophia and Jack in this light as dancers.
Super well done guys such a nice piece
Great opening!
Some very lovely moments here where the relationship between the frame, the rhythm of the body, and how it moves both in relation to space and the edges of the frame is really exciting. For example the move down the corridor. Interesting choices being made with graphic lines in the frame, the black and white draws the eye to this.
I like the question the others have put to you around how the work relates to the title. Lovely comments from the class on how affective this piece is.
I think there are lots of things you’re testing out here. I think there’s potential for some of the moments to be further developed, and perhaps in this the relationship with the other elements would have time to evolve. For example the lone body in relation to the two bodies in frame; the moment with the multiple hands. The two main sound scores are quite different and perhaps there’s scope to develop that relationship/transition.
Firstly, great choreography you guys! What a stunning job. Loved that staircase shot looking down at Sophia. I thought this would a film about one person dancing–what Smiljana called the ‘lone body’. Expectations subverted once Jack jumps in and it’s the two of you interacting and dancing separately. I loved this, although at times it feels like the focus on the movements in frame are lost, there being two subjects dancing differently. Maybe it’s a bit distracting. But for the most part this isn’t the case. The movements are what Darvey calls them: fluid, erratic, then both. This is a dance of bliss and elegance, but also a dance into the future (that is, escaping the past and moving forward into a new era with all the spring and elegance of a dancer at their best.)
The highly contrasted black and white draws attention to the shape of the bodies as they move along the frame. The speed difference across the three panels was a little too subtle. Our focus is spread over different directions with movements blurring together. It’d be great if one of the panels was shot from a different angle or played back in reverse. Loved whenever Sophia returned back to the stairs, each time either ascending or descending. It was interesting to see Sophia’s movements meet Jack’s similar energy.
The way the hands were framed in different angles changed their overall tone. By the end of the video, the hands no longer grasping but swaying. Loved the final two shots of nature and the stationary dancer. It’s interesting to notice is how the wind moves the leaves – gentle then rough. In this moment, I feel like the dance is transferred to nature.
This was incredible. This framing and lighting was so perfect throughout and that black and white really elevates the frame edging and a prominent consistency. A lot of the tracking camera movement accompanied the movement of the dancing quite beautifully. Wow that choreography was just brilliant. I feel like a lot of it was improv and that’s really good because I felt like there were a lot of real motion to it. The music was gorgeous. Can’t get over some of these angles, the edge of the frame is utilised expertly. Was very keen to see where this potential story went when the music transitioned and was saddened to be presented to the credits.
I think this is pretty repetitive by now but I also liked the use of the greyscale tone for this video and that dance was incorporated into it. The first thing I think about when it comes to movement and the human body is generally dance, so I’m glad that you guys managed to do it and do it well. The music also complimented this piece really well too. I don’t have any advice because I think this was great. Amazing job!
The wonderfully creepy setting was a great backdrop for the story that you guys presented through some excellen dancing! I really loved the editing, although I got a liiiiittle bit bored by the end, it was interesting to watch the slighty awkward yet still graceful interactions between the two dancers and the building itself.
I really liked this! I love the shots of Sophia silhouetted against the light (the windows and the corridor type thing). I like the sound of the word aporia and had to google what it meant. I think the title adds a whole new level of interpretation to the video. The awkwardness of Sophia and Jack dancing on the staircase was really endearing and I wish we saw Jack’s character more.