Sunday, April 12, 2009

Questions for RAW showing...

Just got back from a GREAT last rehearsal before our RAW showing, and feeling so so so excited to show it tomorrow. Lillie and i were talking about this - for some reason it feels like it's been a really secret piece. Perhaps a combination of not a ton of footage online, and the piece itself (and it's cast) shifting around and then coming together really quickly - it just feels like not many people have seen it yet. Combine that with the fact that this is this project's first NY showing, and you cna understand why i'm SIKED.

If you're planning on being at the show tomorrow, here are some questions that i have (for myself and for anyone interested in answering) since it is an in-process showing after all. Feel free to respond as comments here, in person, or via email (theAOMC@gmail.com). I'll also try to get the video up asap so those of you that aren't going to make it can see/discuss.

Questions:
1. What/when are the "ah-ha!" or "ooo!" moments for you? Moments that are exciting, stimulating, interesting, or entertaining?

2. Of the "slow motion" movement, what of it (if any) works for you and what of it (if any) doesn't? Would you say that the movement is more "embodied" or "acted", and how does that make you feel?

3. Let's talk about time and quantity. Do you feel overwhelmed by the amount of movement/ideas shown in this time period and/or the speed at which they are shown?

4. Is there a narrative apparent in your mind? Is there something that this piece is about?

5. What specific moment or image sticks out to you the most? Why?

6. Are there any moments when you feel yourself unengaged, turned-off, or bored? Are there parts that distinctly don't work for you? Why?


Thanks in advance for your feedback!

4 comments:

jpheiffer said...

Heard that the showing was great! can't wait to see the video.

Sarah A.O. Rosner/The AOMC said...

Thanks - i felt really great about it! I'll post it as soon as i get it...

emily said...

It was so fun to see this performed in person. First, some general comments:

Maybe I watched the original video of the 13 variations that you posted with my computer on mute (hmm) or maybe I just noticed the music more at the showing. I really like it. For me it seems to sort of accent the rhythmic and percussive parts of the movement more than the slo-mo and flowing parts, even though the track contains both elements.

On the blog I hadn't seen the grocery list, the car crash sequences, and the "sexytime" material all together and I thought the product that you showed was a really interesting combination of all three and more. I don't know if it bothers you, but I think not everyone in your general audience will "get" the connection between the shopping list and the car crash, although both do read very well separately.

Your questions are hard! I'll do my best.

1. I think I like the sequences on the chairs and developing from the chairs the most. I couldn't stop watching Christina and Corey slo-mo car and car crash movements developing into things traveling out in space and sometimes very romantic moments. Very engaging.

2. I know this has been a big question for you, but I love it. There's something about your style of luscious movement/choreography and your combination of tenderness and emotion that ties into the parts of car crash reactionary movement that you've chosen to explore very well. I don't have a problem, generally, accepting movement that is not abstract and strictly "dance-y".

3. I found the "shopping list" gestural movement sometimes more difficult to digest, on the other hand. It seemed to be a mix of sort of literal (stirring coffee) and more abstract (butter?) and it also went by so fast that I felt like I was missing things. Although the repetition of the motif did help somewhat. Also, there was also a point where the four women sort of stopped to watch the couple. I looked back at the women a few seconds later and they were already back in motion, also leading me to believe I may have missed something. I do feel a general need to see the piece again, but I think it's fine to leave the audience wanting more (and also this ties in to them wanting to seek out more information a la hypermedia).

4. I think the concepts behind the piece are clear (and would be whether or not I read up beforehand) - car crash, the couple's relationship... but I don't think the piece itself follows a story. It's more thematic than narrative.

5. Go with a similar answer to #1 - buckling the seatbelts, going in for an almost kiss, reacting in slo-mo to the "crash" and retrograding. Also, the right-angle, 3-beat arms done by the group is memorable (which may be partly informed by me seeing at least a version of this phrase before).

6. I would say no, because there was just so much to absorb. I could probably find an un-favorite part if I saw it another time or two.

Do post video when you can!!

Sarah A.O. Rosner/The AOMC said...

Hi emily,
thanks for the feedback!

I think i agree with you about many people not "getting" the connection between the grocery list and the crashes, but i don't think it bothers me. In working on the PR for it, i'm designing a text-based logo, which has the grocery list hidden inside of it - i kind of like it being an inside thing.

I also appreciate what you're saying about some things going by a little too quickly - it's why i usually don't make dances to music - it can be really limiting - but i just fell in love with this one. For the film version, we'll be working with a composer, so timing and structure may shift a little (or a lot!) Now that the video is up, are there certain moments of that you can point to? For me, watching the video is a little weird, becuase i feel like the angle of the camera make cory and xtina totally not the focus. but maybe that's me.

Thanks again for the feedback!