My Interviewees as Professional Writers

In this blog post I will further discuss both interviewees and the kinds of writing/communication they use in their respective fields.

1)  Give us the name of each interviewee and write a short summary of the kinds of professional publications they've authored (according to their website, CV and/or other easily findable online resources that list their publications). You don't need to include all the bibliographic information for their publications, just the basic facts.

• Mr. C--  He has written the book Looking at Dance. In terms of dance, Mr. C has created dances that have been shown both in Canada and the United States.
• Michael-- Although, he has not published any written publications, Michael has helped created the instructional video The Jazz Dance Class.  Michael has also created pieces/productions internationally, including Japan, Holland, and the Netherlands.

 
2)  Track down a few of their publications online. Be sure to examine at least two different publications by each interviewee (and hyperlink us to the two examples for each). What professional genres has each interviewee written in? Explain how these genres differ from each other, according to conventions, formatting, techniques, content, and anything else that seems relevant to describe.

• Below are two dance pieces by Michael. Both are very different styles of dance.  I decided to examine these since I could not find the instructional video.
• ITZaJAZZ Thing
•  Pucker Up

                      Here I am comparing two pieces of choreography.  The first difference is pretty           obvious: one is jazz number and one is a tap number.  In terms of content, each utilizes different dance moves and focuses on different parts of the body. ITZaJAZZ Thing zeros in on acute isolations, activation of the pelvis, and more subtle movements that give the piece a seductive jazz club feel. Pucker Up has incredibly is the opposite.  It flashes tricks and fancy footwork that dazzle the audience.  The jazz dance has the usual conventions: hip roles, isolations, jazz hands (oh yeah!).   The tap piece contains also, contains that of most tap dances: articulation of the feet to produce clear clean rhythms, and lighter fluid arms.  Both also use props (ie. the chairs, canes, poster), although this doesn't have to be used in these genres.

• Below are two genres by Mr. C.  I will be comparing two different pieces of choreography, since I do not have his book on hand to analyze.
• Con Spirito
• Carmina Burana 

                     Con Spirito is a pointe piece and therefore utilizes the common conventions of pointe work, partnering, and utilizes a corps de ballet as well as featured soloists.  Likewise, Carmina Burana is also a pointe piece; however, it is a pas de deux that features more contemporary partnering than Con Spirito does.  Both pieces present very different tones though.  Con Spirito is light and upbeat, with the dancers wearing pastel colored leotards and slicked back ponytails, and happy smiles.  Carmina Burana is opposite.  Between the music selected, the expansive movements of the partnering work, and the details of the head and eyes, the piece is incredibly dramatic.  The piece requires significantly more acting from the dancers in order for the piece to be carried out effectively.

3)  What is the context surrounding the two different pieces published by each of your interviewees? (See the bulleted questions on Student's Guide page 180 for specific questions about context). Cite specific details from the pieces in your answers.

• Michael
• ITZaJAZZ Thing---the piece was created in 2010-2011.  The piece reflects what a lot would call a "classic jazz piece."  The piece is delivered through a choreographed pieced and is filmed in a simple style as to simulate the actual performance. Trained in this style, it is possible that Michael wanted wanted to return to this.  The piece is showcased in a theater setting and utilizes props that further accentuate the classic jazz feel.
• Pucker Up---this piece was created in 2014.  This piece was also showcased in a theater.   I'm not particularly sure if there is an intended "message" of the piece, it is pretty light  with two female leads flirting with the lead male lead and him dancing with each one.  
• Mr. C
•  Con Spirito---The piece was choreographed in 2015.  Story line--to be frank I really don't know.  However, "con spirito" means "with spirit," so I believe that he was not focusing on a story line, but rather a general feeling emitted from the music itself.  Looking at past and more current works of his, this one is less story oriented, and I personally feel it is not as captivating to an audience, despite all the conventions being present for that particular genre.
• Carmina Burana--- This piece was created in 2011.  His piece is pretty similar to that of his other pieces in that it doesn't possess a distinct follow-able story line, but rather plays off the feeling given by the music. The ballet appears meant to be performed on a stage, which seems to make the pas de deux more intimate, and gives nothing that would distract the view like if you did a site-specific project.

4)  What is the overall message of each piece? How did you decide this? Cite specific details from the pieces in your answers.

• ITZaJAZZ Thing-- Well, I think that the overall "message" of this particular piece is to showcase the feel of classic jazz dance, since many seem to have forgotten about this style.  Specific details include: jazz hands, classic jazz walks, neck and hip isolations, a sense of sensuality without being raunchy (rare these days).

•  Pucker Up--There is no particular message for this piece.  It's feel sort of reflects the remix of song "Kiss" by Prince.  It seems to follow the message (you don't have to rich to be my girl, just be yourself) then of the song more than it creates its own message.

• Con Spirito--  There is no particular message to this at all.  The dance is kept pretty light, between music, dancing, and costumes, so I find that the message is more up to audience interpretation.

• Carmina Burana--  The piece appears to be about passionate love.  You have a pas de duex, and you have intimate partnering where faces are very close and places where the bodies almost appear to be intertwined.

5)  What purpose is each piece trying to achieve? Cite specific details from the pieces in your answers.

• ITZaJAZZ Thing's purpose could possibly be to bring back exposure to classic jazz dance.  However, for all these pieces I feel that the main purpose is to entertain and to simply bring the audience into a different work for a little while.

Suttonhoo "Untitled" via suttonhoo.blogspot.com. Public Domain