Quick Note from Reading #1

Just to personally give me a little time to reflect after all the reading I'm going to do today, I thought I would pick one quote out of each reading and post something. We'll see how it goes - cuz really - nothing ever turns out how I imagine (i.e. proposing to post twice a week - ha!).

From Anne Bogart's "A Director Prepares:"

"It's not about the right idea or even the right decision, rather it is about the quality of decisiveness."

I find it is much easier for me to be decisive when performing my own work, but much less decisive when directing others. Frankly, it's frightening to me - and maybe that's a good thing. Now I just need to enter into the unknown and start making stabs at what I'm thinking. To say or do "nothing" is to present "nothing."

Photo credit: Shawn Hodges

More Wine Please

Okay, things are getting pretty tense nowadays. I putzed around in Photoshop for a few minutes tonight before getting back to obligations. I can't wait for summer....

Wednesdays

"There is a force within that gives you life - Seek that.
In your body there lies a priceless jewel - Seek that.
Oh, wandering One,
if you are in search of the greatest treasure,
don't look outside.
Look within, and seek That."

- Rumi, was a Sufi Mystic & Poet.

I'm beginning to really enjoy Wednesday mornings. It has become a time NOT to do coursework, but to take care of myself. This can mean a nice long shower, stretching, yoga, catching up on watching videos, cleaning house or just being quiet and watching people walk down the sidewalk in front of my house. I wish I had more Wednesday mornings. One day.....

Video from Rehearsal with Chafin No. 1

Below is a video from the first rehearsal with Chafin. I started playing with in-camera editing and overlaying existing sound from other clips. I plan to continue working on interview-type clips and dance clips to see what I come up with in regards to "identity" related issues. While I call this project "gender in choreography," it's really all about identity. Gender just so happens to fall within it. I like where this is going.

Methinks I Had a Weekend

It's going on 1am, but I'm not my usually dogged-self at this hour. I had a pretty good weekend. I actually spent time with David! Aside from a few hours at Sullivant Hall for rehearsal Saturday, I hung out with my husband - go figure. It was a welcomed change.

Today I got some work done in preparation for the week. I still have a lot more to do, but I'm having faith that I'll find time for everything important. (I'm learning that NOT everything is important. I'm picking my own personal battles in other words.)

Here's the video I worked on today for the Media in Performance class.

Two Things

Quick blog for the week. I'm still struggling to find time for everything, including time to decompress. This morning I had to watch an episode of "Castle" on hulu.com for example just to zone out.

Two things I've discovered this week:

1. I must like working with video. I'll stay up for hours working on things I don't even end up using. But I like it.

2. My body isn't killing me anymore. I think the weather helps. I also think Karl's modern class works well for me. Rehearsals can get strenuous, but they're definitely manageable.

Below is a video I created for texture. (I'm not using it for its intended purpose - I might not use it all, but here it is.)

Spring is Helpful

Monday I wasn't able to blog because I used the morning to catch up from a busy weekend. I can't believe I was actually prepared for Monday night's class and Tuesday's Media in Performance class. I had two books to read in a week for these classes, reading responses to write, videos to shoot, etc. Monday night I stayed up until 3:30am mixing a video I didn't even show. But I had fun. And that's my point. I'm having fun, despite all the long hours and work. Spring is here and I'm optimistic!

This morning I started off with meditation and stretching, a little photography (see the pear tree below) and some reflection about how I'm going to get through another 12 hour school day.

(The picture of the Spring Buddha was taken by David.)

Lastly, here's the video of my latest solo, "Bear Traps and Other Impressions." I shot the video, then gathered still shots, then made it back into a video. Hmm. Could all my theory classes be getting to me, because this seems pretty deconstructive.

Now off to Karl Rogers's modern technique class!