Culturama 2020 final

During this process, we faced several difficulties. For example, we have to change the position due to the safety distance policy, which makes it hard to change formations. Moreover, since we used a prop which is the fan, it is difficult to make the dance look nice overall. The time allowed for practice was also quite short, therefore we have to plan and arrange each session well. Here are some screenshots of our rehearsals and light plots. The positions have to be maintained due to the covid policy. Because of this policy, we had to collaborate and work together in order to incorporate the appropriate formation into the dance. During light plot, some of our formations do not follow the social distance policy, therefore we had to change some formations last minute. Also, since our dance is divided into three sections, we had to change into two sections. Originally we wanted to exchanged the prop and costume through blackout and transition, however, transitions are limited, therefore we have to find alternative ways. Luckily, the performance is recorded. This has given us the opportunity to change and swap props outside of the camera. It is a brand new experience when doing a performance under such a pandemic. Despite the challenges, we were still able to perform the whole piece under a stressful situation.

CAS reflection – dance showcase performance final refection

The overall experience was so memorable. It was definitely not easy to do four dances in total. The time needed to change and get ready was limited, and it was very stressful for me. However, I really appreciate this experience as it really brings me the memory of dancing in primary school. I used to do a lot of dancing in primary school and participated in various shows and performances. The time offered for us to change in between our dances was short as well, but this busy feeling makes me feel a sense of accomplishment. After so long I’m finally able to stand on stage again, it feels so nice to be back. There are definitely some struggles during the process, such as could not make it for some of the rehearsals due to the LoA, and trying to catch up with a new type of dance etc. I overcame this obstacles, and felt so proud and welcomed in each dance. The team work and vibe we had in our dances are so good, everyone is supportive and helpful. I remembered that during one light plot rehearsal I forgot to bring my costume so I asked if anyone have extra ones, people offered my help generously and it was absolutely amazing. I am very pleased by the final dance we showed to the audience.  I tried my best to attend to every session and showed commitment as much as possible, and I also found my value and identified my weaknesses through the process. I learned so many things from people and realised that everyone is talented.

CAS reflection – dance showcase development

When I first came up with the idea of choreographing a solo, I thought that using a sword might be a good idea as it fits well with the theme of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. However, although in Chinese dance sword is a commonly used element, but I have never learned about it before and I taught myself the techniques of using the sword. By learning something that I have never experienced before I explored my potentials and limit. Choreographing process was also hard because many incidents can happen during this process. For example, sometimes my photobooth wouldn’t work and I lost some of my footage when choreographing. I also had some hard time of did not catch the footage when I had a very nice inspiration. However, from this experienced, I got to know what is like to actually choreograph a piece and what are some of the potential problems that could occur.

During the winter holiday I went back to China, and unfortunately due to the covid 19 situation I couldn’t find a place to choreograph and was later on the LoA when I came back to Singapore, meaning I couldn’t choreograph for a while. This also developed my time managing skills as I have to make the best use of time to finish my whole piece within a couple of months.

Here are some videos of my choreographing process.

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1CCVipc4E24MCf5EXCK-A-P1tjrHgqIwb

 

 

CAS reflection – dance showcase

I auditioned for two dances, which are footloose and Chicago, and got in for both of them. Apart from theses two, I also decided to do a duet on a film that I really enjoyed called Five Feet Apart since this year’s theme is “A Night At The Movies”. Therefore I did not only get to experience choreographing a dance, but also joining a team ad dance with other people.

Both of “Footloose and “Chicago” are dances that I never tried before, so the experienced was remarkable for me. Footloose is a country side dance whereas Chicago is more jazzy.

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1CCVipc4E24MCf5EXCK-A-P1tjrHgqIwb

In the drive there are some videos of the practice of the dance. From recording it, I can spot where I need to improve on. Something thats also really challenging for me is that during this period, at one moment I on the LoA and missed out a few of the practices, however, I did learn from the videos the leaders has recorded and sent them my videos so they know I am catching up with their progress.

 

CAS reflection final – DJ club

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1CCVipc4E24MCf5EXCK-A-P1tjrHgqIwb

 

This is basically what I have achieved at the end of the session. From the two seasons of practicing, I had a basic understanding on when to cue the next track, and various ways to transit in to the next track. In this video, I learned how to use hot cues, which is a specific part of the whole track that you can cue to transit into. I also got more familiar with how to transit into the next track by finding the beat drop and using the mixer to lower the tone and etc.

Through doing this creativity, I achieved learning outcome 1 and learning outcome 2. I knew that music has always been a part that I’m lacking, and I have been trying to avoid challenges like. However, from doing DJ club, I developed a new skill although this is only the beginning of it. From not knowing anything about music to being able to transit smoothly from one track to another is definitely challenging to me. At first I was afraid of failing and was not as confident as I know this is my weakness. But as I practice, I started to get the fun of it and really enjoyed it. I also got to know the differences between the different genres of music as we practiced merging different types of music. I originally didn’t like to embrace stuff that I wasn’t familiar with, but after DJ club I started noticing myself listening to more music regardless of their genre. This is a big change for me as I used to be quite picky and is less likely to try out something new.

CAS – boxing final

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1CCVipc4E24MCf5EXCK-A-P1tjrHgqIwb

These are some videos that I filmed during boxing and can kind of reflect on what I have learned during the 2 seasons. For me, I believe that gaining strengths and increase my fitness is the biggest challenge for me as I only dance and that does not contribute to much of my upper body strengths. From boxing, I trained hard on my upper body strengths and also did many core training. This is definitely stepping out of my comfort zone as I don’t normally do these training, and it as hard for my to keep up at first, however after a few weeks I found myself getting used to the intensity of the training and has absolutely had some improvements. The process of getting used to the training was definitely not east for me, as many other people in the activity is already pretty proficient and I have to catch up with their pace, but I’m pretty sure that putting myself in a higher condition will stimulate myself to work harder. Through this activity, I also identified my personal strength as I am someone that has strong endurance. Even with these hardcore exercises I don’t easily give up and always tried my best.

I also partnered up with other people and we train each other. The experience in the change in roles (the one punching or the one holding the pads) was also new to me and I got to understand better in the mechanisms behind the punches as when you are holding the pads you experience differently from simply just punching. Sometimes we also need to plan our own combo with the partner, this also evokes some thinking so I don’t only copy the moves.