Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE DCS1010

 
TITLE Dance and the Camera 2

 
UM LEVEL 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Dance Studies

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit explores relationships between the body, choreography and technology through:

- Further study of the use of digital processes for recording and editing dance pieces for camera;
- Further study of live and recorded dance works, their histories and development;
- Collaborative processes involved in producing screen products;
- Explorations with fixed and moving cameras, designing space, shifts of perspective;
- Exploration of the moving body, and projections in performance;
- Functions of dance documentation in varied contexts.

Study-unit Aims

- To use understanding and knowledge of choreography and dance to create and direct movement within a cinematic context;
- To demonstrate some understanding of relationships between the body, choreography and technology, and of the ways the camera can limit, extend and develop in its relationship with Dance;
- To further explore digital technology/dance through the use of camera, projections, perspective, location and space;
- To study and analyse selected live and recorded dance works, their histories and development with exemplars;
- Independent and group research for choreography on and for the internet.

Learning Outcomes

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Demonstrate understanding of relationships between the body, choreography and digital technologies;
- Demonstrate techniques for conceiving,recording and editing material;
- Demonstrate understanding of the practice of filming/editing dance through the use of camera, projections, perspective, location and space;
- Explain selected live and recorded dance works, their histories and development with exemplars;
- Independent and group research for choreography on and for the internet.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Archieve expertise in the use of various technical apparatus necessary to realise the demands of production in live performance and/or recorded media;
- Produce work which demonstrates understanding of media forms and structures;
- Demonstrate openness to new ideas;
- Create in small groups short pieces (5 mins) specifically conceived for the camera, recorded, edited and posted on the internet.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings

Indicative Texts:

- Brannigan, E. 2011. Dancefilm: Choreography and the moving image, (New York: Oxford University Press)
- Blanco Borelli, M. 2014. The Oxford Handbook of Dance and the Popular Screen, (New York: Oxford University Press)
- Carver, G. and C. Beardon. (eds) 2004. New Visions in Performance: The Impact of Digital Technologies (Netherlands: Swets & Zeitlinger)
- Dixon, Steve. 2007. Digital Performance: a History of New Media in Theater, Dance, Performance Art, and Installation (Mass: MIT Press)
- Dinkla, S. and M. Leeker. 2002. Dance and Technology: moving towards media productions: Berlin: Alexander Verlag Berlin
- Dodds, Sherril. 2004. Dance on Screen (Palgrave)
- Giannachi, Gabriella. 2004. Virtual Theatres: an introduction (London: Routledge)
- McPherson, Katrina. 2006. Making Video Dance: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Dance for the Screen, (London: Routledge)
- Mitoma, J. 2003. Envisioning Dance on Film and Video (London: Routledge)
- Popat, Sita and S. Palmer. 2009. 'Dancing with Sprites and Robots' in Butterworth J and E Wildschut, (eds) (2009) Contemporary Choreography: a critical reader (London and NY: Routledge)
- Rosenberg, D. 2012. Screendance: Inscribing the Ephemeral Image, (New York: Oxford University Press)
- Rosenberg, D. 2015. The Oxford Handbook of Screendance Studies, (New York: Oxford University Press)

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-requisite Study-unit: DCS1009

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Practicum

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Logbook SEM2 Yes 30%
Project SEM2 Yes 70%

 
LECTURER/S Paula Guzzanti Ferrer
Margaret Jean Westby

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit