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The Film is the Dance: A Webinar on Approaching Dance-Film With a Filmic Orientation
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Dance artists and filmmakers seeking to understand the filmic approach to dance-film.
TL;DR
Mitchell Rose, a dance film professor, argues that dance film is fundamentally film, not dance on film. He shares his journey from choreography to filmmaking, emphasizing the need for filmic thinking over dance-centric approaches. Using examples and audience interaction, he challenges viewers to reframe their perspective.
Key Takeaways
- Dance film is fundamentally a film form, not a dance form, requiring filmic thinking rather than stage-based choreographic conventions.
- Approaching dance film with a 'beginner's mind'—free from established dance norms—can lead to more authentic and innovative creative work.
- Art is defined by intentionality and the framing of a piece of life as 'hyper life,' which demands heightened awareness and interpretation from the audience.
- Stage-based dance thinking—fixed bodies, linear time, and proscenium framing—limits the cinematic potential of dance film.
- Film offers unique tools like variable distance, intimate close-ups, and non-linear editing that transform how movement is perceived and experienced.
- The audience's role as active meaning-makers is central to art; even random words can evoke deep personal interpretation when framed as art.
- A filmmaker's dual background in dance and cinema provides a distinctive perspective that bridges embodied movement with visual storytelling.
In This Video
- 00:00Introduction and Background
Mitchell Roe introduces himself and shares his journey from dance to filmmaking.
- 04:25Dance Film as Film
Roe argues dance film is film, not dance, requiring filmic thinking.
- 06:21What Is Dance and Art?
He explores definitions of dance and art, emphasizing intentionality and framing.
- 09:03Art as Hyper Life
Art frames life, demanding special attention and personal interpretation from viewers.
- 11:58Filmic vs. Dance Thinking
Film offers variable perspectives, sizes, and intimacy unlike stage dance conventions.
Questions & Answers
What is dance film?
Dance film is film, not just dance on film. It requires film thinking, using camera and editing to create a new art form.
How to approach dance filmmaking?
Approach dance film with a filmic orientation, not dance thinking. Use film techniques like close-ups, editing, and varied perspectives.
What is the difference between dance and dance film?
Dance is live, ephemeral, and viewed from a fixed perspective. Dance film uses camera movement, editing, and framing to create a cinematic experience.
How did Mitchell Roe start in dance film?
After a career in dance and film, he attended a UCLA dance media fellowship, which led to commissions and teaching dance filmmaking.
What is the 'beginner's mind' in art?
Beginner's mind means approaching art without preconceived conventions, allowing creativity to come from personal experience.
Why is intentionality important in art?
Intentionality differentiates art from random stuff. The artist declares, 'I made this special thing to be considered in a special way.'
Key Terms
- Filmic orientation — Approaching dance film with film thinking, using camera and editing as primary tools.
- Dance thinking — A mindset that views dance as live performance with fixed perspectives and continuous time.
- Hyper life — Art framed as special, demanding heightened awareness and interpretation from the viewer.