Video Blog

The Dream
Choreographed by: Frederick Ashton

Between the two videos we watched in class, "The Dream" was the best one to me. I liked bw it told a clear vivid love story with ballet movements. I noticed in the video that most of the mibes were based off of the moves we learn in class just with a little expertise added on to it. My favorite move in the video was when the ballerina did a full 360 turn on one foot. Inwas also amazed at how most of the horse's movements were done on its toes. I know that took alot of hard work and practice. In ballet, I know that having your toes poimted is a serious thing and must be done in every step, but what wss mind blowing was when Titania went to sleep under the tree she had her toes pointed in her sleep. I wonder if it's just a habit for her or if she really had to have her toes pointed. Overall the movie and concept was great, I loved every moment of it and the little "Love Angel" character added a some funny moments to the show.


La Vivan Diere
Choreographed by: Arthur St.Leon

This video didn't have a story line to it. It was simply just like a dance concert. I notived though, that each dancer's personality was expressed while they were on stage. The energy and passion for dance was clear. They all looked like they were having fun. In this video k also saw basic hands and foot positons, and most importantly I saw numerous amounts of "plies" the dancers executed before certain steps. One other thing that stood out to me for this video, was the bottom half of the dresses because it reminded me of a tutu and I know back in the days ballerinas and tutus were very much related.

Beginning Ballet Blog #3

Beginning Ballet Terms 

Blog #3

Croise (with an accent over the "e): In this movement you cross your legs while your body is diagonal to the audience.  One of your legs at a time must be crossed in the front or back of the other leg.

Efface (with an accent over the last "e"): For this position, you stand at a diagonal to the audience so that a part of your body is to the back of you, basically almost hidden.  

  

Ecarte (with an accent over the last "e"): For this position, the dancer faces a diagonal at either one of the two corners of the room.You will then take your leg that is closer to the audience and keep it pointed or raised to second position while you hold your torso perpendicular. Your raised arm is determined by which leg you have extended out. You then slightly raise and turn your head toward your raised arm, so you look into the palm of your hands.  

  

Balance (with an accent over the last "e"): This position is basically all about keeping your balance. With your right foot in fifth position in front, you demi-plie, and then degage the right foot to the second position and jump on it lightly into a demi-plie, crossing the left foot behind the right ankle, With your head and arms to the right of your body, you then step on the left demi-pointe behind the right foot, slightly lifting the right foot off the ground, then land on your right foot again in a demi-plie.  

Glissade: For this position, you glide your right foot along the floor. Your left foot, then pushes away from the floor (a small leap) so that both knees are straight ad both feet are strongly pointed for a moment. You then shift your weight to the right foot with a fondu.  

Pas De Bourree: (with an accent over the first to the last "e"): Simple back side front movement. With your left foot pointed behind your right foot that is turned out, you then step out with your feet in second position and then you placed your right foot (pointed) behind your left foot with it being turned out.  

Positions of the Arms

Preparatory: The arms are slightly rounded, and held at the side so that your fingertips are just slightly touching your thighs.   

 

First Position: You form a circle with your hands in front of you, by extending the muscles in your back.  

  

Second Position: Your arms are simply extended out, still using your muscle in your back.  

 

Third Position: You simply move one arm up so that the palm of your raised hand is over your head, while your other arm is still extended out. 

 

Fourth Position: It's really similar to the third position, you keep the arm up over your head but your other hand is curved in front of you. 

 

Fifth Position: Your two arms are raised with both palms curved over your head.