Paint It Black Flashcards
Actions in paint it black
Some of the male dancer actions are quite self loathing. He circles his arms around and cuts across his stomach as if disembowelling himself
● The male dancer explores serpentine pathways by clasping his hands and sweeping them around
● The trios unison in their arm gestures is reminiscent of pop dancing suggesting a cold quality
● The trios smaller more precise actions contrast the male dancers larger more dramatic movements
Space in paint it black
The female trio enters at the back of the stage and remain there for most of the dance whilst the male soloist dances mostly down stage
● Trio dances is lines facing the audience
● When they dance in a quartet the female dancers often surround the male to assert their dominance and power
Dynamics in paint it black
● Sharpe dynamics reflect the beat of the music
● The movements get more energetic and increase in speed as the solo goes on
● The trio uses a slower dynamic for more precise actions
Relationships in paint it black
● The male dancer and the trio are kept very separate however when they do approach him it is in a predatory and provocative manner
● When the quartet dance together it is very aggressive
● When the trio dance together they are in perfect unison almost a clone of each other
● During the quartet the female dancers physically hold the male to control his movement
Set, props , costumes and lighting in paint it black
The male dancers costume is a bright red shirt with a purple tie, black trousers and jazz shoes
● The female dancer’s costume is a black high neck sleeveless short dress with black sheer tights and jazz shoes. The female dancers also wear a red scarf around their necks
● Plain black background with low lighting
Aural setting in paint it black
The male dancers depressive mood is supported by the the lyrics in the music
● The male dancers solo builds with more leaps and energetic movements as the music reaches a climax
● At the lyrics “look inside myself” the male dancer rolls on the floor in contractions which suggests some agonising self reflection
Dance style and choreographic style in paint it black
Bruce uses repetition and variation as choreographic devices to reflect the repeating lyrics and and driving rhythmic phrases of the song
● The trios hand gestures in unison are
reminiscent of social
pop dancing
● The male dancer uses
lots of balletic technique such as pile, attitude and arabesque but also gaham technique with the use of upper back bends and contractions
Themes in paint it black
Lack of self control is shown by the male dancer who often ends us rolling or contracting on the floor as if in his own world
● Manipulation is shown by the women who come in and control the male dancers movements.
● Self evaluation is seen in the lyrics and also the male dancers actions as he appears to react to the song and has a regretful and depressed appearance
Key motifs in paint it black
● Grooming actions at the end of the piece by the male - still crouched on the floor facing stage right the male dancer theatrically adjusts his tie. He then rises to a standing position and turns to face down stage. As he does this he runs his hands through his hair.
● Female dancers arm wraps - they step forward on their left legs facing the audience and bring their right legs in to be bent and turned in so that their weight is on the standing leg. Left arm is bent at the elbow and angled up above their shoulder whilst their right arm is bent at the elbow and angled down, fingers meet. The arms maintain the connection and loop around the female dancers head, as each arm is equal either side of their head they transfer weight to the left leg is bent
● Male dancers pile - he draws his right leg into fifth with a 90 degree turn to face the audience.the right arm circles above his head to join the left arm bent in front of his body with hands on top of each other. As the male dancer piles he tilts his arms to the right and then sharply left
