Selecting a Stimulus for your Choreography Choreography of a dance is your biggest piece of coursework, worth 25% of your final grade.

What is a Stimulus? A stimulus is the thing that creates the inspiration or theme for your dance. It could be: Aural - Musical Aural - Musical - Verbal (poem) - Verbal (poem) Kinaesthetic – the feeling of movement of the Kinaesthetic – the feeling of movement of the body body Ideational – an idea, concept or notion Ideational – an idea, concept or notion Visual – e.g. picture or sculpture Visual – e.g. picture or sculpture

How to Select a Stimulus 1. When you find something that you think could be an idea for a dance research it a little further. 2. Create a first mind map of any words that you can think of relating to the stimulus. If that is easy then it may have potential for further development. 3. Try to create a second, more detailed and specific mind map. IF THE MIND MAPS ARE HARD TO COMPLETE OR A BIT EMPTY, DON’T BE AFRAID TO BIN THAT STIMULUS AND TRY ANOTHER ONE.

1. Doing the Research Quite often 1 picture or an initial concept is not enough to create an entire dance. To help you expand upon your initial idea you need more information. For example: Find out more about the artist or poet and look at more of their work. Find out more about the artist or poet and look at more of their work. Read around the subject – maybe into the history or cultural influences. Read around the subject – maybe into the history or cultural influences.

2. Basic Mind Map Write down any words that you think of in relation to the stimulus. Write down any words that you think of in relation to the stimulus. Explain your stimulus or show it to other people and write down their responses too. Explain your stimulus or show it to other people and write down their responses too. When completed go back over the page and highlight any words that could be movement or shape related. When completed go back over the page and highlight any words that could be movement or shape related. REMEMBER IF YOU FIND THIS HARD YOU NEED TOTRY ANOTHER STIMULUS

3. Specific Mind Map Order your ideas and go into more detail under the following headings: Actions Actions  Motif 1  Motif 2 Possible ideas of what they could be based on  Motif 3 Space Space Relationships Relationships Dynamics Dynamics Climax Climax Choreographic Form Choreographic Form

Tips for Mind Mapping Everything you write must be there for a reason. It must all relate to the initial stimulus. As you write ideas think what and why. e.g. What dynamics? Why those dynamics?

Summer Holiday Homework Investigate at least 3 possible stimuli on the sheets provided showing the initial stimulus and your further research. Investigate at least 3 possible stimuli on the sheets provided showing the initial stimulus and your further research. When you find one that you think could be good enough for your choreography complete the A3 mind map sheet. When you find one that you think could be good enough for your choreography complete the A3 mind map sheet. You will start your choreography in September – this preparation must be handed in during your first dance lesson next term. You will start your choreography in September – this preparation must be handed in during your first dance lesson next term.