Unit 1 – Critical Appreciation of Dance Physical Setting GCSe Dance Unit 1 – Critical Appreciation of Dance Physical Setting

You need to… Be Organised! Be Prepared! Be Willing! Read the question carefully and always look at the number of marks for each question.

Approaching the Question Provide a short introduction linking to question Ensure for each work you correctly name the title of the work and the choreographer Give a short insight into the dance you are discussing to show understanding of the piece Clearly state the point you want to raise but make sure you explain/justify your point giving relevant detail about the costume Where possible provide evaluative points Take care on the structure of your essay

What you need to know about… Physical Setting Costume, Set Design, Lighting & Props

CONTIBUTIONS OF COSTUME Costumes DESCRIBE COSTUMES using these words … allowing and restricting movement, cost, formal, flow, line, size, weight, colour, texture, decoration. CONTIBUTIONS OF COSTUME Mood and Atmosphere Era Social setting Historical setting Sense of Place Sense of Time Event Location Character/Role Season Gender Groups of Dancers Status Theme of Dance

Physical Setting Points Remember the Magic List!

Physical Setting Points Describe Set, Lighting & Props Colour Shape Size & Location Style Texture Mood Other Considerations Cost Durability Ease of dancing Health and Safety Size of Space It’s really important to DESCRIBE the set, lighting and props in each example that you discuss

Physical Setting Points – Magic List Physical Setting Contributions Support the dance style Provide a context Provide a sense of reality Create interest Can replace dancer - support Time of day / Season Establishes mood Props help identify character Can provide a climax Setting the dance in an era Can provide exits and entrances Geographical location Creates social context Light/set can structure dance Props can inspire movement Lighting can highlight Set creates shape and levels Add texture Compliments other components Can clarify narrative Can show changes in time Add to the theme of the dance Add humor Add variety through set and lighting changes Always Remember to Include Examples

can you give examples from Nutcracker! By Matthew Bourne? Set/lighting helps create contrast Lighting establishes mood Set creates varied levels/platforms The set creates exits and entrances

Nutcracker! answers Set/lighting helps create contrast Lighting establishes mood Set creates varied levels/platforms The set creates exits and entrances The contrast between the dark colours in set and lighting of the workhouse and colour of Sweetieland The brightness and soft colours used create a magical and fun feel to Act 2 The wedding cake creates different levels for the dancers Dancers enter through doors in side flats, upstage window and mouth into Sweetieland

Swansong Christopher Bruce Defines Space Provides a sense of place Adds humour Adds to theme Contributes movement material

Swansong Examples Defines Space Provides a sense of place Add humour Contributes movement material - The shaft of light provides a narrow space in which the prisoner’s solos are performed - The stark set of a single chair hints at isolation and the dark edges of stage give impression of confined space - Use of hats and red nose add humour to the dance - The chair as part of the set acts as key part of the choreography as do the canes in the cane dance section

Example question Describe the physical setting of both professional dance works that you have studied. Physical setting in work 1: (2 marks) Physical setting in work 2: (2 marks)

Example question Compare the way the physical setting is used in both professional dance works that you have studied.(8 marks)

Answer Compare the way the physical setting is used in both professional dance works that you have studied. (8 marks) 1–2 marks for simple, descriptive responses, possibly with reference to only one work. Comparison, if attempted, is unclear or inaccurate. 3–5 marks for a more coherent response which includes some accurate comparison. 6–8 marks for well written, clear, coherent answers which demonstrate knowledge of the similarities and differences in usage of physical setting in the two works chosen. Examples may include: providing realistic/naturalistic setting, entrances/exits, space for focus on dancers, multiple settings, mood atmosphere, context – social, geographical, historical.

Example question Choose one of the professional dance works that you have studied and explain how effective you think the use of physical setting is. (3 marks) Name of piece ............................

How does the physical setting contribute to dance works? Give examples from your 2 professional dance works.