The Price is Right

I have always loved the price is right, ever since I was a small child. I found an episode that aired on June 29, 1977. On observing the models I noticed that they seemed to float if they moved. They would present the item with outstretched arms and open hands. Their arms and wrists had a fluid movement to them when they would present an item. The models touched the product as well showing off all they possibly could without picking up the item and moving it. Their facial expressions showed that the product was giving them "happiness" or "pleasure" but it was obvious that they were insincere.

The models as a whole were physically appealing but they were nothing more than an extension of the product and didn't feel like real human beings. As Tatum put it, they were like live mannequins. Nothing more.

Presence Excersice

I've done something similar to this before, this whole playing with one's presence in a space. It's rather fascinating and rather easy to do if you know what people pay attention to. It allows one to separate from the situation at hand when things get tight or redirect attention from someone else. This really only works, though, on those not overly aware of their surroundings. Some people just take in everything and, while you attempt to command their attention, they will continue to include others in their focus as well.

The price is right models

I have never watched an episode of the price is right before. I wanted to do this right so I found an episode from 1975. Why is everything so cheesy!?

I cringed at everything because it was all just so cheesy and tacky...including the models!
Yes I realize the time gap has a lot to do with why everything is outdated and funny looking, but the cheese in the 70's episodes is all too real.

I observed that the models served as live mannequins, posing in a very stereotypical advertising way. They posed to sell, no question about it. And those ridiculous red dresses and nude high heels made their movement a bit awkward. Ultimately they used over exaggerated and over the top movements. Needless to say I was embarrassed for everyone.

Quote/s of the Week

Okay kids, this is going to be a thing from now on, K?   ~Prof. Jenn

"Feel free to hang on to your thighs for dear life."

....I've forgotten the second one. What was it??

Creative Movement Questions

Range of Movement:

A range in movement, be it physical, emotional, and/or mental, is limited by personal image, fear, physical or energetic blockage and ignorance. Movement of any kind can is restricted by our thoughts, be they rational or not. Having a range of movement physically means that you have the ability to move in different ways to different extents; i.e. being able to do the splits compared to not being able to stand on your hands. A range of movement emotionally means being able to flow from one emotion to the next through the amount of emotions a person knows. If they do not know it, it’s not within their range. A range of movement mentally isn’t as clean cut as the other two. This is partially to do with intelligence as well as how quickly one reacts. Even then, a range mentally is merely how open minded one is to new things. To aid in gaining a larger range of movement, one just needs to be open minded and patient. After all, one does not learn how to do the splits in one night. It takes time to condition the muscles to relax and stretch that far.

Seeing Others:

This question set itself is subjective to who you are talking about. To watch another, though, it may take a while to depict just how they move. Some will have restricted movement in their shoulders or back if they have a bit of stress in their life. Some may walk in brisk, sharp motions instead of the fluidity the body is designed for because they are scared or are in a hurry. Any sort of negativity in one’s thoughts, words, and environment only contribute more and more to the restriction of movement. The pain one feels that contributes to the lack of motion is not always the problem nor where the problem is. To increase movement, one is to slow down and relax.

Relating to Others:

If I am myself, if I am truly me, and am simply content with the world, I move freely through the world. This allows others to see and understand what it is like to have fewer cares in the world and to open up to a wider range of motion. To “meet” varies from culture to culture. In America, it’s a hand shake, a nod of the head, or even a hug. There are many things one can depict from a hand shake. A firm hand shake means confident. Too powerful of a hand shake could mean over compensating, nerves, or a lack of self awareness. A flimsy hand shake where it seems you’re shaking fingers could be pretentious to nerves to even a dislike of actual human contact. To produce distance from moving could be actually putting distance between one’s self and another. It could also be created by how one sits or stands. If the body is angled away from the person one is conversing with, this creates a distance for various reasons. Same for sitting. If the body is turned away, this creates distance. There’s also crossing of the legs or arms that creates a barrier between the conversers. A hand over the lips means that the person is holding back something they want to say. The higher up someone is grasping their arm, the more nervous they are. A tapping toe can be impatience or nerves, same with tapping fingers. Being hunched over or hunched inward will also create a closed off, withdrawn effect.

Range of Movement

Range of movement to me consists of all three of the aspects of being physical emotional and mental. Movement is limited by conditioning of individual much like a runner is limited by physical conditioning, range of movement needs to be pushed and built up by the individual. The best way to experience “being” is to practice or train oneself to push to new limits.

Scottieg

Welcome to another fabulous semester of Stage Movement! We will begin to post our reading responses here again starting next week, and I'm so excited I will post this video of a not-so-famous virtuoso movement-centered clown, in anticipation of our future clowning unit. Enjoy, and again, welcome to class! ~Prof. Jenn