September 14, 2018
I sent Kenneth the idea of using Edgar Allen Poe’s poem “Alone” as inspiration for a collaborative project and he agreed to compose music for the project. We decided to meet on 9/14 to discuss the project.
We were both unsure of whether to pursue a staged performance or a film, but ultimately decided on the film. As no filmmakers expressed interest, I will plan to film a dancer and work on editing the film. The possibility of a later staged performance is still out there.
We discussed the concept of loneliness as to whether it will be a dancer completely alone or a dancer “alone” amongst many. For now, the plan is mostly a solo dancer but I have it in mind to film a contact improv session with the dancer off to the side dancing alone if I can find a group who would give me permission to film. We do not know if this will work. Other spaces with lots of people become difficult due to filming permissions and filming permits, although I think that UB can be filmed as it is a public space.
We also discussed abstract soundscapes vs. real-life soundscapes and will likely utilize both in the piece. We plan to wait on the voice overs until closer to the end of the project.
The very next step is for me to film isolated locations that I plan to use in the film with a dancer. This footage could be useful if we decide to put on a live performance in the future. I will send Kenneth the footage edited together (just long still shots so should be able to complete in a week) and he will use the footage to generate a general soundscape.
I’ll also need to find a dancer willing to work on location and will need to work on some choreography that works with the concept of not fitting in/loneliness.
My plan for choreography at the moment is to come up with a 5 minute solo that I’ll have the dancer perform in each location. I will also need other shots of the dancer in stillness or in motion that are more pedestrian.
One location I am definitely going to use is Lasalle park . The stage there is open and the park is often empty. The park with the numbers in Outer Harbor might be nice, as well, although it is a more popular spot. Love Canal can be used again – there are so many good places to film there and is very empty most of the time. A contact improv class would be ideal but will need various permissions, I’m sure. There is the Brutalist building on the water, but may be difficult to get good footage, but perhaps early in the day? A good stairwell might work, too. Also, the bike path at UB should be quiet enough to film.
Mary C. Schnepf 