Unit 49: Developing Movement Skills

Self-Assessment

Name:
1 Excellent 2- Very Good3 -Good

4 -Satisfactory

Evidence Required

5 - Needs Improvement
1

Did you piece respond to the stimulus effectively?

How was this communicated in performance?
Gesture, Still Image, Abstract or realistic
movement, Freeze frame, transition.

Did you use appropriate techniques and physical

skills?
E.g. Contact work, Participation of whole body,
Strength, Extension, Elevation,
Rhythmic control, Spatial control, Dynamics,
Relationship to other Performers, Accuracy.

Identify what you did and how well you did it in

performance?
Jack and I made use of multiple movement
techniques to appropriately respond to the given
stimulus. We combined realistic movement and
sharp dynamics to present the aggressive nature
of the guards. We combined gesture and still
image to both poke fun at the prisoner and
humiliate him. By closely analysing what specific
movements the dancers used in the original
performance of Swansong, we were inspired
and therefore responded well to the stimulus.

I believe the performance demonstrated my

technical and physical skills extremely well. I
trusted Jack as my partner and therefore our
contact work was fluent. We were asked to
switch places on the day of the performances,
and this tested our ability for adaptation of
spatial control. I believe we coped well. My
movement accuracy was clear throughout. In
addition to this, we experimented with a range of
dynamics to give a more interesting
performance. The guards moved with sharp and
softer dynamics, in order to manipulate the

Unit 49: Developing Movement Skills

Self-Assessment

Name:
prisoner, and I believe that our exploration
helped us to convey this juxtaposition in a clear
manner.

Did you use interpretive skills?

Focus, Projection, Energy, Stillness, timing,
emphasis, dynamics, facial and bodily expression,
tension.

Did you perform confidently with strong physical

skills? Did you communicate the
mood and intention of the piece using
characterisation and/or expression?

I maintained a good level of focus throughout the

performance. This was demonstrative through
my energy and projection on stage. Jack and I
conveyed tension in our bodies well. This helped
to present the hard nature of the guards. We
had good timing throughout the piece, with no
pauses or hiccups along the way. We could have
emphasised movements more, for example on
the second repetition of the tap sequence it
should be even more impressive than the first
time round. Despite this, our energy was still
good enough to give an entertaining
performance. I just believe that it is always
possible to up it.

I am extremely proud of my performance, as I

believe it was performed with convincing
confidence. As an actor, I find it relatively easy to
manipulate my facial expressions on stage in
relation to my given character. Whilst the guards

Unit 49: Developing Movement Skills

Self-Assessment

Name:
do engage in light-hearted taunting of the
prisoner, it does eventually progress to
something much more sinister. I believe my
characterisation with the use of facial expression
and sharp gesture helped to portray this well. I
think that my characterisation and stage
presence is what aids me to much during a
performance, so I am proud of how I used these
skills.

What are your targets for future improvement in these areas?

Putting 110% effort into all my movements on stage, to give that extra spark and make them much more dynamic.
By having the extra boost of liveliness on stage, I believe that the audience may feel much more engaged. Although I
may feel I am giving it my all, by making sure every arm is extended and every toe is pointed, it will add an extra
flourish to a good performance, to make it excellent.
I accidentally missed out the first *shuffle ball change* at the end of the piece during our call and response section. I
need to remember smaller details like these throughout the performance. However, I didnt let this miniscule mistake
become visible for the audience, as I just continued as normal without breaking character.
I would like to work on my technique in dance, as I believe that is probably the main thing that is holding me back in
terms of progression. For example, I have begun to stretch daily to improve my overall flexibility and get my splits. I

Unit 49: Developing Movement Skills

Self-Assessment

Name:
am going to do my gym induction and get back into the swing of cardio and weight lifting to bring back my stamina to
a high level.