Alternative Communication Project

This is a video clip from Dancing with the Stars Season 16 with Derek Hough, singer, actor, and dancer. His partner was the country singer and a t.v. personality Kellie Pickler. In this week they were assigned to do a freestyle, which isn't normally part of the show's style. This type of dance challenges their creativity and fluidity to work as a team.

I chose this specific dance for a reason that when I first watched this, it moved me in a way that no other dance has. The song was called "Beneath your Beautiful" by  Labrinth ft. Emilie Sande. I thought that they did a great job telling the story. On the first stanza of the song Kellie or the character she was portraying was hiding all of her emotions. It showed that she was afraid to let her guard down and let others know that she's broken. Her facial expressions shows that she is exhausted emotionally and mentally. Their transition was great, the part where the song goes.. "take it off, now girl.." I think their movements were perfect. After this part they were in sync this suggested that the guy now knows what she's doing, what she's feeling, and in the end she lets him carry her on his shoulder--literally and I feel that it wrapped the story just right.

The setting of the studio, the lightning, the choice of music, and their costume made such a great impact in order for the viewers to understand their message. When they were starting, notice how the lights were huddled behind them as if it was closed and trying to block something. They chose the right music for this dance to show vulnerability of the character. Also, to portray real life situation in which we trust one person with all our emotions and I think that the audience can relate to this.

When the audience is touched or moved by the performance, it only means that the medium was effective. The category of the dance was called "Super Sized Freestyle," whenever we think of SUPER SIZE we expect to see a big, huge, gigantic production but they did the opposite. The fact that they let the audience focus on the dancer, the music, and the message that they were trying to communicate was brilliant.

If this piece was written on a wall, on a paper, or a blog then it wouldn't have the same impact. Imagine reading, when chorus starts flip and rest your legs on your partner's chest and spin. Did you see it? Were you able to follow along? I didn't think so. It would be very hard to imagine such beautiful movements with just reading words and counting. I don't think that this dance would go along with any other music. Can you try playing an upbeat music while watching this video? It won't affect or move you in the same way.