Detailed Skills Audit - Cop..y copy.docx

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1. Unit 2 – Developing Skills for Live Performance
Initial Skills Audit
1)Rate yourself (red, amber, green) as to how confident you feel using the following techniques and skills listed below. There is space for you to add any additional
skills you can think of that you may need to use as a performer at the end of your audit.
2)Write a comment about how well you can use each skill/when you have used them in the past, and then update this comment at the end of the unit.
CATEGORY SKILL R/A/G at
the
beginning
of the
course
COMMENTS R/A/G at the
end of the
course
Dance
Techniques
Movement AccuracyA At the beginning of this course my movement accuracy was there but could use improvement
this can be seen in my technical precision, for example my body alignment and timing weren't at
the standard I would like. This can be seen in when we first began practicing Hatters House, my
timing a rhythm was very off on the intricate footwork. However, this largely improved by the
time our showcase came round, and I found that my movement accuracy was more accurate and
developed.
G
Use of Space and
Relationships to
others
A During the start of this course my use of relationships with other dancers and the correct use of
space was there but could use improvement, for example as seen when I first began learning the
charge routine you must work closely with your opposing partner to ensure your working in time
together. To begin with I wasn't very confident with this, and it mean the dance began to look
messy. By the time the performance came round however my use of over exaggerating
movements and exploring the space and working closely with my other peers, my technique
looked more dynamic and clearer.
G
Use of Appropriate
Dance Styles e.g. Jazz,
Tap, Lyrical,
Contemporary
G I feel my ability to use appropriate dance styles was well developed at the beginning of the
course due to my previous work on developing skills outside of school and from GCSE period. This
means throughout learning choreography I had the ability to understand differentiation between
dance styles.
G
Characterisation in
Dance
R As a part of developing skills this was a big skill I aim to achieve before my exam as it plays an
important role in my performance skills especially in our Mad Hatters Tea Party piece where I'm
playing the white rabbit who has clear characteristics to represent his mental health disorder.
After performing as the white rabbit in our A Level performance I feel as though my
characterisation skills have largely improved from the beginning and is shown through small
movement qualities to express unique characteristics and facial expressions the white rabbit
portrayed in the original stage production by Kate Prince (Zoonation).
G

2. Response to
Choreography
R When beginning to learn choreography in hip hop, and house style I largely struggled as I'm
trained in ballet and contemporary dance which largely differs to a more dynamic style of dance. I
found that when learning choreography, it took me a long time to keep it in my muscle memory
as it was a style I wasn't used to and used different muscles I wouldn't usually use. However, in
response to my performance I feel as though I improved largely on my response to choreography
and that my performance looked stronger as I felt more confident with the moves I was
performing.
G
Character
Development
A At the start of the year my character development was weak within my performance skills as I
feel I didn't understand fully the message behind the choreography we were learning. For
example, my character development began to improve the more research I did on the white
rabbit and the message behind the performance of Mad Hatters Tea Party. By the end of this unit
I feel that my skill of character development has majorly improved due to the large amounts of
rehearsals I took part in.
G
Facial ExpressionsG During the early stages of A level, I had already developed from extracurricular activities and
GCSE the skill of facial expressions this made it easier for when we had to use this skill to aid our
characterisation in the performing aspect of this course.
G
Strength R This skill is something I came into A level lacking as i have never been very strong, I have an
understanding on how to improve my strength and whys its important, so I aim to improve this
by the time our performance comes round in April. In response to how I performed in the
showcase i believe that my strength as performed from drills within platies and yoga that we did
at the beginning of the year however I believe this could still be further improved in this such as
the control in my developes within the routine of ‘Charge’.
A
Stamina R My stamina is something I aim to want to improve by the time our showcase is. For example, our
Mad Hatters Tea Party has a long duration and is faced paced meaning there can't be a lack of
energy throughout. I believe I did keep a high level of energy throughout this piece however
there were moments where I feel I came out of character slightly to catch my breath.
A
Flexibility A I came into A level already with flexibility and I understand if I work hard at this skill my flexibility
will improve however as I already have the fundamental skills this isn't going to be a main point
of mine. I didn't end up improving this skill much buy the end of the unit as Charge and Mad
Hatters Tea Party doesn't require extensive levels of flexibility and acro so therefore I wasn't
intently exercising this skill.
A
Musicality A At the beginning of the course i have the fundamental skills of musicality however there is room
for this to be developed and improved. For example, in the choreography of charge musicality
plays a big role in the performance aspect of it as it helps to hit dynamics. When in my
performance i feel as though i did hit certain dynamics and showcase my musicality well but in
A

3. sections such as the ned part with the windmill arms I feel I could've improved this more.
Breathing R Breathing is a big part of dance as it helps movements flow, keep your grounded and helps with
balance. At the beginning this was something I largely needed to improve as I noticed in the first
rehearsal videos I was becoming out of breath and took breath in the wrong sections throwing
my dancing out of time. With work however in my final showcase my breathing has noticeably
improved, and my movements became more fluid, and it was easier for me to find my centre of
gravity.
G
Weight Placement A During the beginning of the year my placement of weight was noticeably incorrect especially in
the sections of hip-hop dance and a lot of this style is bent knees and a correct weight placement
to help with the groove when using movements in choreography. For example, in the dance Funk
It Up we use a lot of grooves in the choreography so it was important to me that my weight
placement was improved so that my dancing was more accurate, and I could easily rock back and
forth. In the end my hard work paid off and I correctly used my weight placement creating a
better understanding of the style hip hop dance.
G
Timing and Pace A At the start of the year my timing and pace was there but could have used improvement
especially in a dance style I wasn't familiar in. Hip hop closely follows the beats and off beats of
music, so it was important to me when going to perform Mad Hatters Tea Party that my timing
and pace was improved through the year. I effectively worked on this skill and managed to show
this in my performance.
G
Use of Space A Especially in the routine of charge the use of space is extremely important with all the formations
that are choregraphed into it and the over exaggerated movements that are intended to travel
through the dance space. In the beginning me and all my peers we are being too small with our
movements and hesitating on creating large dynamic dance steps however by the time the exam
came round I was effectively travelling throughout the space and moving as a team with other
peers.
G
Manipulation of Props
and set
R In the Mad Hatters Tea Party, we use a lot of props including, a table with teacups, flashlights,
chairs and stage extensions. At the start of beginning this piece we hadn't had much practice with
all the props so my understanding of use of props was weak but as we carried on rehearsing it
came together on the performance day. However, I feel as though this skill would've further
developed if we'd had longer practice with the stage extension.
A
Movement Memory A Within this unit it all about developing skills this is a skill i feel as though I was confident at when
going into the choreography but because we are doing hip hop which is a different style to what I
usually do I feel I didn't create a quick movement memory like I usually would. In the end
however I feel as though my performance reflected that I overall developed a good muscle
memory from practice.
G

4. Hip Hop
Dance
Technical
Features
Posture R My posture in the beginning of learning the hip hop dance style wasn't correct and therefore i
was given a lot of corrections in workshops and within rehearsals. However, with practice i began
to develop a more relaxed posture to fit with this style of dance.
G
Weight Placement A My weight placement in the beginning wasn't correct for this style of dance which relies heavily
on the fundamental groove therefore correct weight placement is important. By the time we
performed in our showcase I was able to demonstrate an understanding of weight placement.
G
Isolations A This style of dance uses many isolations, and I found when learning chorography especially for
Funk It Up that I had to improve my isolated movements to demonstrate good understanding of
the choreography. I already could demonstrate isolated movements as I previously have trained
in ISTD modern where there are exercises in isolations. When I performed, I saw an improvement
in my isolations, and they became more dynamic.
G
Popping & LockingR This is a skill I was unfamiliar with at the start of the unit and struggled throughout rehearsal to
understand how to perform the movement, I still feel as though in the showcase I could've
worked harder to develop this dance movement.
R
House R This dance style was something I was unfamiliar with at the beginning of the unit, and I feel as
though I have better understanding of it now, as worked hard as a group to develop this skill. By
the time our performance came round I had defiantly developed this skill, but I feel as though I
skill could better myself even further in the skill by more practice.
A
Dynamic Range:
impulse, impact,
speed, use of weight
R When I first began the unit, I was unsure on what dynamic range entailed however after
workshops with professionals who helped to explain the meaning behind this skill know have a
better understanding of it and feel as though when I performed in the showcase I was able to
move between sharp and soft movement when necessary.
G
Rhythm & Timing:
syncopation, accents,
cross phrasing,
polyrhythmic
R In the beginning of the unit my use of rhythm and timing had room for improvements and wasn't
something I had practiced much of but the choreography we are performing lot of relies on
consistent timing and rhythm meaning i had to practice a lot. When performing i feel as though I
correctly used accents, cross phrasing and polyrhythms.
G
Communication with
the audience
A This is a big part of performing; at the start of the unit, I focused a lot on working with my eye
contact with the audience and expressing emotions towards them to create an engaging show. I
effectively portrayed good communication with the audience in my showcase.
G
Energy A Energy is important especially in hip hop which is a lively style of dance requiring energetic
emotions. I already had the fundamental skills that showcase energy however I feel it could've
been improved. I carried on rehearsing, and I feel I performed my dances with a high level of
energy.
G
Breath Control A At the beginning my breath control lacked and this is an important skill needed in hip hop to
create a good groove and flow in the dance, with more rehearsing I did improve by the time the
A

5. exam came about but I still feel as though I could further improve this skill.
Focus A At the beginning of the unit because I struggled to pick up the choreography my focus wasn't at
the best I could do however the further I practiced my focus improved.
G
Understanding
Practitioners Work
R At the beginning of the unit, I had no understanding on the certain performances we are studying
however by the time my showcase was finished I had a great understanding of both the
choreographers and there works due to my research.
G
Contemporary
Dance
Technique
Contraction & ReleaseA Due to my precious training a the start of this unit I already had a understanding of this skill but
with further development and practice especially in the routine charge which uses many
contractions and realises. For example, when we look up to the sky. In my showcase I believe I
portrayed these skills efficiently.
G
Elevation A Elevation is used in our routine Charge many times especially in the jumps we do and high
releases that are choregraphed into the dance. In the beginning I hadn't fully used my skill to its
full potential however by the time the showcase came round I was effectively showing my
elevation in the specific sections necessary.
G
Spirals R This was something I didn't have any understanding of in the beginning of our unit and I feel I
slowly worked on the skill but because it wasn't a move required in the choreography of charge it
wasn't something I rehearsed. Therefore, I don't feel as though i could show an improvement
when in the performance.
A
Floor Work A Lots of our unit consisted of rehearsing floor sections within our contemporary routine charge.
For example, there's a section where we windmill our arms and move backwards onto the floor
this uses a lot of precision but in the performance, I managed to perform the floor work well.
G
Fall & Recovery A I had an understanding of the skill fall and recovery in the start of the unit however it needed
improvement. Through rehearsals I worked hard on the skill trying to develop it further, but I feel
as though in the performance I didn't show a great deal of improvement.
A
Suspension R I feel my skill of jumps and suspension wasn't the best as I could achieve so I worked hard on this
and by the time I performed my jumps had better suspension and elevation.
G
Use of Spine & TorsoA There are many moments throughout our Charge routine where we exaggerate backbends and
keep our torso fixed to perform certain movements. Whilst adjusting to choreography I wasn't
able to showcase a good level of understanding to the skill of my spine and torso however with
practice I pulled it off in the showcase and was proud of my development over the weeks
studying the unit.
G
Use of Feet G There are many moments in the routine of Charge where we releve and hold movements using
high levels of foot strength and from my previous ballet training this was something i had already
developed.
G
Posture A By posture need large improvement in the hip hop section of this unit however in the G

6. contemporary dance Charge not so much as this was more upright and technical, which is what
I'm used to. I overall adapted to the posture that was needed in the dance overtime but overall, I
feel that I effectively showed a good level of understanding of how my posture should present in
this certain dance.
Balance A Balance again was a skill I feel I already could showcase from my extensive ballet training
however with a more contemporary feel and adapting to working with other peers I continued to
develop, and I can see and improvement from our first rehearsal videos right up to the showcase.
G
Co-ordination A In the beginning I feel as though my coordination wasn't the best as the choreography used hard
formations that where not easy to grasp however with practice, I managed to have better
coordination within the dance as I could understand what was needed of me.
G
Flexibility A I don't feel as though over the course of this unit my flexibility level has changed as I haven't been
overly working on developing this skill, I just maintained a skill I already had achieved to some
extent.
A
Strength R This is a skill I lacked in the beginning of the unit and was something I really wanted to improve
however other skill factors became more important and, in the showcase, I feel as though I didn't
showcase any further development.
R
Stamina A This is a skill I struggled with at the beginning of the unit however when I kept on running
numbers with the other peers and was practicing in rehearsals by the time we performed our
pieces my stamina was improved.
G
Alignment A Alignment especially important in contemporary routines to ensure technical precision. In the
beginning I wasn't pulled up enough in the Charge routine, this was where we do a devlope and
our arms are in 4
th
on o. however in the exam this movement looked more precise.
G
Placement A Foot placement is important in this routine of charge especially in the section where we carefully
must place our footwork precisely for the formations to be correct. When performing due to
practice my foot placement was improved.
G
Expression A Our expression is important for the choreography Charge as we must present as emotionless
therefore, we can't show that were out of breath or struggling with movement otherwise our
expression will create an unrealistic representation. Where we performed, I showed a blank face
highlighting the correct representation.
G
Rhythmic AwarenessA Rhythmic awareness is extremely important in this dance as I create a more dynamic
performance. In the beginning it was a hard concept to grasp. However, with practice when
preforming it I feel as though the movements i hit where dynamic and accurate.
G
Musicality A Musicality is again an important factor within the Charge routine as we can hit the dynamics
better and it follows the original choreography. In the performance I feel that I did well
performing positive musicality.
G

7. Dynamics A Dynamics are extremely important in this dance as there are many dynamic differences from soft
and sharp movements. At first, I didn't show a good use of dynamics as I didn't understand the
dance fully. However, by the end I used good dynamics throughout my performance.
G
Understanding
Practitioners Work
R I didn't know anything about this chorographer in the beginning but with more research to
support the choreography and by the time I performed the dance I had a good understanding of
how the practitioner intend the choreography to be performed.
G