Rules of PLUCK

Last weekend (Easter weekend) the company was in Columbus with me, a pleasure to rehearse in the OSU Dance studios and enjoy each other in real time in a real space (as opposed to our regular skype rehearsal dates). After discussing the rehearsal process with each other, faculty, and feedbackers, we came up with a list of "rules" and "only in skype-land" facts that must exist in the work when we are rehearsing live with each other, to keep the consistency and feel of the doing and making and rehearsing on skype. Of course there are many questions as well in this process for this particular work - questions we continue to individually or collectively embrace and tackle from week to week.

The Rules of PLUCK:
1. Space (or spacing) is addressed in relationship to each other as opposed to where the relationship happens in the physical space.
2. Seeing and not seeing - making choices by what is in frame and what is not.
3. Dance as seen through a lens (remembering the loss of depth on video feels like flat layers through the lens).
4. Usage of physical/emotional states rather than characters.

Technology Set-up:
Erin at OSU Studio 5 - desktop computer, high speed internet wireless, camera, projector for computer screen image, microphone
TMA at Outerspace, Chicago - laptop computer, high speed internet aircard, HD webcam, projector for computer screen image, speakers plugged into computer

The Facts of Skype:
1. Shifting in heightened senses - hear and see most radically different (rather then touch and sense)
2. Enhanced sounds levels = need for clarity of language
3. Imprecise/Indirect movement happens when watching and learning movement = adjusting through use of time and language and landmarks in the room for facings

Questions of this particular work:
1. Transitions?
2. Resolving scenes?
3. Continuation or fragmentation?
4. Disordered order?
5. Continual need to see states of being rather than subtleties/relationship development? Due to skype or just this particular work?

Interestingly enough, I was in Chicago this past week and I realized, when reviewing footage from the OSU rehearsals, that I had broken some of these rules. These were areas I had to address and change in Chicago. So the give and take continues, this manner of dancemaking continues to force us to find the balance of working how we do with working in new ways online. Biggest lesson so far throughout this process: remembering to rehearse in the circumstances of the moment.