JC Works

Just something.

2009-11-05T17:27:00.000-08:00

Worth the watch . (:

Such is the Power of Dance

2009-06-01T06:33:00.001-07:00

Listen to the comments =)

Oh, and by the way, he got into the top 100 =). I have yet to watch further =)

Off the Rails

2009-06-01T03:19:00.001-07:00

Talk about variety, technique, time, levels and space 0.0

NO TALKING IN BALLET!

2008-12-22T07:02:00.001-08:00

Check this out, guys =)

Feeling Narcissistic?

2008-12-13T05:40:00.001-08:00

Boost it up even more! =)

Ballet Audition

2008-12-11T09:27:00.001-08:00

I thought that this was brilliant =)

Watch it till the end to know =)

Howdy!

2008-12-05T03:35:00.000-08:00

Just so that you guys can feed yourself with good technique, try youtubing

"Just for Kix How To"

It's an online tutorial for various ballet, contemporary, jazz and hip hop routines.

Great stuff!! =)

Chinese Ballet Circus pas de deux troupe du Guangdong

2008-11-22T03:45:00.001-08:00

A MUST WATCH, PEOPLE!! =)

This couple took 8 years to master this routine. Check out the balance and strength and flexibility!!!

*swoons...*drools...

of miming with hands...

2008-11-03T03:19:00.000-08:00

First Outing of The Year

2008-10-03T09:27:00.000-07:00

Well it's better late then never :D Our first outing of the year:

We are all weird...ahem...

A HUGE Thank You to the Ng sisters for being our host this time round :)

YWAM Brazil Workshop

2008-10-01T19:15:00.000-07:00

There were three parts to the workshop. Drama, Acrobatics and Dance. I really enjoyed the Acrobatics session. We learned how to do the handstand, somersault and cartwheels correctly; it wasn't even hard! Then they taught us how to do the pyramid, the stacks and two more stunts which i had never seen before so i don't really know what their called. Everyone had loads of fun. Sure, doing those stunts were scary, but because it was unfamiliar ground, just letting loose made it all the more enjoyable. We really had to be daring to try them. If you were just one bit hesitant, you could probably injure yourself and your partner while doing them. So that was one lesson that really stuck out for me. Anyways, I'll let the pictures and video do the talking. Enjoy!
The stacks! It's actually really easy and you can do it within, say a minute?
Unnamed stunt #1. You don't really need at super muscular guy as your base. James works fine if you ask me =D
This is how it's supposed to look like. Try imagining it without the two helpers =) it's actually pretty cool huh?Unnamed stunt #2. Well for this you definitely need a base with strong arms. (Jc Workers if you wanna try, ask Christina. She was my base!)
If you're a ballerina, you're probably flexible enough to do this =)

The stunts in this video are done by professionals. This video is not meant to coerce you into trying those stunts on your own, so don't!

All in all, this workshop really opened my eyes to different techniques and different stuff you can do with your body, and you don't even have to be good at it to start learning, because isn't that what learning is all about? I really hope that the next time, when we have this sort of workshop again, that more Jc Workers will attend and equip ourselves with knowledge of different forms of art. After all, we are a creative arts ministry!

BGR?

2008-09-30T07:29:00.000-07:00

So we need ideas, people!! Here are a few you've suggested:-

1. Salsa + Bollywood = Bomba - to Princes and Frogs by Superchick
2. Something to the theme song of Pink Panther
3. A play that is all lovey dovey at first but goes down the drain later

Anymore?

2008-09-21T06:47:00.000-07:00

Helo Workers for Christ!

So as you know Easter practices will start this week, here are the details again just in case you miss out on it:

Tuesday (23rd Sept) 8pm - 9.30pm @ Basement 3.

&

Saturday (27th Sept) 10.30am - 12pm @ Basement 2.

*Please be there 15 - 30 min before the given time*

What to prepare/bring:
1. Yourself
2. Water bottle with water in it
3. Good fitting non-revealing sports attire
4. Sports shoes
5. Smile, Excitement, Energy, Passion, Love of Christ :D

See you guys there!
Next up, small tiny update on our 1st JC Works outing of the year (next one would probably be in October).

Post Taken Off

2008-08-21T03:40:00.000-07:00

Just in case you're wondering. The last post was taken off due to some complications.

Sorry for the inconvenience caused!

POST, PEOPLE!

So dancing is really hard.

2008-08-13T05:51:00.000-07:00

I've been going for dance classes for a month now. I started out with just 2 classes a week. Now I've added on more classes and more genres.
I have to say I feel like a total beginner. It's not that I'm not doing the steps or catching up. It's that the instructor is light years ahead in terms of technique and style.
The more I think about it the more I realise I am totally a beginner! It's a great feeling. I've been taking Cha Cha1 & 2, Salsa1,2,3,4 and Hip Hop1&2.
I feel like I'm finally living the dream of taking classes and I don't care if I look like a beginner or if I never advance that much.
It also reminded me that we do what we do for God's glory. So we don't have training, it means that all the more glory goes to God. Michelle mentioned something to that effect at the end of her post. Please read it.

It also caused me to think back to all the performances that we've done that have impacted people and reaffirm that it was all God. All of it. Because as I looked at the mirror and realized my total lack of training,( not to mention I didn't seem that great at dancing anyway) it just showed me that it was God who was impacting people and not my talent. Our performances are mere mediums for something greater.

It's like when I look back @ myself dancing in wordless on DVD, I squirm and think "Oh my gosh, I wasn't hitting it @ all"
People's memories of that performance don't correlate to what I saw of myself on DVD. They remember being so moved.
Finally we do what we do in Unity. Unity in prayer, submission to God's purpose for this upcoming play and united to see people impacted. I encourage you to make yourself available, be a vessel and be willing to do what is asked of you using all your energy.

Encouragement

2008-08-10T06:33:00.000-07:00

I remembered this experience very well, just as if it happened just a while ago. It changed my life, and somehow, I hope that it'll have an imprint in yours as well. Hear me out.

This happened early in my Form 2 year. It was just like any other Sunday where I went to church with a kind of enthusiasm in my heart. One reason being the comfortable, familiar faces that I would meet. But little did I know, that Sunday was a Sunday that changed my life.

No, it was not the kind of incident where I may have tripped over the cliff of death. It was just a simple encounter with God. But the thing that made it different and life changing was the very fact that I encountered Him in a very personal way. Plus, it was my first time facing this kind of situation! This did not happen through a medium such as a cg leader or a pastor. He came to me by Himself! How cool is that?!

At that time, we were worshiping to the song, "Send Me". All I remembered was that I had my hands lifted high, and that I had an aching in my heart. I did not know what I was hurting for. But all I know is that I just did. Soon, tears began to stream down my face. I heard God so clear. And to this day, I can remember exactly what He said.

"Michelle, I am going to make this very words that you're singing come true"

That very same year, I joined JC Works. And let me tell you, (haha!) Darren was not easy on me. Thinking back, I realised the problem was that I was inserting the wrong genre into the actual genre we were dancing to. For example, when doing a strong, hip hop kick, I would do a ballet extension with my feet arched. Not cool.

Now, It came to a point where I thought that I was a failure. I was discouraged at times, but I manage to transfer these negative feelings into proactive works. I began to work harder. Extra hard, in fact. It came to a point where I could not walk down the stairs as my thighs ached so badly!

My technique improved, the audience noticed that. But I was happier about the fact that I am impacting lives through something so simple as dance! (and through something that I love dearly as well!)

I've conducted 2 workshops in Kulim so far. And I realised how Creative Perfomance can really break cultural and language barriers when I visited Cambodia. It started with a small group of kids who wanted to learn stomping. From there, we broke out into many more groups as the mission team started learning the steps and conducting 'classes' of their own! IT'S AMAZING!

BUT THAT'S NOT THE END!

This year, while I was sitting and thinking with my Econs notes on my lap, I told God, "If only Mummy sent me for ballet classes, I would be so much better than I am now!" (talk about ego). Right then and there, God said, "NO. If that happened, My work within you to show the world what I can do would not be that evident anymore. Your technique wouldn't have been through the talent I instilled in you, rather, it would have been developed through training".

I repented immediately, of course. But from there, I learned so much. I realised how far a person's availability work the works of God to be done. And I am proud the be used as His vessel for His glory. =)

Drama Tips

2008-08-04T20:37:00.000-07:00

Hola!

It's been a while since this site has been running. So I thought I'll start off something, hopefully the ball keeps rolling :) Don't forget, this site belongs to you too, so post away!

The other day I was helping the Varsity Camp 2008 committee to prepare for a skit for the Point of Difference Camp that's coming up end of this month. And there were 2 things that I was focusing on and I thought I would share them with you so that you could learn too.

Falling
Falling? Yes in the literal sense. This is one of the hardest things to do coz there's a high risk of injuring yourself. This needs a lot of practice, may I suggest you practice falling on your bed first :) Now if you want to fall, try to fall side ways instead of backwards/forward. It's safer and easier to "break the fall". Don't throw your entire weight completely as though flinging your body to the ground BUT do it in stages. Stages? Yes. Two stages I would say:

1. From a standing up position, come down to a 'side-sitting position'. Meaning one side of your thigh is resting flat on the floor and the other leg is semi stretched out.

2. You must support your upper body with both hands but you have to bend the elbows as you reach the ground. It's like the concept of physics when you jump from a high place, upon reaching the ground, you bend your knees. It's a way of absorbing the shock.

I hope that's clear, if you don't understand, ask me when you see me, I'll demostrate :)

Character Playing
A lot of people have difficulty in making a skit/drama look good because the character that they try to exude is not strong enough. You need to study the character well and find out how the person would think, act, say, behave, etc. After knowing the characters character, you have to channel that into your body language, that includes your facial expression, body posture, mannerisms, body actions, and your lines (dialogue).

One way in channeling the characters character into the physical body is to think of lines in your head. For example, you're a shoppaholic, there's a mega sale going on, you just entered the mall and you're excited. So to play her part, you need to know how a shoppaholic thinks:

- I need to buy things
- I need to splurge
- Everything is so cheap
- I need to get this and that before anyone else gets it
- Things never look this good (eyes sparkle in delight)
- It's all mine! All mine!!

So once we've established that, play those lines in your head as you act. So if I'm entering TopShop and I see this fabulous blouse, which is going off at 50% and there's a swamp of girls over there, what do you do?

You're playing this line in your head:
I need to buy that blouse, it's cheap, it looks fabulous, and I need to get it before they do1

Naturally your action would be:
Rush over and jam between all the girls and get what you came to get! You'll have that excited and frantic expression. You'll be slightly violent coz there's a crowd and you're forcing your way through to get the blouse, etc...

That's it. So next time when you're acting, throw lines in your head, it helps A LOT!

Pushing the boundaries

2008-07-17T06:18:00.000-07:00

As someone who dances, I like to push the boundaries of choreography. I don' like to settle for normal interpretations of words or feelings. I'm always thinking "Surely there is another way to express this particular word or this particular meaning"
Surely there is more to contemporary then having one look on your face. Surely there is more emotion then just looking serene and/serious.

The judges on SYTYCD always use the word commit. Performers who commit to a routine and who strive to embody the stories they are given just pulls you in. Commitment.

Desmond Richardson, recently choreographed a contemporary routine on Season 4's So You Think You Can Dance. It was brilliant.
Desmond himself I have learned is claimed to be one of the BEST contemporary dancers around today. I've seen a few of his clips and his choreography is certainly different and quirky and it embodies what I love to see in choreography.
Here is a clip I really enjoyed of Desmond Richardson and others dancing.

WATCH the us of tambourines! LOL tambourines are still cool people.

Things you could do

2008-07-15T02:25:00.000-07:00

Hey so I spent a little time sourcing creative arts events you might want to go to. It's good I think to see what people are doing out there. Plus it's exciting and provides an alternative to movies.

KL Fringe Festival

KL Fringe Festival 2008 is a smallish arts festival started by dr.zul(zubin mohamad) to develop and promote new works and ideas in the creative writing, theatre stage, dance performance, video and film, visual arts, installation, book publishing etc.

If you want clearer details go here

it ends on the 27th of July so there's still time if you want to go and have nothing else to do.

_________________________________________________________________

My Oriental Dance @ Actors Studio, Bangsar

Sirocco Secrets Dance School is proud to present its first student recital: “My Oriental Dance”

This is what they have to say, a little cheesy in my opinion, but hey you've got to write something right?
"The title conveys the recitals dual purpose; to celebrate the students personal achievement in learning to express themselves through the motion and movement of Middle Eastern Oriental Dance, hence the word “My”. Also, that belly dance may be Middle Eastern in origin, but now days it has changed and evolved to take its own style, following and movement in Malaysia: (MY)."

__________________________________________________________________
The Nutcracker

It's being performed @ KL pac from 6-7 September, apparently there are early bird prices.
Like so

PROMOTIONS:
Early Bird Promotion: RM100 / RM80 / RM60 / RM40 BEFORE 31 July 2008!

Worth visiting the website.

________________________________________________________________

Ismail: The Last Days

Taken from the site:

It is 1970. Malaysia is recovering from the violence of 1969 and stands at the threshold of forging a new national identity. Despite his own grave health condition, Tun Dr Ismail decides to return to the service of his country in the aftermath.

It's a musical and it sounds like it could be really interesting and tickets are way cheap for a musical @ both adult and student prices. So you know...go for it. It's a fictional take on a historical event. Sounds very dramatic but you know we should show our support for local talent and local production :)

__________________________________________________________________

And finally, Adult Ballet anyone?

Aurora Dance School

It's in Subang Jaya and it's a 150 ringgit for 8 lessons. which is like RM 18 per lesson for an hour. That's pretty good I reckon
It commences in August and I think it's worth a shot la. How many places in KL offer lessons for teens and/adults in Ballet? Plus it's for beginners so everyone will be new at it.

31 Jalan SS18/1B
Subang Jaya
Tel/Fax: 03 56343914 / 6984
Mobile: 016 3110349 / 3110249
Email : auroraballet@hotmail.com
BEGINNER'S ADULT BALLET COURSE
Time: 6.30 - 7.30 pm
Day: Thursday
Fees: Rm150 for 8 lessons

You should check out the Kaki Seni website more often if you have the chance. That's where I got all the info from. *Phew* that's quite a few things. You know even if you don't go to any of these, at least be aware that there are so many arts events happening in KL and we should support that.

SYTYCD3 - TOP 10 - THE MOMENT I SAID IT - IMOGEN HEAP

2008-06-25T20:33:00.001-07:00

check this out! think black dance! it's awesome!! =)

Good reminder, simple but good

2008-05-22T06:59:00.001-07:00

2 minutes of Toby Mac (1/3 of dctalk) talking about being a Christian

Inspiring Dance Quotes

2008-05-20T04:24:00.000-07:00

"Dancers are the athletes of God." ~Albert Einstein

The Dancer believes that his art has something to say which cannot be expressed in words or in any other way than by dancing... there are times when the simple dignity of movement can fulfill the function of a volume of words. There are movements which impinge upon the nerves with a strength that is incomparable, for movement has power to stir the senses and emotions, unique in itself. This is the dancer's justification for being, and his reason for searching further for deeper aspects of his art." ~Doris Humphrey, 1937

"Then come the lights shining on you from above. You are a performer. You forget all you learned, the process of technique, the fear, the pain, you even forget who you are you become one with the music, the lights, indeed one with the dance." ~Shirley Maclaine

Dance is the poetic baring of the soul through motion. ~ Scott Nilsson

Dance to express, not to impress - unknown

Freaking Good Vids people

2008-05-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

Ah the songs rock people...aahhhh!!!!

Kirk Franklin-Stomp

haha quite honestly I can't relate culturally...still it's quite cool

and this song is really good as well, the dancing is pretty fun. the main point is that it's inspiring. my fav lyric "We representing Jesus we don't do them -something?- we don't we don't wiggle our booties, we don't shake our hips"

Get That

I'm someone who enjoys hip/hop R&B, funk, so this is great

Anyway as always a random note-God's word is ultimate, let's check ourselves in everything k?
:)

Stuff to think about

2008-05-11T06:36:00.000-07:00

So like (sorry for the bimbo mood) really good posting so far people, it's good to see that kind of support ya. I think Darren's latest post is good stuff! So i think this post of mine will sort of be from the heart la. LOL don't worry it won't be emo.
So anyway, one of the things that I find is great to do is to educate yourself in the arts! Now is the opportune time because you are a student. Yes it seems like you have no time and I've bet you've heard this before; once you start working there's even less time.

So awesome videos are great and stuff, but also general knowledge on a variety of issues pertaining to on stage and off stage. Michelle your studies in LAW may benefit you in arts, and of course Darren's expertise in Music is a direct benefit to the arts and whatever you are learning in school history, english is able to benefit your creative mind!
Your hobbies, your favourite tv show, fav music all contributes to a drama you're trying to put together or a dance you're trying to choreograph or drawings, any form of art!

So I encourage you to enrich your minds in knowledge.
Something I do which helps me envision acting and dancing is the different types of music that I listen to. For example

Micheal Buble makes me imagine this

and if I was asked to come up with the skit, this image in my head would be my character reference and I'd roughly know how the characters in my skit would talk, walk. How their hair would be. etc If it was a dance I know what it would look like. and that helps!

and Switchfoot makes me imagine this

someone with a casual feel to him/her. so how would they act or dance? or paint even?

and if I was listening to Colbie Caillat I'd imagine this
and you know same thing, how would her music make you dance or act or paint? what will come to your mind!

Finally, when you think about creating a play in church or a dance or whatever la really, what does the music say to you? What does the story make you imagine? and start moving! for dancers challenge the norm of what you know to be contemporary dancing in church! explore, experiment and let the overwhelming feeling you get (when listening to that awesome piece of music) move you. literally.
now jcworks ISN'T a dance troop, it's performing arts! so explore what you can do for events. and music isn't just for dance either! so get excited and if you have ideas share it!!! I know that "Wordless 2" is a big production! but keep those ideas! if you want to come up with something ask! be pro-active guys! :)

And another important thing which is totally random, your 1st ministry is your family. I strongly believe in that, and the senior pastor of the church I attend here just reminded us of the same thing. So I urge you to minister to your family creatively k?I need to do that too.

toodles

Kinds of Stage

2008-05-09T20:42:00.000-07:00

There are a few kind of theatrical stages that we should know:

1. Proscenium [proh-see-nee-uh m]

This stage is the typical one, whereby, the stage is in front of the audience. It's either the stage is higher than the audience (i.e. MPO or FGA's L5/ Main Sanc) or the seats slope down to the stage (i.e. any auditoriums or KL PAC or Genting International Showroom).

2. Thrust

Now a thrust is when the stage is surrounded by 3-sides of audience. Example as below:

Ceh wah got picture all :p It's something like those Fashion Shows but those are called Runways coz it's not a theatrical performance. Ok moving on...

3. In The Round

It's when the audience surrounds the stage completely. I think it doesn't matter if the stage is whatever shape as long as it's surrounded like the sea around an island. Example, The Corrs Unplugged Concert (even though it's not a theatrical performance but you get the idea) recorded live at Ardmore Studios, Co. Wicklow, Ireland (1999).

4. Black Box

Now this one is interesting. The venue where the performance is held, is literally rectangular shaped and painted in black. It's really like entering a giant black box! There are no fixed seating. That means you configure the audience according to the stage set up. The ONLY Black Box that I know of and have been there is The Actors Studio, Bangsar.

I think there are other kinds of stages but this 4 are the more common ones. Hope this has been knowledgeable for you. Feel free to discuss and comment on everything that's been posted on this site. It'll be good for us to learn together :) Let's make this blog happening!

robot dance

2008-05-03T07:34:00.000-07:00

a french guy (i think) named wrong, i.e. Salah doing a robot dance

Mime Study

2008-05-02T09:01:00.000-07:00

Hey!
Finally, something more of the drama for once!
*Note: JC Works is NOT a dance troup!*
Check out this vid. Good stuff to learn from these kids.

Info:
Classical French Mime. World renowned mime artist, Marcel Marceaux, developed this style of mime. IT is fresh, exciting and convincing. The student will learn how to communicate with their bodies. Corporeal mim will be the basis for this class. Vignettes will be studied and performed. Time will be given to stage make-up and costuming. This class is vital to those in dance or drama as 80% of communication in non-verbal.

2008-04-27T09:29:00.001-07:00

If you want to talk about strength and control, see below. It's as though the video is on Fast Forward every few beats.

Announcement

2008-04-22T20:30:00.000-07:00

Hey JC Workers. 2 things:

1. Why some of you have not signed up for the Christmas Production??

2. Christmas Audition:

Date: 26th April 2008
Venue: L3 Main Hall
Registration: 8.15am
Briefing and Audition: 9am

Don't be late. Remember to get yourself ready for this Sat :) Wear proper attire, make sure everything is secure, no slippers, and bring water. Any questions, you know where to contact me. All the best!

Amazing Dancer

2008-04-18T22:05:00.000-07:00

Hey this is Natalia Osipova. she's a classical trained dancer from The State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia. She is just 16 in this video now she's abot 22. Although a heavily classical trained dancer, this particular piece was choreographed by a modern dance choreographer. The combination of modern choreography and her classical training is great.
How I found her:
I was watching a documentary on the Bolshoi Academy, and I went to Youtube to see if I could find the doco. Unfortunately her dance is in three seperate vids. She is now an accomplished ballet dancer. Watch her expressions.

The amazing thing is that the documentary was made years ago with little focus on Natalia, she hadn't even graduated. but if you google her name, she's obviously come a long way since then. Amazing.

2008-04-08T00:14:00.001-07:00

There is this bunch of people who do all kinds of crazy things, it's like art forms but in a very different way. This is an example, they got 200 over people to freeze in position at Grand Central Station (train station in New York). Talk about being creative and out of this world.

Great dance photography

2008-03-25T06:13:00.000-07:00

I discovered Lois Greenfield's web page about 2 years ago. Her photos of dancers and gymnasts are exceptional and very creative. Have a browse through the different sections of photos. My personal favourites are airborne and breaking bounds

http://www.loisgreenfield.com/index.html

Click away. Looking at images you've never looked at before can both inspire and bring out creativity in any art form. i.e: writing, dancing, acting, music. Whatever.

Different images evoke different emotions which is important to take note of. Often times ballet dancers take hip hop classes or other contemporary classes, (you all watched centre stage I presume or Step Up 1 & 2) the thing is, trying out a variety of arts enhances your performance and understanding of art as a whole

Most of all remember that God is the source and there is no limit to things that he can do through you, most of us have never taken dance/theatre lessons and that's fine, in fact all the more glory goes to God, because in spite of our lack of training lives are saved and people are touched.

And finally go here, to read an excerpt from Bruce Wilkinson's Dream Giver (also author of The Prayer of Jabez) awesome stuff.

love

Joey

Performance Tips

2008-03-22T07:06:00.000-07:00

An excerpt from Rhythm Stylus, good tip:

'Taking it from the aspect of dance, some people just look so good doing certain movements and it all boils down to noticing and adding the details. A little angle change or adding a certain attitude is all you need to carry off the style and movements. Applications of observations.'

2008-03-19T11:21:00.001-07:00

Have you heard of the Alpha Course? It's like Bible Class, exploring Christian issues. They are now launching the Youth Alpha Course and in conjunction with that, a night of worship with Planetshakers! Don't miss it! Be there!

Date: Sat, 12th April 2008
Time: 8pm
Venue: Main Sanctuary, Full Gospel Assembly (FGA), Kuala Lumpur (Off Jalan Kuchai Lama)
Fee: Free Admission

Calling all FGAians, let us support the committee by copying this picture and paste all these info unto your blog and spread the word!

Links to check out

2008-03-10T07:21:00.000-07:00

Many of you already read Boundless a webzine for Christian Young Adults

Taking love next door is a really good article on evangelism

The Art of Celebration is also a good article about celebrating God's goodness and God himself.

Note : because it is a magazine for young adults these articles are a heavy reading. However even combing through it will give you enough to chew on. :)

So these two articles are a handful itself, but serves as a reminder of many things. I hope you are motivated and challenged.

love,

joey

Watch AND Cry!

2008-03-06T06:28:00.000-08:00

This is the link...I was lazy to create another blog link from my account. The performance won the first prize in Taolin's dance competition. SUPER BEAUTIFUL!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL1rB0GPIhI

CLICK!

-Michelle

One of my favourites

2008-03-03T05:20:00.000-08:00

Here you go, one of my favs from SYTYCD season 3

Joey

Valkam!

2008-03-03T01:47:00.000-08:00

You 'av reached ze blog which is belonging zo le JC Works.

Zo look up for more le updates regarding ze creative arts!