One year ago today, I gathered a select group of highly talented dark fusion bellydancers for lunch at Tuk Tuk Thai in Berkeley. The reason was to discuss an idea and vision I had and see what they thought of it and if they had any interest in helping me make this vision a reality. Much to my surprise, I found that they understood what this vision was and felt that it would be a marvelous undertaking to persue in making it an actuality.
First let me start by saying that dark fusion bellydancers tend to mostly create story and character and mood with their performances, nearly in a theatrical manner, as evidenced by the wonderful bellydance version of Nosferatu that was staged by Silent Sirens Theatre, with Frederique: The Lady Fred and Ariellah. The spark of this vision was during a photo session I had with Ariellah at the Chapel of Chimes in Oakland. Watching her move through the archways, around the pillars and up and down the stairs like a nymph or wandering spirit, carfree and full of life, but also with a sense of ominousness created the seed of an idea. Ariellah unexpectedly became the muse for this idea with the theatricality of dark fusion being the foundation.
This seed of an idea then settled in the back of my mind and slowly germinated and grew until one day it burst forth and said "Hello! Remember me? I think it's time you nurtured me and helped me grow." I knew then it was what I needed to do. I knew if I said, "Not yet. Later," I would forget about it and it would die. So, I took this idea and nurtured it, letting it grow until I felt I could take pieces of it and pass it on to the dancers I knew in the hopes that they to would see it's beauty and worth and nurture it as well. It did seem to take hold on most of those I passed it on to.
This idea, this vision was to have the dancers choreograph and perform a piece that would then be filmed as if I were shooting a narrative film. There would be no front of the stage they would be facing, there would be no walls that would limit the range of their movement. The locations that they would dance in were picked by them to help enhance the mood, the story of the performance. And much like in a film, the location was to create the world they would be and interact within.
Because of the creativity of the dancers and the fact that I do not want to present them with a piece that lacks in any aspect of our combined efforts and imaginings, the process of creating this has taken longer than expected. But as my cinematographer pointed out to me; You cannot rush creativity and the creative. Such endevours cannot always be governed by a calendar.
But in the year that has passed, we have seen a few wonderful dancers leave the project and another one join in. I hope to eventually get my cast back up to it's full capacity, but am waiting to make certain I have secured more funding before I ask those I am would love to join.
Alas, the problem we seem to be facing most is a problem that plagues most artistic endevours, which is funding. In the year that has passed, we have raised funds by selling t-shirts, running a couple Kickstarter campaigns, holding a performance event and have managed to raise $400! We only $99,600 more to go!
But, I still feel that this production will still come to fruition. It may frustrate me and push me to the edge at times, but I have met so many wonderful people through this project, not just the dancers, but the musicians providing the music and the supporters that are rallying to see this done. We have created some wonderful, memorable art with this project, such as Jodi Waseca's proof-of-concept video and the 'Le Beaute de l'Obscurite' fundraiser. I feel more will come. I know more will come.
It has been a long and difficult year for this production, but we have taken our first few steps and took a few stumbles. But, we are still moving forward, albeit slowly. As we continue on, our steps will become stronger, we will stumble less, building stength and momentum until our steps become a walk and then evolve into a run then a full charge.
And then we will be able to share this vision, this dream with everyone!
First let me start by saying that dark fusion bellydancers tend to mostly create story and character and mood with their performances, nearly in a theatrical manner, as evidenced by the wonderful bellydance version of Nosferatu that was staged by Silent Sirens Theatre, with Frederique: The Lady Fred and Ariellah. The spark of this vision was during a photo session I had with Ariellah at the Chapel of Chimes in Oakland. Watching her move through the archways, around the pillars and up and down the stairs like a nymph or wandering spirit, carfree and full of life, but also with a sense of ominousness created the seed of an idea. Ariellah unexpectedly became the muse for this idea with the theatricality of dark fusion being the foundation.
This seed of an idea then settled in the back of my mind and slowly germinated and grew until one day it burst forth and said "Hello! Remember me? I think it's time you nurtured me and helped me grow." I knew then it was what I needed to do. I knew if I said, "Not yet. Later," I would forget about it and it would die. So, I took this idea and nurtured it, letting it grow until I felt I could take pieces of it and pass it on to the dancers I knew in the hopes that they to would see it's beauty and worth and nurture it as well. It did seem to take hold on most of those I passed it on to.
This idea, this vision was to have the dancers choreograph and perform a piece that would then be filmed as if I were shooting a narrative film. There would be no front of the stage they would be facing, there would be no walls that would limit the range of their movement. The locations that they would dance in were picked by them to help enhance the mood, the story of the performance. And much like in a film, the location was to create the world they would be and interact within.
Because of the creativity of the dancers and the fact that I do not want to present them with a piece that lacks in any aspect of our combined efforts and imaginings, the process of creating this has taken longer than expected. But as my cinematographer pointed out to me; You cannot rush creativity and the creative. Such endevours cannot always be governed by a calendar.
But in the year that has passed, we have seen a few wonderful dancers leave the project and another one join in. I hope to eventually get my cast back up to it's full capacity, but am waiting to make certain I have secured more funding before I ask those I am would love to join.
Alas, the problem we seem to be facing most is a problem that plagues most artistic endevours, which is funding. In the year that has passed, we have raised funds by selling t-shirts, running a couple Kickstarter campaigns, holding a performance event and have managed to raise $400! We only $99,600 more to go!
But, I still feel that this production will still come to fruition. It may frustrate me and push me to the edge at times, but I have met so many wonderful people through this project, not just the dancers, but the musicians providing the music and the supporters that are rallying to see this done. We have created some wonderful, memorable art with this project, such as Jodi Waseca's proof-of-concept video and the 'Le Beaute de l'Obscurite' fundraiser. I feel more will come. I know more will come.
It has been a long and difficult year for this production, but we have taken our first few steps and took a few stumbles. But, we are still moving forward, albeit slowly. As we continue on, our steps will become stronger, we will stumble less, building stength and momentum until our steps become a walk and then evolve into a run then a full charge.
And then we will be able to share this vision, this dream with everyone!
rpg:
I am still a fan of your project and I do hope it comes to fruition! I want the DVD!!
rpg:
Someday I hope to make it back to San Fran for a touristy type visit, if I can find a way to do it inexpensively. Compared to our weather here, your weather is tropical, even at it's coldest....although I don't think I'd like to combination of your high humidity and a cold wind off the ocean.