Half a Minute Movie
Dancefest invited young people to capture and celebrate their new lockdown skills or life lessons through a 30-second dance film.
Skate (2020-08-04) by Claire WoodArts Council England
For some young people, learning to build a life indoors over lockdown offered a chance to pick up a new hobby or skill. These included skateboarding, learning British Sign Language, and practicing yoga.
Skate (2020-07-29) by JessieArts Council England
"Skate" by Jessie
For Jessie, a newfound love for skateboarding has provided endless hours of fun, including practicing tricks in the lounge and researching skateboard designs.
The Tiger Dance (2020-08-13) by MatildaArts Council England
"The Tiger Dance" by Matilda
“I made this with my mummy. My love of yoga has really helped me during the lockdown.”
Learning in Lockdown (2020-08-22) by AmberArts Council England
"Learning in Lockdown" by Amber
While finishing her university degree in Dance over lockdown, Amber used her back garden to practice. Like Matilda, Amber also picked up yoga as a new hobby and picked up another language.
Lunar Lockdown Landings (2020-08-31) by CallumArts Council England
"Lunar Lockdown Landings" by Callum
Callum mastered the art of lego over lockdown and captured this in his creative video.“My piece is all about how I spent my days building Lego models and learning about outer space!”
Leap (2020-05-24) by DannyArts Council England
Boredom over lockdown has been a common problem and picking up a new activity has been a great way to combat this. At the same time, hobbies and activities can also help to take care of people's mental wellbeing.
Some young people were able to show a real maturity and captured the complex feelings that could be experienced during lockdown, such as anxiety, worry and impatience.
HOME (2020-09-08) by TillyArts Council England
"HOME" by Tilly
Tilly's piece reflects how mood can frequently change during lockdown.
Fidget (2020-08-18) by DannyArts Council England
"Fidget" by Danny
Danny noticed over lockdown that he has a habit of tapping, sometimes without even noticing. Danny’s film "Fidget" captures this. He also took inspiration from some Zoom tutting lessons he enjoyed over lockdown. Tutting is a type of dance that involves intricate movements of the fingers.
Hey Zoom (2020-05-04) by EmilyArts Council England
"Hey Zoom" by Emily
For Emily, a professional arts and dance writer, she spent lockdown quarantined in a small studio flat with her boyfriend, who she'd only known for 2 months at the time.
“I spent the majority of lockdown sat behind a laptop, typing, watching online streamed performances, and taking part in copious Zoom meetings. Simultaneously adopting the roles of viewer and viewed in the piece, I stare back at the audience from the confines of my enclosed digital window that is reminiscent of the small boxes we all occupy during group Zoom meetings.”
Dancefest Performance Image (2020-08-04) by Claire WoodArts Council England
Provocations for movement
Dancefest also reached out to their youth dancers, who used statements such as “knots in my stomach” as provocations to create movement.
As well as capturing these complex feelings creatively, some videos even express how dance and creativity have helped to bring them motivation and positivity during these unprecedented times.
Looking Up From The Screen (2020-08-28) by Freya & PhoebeArts Council England
"Looking up from the screen" by Freya and Phoebe
For sisters Freya and Phoebe, creating the film provided them with a chance to distance themselves from a computer, phone or tablet:
“We’re two sisters, breaking free from digital screens and connecting with each other, while still being stuck behind the "screens" of our homes.”
A Long Road (2020-08-30) by AlfieArts Council England
"A Long Road" by Alfie
Alfie’s work reflects his own feelings and emotions during lockdown – as he moved from a sense of worry to positivity and happiness.
Jessie in the Sea (2020-08-08) by Claire WoodArts Council England
As summer approached, some people headed out on holidays and ‘staycations’ - providing the opportunity to unwind and explore somewhere new...
Escape to the sea (2020-08-09) by CasperArts Council England
"Escape to the sea" by Casper
“I made this film because it was my first time on holiday after lockdown. I was really excited to go to the seaside.”
The Light (2020-09-11) by RubyArts Council England
"The Light" by Ruby
“I love dancing. I have been making and naming movements in lockdown - lots are in my film, including the Dolphin. We filmed it at the beach on our first holiday after lockdown.”
Danny and Jessie Learning (2020-08-04) by Claire WoodArts Council England
When the chance to see friends finally arrived, for some this offered the chance to be creative together.
Life in Lockdown (2020-08-29) by Abi, Tilly, Leila, Sophia, Amelie, Cerys, LibbyArts Council England
"Life in lockdown"
Best friends Abi, Tilly, Leila, Sophia, Amelie, Cerys, and Libby were inspired by seeing each other again, and created their dance video to celebrate.
We are Young (2020-08-29) by Tilly, Cerys, Libby, Abi, Amelie, Sophia,Arts Council England
"We are Young"
The group of best friends also created a second video, capturing the joy of meeting each other again.
Dancefest
Dancefest began life in 1990 as a festival to celebrate and raise the profile of dance. It has now grown into the main community dance development organisation for Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Dancefest uses the power and joy of dancing to enhance people's lives, enabling everyone to take part in, be inspired by, and express themselves through dance.
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