It's A Wrap!!!

Today marked our last day of shooting for our new film, "Kitchen table." I can hardly believe it is over! All those months of planning, the past month of intense rehearsals, and the anticipation of our production week. I can hardly believe how well the shots have all come out, and I can hardly believe the tremendous help and cooperation I've received on this project. Yet another film, officially in post. To think, a few short years ago in 2008, I was making my first film around this time. The project seemed an impossible task. The choreography was uncertain in my head, and as it came out, my ideas changed and changed. What was I to present, with this most special circumstance? I had saved up over a year to do that first project, and I really didn't want to mess it up. A few months after shooting that film, out it came, with a premiere right here in Winston Salem! I went to my first film festival - how different it was from the dance festivals I am so used to. And what a fun, interesting experience! I am grateful that I have been able to continue on my path toward understanding and practicing the art of putting dance on film.

Last year at this time in 2009, we were finishing up our shoot of "Two Downtown," our second dance film. I had many mixed feelings about the piece. In one respect, I was proud that I had tackled the challenge of shooting outside, in many locations to create a sight specific work. I was proud that we were able to work inside of an improvisational framework for parts of the film. However, when I saw the work on screen, I felt only luke-warm about the results. I felt the shots looked raw. I wanted a different feel from the first film, but I felt perhaps that I'd gone too far in one direction. Oddly enough, that film went to twice as many festivals, and won us our first award as best short in a film festival! Who would have guessed? I was so surprised! It goes to show you that you never know what another person's perception of your work will be! After this film, I couldn't wait to get back to the drawing board for the next film. I wrote a grant to the arts council, so I could do this film right. And guess what...I got it! In speaking to panel members after the grants were awarded, they were all very curious and enthusiastic about this next film!

So here we are. I think I did it right! Real sets. Real costumes. More hands on deck. A solid concept. Beautiful, patient shots. I hope the edit feels as good as the production. Rough cut to emerge very soon! I can't wait to see all the parts cut together. This project gave Mackenzie and I a chance to really let our personalities shine through! We hope you all will have fun too, when you watch the film someday soon!

~Cara

On the Horizon

We are coming in for the home stretch with this film! We shot the kitchen scene today. It was marvelous! Just yesterday, we transformed a living room space into a vintage kitchen! Though it was labor intensive, it was not nearly as hard as I though it would be. Originally, we were going to find a kitchen to shoot in. However, it proved hard to find a kitchen that was both spacious enough and had the look we wanted. So months ago, we decided to build our own. It looked perfect! And we really lucked out. The Habitat for Humanity Re-Store allowed us to borrow the appliances. No cost there. I ended up buying a few things to include in the decor, but that was minor to what we would have spent, had we rented appliances.

Again, the colors and lighting came out great as we watched the dailies. Everyone was in a jovial mood, and the day seemed to pass by quickly. We got some amazing comedic shots for the section, and as always, Mackenzie's facial expressions put the choreography over the top! I can't wait to put together the rough cut. I have a feeling this will be my most successful achievement yet! You know what they say...third time's a charm! But I also have some amazing help on this project, too. Brett, Mackenzie and Rob are there, my usual crew. Dad is taking production stills, as usual. But I had Mike help out with building out the kitchen yesterday, and he did a wonderful job helping us! Vanessa has been a wonderful set assistant, as well! Dad and Mom will be helping out with Ru, the dog, tomorrow for our early morning shots. Another 4:30am wake up. Woo hoo!

In other news, Mackenzie threw me the most wonderful bridal shower on Wednesday night. I was so surprised! I suspected nothing. I wouldn't even have imagined that she'd have time to put something like that together while we've been working, but she is quite organized, so I guess I shouldn't underestimate her! It was lovely to have my close friends celebrate my upcoming marriage. We had a wonderful time mingling and talking and eating cake! I got some beautiful, thoughtful gifts, as well. I'm so glad I let my mother and Mackenzie talk me into "going out to dinner" on Wednesday night! What more could a girl ask for? With all of my work coming to conclusion, I am really getting excited about the wedding, now that I feel more able to breathe!

More on the shoot to come...and wedding news, too!

~Cara

Semester Over!

My semester at Goddard is officially over. I received my last packet response today! What a wonderful semester it has been: delving into the philosophies and practices of my artistic predecessors, exploring new ways of thinking about my work, taking risks and having fun! I couldn't have asked for a better adviser this semester. Petra was encouraging, open, and challenged me with thoughtful questions and tasks to try. Much of the reading I did this semester was inspired by her guidance. I feel like I have broken through some walls that were created by my own self and my desire to be credible as an artist. I realize that those notions are ridiculous! Too often, we put restrictions on ourselves to fit what others deem as credible. No more. I do what I need, when I need it, to express what I need to express. I would like to say that I will not ever apologize for it, but I am still working on that! I think now that I have completed my second semester in this program, that forces you to look at yourself closely, and know yourself as a thinker in the context of a community, I am becoming more comfortable with my artistic desires. I wonder if I would have come to some of my conclusions and epiphanies had I not entered this program. perhaps, but I think it would have taken a while. My twenties have been thus far, a time where I am growing into myself as an independent thinker and being, but I still feel like I have something to prove. But what? That I can be super woman? I think so. Maybe it's time to just be a regular girl for a while. Be OK with making mistakes, conducting experiments just for the sake of doing them, completing a process, even if it seems that the product will not be a crowning masterpiece. I've still got the better part of four years until my next decade. People tell me that your thirties are for shedding facades and becoming more comfortable with your true self. Maybe I don't have to wait. As of late, I have been working on breathing judgment and worry away. It doesn't always work, but when it does, I realize that most of the things that send me for a loop aren't a big deal. I feel better. I feel free. I begin to realize that people are going to think what they want, do what they want, feel what they want. The world is going to spin with or without my cooperation. So maybe I can just enjoy the ride. Enjoy my art, even it's heinous mistakes. I could even celebrate these failures as progress!

Looks like rain this evening...thunder is rumbling softly in the distance. I should get out of these sweats, and get into my dress. My mother and sister are taking me out for a girls night.

~Cara

Filming is Going Well!

Our first day of shooting proved to be a productive one! We began bright and early, shooting some of our exterior shots in West End. We had few problems, and everyone was in good spirits, given the hour we all awoke (4:30 for me). We got some lovely close up shots done of much of the phrase work for the piece, and watching the dailies, it came out really, really well! Better than I expected! I think my favorite part of the morning's shots were Robert's (my fiancee) shots. He made only a small cameo, but he did a great job! Woo-hoo for Rob's film debut. I think Brett and I are really beginning to get the hang of this dance film thing! This year, I feel so much more ready to envision how phrase work will look on camera, and communicate my desires with Brett. He seems much more able to envision what I am communicating, as well. We're beginning to speak each other's languages.

After wrapping on the morning shots, we took a break, and came back in the evening to shoot some interior shots. We dressed out Brett's living room with some lovely candles on the mantle, and fluffed the couch cushions just right. The space looked clean, and sophisticated. Brett said that it gave him a feeling of southern gothic, and I think he's right. We spent a lot of time lighting the space just right, and our efforts proved successful. The colors melded together very well, and our costumes, perfectly selected by Mackenzie (my twin and dance partner) looked amazing in the space. This set of shots went well, too, and we were very happy with what we shot that evening. I am so excited to finish up this coming weekend! We are spending the week in preparation, doing some last minute shot rehearsals, dressing out our kitchen space for the kitchen section and revisiting shot schedules.

Ru, my parent's mini schnauzer, gets to make an appearance in the film on Saturday, and it is all he can talk about (well, let's just say he's VERY excited...there are cookies involved in this activity!). I just hope he can keep his focus. He is a good dog, and generally is good-natured and obeys commands well. However, there will be new distractions on set, and he is not, of course, a screen-trained dog.

With the way this weekend's shots have turned out, I am confident that if we keep going like we have been, the film will be great! I'm more excited about this film than I have ever been about my previous films...I finally feel like I know what's going on! More later!

~Cara

Film Shoot Tomorrow!

The time has come: the film shoot commences tomorrow for our third dance film, "Kitchen Table" at 7am. We are so excited! We have spent months in preparation for the film, and we are confident this one will turn out well! I will report tomorrow to tell you how our first day of shooting went!

~Cara

Children's Theater

Spent this week performing with the Mount Airy Dance Theater. We performed a children's theater piece based on the book, "The Man Who Walked Between the Towers," by Mordicai Gerstein. The book describes the events of August 7th, 1974, when Frenchman Philippe Petit managed to secure a tight rope between the twin towers in New York City and perform a walk on it. The children seemed to really enjoy it! They laughed, and called out, trying to help us as we danced our "walk." They identified sounds out loud as we performed our opening soundscape, and clapped at our triumphant feat!

Mark, one of the cast members, is also a clown. He began each of our performances with an act that had many of the kids rolling on the floor! One kid had not even seen the act yet, nor did he know what was about to happen, but the minute Mark walked out, he said over and over, "This is gonna be soooo funny, this is gonna be soooo funny!" And he was right, Mark was funny!

Though I enjoyed performing is all of the libraries in Surry County, I enjoyed performing at pilot Mountain the most. The librarian there was wonderful! After each of our performances, she would ask the kids questions, and help them to engage with the work they had seen. During the performances, she sat right in the audience with the kids, and was as enthused as could be! I wish all librarians were like her!

Though I don't do children's theater often, I find it to be a rewarding activity. I love the thought of nurturing the next generation of art lovers and makers! I also love to show kids that art can be a great way to make a living. No, we art folk may not be rich, but we get to share very special experiences with many, many people! I have always thought that art is a more fun way to educate than sitting at desk, doing busy work. In my experience, children's theater can bring learning to life! I used to love when my school would bring in special groups to perform for us. I'm glad that I can now return the favor.

Now, onto bigger things! We begin shooting the film this weekend! Getting ready to glam it up.

~Cara

Thwarted.

I would be lying to you if I said that I'm not stressed out. Yesterday morning, I had planned to record the final version of my songs for the quilt piece. I got up early, warmed up my voice and was ready to go, feeling good! Our studio headphones broke. They apparently have a short in them now. They're quite a few years old, so perhaps it was just their time. The stores don't open til 11am or noon on Sundays, so we had to wait. That afternoon, it was thunderbooming and pouring buckets. We don't have a recording booth, so we generally put up blankets and lay rugs in a room in the house to record. However, it doesn't work as well as a real booth would work. So thunder is definitely in the category of sounds we cannot cancel out with comforters. I was thoroughly thwarted. And thoroughly peeved. I need to get the recording done by the end of the week, and Robert and my schedules are bumping up against each other all week. Test shots for the film need to be completed. Linda's children's theater piece is being performed all this week. There is teaching to do. I think my head might explode. At the present moment, the thought of my upcoming wedding (26 days away) seems like an inconvenient ginch in my side. I just want to get my work done. Of course, it is difficult for some people around me to understand this. They'd like my undivided attention and over-excitement regarding the wedding. I will allow myself to get excited the week of the wedding. When my work is (supposedly) done. Hopefully, the week will go smoothly. Good night, or rather good morning. It's 4am. I can't sleep when I feel like this, so I'm squinting in front of this too-bright computer. It is silent now. In a perfect world, I would wake Robert, and we would record now. Both of us need to be out of the house by 8am. I suppose I should try to get some sleep.

~Cara

Short Summer

Another long day in what is proving to be a short, short summer. Today Mackenzie and I began by rehearsing material for the film. Each day, our intentions are becoming clearer and in my mind's eye, I can see the shots happening. It is very exciting, and after only a few years, I am beginning to notice my ability to see how things will look through the lens. I can only wonder how my skills will grow over the net several years. Innumerably, I hope!

In Linda's rehearsals, we are coming in for the home stretch. We perform in five libraries next week, Monday through Thursday. I am looking forward to seeing how our audiences react to the piece. it is sometimes difficult to know what will go over and what will not. Often when making work, what the maker thinks is poignant or funny, will be different to an audience member. What the maker might deem as a small detail might open up the piece to an audience member. Quite frankly, audience reaction both fascinates and frightens me!

This evening, I attend my tap class, after having to miss it last week. I am glad to be back in my shoes! Tap is so much fun! And I am really beginning to feel comfortable again. The sounds are becoming stronger, and more consistent and I am able to better control the quality of my rhythms. I am enjoying the break tap gives me from some of my contemporary vocabulary and how it helps to focus my body on a much more compact set of movements than my regular kinetic vocabulary.

I am so tired now. So I'm going to bed.

~Cara

Song Experiments

Earlier this evening, I decided to go to the book store to write, so I could work with no...well, different distractions. It proved to be a successful endeavor, I wrote an article and a half while sitting in a corner of the teen book section. I ended up there not so much by choice, but by virtue of the fact there were no available outlets in the cafe, and there was one here, untouched. I also allowed myself to indulge in a guilty pleasure. I bought two books. i usually avoid the book store, knowing that I am likely to buy something, even if I don't really have the money. However, i thought today, i would reward myself for my efforts. After all, what can be so terrible about splurging on a book by Oliver Sacks? if you haven't heard of him, he is a neurologist, and has a few shows on TV where he talks about how music affects the human brain, or as he would say, "bwain." Fascinating.

This morning, Brett, our cinematographer came to rehearsal to view the material for the film to continue finalizing our shot list. I think everything is coming together nicely, and if we are prepared, we can get everything shot on schedule! That is my deepest hope for this film, to have it done in a timely fashion, with few (notice I didn't say "No") hitches.

In Linda's rehearsal, we proceeded to put all of the sections we have for the piece together. Though some of the transitions need some tweaking and some things need changing around yet, the piece is coming together nicely. I think we will have a lot of fun performing this piece for the children at all the libraries on our little tour!

This moment, I am back at home. I have just completed some sonic experiments for the songs I've been working on for my quilt piece. I think the most successful experiment was the one where I recorded my voice under the covers. It sounded surprisingly clean, but still having an air of the intimacy I want for the piece. Yay! I feel like I'm learning so much about music and sound, and I've only just begun to delve into this type of work. I also recorded in the closet, which worked well, and in the stairwell, which gave me a sound a little more epic sounding than I think I'd like for this piece. What's more, as I keep recording and listening to my voice in the context of these two songs, I am realizing that they sound better with a little bit of imperfection. When one is being sung to as a child, or even as an adult, by someone they love, the imperfections give the songs character, an intimacy and an individuality that produced songs don't have. I want to express this intimacy and individuality in these pieces of music. I don't want to over-produce them and make them sound glossy, which is entirely too easy to do with all the sound programs Rob has on his computer. Pro-tools can do wonders for my voice. but the wonders are no fun! I am very much looking forward to sharing these experiments with Rob when he gets home later tonight and with my friend Laura, who is a magnificent singer and composer!

So now, a quiet rest of my night, and soon to bed.

~Cara

Moving Through

The busyness of the week is sneaking up on me, and it is only Tuesday! Linda's rehearsals for the children's theater piece are coming along and I look forward to performing for our young audiences next week. I hope that when they see the piece, it may spark in them some interest for the arts, and a desire to reach for their dreams. After all, the piece is about Philippe Petit, who walked between two mile-high towers! I find Philippe's story to be inspiring. To have one's life defined by one shining achievement! I know this walk was not his only achievement, and as long as he is living, he will continue to achieve feats in his life that are both public and personal. But, I think most of us dream of having a moment like that in life. A moment that is truly unforgettable and is the definition of our personal philosophy of living. I love it. Perhaps, I will have a defining moment in my life, one day.

As for the material for 87 Dance Productions, everything is coming along great! I have much of the material for the film finished. I finished the adagio today in just over an hour, and I love it. I am also SUPER excited about the first section of the piece, which is filled with slap-stick antics and kinetic mischief! The quilt piece is coming along, too. Mackenzie was so gracious last evening, in sewing a collection of knit squares sent to us by our second cousin, and now we have a beautiful quilt to use for our performances. I plan to record all of the final music for the piece on Sunday. I've been experimenting with various track arrangements and harmonies, and it seems it will come out well. I am looking to present the kind of vocal intimacy in the recordings, that you get when your mother is singing you to sleep at night. Like the voices are right next to you. I am still working on how to capture this quality on a recording, but I am making head-way and am certain that soon, the music will be complete!

As this week will pass very quickly, so will the next. The end of the month is calling to me. A time to rest my weary body, aching ankle, fried brain and overstimulated nervous system. As I was teaching yoga today, I thought about how I would love to just be a student for a while, take in the experience and just be. Though my personal yoga practice has lately fallen into scarcity since the spring began, I feel the need to return to my mat. For what? I don't know. Rest? Renewal? Mumbo Jumbo? Who knows. But I belong there. I would even go so far as to say that a silent span of time, a few days, a week, would do me plenty good. When is there ever time to be silent? Sleep is anything but. The days are filled with non-stop interaction. Five minutes, perhaps. That's what I'll do until I can find some peace and quiet.

~Cara

Tired and Happy

So very tired today, but decidedly happy. My friend Laura came from South Carolina to see my premiere last night for the Storyline project in Winston Salem, and we all (myself, Rob, Mackenzie and Laura)had a wonderful time. I got to show Laura around the city, and she even took my yoga class. I introduced her to many, many people throughout the day, as I ran into just about everyone I know while she was visiting.

Last night was indeed, nerve racking, as I premiered my first documentary film, "Art for the Living." I was backstage, hoping that no one was leaving the theater as they watched the film! I don't think anyone left, and they even clapped! There were also a few "whooo's!" That made me feel a little better. The dancing was the easy part! The piece, "Words Apart," went pretty well. As always, one cannot ever perform a piece completely, absolutely perfect, so there were a few minor mistakes, but no one seemed to notice. We got a standing ovation...I'll take it! There were so many more people there than I expected. probably the biggest turn out I have ever seen for an art event I have performed for in Winston Salem. The Storyline Project has definitely reached many members of our community in a special, intimate way. I love the way sharing stories brings communities and individuals together. It shows that we're all not so different, after all. We all share similar experiences, and can learn from experiences we have not had.

Laura and I did find some time to talk about our upcoming collaboration. We have decided that since our piece is ultimately about identity, we need to first identify our selves, for ourselves, and for each other. To that end, we have decided to be pen pals for the rest of the summer, even though we will see each other a few more times before our next school residency. I find pen-paling to be an incredibly intimate way to get to know someone better. Not only do you get their words, but their handwriting, their doodles and art works, and anything else they might send. It also means that some real time and thought has been spent. Writing a letter is much more involved than writing an e-mail. I'm very excited to write my first letter this week!

Today, on to much rehearsal...Linda's first, mine next. I think I will begin on some of the quilt material that is to happen on the floor, with the sewing of an actual quilt. Should be fun!

~Cara

Back at it!

So, it is with happiness that I return to the studio this week to work on many projects!

My sister is here. With her arrival, I am reminded that play is ever present in our collective experience as collaborators. This morning in the studio, we joke, but get right down to business in the process. We begin with a class, where I introduce Mackenzie to her first micro movement practice. I decided not to tell her much, but just bring her through the exercises, and see what she got out of simply doing. She will write a short statement for me to include in my next MFA packet on the experience. With our performance for the Storyline event on Friday, we began by running "Words Apart." The piece comes back into our bodies with ease. The piece seems to be taking on its own life now, changing and evolving with each performance. There is much yet to be revealed to us, the dancers, in performing the piece. however, our continued engagement with the work will continue to bring us to new understanding, both kinetically and emotionally in the work.

With the second hour of rehearsal, we commence work on phrase work for the upcoming dance film. I have decided to set some of the same movement from the original stage piece from which this film is derived, but set new movement, as well, breathing new life into old material. I make two phrases on Mackenzie today, which are positively satisfying in their humor and exaggerated nature. Dinosaur hands! And a Long Island accent. Which became a Spanish accent. That became Russian, suddenly. Anything to keep us laughing and working hard!

Lastly, we begin to work on material for my newest piece, "Quilt(working title)," for which I am writing the music! So excited! The first section of the piece is slow, and builds, like the current of a river. I set some movements today, but don't put them in a specific order, as I would like to at this point, see how they organically attach to each other in our individual bodies.

Later this evening, we work with Linda, on her children's theater piece about Phellipe Petit, the man who walked between the twin towers on a tight rope in the 1970's. During Linda's rehearsal, we work on assembling a live soundscape, full of hand-made rain, tapping feet, sweeping brooms, popping paper, whistles, and vocal play. We recorded this soundscape, and it sounds like a lot of fun! The space was full of sound, which is what we wanted for this particular section, which happens to open the piece. Setting the scene for NYC waking up!

Tomorrow, I prepare for my friend, Laura to arrive at my house. So excited! She will watch our performance, and presentation of the Documentary on Friday. I hope it all goes well!

~Cara