Way Down We Go IF We Don't Change
Title of work: "Way Down We Go if We Don't Change"
Credits:
Dancer/Choreographer/Creative Director: Michelle Gomez
Freestyle/Improv [Fusion]- Contemporary, Jazz, Modern and Hip Hop influence.
Producer: Jason Rhodes- Instagram: @ohayitsjason
Song: "Way Down We Go" by Kaleo
Introduction Remix by DJ RiZo.
I mentioned in my first blog that I would be posting videos with creative process notes. This piece is mainly about the message behind the music since the movement was improv. The first portion of this song relates back to my piece in 2013 called "Am I Wrong?" which was my senior choreography project for Texas Tech University, Dance Department. I've been meaning to create way to bring that same idea into a series. The videography and editing was done by Jason Rhodes. Here is his email address if anyone is interested in working with him after reading this blog: ohayitsjason@gmail.com. Music was edited by DJ RiZo however the main song was by Kaleo called "Way Down We Go." [http://www.officialkaleo.com]
Scheduling Issues:
Setting up the film date in my schedule was very difficult. I had to move it around and I am so grateful that Jason was able to accommodate my busy schedule as well. That being said I was going to have choreography ready for this, however, I didn't really allow myself enough time to make it the way I wanted it to. So I decided to use this time to improv and then see what develops from this project. I wanted to use this time to actually analyze what type of movement looks good on camera, good on me, what I enjoy as an artist and choreographer. Although Jason took my improv cuts and made a beautiful piece! I truly am very happy with the way he piece things together allow the music and movement to make sense. This was truly a collaboration between the two of us. Jason Rhodes is also a dancer which is one of the beautiful things about working with him as a producer because he knows that music should match the movement and the can hear the intentions of timing on dynamic portions. I recommend that dancers looking to do more videography work, hire Jason. His price is very reasonable and does go above beyond the call of duty. I am definitely looking forward to working with him again. Thank you, Jason.
Music Choice:
Originally I was going to use the song 'Alone' by Auour since I had some choreography to it already from class. However that day I wasn't really creativity connecting to the song. So I changed the song to jam to another to create something for that piece however once I came across 'Way Down We Go' something inside of me told me to use it. The more I freestyle to it the more I wanted to use it. During the filming portion of it, I was truly listening to the lyrics and was reminded of my project from college and I was like "OH MY...!" I should combined the two!!! I ended up cutting up the original intro to make it shorter and get the message cross very quickly.
Meaning behind the lyrics/Association to Introduction:
A lot of people interrupt what he is saying as him pleading to God that he has brought someone down that a path with himself that is unrighteous. That we've been committing unrighteous acts for a while now and running from the repercussions. My association (this is my opinion and my correlation as an artist and human being to this piece, in no way am I saying that they are connected) to the introduction is a connection on to how we mistreat and talk about women. To be honest, its how we talk to each other, all genders. Often times we don't think about the repercussions of how this will effect us in the long run when we say these negative words towards each other. The resilience of women has shown over and over. When I hear women say "What more do they want when we talk about rights or equal pay?" often makes me sad that they are so okay with the idea that we should tolerate this because thats the way it is.
My intention behind this video is to bring awareness to the words we say to women in the media. I would like to see a change on how we address each other. Educate young women to not accept that kind of communication and educate the public that its still a problem. My voice is through my craft. My voice is in my art work. My choice is to release work that may get people talk about issues and subjectivity in new perspectives. You can judge my technique, you can judge my music choice, you can judge the editing. That Judgement isn't what I intend for you to do. I would like you to mirror what you admire. Use your skills or talent to make movements towards way that you feel will be best see the change you wish in the world. It may be only seen or hear by few and maybe forgotten tomorrow, whatever the difference... you made something that will make someone think. Again, these are just my opinions in the subject. I am in no means an expert in the subject at all but I am someone that was definitely inspired to make statement however I can. I am going to be making more videos maybe along the same lines or different stories inspiration. I enjoyed working on this one a lot and look forward to receiving feedback from friends, family, and anyone else that took the time to read this.
[LOVE Y'ALL] Thank you!