This is a temporary version. The final version will be available on 15/07/2025.

Choreographing Film and Filming Choreography [ASSOC] (B-LUCA-K44559)

6 ECTSEnglish30 First termFirst term
Desmet Robbrecht (coordinator) |  Desmet Robbrecht |  Van Winkel Camiel |  N.
LUCA POC GRADUATE (OC animatie, film Brussel)

Aims

This course unit can also be taken by other students of the Association KU Leuven. 
Students of other higher education institutions will have to register as a LUCA Interuniversity Student. More information.

NOTE: this course unit might have restrictions on the number of participants!
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Choreographing film & filming choreography

 

The main focus of this master elective is the relationship between choreography and the moving image. More specifically we focus on audiovisual artworks that portray ‘movements of everyday life’ as well as on a few carefully selected groundbreaking choreographies in which everyday movements are inscribed. The central idea of this course is that film is first and foremost an art form of bodies moving in space and that the element of cinema is gesture, not image.

 

How is bodily movement and acting related?

What are ways of recording dance and how have genre-films such as musicals informed the recording of contemporary dance?  

How do the semi-directive working methods of filmmakers and choreographers align?

 

Dance is hard to see: echoing this famous phrase from choreographer and filmmaker Yvonne Rainer we will discuss the assumed irreproducibility and the ephemeral nature of performance versus the merciless recording of the camera, committing to eternity ‘the way one moves on a given day’.

 

A central point of departure in this elective is the work of Belgian filmmaker Chantal Akerman and her relation to Brussels, combined with a particular focus on the origins of the postmodern dance movement in the 1970’s in New York, famously introducing everyday movement to the stage.

 

The objective of the elective is to map a back-and-forth between these two defining moments for the art-scenes in Brussels and New York and on the deeply intertwined influences both had on each other and still have to this day. We draw a map of leading contemporary choreographic practices in and beyond ‘dance capital’ Brussels. We take it from there for an exploration of movement in contemporary audiovisual art practices, the question of recording performance, choreographic acting, documentary dancing and TikTok.

 

The elective contains guest lectures, performances and roundtables from and with filmmakers, dancers, performers and critics.

Is included in these courses of study

Activities

6 ects. Choreographing Film and Filming Choreography [ASSOC] (B-LUCA-K64966)

6 ECTSEnglishFormat: Lecture-practical-assignment30 First termFirst term
Desmet Robbrecht |  Van Winkel Camiel |  N.
LUCA POC GRADUATE (OC animatie, film Brussel)

Content

Choreographing film & filming choreography

 

The main focus of this master elective is the relationship between choreography and the moving image. More specifically we focus on audiovisual artworks that portray ‘movements of everyday life’ as well as on a few carefully selected groundbreaking choreographies in which everyday movements are inscribed. The central idea of this course is that film is first and foremost an art form of bodies moving in space and that the element of cinema is gesture, not image.

 

How is bodily movement and acting related?

What are ways of recording dance and how have genre-films such as musicals informed the recording of contemporary dance?  

How do the semi-directive working methods of filmmakers and choreographers align?

 

Dance is hard to see: echoing this famous phrase from choreographer and filmmaker Yvonne Rainer we will discuss the assumed irreproducibility and the ephemeral nature of performance versus the merciless recording of the camera, committing to eternity ‘the way one moves on a given day’.

 

A central point of departure in this elective is the work of Belgian filmmaker Chantal Akerman and her relation to Brussels, combined with a particular focus on the origins of the postmodern dance movement in the 1970’s in New York, famously introducing everyday movement to the stage.

 

The objective of the elective is to map a back-and-forth between these two defining moments for the art-scenes in Brussels and New York and on the deeply intertwined influences both had on each other and still have to this day. We draw a map of leading contemporary choreographic practices in and beyond ‘dance capital’ Brussels. We take it from there for an exploration of movement in contemporary audiovisual art practices, the question of recording performance, choreographic acting, documentary dancing and TikTok.

 

The elective contains guest lectures, performances and roundtables from and with filmmakers, dancers, performers and critics.

Evaluation

Choreographing Film and Filming Choreography [ASSOC] (B-LUCA-K84559)

Type : Exam during the examination period
Description of evaluation : Oral, Written, Practical exam
Type of questions : Open questions
Learning material : Reference work

Explanation

AssessmentGrading scale
TOTAL1-20/20 scale

The three parts of the evaluation, writing a paper (max. 2,500 words), oral presentation and group work (presentation of a text read).

Information about retaking exams

The figure for participation rate and process evaluation is retained.