So amidst interviewing and researching into practitioners beliefs on the purpose of creating a production the work entertainment came up numerous times. It led me to thinking what actually is entertainment? People enjoy different things when the watch a show correct? So what is it people refer to when they talk about entertainment?
One piece of literature separated entertainment into 2 parts involving enjoyment which is often associated closely with amusement or comedic entertainment and appreciation which is usually linked with thought provoking entertainment. (Oliver and Bartsch, 2011) To put this into context a romantic comedy film may elicit enjoyment but not necessarily appreciation whereas a circus act sawing a woman in half may generate appreciation but not necessarily enjoyment.
To me personally I am entertained by a production that evokes an emotional reaction regardless of the specific emotion it reacts. I find the entertainment that does this to be the most memorable. I'd be interested to learn your views on what you believe entertainment is and what are you most entertained by in dance production? x
Everyone has a different concept of entertainment, what one person loves another may dislike. That is what makes the performance industry so subjective. I agree though that the most powerful entertainment is that which evokes a emotional response, which can come from a variety of emotions from happy and excited to sad or sympathy. x
ReplyDeleteI agree personally agree Rohanne- it doesn't matter what the emotion. A dictionary definition I found said "the act of entertaining; agreeable occupation for the mind; diversion; amusement:" - I thought that idea of diverting someones attention is another interesting perception of entertainment. x
DeleteWow that's a hard question. How odd is it that we are able to call things entertainment and not really understand why we call it so? For me entertainment is almost like a process. If I am watching a ballet for instance firstly it needs to keep my attention to be entertaining i.e story, set design, costume. Then especially with ballet the entertainment is found in the appreciation of the steps they are performing for me (like you have mentioned). The emotional factor comes in for me in terms of how memorable the performance is, Romeo and Juliet being my favourite ballet for instance because of the dramatic differences of elation to despair shown in the piece. And this could be argued as a form of entertainment. However there are many of things I have found to be entertaining that I would not necessarily wish to watch again. Being unaware of what is going to happen and experiencing something for the first time has a lot to do with the entertainment. I guess entertainment can take many forms and from a directors aspect I suppose they have to decide what "form" they wish their work to take. Emotional, Surprising, Memorable or Appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI find that anything that is either memorable, interesting or 'catches the eye' is entertaining for someone. It all comes down to one's own opinion whether they like something or not. For instance, in ballet, some people might like high legs and multiple turns (which I find the dance world is unfortunately veering towards) and some people like movement. Directors or choreographers will most probably work the same... Some are more inclined to technical dancers, others performers.
ReplyDeleteI guess if you look at it in business terms, it is a case of matching to what the audience likes and what they find is entertaining. However i think the artform being presented needs to shine through.
Gaby
I find that anything that is either memorable, interesting or 'catches the eye' is entertaining for someone. It all comes down to one's own opinion whether they like something or not. For instance, in ballet, some people might like high legs and multiple turns (which I find the dance world is unfortunately veering towards) and some people like movement. Directors or choreographers will most probably work the same... Some are more inclined to technical dancers, others performers.
ReplyDeleteI guess if you look at it in business terms, it is a case of matching to what the audience likes and what they find is entertaining. However i think the artform being presented needs to shine through.
Gaby