Bellydancing to cam n light assignment :)

I was playing with lights and atmosphere. We are apparently recreating a scene for camera and lighting assignment. So our scene had this smokey look. I kind of knew how to do it. But i had to make sure it looks good. So i came home and strated experimenting with whatever torches i had. I was pretty sucessful i guess. Then my room looked soo ancient. So i had to bellydance. I didnt choreograph this one, so i just let my body move to the music. If you noticed my expressions, you will see its alot more relaxed compared to choreographed dances.

Atmosphere in bellydancing

In my earlier videos, the one on facial expressions, i touched on atmospheres and how your stage should be. I think this is a perfect example. If i had danced this very dance in brightly lit room, the effect would not be as interesting as this.  Atmospheres can aid in creating moods in yourself and in your audience. This dark atmosphere made me blend into my song. I felt more confident. Most artists cant control their stage. For those who can, you can really put some thought in how you want your stage to be. For those who cant control your stage, you can control your costuming.

The facial expressions video is  below

Costuming

In this dance i just decided to use something that will play with the lighting. And it did help in creating an effect. This is another example on how your costuming can help you. Dancing should not be left solely at how good you can dance. A good artist will consider her costumes, atmosphere and expressions. Here again, i did not smile much. When you are performing, you are not the only one there. Your atmosphere, costume and expressions all play a part when it comes to forming opinions.

Do look where you are performing and plan well on your costumes. Most dancers just pick a costume where they think it makes them look good. Costuming is beyond good looks. Bellydancing outfits are not cheap. And for people like me, i have to spend more in altering my costume. (Most of you know i dont dance in a bra). You can mix and match costumes or sew them yourself. I wiill touch more on makeup some other time. I would really like to go deeper into that.  There is alot of things you can do with makeup.

Message to all dancers

This applies to everyone. Dancing is an expression. You are conveying a message to your audience. Dancers are usually never judged by their technical aspects. You will be surprised. Sometimes when the atmospehre looks good, people are made to believe what they saw looks good as well. If you want to learn dance, be an all rounder. That will respect the artform.

Sabreena

Experimenting with Brazillian Samba and bellydance

I am not the first to experiment this. In fact, i was inspired by a dancer called Karla temtem whom i got to know through a fellow dancer called Michelle Sonho. She was featured in this video. She taught me how to samba. What i am doing here is probably not the original samba. I am doing what is called a Samba shimmy something i learnt from an instructional video. This one is called “21 shimmies and 1001 variations”. I have experimented with Indian dance and now i am trying to fuse with some Brazillian style. A spanish male bellydancer, his name is Daniel told me he is going to try using spanish castanets instead of zills in bellydance. I was really happy to know how he intends to form his own style.

I do respect fusion and creativity. Orignality is very important. One must ever forget the primary styles of bellydance. Fusion is good. There are some bellydancers who are very strict in what they do. Ive seen people who tell me. “Im strictly into egyptian style”. Honestly, i dont mind. But i prefer trying and experimenting.

To make my video more interesting, i gave it a silent movie look. I was bored and was borrowing alot of silent films from my film history teacher. She was kind to let me watch them. I have a great love for history. So i spend hours watching propoganda movies with my dad. The obsession for Buster Keaton is what led me to do this.

Samba / american cabaret

The Samba steps adds playfulness to your dance. I had always been interested in American Cabaret Bellydance. The attitude is flirty, stylish and sexy. So when i heard Austin powers on Michellesonho;s video, i had to experiment with it. I have never learnt american Cabaret. I added playfulness and the samba to it. Honestly, my expressions are not good. I am too serious to flirt around with the audience. But i did try it on my body gestures and dance. I danced very lightly than my usual strict self. I didnt quite choreograph again. So i was sambaing away and doing a totally difefrent attitude.

Austin powers is a perfect song to bellydance. I have been thinking about usig it in my perfomances. Its a very strange tune to dance to and people would be curious.

You can do a cabaret style to this song very very easily.The music i would call it … sexy. It just strikes as sexy ad playful to me.

New section to this blog

Ive heard inspirational stories from fellow bellydancers who mail me. Thank you very much. Its amazing. I am thinking of opening a new section where you can send in your stories. Maybe that will clear alot of misconception about bellydance. Singapore is yet to learn how to be open towards bellydance.

Questions and requests/ upcoming stuff

Please keep sending them in. I will try my best to what i can do. I do read your emails and reply as fast as i can.  I hope you guys always enjoy what you do. Thanks for all the support. Special thank to Michelle Sonho to have taught me something new in bellydance. I would be combining with Michelle to do a new experiment in dance. If you guys want to experiment with me, do mail me. It just makes bellydance more interesting. Take care

 

Sabreena

A montage of me made by Pawn1787 (John)

This montage was made by John. Well i have to really thank you. I think that was really sweet of you to send me this. You made my day!

A Honest post

Today i am in a mood to pour my heart out. I have friends who tell me not to tell too much on a blog. But i cant help being honest. Ive nothing to pretend or hide about. I guess everyone feels the same way i do. We are all human after all. Today after John sent me this video, i started thinking to myself. Ive got various reactions from people when they know about my blog.

I started this blog mainly because i loved bellydance a little too much. Ive even got a friend who tells me that i am expressing my frustrations through art. Bellydance gave me freedom to explore and experiment. Maybe its my nature to dwell into things people forbid or have a dim view of. The moment you tell people you are a bellydancer, you have people thinking, “stripper?”.

There were times when i wake up in the morning and think what i am doing with myself. Or sometimes i wonder what people think about this indian girl who comes from a conservative culture and religion dancing on the web. Do people think sexually about the whole thing.  There were even times i thought of taking down the videos. Each time i feel like that, i recieve an email from a bellydancing sister or fan of bellydance telling me how much it means to them. The main reason why i started all this was because i didnt have a teacher. And i ended up with the wrong teachers in the beginning. I dont want people to have the passion but not the opportunity to learn. Maybe learning from videos isnt as effective as learning in a class. But atleast you learn and share something.

All the stuff you guys do for me, i really appreciate it. The emails, comments and the videos. It makes me think i am in the right path. It makes me feel a little better of myself. When people talk about what i do, i am honestly shy about it. I try to avoid the subject. Cos deep inside my heart, i had been afraid of what people think of me. I am not the sort of person that wants attention or want people to mistake what i do as sexual. Those who are with me, i have to thank all of you that none of you think like that. I am also glad that ive managed to be a form of help to all of you.

Another thing ive to thank all of you guys for are the comments and suggestions. By listening to your comments ive managed to correct my mistakes. By researching your questions, ive learnt alot more about this artform. I am also glad that the people who are with me have a great impression of bellydance. Ive heard from so many men who loves belydancing more than women. Ive seen John’s page and the time he spends compiling floorwork bellydance videos. http://www.youtube.com/user/Pawn1787

I will post more videos. And do keep sending me your questions. I might be a little late in answering them. Its great to share knowledge, you learn alot more that way. Thanks alot.

 

Sabreena

Beladi’s question on weight belts in bellydance

Weight belts in bellydance

I have made this video to answer a very controversial topic in bellydance ; the use of weights in bellydance. Some dancers are very against it. Some swear it helps them. This has been the argument among dancers for some time. I am not going to state what is right or wrong. I am just going to show some exercises i do with weight belts. I have used weight belts for over a month, i do not have any injuries. But that does not mean its totally safe.

Benefits of weights

Why are weights useful. By adding on weights on your hips, you are adding resistance to your movements, By moving harder than your usual self, when you remove your weights, you find your movements much more fluid and easier. Some claim weight belts help you learn faster. Weight belts can help you identify your muscles and move them individually.

Dangers of weights?

By not knowing how to move with your weights, you can hurt and injure your hips. You can damage your muscles. It may even cause strain on your knees. Rememeber, its not how fast you learn to be better. You as a dancer must last long enough. If you injure yourself in the start, you may not even be able to dance anymore. As a dancer, your health is very important.

Who can use weight belts?

Intermediate or advanced dancers. Again, i am not an expert. I am stating my opinion. Basic dancers do not know the basics of moving the proper muscles for certain steps. By using weights, wrong postures or wrong movements can seriously injure you! Its important to have a proper class training so your teacher can monitor you and see if you are doing your steps properly. An intermediate or advanced dancers know the basic movements, they are just adding weights to improve themselves.

Where to buy them?

There are proper weight belts for bellydancrs in the market. However, they are pricey. After much discussion with a few bellydancers, i realise scuba diving weight belts fits the same purpose. Scuba diving weight belts are much much cheaper. They are not pretty as your professional weight belts but they work the same.

What to look out for in weight belts?

Your weights MUST be distributed evenly. I use two pounds in each side of my hip. You can see in my video how i distributed them. Please start off with small amounts of weight. Weights in the market come with a minimum of total weight of 7 pounds. I started out with 4. The moment you feel uncomfortable, stop using the weights. Or you may get hurt.

Exercises to do with weights?

Its your normal drills. In this video i did various movements. Hip circles, umis, inner and outer figure eights, walking figure eights, inner hip circle, mayas and shimmies. You can do all your basics with weight belts. Honestly, i dont feel quite right about shimmying with weights on. If you ask me, i wouldnt advise it. I usually do undulations and belly rolls with weights. Weights can also help in teaching you isolations.

Short note

There are no miracles or fast learning way to be better. The main principle is practise and your love for this artform. If you love bellydance, you will practise. Weights can only help you to a certain extent. You can acheive a great standard even without weights. The main idea is practise. In singapore, you can get this weight belt for about 30 dollars inclusive of weights from any scuba diving shops. In US and UK i think its alot cheaper. Or you can just try ebay.  I hope i have helped. Please do keep mailing me your questions and requests. I am reading them. Sorry if i am a little late in uploading replies.

 

Sabreena

Nle editing (Dad and i )

Ok this time i am finally uploading my cheesy 1960’s edit of a boring NLE exercise. The footage was too boring and uninteresting to me. So i decided to use music and change the entire mood. Music does play an important role in films. Since Melanie (film history teacher) makes me watch cowboy movies, ive become so obsessed with it that i edit my exercises cowboy style.

The enthusisam for cowboy movies has spread to my father. I think everyone in school knows that there;s an invisible student for film history class – my dad.  Since i couldnt rip  the films from our school library so i could show execerpts, my dad went all around singapore looking for the rare sergio leone films. He so far got all of sergio leone movies

-Fistful of dollars, for a few dollars more, the good, the bad and the ugly, once upon a time in america, once upon a time in the west and DUCK YOU SUCKER!!!

And we watched them all. When i borrowed the books on it, my DAD was reading it. He helped me analyse the films alot. I even got myself a cowboy hat and a harmonica after watching once upon a time in the west.

My dad and i are real pals. This always gets my two other sisters jealous. Well maybe becos i am like a guy. I play xbox war games with him and we have obsession for the same types of movies. Now i passed on the obsession of silent films. I got my dad to watch some of Buster keatons films and guess what happened?

All of Buster Keaton’s titles he could get his hands on. So before and after i go to school me and my dad get a dose of buster keaton. My dad;s favorites are our hospitality, seven chances, go west and the neighbors

I told my dad about Charlie Chaplin. So he got a bunch more,

He is Stanley Kubrick’s fan too! I made him watch clockwork orange. Ever since that he bought a few dvds from kubrick’s collection. My dad calls him rUBIX For fun!

One day when i came back home, i found him watching CITIZEN KANE. He looked at me and said, “its a complicated plot.” Now he uses phrases like, “Wide shot, medium shot, wide angle lens, cinematography, low key lighting”. Its fun to see my father say all that. He was alot onto history and litreature, maybe thats why he can analyse movies so well. I would love to show him “Battleship Potemkin” next. Its a lovely film.

My dad and i have some discussion about silent era comedians. He kinds of like Charlie. I love Buster. I know my dad loves Buster too! I dun like Charlie as he is onto emotions. My dad told me to keep an open mind and watch all the silent actors and observe them So i do.

Film History and Dad

So we had to do the wiki on a french movie called Rules of the Game. Melanie was kind enough to lend us the dvd. I wanted to show my dad how french poetic realism and french impressionist films look like. He was able help me with explanations and ideas.  He helps me for my other stuff too. Its fun when you involve someone from the family. ever since i went to FSV i dont play xbox wid paps anymore. So we found a new line of hobbies. Watching old films. I made him watch some Dziga vertov’s movies as well. He really appreciates ancient stuff as i do.

 

 

Experimental Bellydance- Requiem for a Dream

Hello there. I am back again with another experiment in bellydance. This time i am dancing to my favorite classical piece called REQUIM FOR A DREAM. Many people hardly listen to classical pieces these days. It may sound strange, but ive got many classical pieces in my mp3. It relaxes me and makes me imagine. My main point for this experiment is that we can bellydance to any music. I had used alot of slow belly dance techniques here. I haf a great intrest towards tribal and tribal fusion bellydance. I tried using alot of earthy steps. I did most of my mayas flat on my feet rather than my toes.

I didnt quite use alot of travelling steps. I used to have a sunflower toy in my childhood. When you turn the button on, it will start making a snakey dance to “fur elise” of Beethoven. Thats another favourite piece of mine. So i used that as an inpiration and imitated what the toy did. Making snake like movements just standing in one place. So please excuse me for not travelling around.

I hardly choreograph nowdays. I just do random practises. I dont quite have the time. But when you stop restrciting urself to choreography you ted to be more smooth in your movements. If not most of your mind will be concetrating on keeping up with the choreography rather than feeling the music.

Weights?

I had been discussing with a good bellydancer friend of mine that is Daniel about using weights and practising. Some bellydancers say a big “NO NO” to this. Whereas some swear that it helps them improve. I couldnt quite afford Delilah’s weight belt for bellydancers, so i settled for a scuba diving weight belt with 2 pounds of weight on each side of my hip.

Honestly i would not suggest very basic learners to use weights. In bellydance its pretty important to know which muscle to move. Even if its just a hip circle. You need to know the proper technique. I would suggest intermediate level dancrs to use it. I am an intermediate dancer myself. But it kind of helped me. It helps you identify where your muscles and helps you move them.

How to practise with weights?

Daniel asked me this question. I am promising a video of me doing various bellydance practise moves with the belt on. So you guys got a rough idea what to do, if you are dead set on getting one. Dont be too ambitious and settle for a weighty belt. Go for the smallest. Even if you are a macho hero. Some dancers say its dangerous. But its not a proven fact. But its important to be cautious.

Other than weights how  do i train my muscles to listen to me?

Various movements are generated from various muscles. I am not an expert. I am just telling you what my teachers taught me. For an example, in the shimmy your back muscles on your thighs are da ones responsible for da movement. What i do is simply is hit the gym atleast twice a week. (I used to go every two days, but thanks to ma school i cant…) I do mostly leg exercises. 2 cycles and the cross trainer. It will make your leg muscles strong and your stamina will increase. You can do your mayas with your feet flat on the ground. Trust me.

For snake arms….i am pretty lazy to practise this. I kind of carry hand weights but i dont think it has helped me much. The sad truth is…DO SNAKE ARMS…feel like you are on water…move every muscle till it hurts…

Crunches and sit ups didnt quite help me with ma belly rolling. I speak to ma muscles. Really. They listen to you after some time. The more you practise the better. The weights helped me a great deal in ma undulations as well.

The grand question on hip scarfs from seema

Seema asked the different styles in tying the hip scarfs. Honestly everyone ties it in front. I think she got confused seeing me tie on the side sometimes. I dont know. Its personel preference. I feel happy when i see many coins jingling, so i tie it on ma side. Its a simple knot. Its not as complicated as the saree.

Where to buy?

Try ebay. It will be alot cheaper than your local bellydance stores. Trust me! Its the same chiffon scarf. You can choose to pay 40 dollars or just 14.

How to sew?

Hmmmm, its a tedious job. I was sewing sequins into a bra. After make two tiny circles on the centre of each cup, i gave up. If you are the determined kind. Get your coins from ebay and get a chiffon cloth and start sewing.

Brief history on hipscarfs

This i heard from an old teacher of mine. In the past, women lived in fear and were always on the run. Its like you may have to leave home any day or choose to get married or kidnapped to someone you dont quite fancy, So families sew their wealth or gold coins onto scarfs and tied it on their daughters so they could escape and they had money for their living and expenses.

Gold coins- rich family

-Silver coins- poorer families.

*Forgive ma typos