Bridgeman Packer Response

I liked the Bridgeman-Packer experience very much.  I was really interested in their techniques and how they combined dance and film, as well as still images.  I have seen a few things like that before, in exhibits in Discovery Place and random other locations, but I have never seen it be so interactive before. 

            I also enjoyed seeing professional dancers and all the film students work together.  While the dancers didn’t know much about the film aspects of the project, our class didn’t know all that much about the dancing aspect of the project, and it was obvious that, by working together, we all influenced each other in our activity. 

            As much as I loved being involved in the group activity, I was not too thrilled by the performance that only Bridgeman and Packer put on.  It may have been because I have only encountered a more fast-paced, or because I would have liked for the dancers to be more involved with the background, but it was fairly hard to stay awake during the performance. 

            My favorite part of the performance was the second “Under the Skin” composite, because it really took advantage of the illusionary perspectives of the footage projected on the dancers.  The match up of the bodies was humorous and impressive.  It was obvious how much they have rehearsed, and it was nice to see them so synched up with the film. 

            They also did this when they would run back and forth along the curtain and multiple digital versions of Bridgeman and Packer would follow them, interact with them, and disappear again.  This was probably the only part of the performance where my eyes were actually tricked a few times.  It got to be difficult to keep up with the digital version of the performers and where the actual physical performers are.  I think they could have interacted with the digital versions even more.  With some better color correction to make the images more life-like, and maybe with a few enlargements, the digital version would become even more realistic and the illusion would be more appreciated by the audience. 

            I did like that they brought the audience on stage to examine the stage, because I know I was very impressed by the simplicity of the technology, and the result of how little they had up there.  All in all, I was impressed by the company and would probably go see them again, given the chance.  I appreciate the opportunity to work with them, if only for the day.