Video Vault: Frankenstein tapping experiment

So I recently found out that iMovie '09 can create split screens in the advanced features...goodness I had to just let my creative juices flow. I must really say that mix media performances can be quite tricky to execute. At the end of the day, this talent cum camera woman cum director was just exhausted. I don't even know how some of the youtubers do it like MysteryGuitarMan and Kurt Schneider, they must have had a big team or something.
The last few seconds in the vid didn't come out as strong as I wanted to. I wasn't very sure why. 

Video Vault: Benji & Torri's new showcase routine

My mind is officially blown. Did I just see an illusion turn at 0:37? A high fan kick at 1:04? What was that crazy trick around 2:35? Did I also just see them make dubstep look good? 
I'm fangirling from behind this screen, guys. I really enjoy their sharp movements, their projection, and just that oozing chemistry from their routine. I also respect Torri as she's also able to be the base for Benji for one of the tricks they did, it's different from the traditional role where the guys always have to be the ones lifting the girl. Credits where it's due, Benji's done a really good job at hitting the stunts at the right time and whatnot. 
It didn't really matter that they didn't employ as much swing technique in this routine, but everything about this choreography is just astonishing!

Video Vault: Double Split Slide in WCS

Interesting move I came across on the web while browsing. This isn't something that I've been taught in class, but it's great if one could grab a partner and figure out the feel, lead and follow for the moves in this video.

Video Vault: Stop-Spin in ECS

I remember this move being a part of my tap dance choreography two years ago, except it was in an 8-count variation to fast paced music from Hairspray.

I couldn't really note the intricacies in executing this move at that point in time (as a leader) because tap dance, being a solo dance, conditioned us to move on our own all the time. So, even though our instructor told the follows to only allow the guy or leader to spin them, more often than not they were auto-piloting.

I didn't notice that there had to be a twisting motion as seen in 0:55 in the video. This should build up the momentum needed to do the stop-spin motion. If you're parallel to your partner, you're more likely to use force to spin the follow (or they're auto piloting to make you look good in a performance.) I'm also beginning to notice that this twisting motion is quite common in other partner dances that requires spinning like a salsa combo that I learnt & followed the past 3 weeks.

Video Vault: Salsa hair comb

Salsa 2A recap! Plus my additional annotations as follows:0:20 - this applies to West Coast Swing as well1:00 - keep in mind that the "comb" is the girl's hand. It's creepy if the guy's hand becomes the comb1:18 - Yep, it's creepy when dancing with a stranger and this happens. Don't do it. Right now I don't know any leads that uses that handhold either and I'll most likely freak out in socials when that happens.1:47 - Ladies, here's something to add for your styling vocabulary!
This hair comb move is also called Aladdin. It's also usually preceded by a cross body lead inside turn. This move sometimes follows up with a close hold so the guys can do another CBL move. 

Video Vault: I take it all back

Do you recall that I said it'll be really silly to west coast swing dance to Sexy and I Know It? After watching this routine, I'm taking it all back:,about how you're not getting a second date, scaring people away, and the potential need to strip. This choreography just made it cool.
As of January 4, 2013, I have danced to Sexy and I know it (NOT Noah Guthrie's cover.) Turns out it isn't as bad as I have put it in my previous blog post.

Video Vault: Stretching Exercises

Found this video while I was tumblring around for dance related entries. This is actually informative. I realised that I've been stretching the wrong way all this while and thus there was little progress on my flexibility since starting salsa dance, it's such a simple little detail, yet I missed it - keeping my back straight.

The stretching exercise at 2:00 made me realise how much I hate my right foot for being inflexible (but my right foot balances better, and vice versa with my left) I don't know about you guys, but I think that exercise could help balance out the flexibility of your legs better. That, and I'll need to do tons of 3:50 so that I can split both ways. Also I'm hoping 4:20 can help me split frontwards too, but even if it doesn't, I think my inner thighs need tons of stretching.

I should probably look around for videos to increase flexibility with the back. I'm aiming to do a scorpion :)

**Having good flexibility isn't a requirement in social dances, but it's good to stretch so that you can see how far your body can express itself.

Video Vault: Tuck Pass/Turn + Additional Annotations

**Once again, this isn't supposed to replace one's dance instruction, whether it is from a personal/private dance teacher or learning with a group. It's for the convenience of anyone who happens to have learnt the steps and require a few reminders on the technique. And again, if there's any input that you have, please don't hesitate to comment.

• Jitterbugs WCS1 students: Tuck Turn with Left Side Pass equates to Tuck Pass for us.
• 0:23 - Girls take note of your frame. Remember to shrug and lock your shoulders back.
• 0:30 - It's important to also have a compression going on during the counts 3 & before pushing off at 4. Guys don't cushion too much, so the girls don't end up having too much force and too little inertia to push of into the turn. 
• 0:54 - If I'm not mistaken, guys should cushion by tilting their body leftwards a little bit, but it looks like this guy doesn't. 
• 0:57 - I remember otherwise: the guy just pushes off, but it would look like the hand is going around the girl's head like a halo, but not intentionally flicking your hand around her head like a halo.
• 1:04 - Take note of this exercise all the way to the end of the video. Remember that both must exert an equal and opposite amount of force on the other (and if it helps, that was a reference to Newton's 3rd Law of Motion.)

Video Vault: Swingvitation 2012

I can't seem to find some good West Coast Swing video tutorials in YouTube. Oh well, here's something to enjoy while I scout around with more specific keywords on the search bar, perhaps with a more specific technique on mind.

This was Jordan & Tatiana's opening performance for Swingvitation (which I unfortunately missed. Dag nab-it.) I really love their fluid motions in this choreography. It really fits their song choice too. Hopefully they can come down to Singapore again soon so I can catch them next time around (if my university work doesn't kill me)

Video Vault: West Coast Swing Styling video

As promised, I found a video on YouTube that talks about styling. On the dance floor you may not be thinking much as you dance, so I wouldn't really know how I look when I try out the styling here. I guess it takes practice and lots of confidence to strut your stuff and let loose.

In the meantime, I will be looking at more WCS videos to take inspiration from for styling.