Watched this on youtube.
Len was right. It was not a Viennese waltz; and it was a theatrical hodge-podge.
Is that typical of DWTS?
Len was right. It was not a Viennese waltz; and it was a theatrical hodge-podge.
Is that typical of DWTS?
Mya's "Viennese Waltz"
Originally Posted by Veri:
“Watched this on youtube.
Len was right. It was not a Viennese waltz; and it was a theatrical hodge-podge.
Is that typical of DWTS?”
“Watched this on youtube.
Len was right. It was not a Viennese waltz; and it was a theatrical hodge-podge.
Is that typical of DWTS?”
I agree.
I agree, but then that wasn't exactly Mya's fault. DWTS does tend to be more "showy" and less technical, but then technical dances aren't always appreciated on Strictly either (Ali's Salsa!).
Dimitry Chaplin won a few Emmy awards for his innovative choreography on SYTYCD. However, Len likes traditional and is is not very pleased with Dimitry or any other pro who veers from the traditional. Len also came down hard on Lacey the first season because she was not doing traditional ballroom.
I like Len on DWTS and I am wondering how he will judge next week with the nontraditional ballroom dances coming up.
I am of two minds about the traditional vs. the more innovative. Traditional is beautiful and it highlights the dancing skill of the celebrity in a simple but elegant way. More innovative theatrical choreography appeals to emotion and excitement of the dance. I guess it comes down to personal taste and which one you prefer.
I do get annoyed with DWTS when the pros do a dance that I don't recognize as that dance. But sometimes when they take risks it has a dazzling result. Examples would be the tango that Julianne and Apolo did and the jive that Derek and Lil Kim did. They were both not well received by Len but were stand-out dances for the public and the other judges.
I like Len on DWTS and I am wondering how he will judge next week with the nontraditional ballroom dances coming up.
I am of two minds about the traditional vs. the more innovative. Traditional is beautiful and it highlights the dancing skill of the celebrity in a simple but elegant way. More innovative theatrical choreography appeals to emotion and excitement of the dance. I guess it comes down to personal taste and which one you prefer.
I do get annoyed with DWTS when the pros do a dance that I don't recognize as that dance. But sometimes when they take risks it has a dazzling result. Examples would be the tango that Julianne and Apolo did and the jive that Derek and Lil Kim did. They were both not well received by Len but were stand-out dances for the public and the other judges.
It wasn't traditional in the slightest, which I knew was going to happen as his costume choice was as far away from ballroom as you can possibly get. I think it'll take a bit for Mya to get a 30 as he seems set on choreographing to please just 2 of the judges.
Originally Posted by Veri:
“
Is that typical of DWTS?”
“
Is that typical of DWTS?”
Yes, pretty much. This was quite an extreme example, but they are far from the first couple to dance something which bore no resemblance to the dance in question.
I loved the dance, no question, but it wasn't a VW, and I think Dmitry shot himself in the foot there, as Mya is certainly capable enough not to need to appeal just to the public. For an example of someone doing this when they did need public support, see this for a paso!
I agree. It was a beautiful dance, and no doubt would have done well on SYTYCD, but all wrong for dwts. No fault of Mya's - as I think was pointed out at the time?
Len is quite capable of recognising the difference between the International (regrettably, the only style used in UK) and American Smooth style, but I think it's fair to say Dmitry's choreography didn't fit either style.
Len is quite capable of recognising the difference between the International (regrettably, the only style used in UK) and American Smooth style, but I think it's fair to say Dmitry's choreography didn't fit either style.
The "VW" on DWTS is unlike the VW we see on SCD anyway, in that it is more like a conventional waltz IMO, but with a few tricks thrown in. It has come, IMO, in many cases to resemble an American Smooth done at waltz pace. Mya's was just such a dance, lovely though it is, it isn't a VW, but it's not that far away from the mark on DWTS.
Originally Posted by Lili27:
“Dimitry Chaplin won a few Emmy awards for his innovative choreography on SYTYCD. However, Len likes traditional and is is not very pleased with Dimitry or any other pro who veers from the traditional. Len also came down hard on Lacey the first season because she was not doing traditional ballroom.
I like Len on DWTS and I am wondering how he will judge next week with the nontraditional ballroom dances coming up.
I am of two minds about the traditional vs. the more innovative. Traditional is beautiful and it highlights the dancing skill of the celebrity in a simple but elegant way. More innovative theatrical choreography appeals to emotion and excitement of the dance. I guess it comes down to personal taste and which one you prefer.
I do get annoyed with DWTS when the pros do a dance that I don't recognize as that dance. But sometimes when they take risks it has a dazzling result. Examples would be the tango that Julianne and Apolo did and the jive that Derek and Lil Kim did. They were both not well received by Len but were stand-out dances for the public and the other judges.”
“Dimitry Chaplin won a few Emmy awards for his innovative choreography on SYTYCD. However, Len likes traditional and is is not very pleased with Dimitry or any other pro who veers from the traditional. Len also came down hard on Lacey the first season because she was not doing traditional ballroom.
I like Len on DWTS and I am wondering how he will judge next week with the nontraditional ballroom dances coming up.
I am of two minds about the traditional vs. the more innovative. Traditional is beautiful and it highlights the dancing skill of the celebrity in a simple but elegant way. More innovative theatrical choreography appeals to emotion and excitement of the dance. I guess it comes down to personal taste and which one you prefer.
I do get annoyed with DWTS when the pros do a dance that I don't recognize as that dance. But sometimes when they take risks it has a dazzling result. Examples would be the tango that Julianne and Apolo did and the jive that Derek and Lil Kim did. They were both not well received by Len but were stand-out dances for the public and the other judges.”
Those are good points.
What I like to see, though, on a show like SCD, is choreography that's creative within traditional constraints. I think that's an interesting challenge, and I like to see what the dancers (pro and celeb) can do with it.
Also, if the constraints are loosened too much, there's a danger that the dace will have lots of unrelated flashy elements rather than forming a coherent whole. I think that's what happened here. Len called it a hodge-podge, and I think he was right.
...
I read somewhere in the main SCD forum that Len was much more critical on DWTS than on SCD, that he was the "negative" judge, rather like Craig in SCD. The implication seemed to be that Len was inconsistent, which would cast doubt on what he says on both shows.
However, I think maybe it's the difference in the shows that's causing it, rather than Len changing his stance.
When Mya's VW started, I thought, "hmm, a lot of faffing about. I wonder what Len will say." I thought it would eventually morph into a VW, but it hardly ever did.
Originally Posted by Lilystar:
“I loved the dance, no question, but it wasn't a VW, and I think Dmitry shot himself in the foot there, as Mya is certainly capable enough not to need to appeal just to the public. For an example of someone doing this when they did need public support, see this for a paso!”
“I loved the dance, no question, but it wasn't a VW, and I think Dmitry shot himself in the foot there, as Mya is certainly capable enough not to need to appeal just to the public. For an example of someone doing this when they did need public support, see this for a paso!”
Link doesn't work. Try this one
I remember watching this at the time and being open mouthed at what they were doing!
Originally Posted by Sallyforth:
“The "VW" on DWTS is unlike the VW we see on SCD anyway, in that it is more like a conventional waltz IMO, but with a few tricks thrown in. It has come, IMO, in many cases to resemble an American Smooth done at waltz pace. Mya's was just such a dance, lovely though it is, it isn't a VW, but it's not that far away from the mark on DWTS.”
“The "VW" on DWTS is unlike the VW we see on SCD anyway, in that it is more like a conventional waltz IMO, but with a few tricks thrown in. It has come, IMO, in many cases to resemble an American Smooth done at waltz pace. Mya's was just such a dance, lovely though it is, it isn't a VW, but it's not that far away from the mark on DWTS.”
I see where you are coming from here, but American Smooth isn't "a dance", but a style of dance, which includes waltz, foxtrot, tango and Viennese. It is a far more open style; couples can release hold, but (I think I'm right) at least 40% must be danced in conventional ballroom hold. They can include a lot more "open" type steps - a step called Promenade Runs (might have different name in US) which are basic samba steps, are particularly popular.
Don't take too much notice of what Strictly couples class as American Smooth - it is very much their own interpretation. Frequently they dance a "Smooth Quickstep", which simply doesn't exist.
[I've just reread this - hope it doesn't sound too preaching]
Last edited by kaycee : 12-10-2009 at 16:19
Originally Posted by Force Ten:
“Link doesn't work. Try this one
I remember watching this at the time and being open mouthed at what they were doing!”
“Link doesn't work. Try this one
I remember watching this at the time and being open mouthed at what they were doing!”
That's what I get for trying to do fancy links! Thanks FT, that's the one I was on about. I think that was a stunning example of how ridiculous DWtS can get!
I hope someone has a go at the Country Two Step. It sounds simple enough, just two steps, slow-slow and quick-quick but it can be ver complex and challenging. I think it has the potential to be one of the coolest dances when done well, with lots of spins, changes of place etc. etc. to a great modern new country tune... I'll get me coat...
