Documentary Essay : A Ballerinas Tale.
A Ballerinas Tale directed by Nelson Turner, focuses on a young girl who longs to become a successful ballerina in a world that is extremely competitive. Despite the trials and tribulations that she faces she refuses to give up, and continues to aim for her long term goal. By utilizing video clips, photos, and interviews the documentary conveys emotional appeal. This allows viewers to experience the struggles that the main character goes through. This documentary focuses on showing viewers that, experiencing hardships is a way of life, and it is what an individual learns and makes out of their setbacks that determine how successful they will be.
As the documentary starts, the viewer is first greeted with a clip of young Misty at one of her ballet practices. Looking at her at first glance, she appears to be around the age of 13. However her dancing style and technique can be comparable to those of a grown woman. The viewer notices that Misty stands out for numerous reasons. This may include her skin tone, the fact that she appears younger than the other dancers, or her overall physique. But, what stands out the most is how graceful and poised her dancing is. Starting of the documentary with this clip allows viewers to see firsthand how unique and beautiful Misty is. In the next significant clip the
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Despite all the difficulties , racial setbacks ,and stereotypes, we see many strong women overcome these problems. The audience sees not only Misty, but other powerful African American figures accomplish their aspirations. The viewers can interpret that setbacks do not determine how successful a person is in the long run. This documentary overall does a wonderful job of depicting Misty’s Life. It is interesting, insightful, and educational. This documentary is a must see for
Would you let people hold you back from doing what you love or would you overcome the obstacle? Misty Copeland was one of the first professional African American dancers. This is important because if she hadn’t done it then we still might not allow African Americans to be professional dancers. Also with her being brave and strong enough to not give up even when they didn’t like her she is teaching kids that you should not let others decide what you will do and who you will be. Misty Copeland’s obstacle was racism and persecution; it changed her because she gained strength to do what she loved despite the hatred.
The first experience of watching a ballet, for me or any little girl, can be fascinating and exhilarating. Wondering how a dancer can be so steady on her toes as she spins in circles and leaps through the air. Watching a ballet, there is a feeling of wanting to be graceful, as well as the warm sensation felt by a little girl as she slips into dream land. My mom had taken me to my first ballet when I was 11 years old. When we returned home home, she signed me up for classes at the local dance center. The expectations to become a prima ballerina would involve much hard work and concentration. I knew when I started it would take years of steady practice and commitment. Learning the history of ballet and the famous
Gates highlights that For colored girls is a film that makes a strong message of empowerment to the humanity of women. No matter how bad things could get in life and no matter how many times you’ve been brought down, always know you are strong enough to get back up and not let darkness conquer your life. This essay will explore how a person can overcome any kind of tragedy, hardship or struggle whether or not they are affected emotionally,
At a young age Misty Copeland did not have a permanent home. Her mother was constantly remarrying and moving in with her new husband. Because Copeland’s mother was constantly working she and her siblings spent time at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club after
Michaela DePrince was born in Sierra Leone when it was a war –torn country and she was orphaned at a young age. She was known as Number 27 at the orphanage, where she was told she was a “devil child” because she has vertigo a skin condition that causes her skin to appear spotted. At that same orphanage, Michaela found a picture in magazine of a ballerina in a pink tutu en pointe that caused her to see the world differently and it gave her hope to get adopted and make it to America to become a ballerina
Have you ever thought what it would be like to be dancing up on your toes with the American Ballet theatre (ABT)? That’s just what happened, Misty Copeland currently a principal dancer at ABT had a dream to dance there ever since she started to dance and she didn't think that she could do it,but with training, hard work, and passion you can achieve anything. For the month of September I decided to read “Life in Motion” written by Misty Copeland. This book was very inspiring in many ways. I learned so much that I didn’t know, not only about Misty Copeland but also about ballet. I decided to read this book because, Misty Copeland is one of my idols, she is also a big inspiration and I really wanted to learn more about her. Overall this book was amazing. I would recommend it to not only ballet dancers but to also people who love non-fiction because it is full of so many details and a lot of imagery that it makes a person feel like they are in her shoes dancing through her life. I would recommend this book because many people can relate to Misty Copeland in many ways, your mind wanders while reading, and because the plot was very unbelievable and surprising.
The early life of Misty Copeland were lots of living problems. She was born September 10,1982. She lived in a poor motel with 6 kids! Her mom had many boyfriends so they had to move constantly but they finally settled in San Pedro. She went to the Boys and Girls club after school every day. Cindy offered Misty to live with her so Misty lived with her. Misty became a better dancer from living with Cindy but her mom wanted her back so Misty was back living with her mom. Misty also started dance. When Misty was told that she had the perfect ballerina body she tried dance. She started dance at the age of 13. She started at the Boys and Girls club and eventually made her way to San Pedro Ballet. She
The journey from being a hidden figure to someone of credibility was far from easy amongst the three women. Each of the women were disposed to stereotypes of not being capable enough that resulted from their skin color. While being stereotyped, these women knew they had
The short story/essay “Beauty: When the Other Dancer Is the Self” written by Alice Walker demonstrates the story of Alice accepting herself despite her flaws. As a child, Alice is a pretty, outgoing, and messy girl; but that all changes in a matter of seconds. Alice loses sight in one of her eyes, changing her perspective on life for a majority of her life. She went from the outgoing girl whom everybody seems to love, to the girl that doesn’t look up anymore in fear people will see her messed up eye. Growing up in 1947 with her family, she is not a rich child, in fact, almost dirt poor, so her parents can’t afford a car to take her to the hospital, contributing to her losing sight in her eye. Although she tells her parents a reason causing her to injure her eye, it is a lie, so that she is able to protect her siblings from becoming in trouble. Alice Walker demonstrates a theme of lying to protect siblings in her life which I can relate to because I oftenly as a child had to lie to protect my siblings as well.
Almost everyone in the world feels a need to belong. When searching for one’s own identity, the questions of where power lies and who disperses it derive. The choices to separate, conform and individualize play the most significant role in identity because those choices refer individuals to the people they associate with. Deirdre N. McCloskey’s “Yes, Ma’am” and Alice Walker’s “Beauty: When the Other Dancer is the Self” relate in finding an identity and self-accepting oneself.
Misty Copeland is a significant person in dance history because her confidence, independence, and perseverance have enabled her to break the color barrier in ballet, inspire young dancers by her troubled childhood, and make a comeback to save her
When she was younger, it wasn’t hard for her to learn the new choreography.She was a natural dancer,but no matter how well of a dancer she was she knew that she could always improve her skills. She also became a local dancer and she performed at rodeos and county fair. One of instructor said “She didn't know learn the basics.” She needed to be taught the basics.
Miss Farrell has a wonderful talent that allow her to let you vividly experience the true life of a performer. It is not a surprise that she has this wonderful gift. In fact, a ballerina is naturally a story teller, but instead of using words to illustrate her tale a ballerina will use movements and sounds to tell a story. Farrell does not hold back a single bit of her tragic but fulfilling life from us. She honestly puts her true self into the book showing us the somewhat odd but beautiful quirks in her
The dance that I will be focusing on is entitled: thinking sensing standing feeling object of attention. The dance, to me, symbolizes the socialization of persons in Western civilization concerning gender roles. In the beginning there are gestures that are separated from emotion and full-embodiment, but as the dance progresses the gestures become more meaningful and recognizable. The lighting starts out very specific and narrow, then the light encompasses the entire stage, and eventually the dancers are silhouetted as they return to a familiar movement motif in the end. The music is mainly instrumental with occasional soft female vocals, and the lyrics suggest emotion, which is interesting because the dancers do not convey emotion until
I started ballet when I was 5 years old. At first I did not want to join ballet. But my mom forced me to join. When I tried out, I was really enjoying the class. But I did not want to show that I did enjoy it.