Planet B-Boy and improv: what can we learn?
Posted by Plague | Filed under Talkin' Shop - We talk improv. Any questions you want discussed can be. Email us @ captain@ussrocknroll.com., The Plague
The best feeling you’ve ever felt times two, that’s what I get from it.
So I watched this amazing documentary, Planet B-Boy on a recommendation from Dave Taylor. I loved it so much I made the boy watch it with me again 2 nights later. What’s to follow is my assessment of how the world of break teams and improv parallel each other and my idea for a new show inspired by the Battle of the Year which happens every year in Germany. A contest that highlights the best break teams from countries all over the world.
They were proud to showcase their teamwork.
Every year in Germany, the best break teams from 20 different countries meet to showcase their talents. The teams are graded on a number of different categories including things like power moves, artistry, overall show, and teamwork.
These teams are comprised of men and women who have been training their whole lives to get the opportunity to perform on this one stage because it’s one of the few times when these teams will be able to showcase their talents in front of a large amount of people. These break teams don’t get paid to rehearse or perform for most of their lives and winning this one competition is a one chance shot at getting some recognition and making their art a sustainable lifestyle.
It’s a serious way to unify youth.
The dancers learn the tools to become good performers, but their real mastery lies in their ability to create great teams. In the documentary “Planet B-Boy,” the team that wins (I won’t give it away) is credited for their amazing team dynamic and they way they “joke around” with each other and keep a light hearted approach to the competition and their competition.
I became more aware of my own identity and open to other ways of life when I discovered this art form. I knew it was the best outlet to satisfy my creativity.
These dancers do not perform for the glory, for in fact in most cases there is very little. They do not perform for the money, since only the yearly champions receive much cash at all. They do not perform for the fame and ask yourself how many break dancers you can name. They perform for the love of the art form and for the opportunity to dance with a group of people whom they consider to be some of the best breakers in the world. They dance to be with like minded people who see the joy in creating something beautiful.
You can’t win alone in hip-hop.
The documentary shows a number of young, male breakers speaking about their dance as if it’s a miracle in their life and one of my favorite stories is of the French team Phase-T that comes mostly from a poor city in France who, once a week, lays out mats in the middle of the ghettos to show young kids how to break.
It’s very personal and emotional for me.
I have never been so inspired by a documentary. The dancing is amazing, the brotherhood heart warming and the idea of an international gathering of the greats is awe-inspiring.
In the beginning of 2010 I want to host the first in a new series of bi-yearly improv contests. The venue is TBD and all teams are welcome. This contest will feature teams in slots of 7 minutes. Yes, only 7 minutes. Teams will be judged by a panel of esteemed improv gurus from all over LA on a series of categories including things like teamwork, theme, artistry, environment, character, and imagination. I hope to grow this contest over a few years time and would love for it to eventually include teams from other countries who bring new imagination and lots of cross culture pollination.
If you are interested in being a part of this upcoming battle, helping out in the first ever “7 minutes in heaven” (working title) or would just like to be kept informed… please email me at captain@ussrocknroll.com
And go watch Planet B-Boy! You can stream it live on Netflix.
Tags: Battle of the Year, Planet B-Boy
