It has been a while since I updated this blog, and a lot has happened in the interim. I had an empowering (and busy!) weekend dancing in the UW concert, "Dancing in the Digital Domain." After the final show on Sunday, I was able to meet with my girls to film the final segment of my video. I love these women! They are so talented, beautiful, and willing to work (and play) with me and with each other. We spent some time outside and got some beautiful footage. Too much, in fact, for the scope of this project. I plan on utilizing more of it as this piece develops.
As always with technology, I experienced some difficulties. When I played my footage on the camera, as well as in iMovie, it worked smoothly. But as soon as I hit "import," the image got choppy, and stopped playing after about 4 seconds. Just when I had given up hope, I received a suggestion from Diana that worked: fast forward the tape all the way to the end, then rewind it to the beginning. Everything was golden from then on.
I finished editing Monday night, then spent about 4 hours in the recording studio, followed by another 5 hours fitting the audio to the video. I am proud of my work on the music. I took two of my original compositions and arranged them to fit with the images. I look forward to my collaborator's return from out of town, so we can polish it even more.
When I see my film, I see three distinct characters who are on a journey transcending time and space. I see a blue flame emerging from the dancers, and smoldering quietly but bravely. What do you see?
About Me
- Kathryn
- Kathryn Hightower has been dancing for twenty years, with experience in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, Butoh, West African, capoiera, yoga, and more. In 2008, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance from the University of Washington, Cum Laude. As co-creator of the burgeoning dance company Steel Grace, formed with world-renowned musician Jah Breeze, she is a multi-disciplinary artist. She focuses not only on choreography, but on photography, videography, graphic design, event planning and, especially, music. Her 11 years of classical music theory training prepared her for her discovery of the steel drums through Jah Breeze. Now, she and Jah Breeze compose original musical creations, syncopated with fresh, rhythm-based dance moves inspired by modern, African, Butoh and hip hop styles. As an educator, Kathryn strives to cultivate these connections in her students. She has been teaching, mentoring, and tutoring children for over six years. She leads her own independent dance classes, as well as a burgeoning “children’s wing” of Steel Grace Dance Company.