New Television Workshop Collection

New Television Workshop Collection Program MaterialsSpecials, Pilots, and Fills

Video clip of Making of Severe Clear, The

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 Making of Severe Clear, The

Extent:
1 videoreel of 1 (25 min.) : sd., col. ; 1 in.
12 videoreels of 12 : sd., col. ; 1 in.
1 videocassette of 1 (Betacam SP) (25 min.) : sd., col. ; 1/2 in.
1 videocassette of 1 (D3) (25 min.) : sd., col. ; 1/2 in.
1 videocassette of 1 (VHS) (25 min.) : sd., col. ; 1/2 in.
1 videocassette of 1 (25 min.) : sd., col. ; 3/4 In.


Copyright Date:
1986

Copyright Holder:
WGBH Educational Foundation

Artists:
Reitz, Dana
Turrell, James

Scope:
Includes a 1" master, 12 reels of original footage on 1" tape, Betacam SP and D3 preservation masters, and VHS and 3/4" screening copies.

"The Making of Severe Clear," 1986, is a documentary-style work that traces the creation of choreographer Dana Reitz' and light-and-space designer James Turrell's work, "Severe Clear." Rehearsals with Reitz and dancer Sarah Skaggs are featured, revealing Reitz' use of drawing and movement improvisation as choreographic tools. James Turrell's stage design is seen as it is being constructed. The video ends with the final performance of "Severe Clear" at Radcliffe College in the summer of 1985. A slow, contemplative duet, "Severe Clear" is set in a boxed area. The dancers move in and out of both the enclosed portion of the set and lit areas.

The costumes for the performance are loose, billowy garments, designed by John David Ridge and painted by Mary Macy.



Director:
Sebring, Ellen

Producer:
Dowling, Susan

Editors:
Sebring, Ellen
Thorpe, Bridget (Assistant Editor)

Funders:
Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities
National Endowment for the Arts
Field Papers, Inc.

Performers:
Scaggs, Sarah
Reitz, Dana
Turell, James

Subjects:
Modern dance
Improvisation in dance
Dance production
Stage props

Reitz, Dana


Genres:
Documentaries and factual works
Modern dance


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