Sisters and Brothers
Movement/Blocking
Hello members!
Dennis Stowe here, THANK YOU in advance for your work on this. Michael is really trying to do something different with this video so it requires a bit more than just sitting stationary and singing into the camera. The video it’s based on is fun, bright and filled with energy and is also constantly moving so we wanted to try to capture that as best (and safely) as we could. The goal is to record just one video but it’s ok if you need to do two. If so, we will be specific about how to do that and where the videos should stop and start. I will summarize what we want done here but PLEASE refer to the instructional videos and the written instructions that go with it. If there are any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly at dstojr@aol.com
BACKGROUND/ENVIRONMENT
This project requires you to have 2 staging areas:
STAGING AREA #1: Inside with the normal video lighting and clean (home look ok) look.
STAGING AREA #2: is either:
(Preferred Option) An Outside space that you have quick-ish access to that is controlled and safe. A place where you are comfortable being without a mask or gloves. Roofs, Balconies, Terraces, Gardens, front steps are all fair game.
***IMPORTANT: Please let us know ASAP if this is an option for you by sending an email to Dennis at dstojr@aol.com BEFORE you record your video and type “Outside” in the subject line.
An inside set up where you can transition to and do an activity. The activity should be simple and feel like a “last looks” before venturing out. Examples: Put on make-up at a table, Moving a mirror to Brush you beard or hair, moving to a mirror or vanity to fixing you clothes or collar, going into the closet to get a light scarf or jacket, etc.
EITHER OPTION YOU ONLY HAVE 6 counts of eight at the track tempo to get to STAGING AREA #2 and be ready to move on the downbeat of the 7th count of eight (singing “Yes” at measure 67) and make sure you have room to do the choreography.
INSTRUCTIONS
BEGINNING
Set yourself up in your STAGING AREA #1
MEASURES 1 - 20
For the first 4 bar intro and “oohs” we want a nice “groove”. You can be sitting or standing just make sure you can settle into your “singing position” in the frame when you sing the first “Sisters and Brothers” at measure 9.
You will be in this position until you have to move to Staging area 2 at measure 55. There is always a light bop while you are singing. Try not to just be stationary. (Please refer to the video called “Sisters and Brothers measures 1-20 Instructions”)
MEASURES 21 - 54
From measures 21 -54 different people are assigned to different groups for different sections of the song. Please know what group you are in and map what you are doing in your section. (It’s basically just head movements and it’s all spelled out in the videos)
If you are not assigned a group for a specific section, just continue singing forward and bopping into the camera until measure 55 (which is the “doot doot” section) when you have to move to your Staging area 2.
Sopranos
Ann: Group 6
Jen Th (Tasha M): Group 3 and 5
Anastasia T: Group 5
Allyson: Group 2 and 7
Christina( Judith F): Group 4 and 5
Casey: Group 2 and 7
Jenn M: Group 1 and 6
Altos
Adee: Group 5
Zonya: Group 6
Desiree: Group 4 and 5
Susan: Group 1 and 7
Tavia (Laura D.): Group 7
Anastacia M: Group 2 and 7
Anita: Group 4 and 5
Tenors
Allen: Group 5
Ben: Group 3 and 5
Chris: Group 3 and 5
Will: Group 1 and 7
Matthew: Group 4 and 7
Michael: Group 2 and 6
Jesse: Group 1 and 3 and 5
GROUP 1
At measure 21, Jen M, Susan, Will & Jesse look LEFT on the first beat on the “Bro” of “Brothers”, hold through the next bar then look front on “Each” at measure 23 and just continue to bop front.
****IMPORTANT NOTE FOR GROUPS 1 - 4: When I say look left or look right I mean look to YOUR left and YOUR right!!!****
GROUP 2
Michael Mc, Allyson, Casey and Anastacia M look RIGHT on the first beat of measure 22 on the “Sis” of “Sisters and then back front on the “Each” at measure 23 and just continue to bop front.
****IMPORTANT NOTE FOR GROUPS 1 - 4: When I say look left or look right I mean look to YOUR left and YOUR right!!!****
GROUP 3
At measure 25, Ben, Jesse, Jen Th, Chris look RIGHT on the first beat on the “Sis” of “Sisters” and hold through the next bar then look front on the “Mo” of “Mother’s” at measure 27 and just continue to bop front
****IMPORTANT NOTE FOR GROUPS 1 - 4: When I say look left or look right I mean look to YOUR left and YOUR right!!!****
GROUP 4
Christina, Desiree, Matthew and Anita look LEFT on the first beat of measure 26 on the “Bro” of “Brothers” then back front on the “Mo” of “Mother’s” at measure 27 and just continue to bop front.
****IMPORTANT NOTE FOR GROUPS 1 - 4: When I say look left or look right I mean look to YOUR left and YOUR right!!!****
GROUP 5
Measures 42 - 49: Anita, Ben, Anastasia T, Jesse, Jen Th, Allen, Adee, Christina, Chris, Desiree choose 3 looks in different directions on the down beats of measures 42, 44, and 46 and look front and bop on the downbeat of 48 on the word “out”. The looks should be soft but in a definite direction. (Refer to video)
GROUP 6
Measures 51- 54: Zonya, Michael M stay bopping forward and just sing the “ain’t we’s” at measures 51 and 52(only sing the “aint we’s)and continue singing front through measure 54 when you then start moving on the “doot doots”
Ann and Jen M just bop forward for measures 51and 52 then just sing the “aint we”(only sing the “ain’t we) at 53 and continue singing front through measure 54 when you start moving on the “doot doots”
GROUP 7
Measures 51-54: Will, Susan , Casey , Allyson, Tavia, Matthew and Anastasia M choose three looks in different directions on the downbeats of measures 51, 52 and 53 and look front and bop on the downbeat of measure 54 right before you sing “ain’t we happy”. the looks should be soft but in a definite direction.
MEASURES 55 - 67
Transition from STAGING AREA #1 to STAGING AREA #2
As you move into STAGING AREA #2 ONLY sing the “doot doots” into the camera. DO NOT sing the “Aint We Lucky” at measure 63 unless we have instructed you to do so. (I will demonstrate examples of outside and inside spaces in the videos)
***NOTE: We would love if you could transition into Staging area 2 in ONE VIDEO TAKE. But if the journey requires more time, start the second video at measure 50, sing through measure 54 and move to Staging area 2 on your “doot doots” ***
IF you #2 area is OUTSIDE
(Preferred Option)
An Outside space that you have quick-ish access to that is controlled and safe. A place where you are comfortable being without a mask or gloves. Roofs, Balconies, Terraces, Gardens, front steps are all fair game.
***IMPORTANT: Please let us know ASAP if this is an option for you by sending an email to Dennis at dstojr@aol.com BEFORE you record your video and type “Outside” in the subject line.
If you staging area #2 is INSIDE
An inside set up where you can transition to and do an activity. The activity should be simple and feel like a “last looks” before venturing out.
Examples: Put on make-up at a table, Moving a mirror to Brush you beard or hair, moving to a mirror or vanity to fixing you clothes or collar, going into the closet to get a light scarf or jacket, etc.
MEASURES 68 - End
Finish the number in your Staging area 2, doing the following movement ( Refer to Video)
AND YOU’Re DONE!!
<= To return to the instructions and continue with upload, click HERE