It has been quite some time since my last conceptualized dance video which is why I decided to continue with this project. Actually, I never have thought that this dance piece would somehow turn into a concept video. When I first heard the song, I asked for its title immediately and downloaded it. After that, I started to choreograph a portion of the song. But then at some point, I realized that this song has somehow a connection to me as if like there was a message that I have to unlock but the only key to know the message is to continue with my choreography to the song. I then ended up with a vision of how it would progress and realized that I was creating a story. A story of me, you and everyone else in this world that only a few would be really aware of. A story that most if not all has encountered in real life. This is a story about a guy who had undergone the four stages towards redemption. This video has been divided into four different sets which means that pieces are shot into four different locations with four different sentiments. This concept video is divided into four differing stages towards redemption namely;vengeance, outrage, doubt and acceptance.
Vengeance:
Being hurt has never been easy and thinking about that painful thing that a person has done to us makes us feel that retaliation must be made. As the saying goes, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" would best define how the character feels on the first set of the video. The character shows how he feels by the way he executes the actions (strong and forceful). The character's eyes show anger to portray his thirst for revenge. The character wears a mask as a sign of a tension (the character cannot speak his heart out).
Outrage:
Sometimes pressure hits us so hard in our lives that we cannot hold it in anymore. We often feel the urge to break out and show an extremely strong reaction of anger, shock, or indignation. In worst cases some people commit ferocious crimes. But in this video, the character visually shows his outrage through actions which started at the drop of the song (before that part was somewhat like the calm before the storm kind of feeling). The character wears all black and the video was shot during night time to have that dark presence that outrage brings towards us.
Doubt:
There are times in our lives that we feel unsure of what to do. In times like this we often question ourselves if we should still continue what we want to do (the path towards revenge) or stop and do what we have to do (the right way). As the song goes, "Can I trust what I'm given? When faith still needs a gun" verbally depicts the doubt that the character is feeling. Should he trust himself to decide on the choice that he was given? The character executes actions in moderation (portrays doubtfulness). The character still has the tension in him (mask is still on).
Acceptance/Redemption/Forgiveness:
Letting go helps free our hearts and our minds. It makes us feel lighter and without a problem. Forgiving those who have done something against us helps in stopping the cycle of hatred in life. The character forgives and forgets. He accepts that he is a sinner and entrusts everything to the Merciful God. He is now free to speak his heart out. There is no more tension or pain (the mask was removed).
Life is already difficult for each and everyone of us. Let us not make it worse by holding grudges against other people. Let us learn to forgive and ask for forgiveness. Accept the fact that we are all sinners. Learn to forget and move on because time never stops moving.
Choreographer and Director:
Charles John Torres
Videographers:
Keenen Carl Pinero
NJ Banabatac
Editor:
Glenn Edward Dumigpi
Dancers:
Glenn Edward Dumigpi
Kenneth Jhon Mendez
CJ Samson Barinaga
Sheldon Alberto
Song:
Crossfire by Stephen
*NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED* "This video uses copyrighted material in a manner that does not require approval of the copyright holder. It is a fair use under copyright law.
"quotation of excerpts in a review or criticism for purposes of illustration or comment; quotation of short passages in a scholarly or technical work, for illustration or clarification of the author's observations; use in a parody of some of the content of the work parodied; summary of an address or article, with brief quotations, in a news report; reproduction by a library of a portion of a work to replace part of a damaged copy; reproduction by a teacher or student of a small part of a work to illustrate a lesson; reproduction of a work in legislative or judicial proceedings or reports; incidental and fortuitous reproduction, in a newsreel or broadcast, of a work located in the scene of an event being reported."
