Gravity is something that is always acting on us and yet
it’s not until we have a bad fall that we realise how much it is acting on
us.
The trick when falling, tumbling and rolling is to learn how
to develop the appropriate amount of force and momentum to exert so as to be in
harmony with gravity. Too much force and too little force - both have
unfortunate results.
I like to enter these sorts of moves with an image of
focusing on the first half of the technique. For example, if I were to do a
forward roll. I focus on the amount of energy required to get my feet above my
head knowing the gravity will take care of the rest. Rather than putting enough
energy in to complete the whole roll. This approach also aids with the process
of feeling like I have more time during the technique.
I can also consider gravity when asked to ‘push’ another
actor and choreographically they are to ‘fall’ over. For me when I’m pushing
the actor to the floor. I’m doing this with the full understanding that I’m
making a connection between their centre of gravity and their base knowing full
well that gravity is in the equation.
Visually I’m portraying the image that I should be robbing
them if their centre and thus over balancing them. However internally I’m
guiding the actor in harmony with gravity. I know traditional thinking is the
victim does all the work. However, the reality is that I’m still involved in
the work and connected to the other actor so if that is the case my thinking
is: how can I best help them find the
floor? Then answer lies in working with gravity.
“You must learn to avoid the jar that affects the nervous
system and organs which are in line and through which the jar is transmitted.
When a man expects to fall upon his feet he will instinctively bend his knees
and hips at the moment of impact and very little of the jar reaches the body.”
Chapter IV – Lupino Lane’s – How to Become a Comedian
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