Notating Dances from Films: A Method in Hungarian Ethnochoreology

Abstract

Achievements of Hungarian ethnochoreology are due in large part to results of processing fieldwork data primarily using dances captured on films. Hungarian dance researchers historically have focused on notation as the primary tool for conducting analysis of traditional Hungarian dances. After a short review of how Laban’s kinetography achieved the status of the appreciated tool in the Hungarian dance research methodology, the author details the advantages of notating dances from films, but also the possible obstacles to which the notator may face when the only means of movement information is the moving picture. Best practices for doing notation analysis from films are provided. Solutions for silent films, to satisfy a demand to restore the original dance and music synchrony, are discussed as well. The paper provides a proposed workflow for how to best prepare manuscripts for completion and clarity, and thoughts about which analytical points of view to consider when dances are notated from film.

Keywords: Laban kinetography, traditional dance, ethnochoreology, Hungary, dance notation, ethnographic film

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