Thread: Sword face?

Not sure where to put this post- I am paranoid after watching Michelle's latest project- the comment about sword face got me, and I've got a sword performance coming up, so... Do you have examples of GOOD faces for sword dance? I think I've at least conquered the "I'm trying to balance this d*** thing on my head" version of sword face- I don't want to glare but smiling doesn't feel right either. What to do? 2 hours in the mirror haven't helped me decide & I need inspiration!

I think this "sword face" thing must apply to balancing anything (ie shamedan, tray, etc). When focusing on keeping the neck (and therefore the head) still and in the right alignment to balance the object, there's a tendency for the facial muscles to be held still as well so there's a blank expression. So you need to isolate what your face is doing from what your neck is doing. The face needs to relax and be free to move through a range of expressions the same way it would if you were dancing without something on your head. So I think this is a matter of understanding that objective, and practicing.
R

I'm also thinking that if practicing in front of the mirror hasn't helped, it might be better to work on it without the mirror and just feel what your face and neck are doing, rather than watching. Trying to watch yourself in a mirror while keeping your neck in the right alignment could be just adding an additional layer of difficulty to the practice.
R

Balancing anything tends to distract dancers from "being there" for the audience -- you can tell that the dancer is slightly distracted. From what I've seen with several really good dancers, their faces seem to close down a bit. (As opposed to the lesser dancers who have a deer-in-the-headlights look.) If you want examples of dancers without "sword face," look for video of Shems and Samira Shuruk.

I wasn't sure what was meant by "sword face" either, but I thought it could refer to the sort of intentionally somber expression that some dancers use when doing sword, especially very fusion-y sword. Sword is almost always done as a heavy piece these days, and there can be a tendency to come out with this attitude of, "And now, I, High Mistress of the Dark Arts, shall bewitch you with a series of poses that recreate an Epic Journey to the Underworld...and also...I think something in this room smells slightly funky, but I shall set a stony countenance nonetheless because this is a VERY SERIOUS dance...." Not that there's anything wrong with doing sword as a dramatic piece, but it's interesting. Unless you were trained by an old-school AmCab dancer, the idea of doing sword as a lighter amazement/entertainment piece has pretty much fallen by the wayside.

We talked about this issue in my advanced class. I suggested to my students that they watch videos of top quality circus performers and aerialists. Some of these acts make sword balancing look like a walk in the park, but those artists manage to keep the mood changing, hit the "ta-da" moments and keep the whole act polished...without "sword face"

This kid has "sword face" but omg, couldn't resist posting


And the genuineness of this girls smile at the apex of her movement. No "sword face" here!

Being able to relax enough to keep Sword Face from taking over just comes with practice. Personally, I adopt an 'almost smile' as if to say 'Heh, heh...don't you wish YOU could do this!' or 'Yes, this is a sharp, pointy thing and I LOVE playing with it!' Don't forget your eyes convey alot too...a slight eyebrow raise, apprehensive glance upwards as you're balancing the sword on your head or making eye contact with the audience (I gaze at the bridge of their nose to avoid getting freaked out) keeps you connected. Concentrate on how these expressions feel because we don't perform around mirrors.

I agree that big cheesy grins are out of place with sword but there's nothing wrong with looking happy to be up there.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

"And now, I, High Mistress of the Dark Arts, shall bewitch you with a series of poses that recreate an Epic Journey to the Underworld...and also...I think something in this room smells slightly funky, but I shall set a stony countenance nonetheless because this is a VERY SERIOUS dance...."

I was really surprised at the judges' comments, she may have had so-called "sword face" for a few seconds, but she certainly didn't maintain that for long. She was smiling and very expressive in her dance while balancing the sword, I thought.

Originally Posted by Lara L

I don't want to glare but smiling doesn't feel right either. What to do?

I agree that a fake, pasted-on smile wouldn't look right with sword. For that matter, it doesn't look right with anything else, either.

Try this: Make eye contact with various audience members, and direct a thought toward each of person as you look at him/her:

• Don't you wish YOU could do this?
• No, there aren't any hidden tricks, I really am balancing this thing!
• I like playing with sharp, pointy objects!
• I'm armed and dangerous!
• Any mugger who thinks he's going to bother me on my way home from this show has a surprise coming!
• Hey, you drunk in the corner over there, don't even *think* of heckling me!
• Wouldn't you like to know what's under this dark, mysterious exterior? If you behave, I just might let you find out!
• Every woman should have some mystery about her. But you're not going to get close enough to find out what mine is!
• It's good to see you out there in the audience - thanks for coming!
• I see you're sitting with my ex. Lots of luck to you - you're going to need it!

If you do a trick such as a slow turn while the sword turns at its own speed, you can cast your eyes up at the corner of it as if to say, "Be a good little sword and stop when I do!" or "You have a mind of your own, don't you?"

There are many ways to smile. Some of the above thoughts can be interpreted with some sort of smile, but each is somewhat different.

There are mysterious smiles, mischievous smiles, "I've got a secret!" smiles, relief that the sword is behaving itself smiles, taking pleasure in dancing to music you love smiles, reacting to seeing a friend or family member in the audience, and so on. If you put some focus on crafting messages to convey with your face such as the examples above, you'll find that your expression tends to be mobile and genuine.

as long as your are comfortable you can make what ever face you want. i think a sword face is a not sure if this going to work face. but i kind of life it if you make the face but know it will work.

Sword face!

Here's one of Michelle Joyce!

not the typical- but by far my favorite swordswomen
and no they aren't smiling- just relaxed and focused



...and what I LOVE about them- is that all of the performance is done with the swords- less than half is with the sword balenced on their heads- just goes to show its not just a one trick pony as it were.

Originally Posted by Basha

not the typical- but by far my favorite swordswomen
and no they aren't smiling- just relaxed and focused



...and what I LOVE about them- is that all of the performance is done with the swords- less than half is with the sword balenced on their heads- just goes to show its not just a one trick pony as it were.

Romka has done my most favorite sword duets ever. Got to see them live twice -- just breathtaking!

Saw this live. Spectacular charisma, no sword face! The energy of their performance was even better live than on video.

Originally Posted by bintbeled

Romka has done my most favorite sword duets ever. Got to see them live twice -- just breathtaking!

I know belladonna and I got to see her at bellyjam I think- she performed and it wasn't nearly as good as with her partner- but she is still awesome- and they are by far my favorite sword peeps: very graceful and well put together performances. :)

The sword dances I like the best have the dancers playing with the rhythm and/or immersed in a persona and/or playing with the audience (with the non-verbal communication of the various thoughts-to-think presented by previous folks).

And don't forget 'sword neck' - another give-away that the dancer is not comfortable with the prop in that time and place -- I believe another poster touched on this, above -- you really need the energy to flow freely through your body, whatever you are doing, so that I can derive maximum enjoyment from watching you. Because otherwise you'll be fighting sword-shoulders, and then sword-ribcage, etc :)

The right music is really important. A famous musician once told me that he hated it when dancers took out their swords because he knew they were now going to stop listening to the music and dance with a sword instead. So if you are musically inclined, you can make yourself even more nervous by 'the wrong' music.

Originally Posted by maurazebra

A famous musician once told me that he hated it when dancers took out their swords because he knew they were now going to stop listening to the music and dance with a sword instead.

I laughed when I saw this quote, because the late Mimi Spencer said exactly the same thing in a workshop she was teaching about "music knowledge for dancers". Although her point was NOT that dancers choose the wrong music. Her point was that dancers don't dance WITH whatever music they happen to choose. She said that once the sword comes out, the typical dancer has her pre-established set of tricks, and she's determined to go through every one of them regardless of whether they fit what the music is doing or not.

Thanks all- lot's to think about & play with, & I am already liking what I see in the mirror more. Part of my problem is that I'm used to playing a 'lighter' role, I guess- I don't play heavy, earthy, grounded- even feisty much, & this role demands it. Need to develop my backstory/persona a bit.

I also promise to dance WITH the music, remain fluid and pay attention to my neck (which I just talked to my last class about anyway ;)
I am also balancing it on my head for less than 1/6 of the dance, and am trying to be a little more innovative. My father forbade me long ago from putting a sword on my head & forgetting about it. You should have heard the lecture/groans I got when he found out I bought a pair of Isis wings...

i find practicing with it around the house is helpful.

washing dishes- folding laundry - walking the dog etc etc helps keep you situationally aware based on the fact you can't just get up and go do what you have to do- you need to make sure said steel doesn't hit the door or fall on fido or what have you- but you just get more comfortable with it up there and you can do the task at hand.

:) that and practice practice practice!

Originally Posted by Lara L

I also promise to dance WITH the music, remain fluid and pay attention to my neck (which I just talked to my last class about anyway ;)

My daughter is a fine sword dancer, so I got to see the evolution of one over a period of years. The last twitch to go was 'sword hands.' No, seriously, there are some older youTubes of her performing which people really like because of the dramatic aspect but when I focus on the dancing I see her not quite able or comfortable with herself in her persona; her wrists and fingers go gently round and round like a pinwheel. So not only do you need to let the energy flow through your body, you have to creatively re-route it back through your body :) One day the pinwheels stopped and never came back. It just took time.

And some heads are better shaped for balancing swords than others. A skull with a pointy top ridge would be a challenge.

Originally Posted by maurazebra

And some heads are better shaped for balancing swords than others. A skull with a pointy top ridge would be a challenge.

It's funny you should say that- I swear it used to be easier to balance my swords- and I'm still using the same ones, so it's not THEM- I also used to be able to get a bit of a groove on my head after a minute or 2 of balancing, which made it easier during performance, & now nothing. Just proof that I am getting more hard-headed as I get older, I guess!

For me, one of the most difficult aspects of sword dancing is the expression in the body and in the face while keeping the head level and almost "still". The head is probably the most expressive part in our bodies, and usually it feels almost "stuck" in the air if you are balancing something heavy.

Practice, practice and gaining experience. Learn to look up and to the sides and generally use your eyes even though at the same time you are not tilting or turning the head one bit.

Originally Posted by maurazebra

My daughter is a fine sword dancer, so I got to see the evolution of one over a period of years. The last twitch to go was 'sword hands.' No, seriously, there are some older youTubes of her performing which people really like because of the dramatic aspect but when I focus on the dancing I see her not quite able or comfortable with herself in her persona; her wrists and fingers go gently round and round like a pinwheel. So not only do you need to let the energy flow through your body, you have to creatively re-route it back through your body :) One day the pinwheels stopped and never came back. It just took time.

And some heads are better shaped for balancing swords than others. A skull with a pointy top ridge would be a challenge.

Ugh. Yes. I have a pointy head. If you feel the top of my head, it's like a little roof. (Maybe it's because I live in a northern climate--helps to keep the snow off. *g*)