Road Runner, Matrix, same diff.

I too submitted it weeks ago - no love for those of us who can't communicate

Gee, I submitted this weeks ago and it was rejected. I need to do a better job of describing things.

Sourly,

Grapes

it is totally amazing and great - !!!!! awesome, brilliant fun! beatifully realized! bravo!

Splitpea, I don't think there was anyone carrying anybody else around -- look carefully at the ping-pong "players". It's an incredibly well-executed version of the "man carrying around his own head" costume. There are two actors for each ping-pong player, one in all black who controls the leg motions and one in half-costume, half-black who does the rest. The upper half of the "players" are in bright costume, their lower bodies are actually puppet legs controlled by the two or four sticks, and the real lower bodies of the people are in black, blending them in. When they move, they do all the walking, but the person in black behind them moves the fake legs, which, of course, look like the "real" legs. It makes the movement even that much more ingenious because it's so precise. Look when they go off stage, you can see it happening, but it's damned impressive.

At least, I'm pretty sure that's what's happening :)

Not only was it innovative and funny, I was amazed at how perfect the execution was. Look at how incredibly slick the rotation sequences are. I mean, it must be difficult to maintain perfect timing and synchronization while carrying a person of your own body weight or turning a ping-pong table on its side. Incredible performance by the guys in the black suits.

Oh come on Tyler, that was totally bullet-time. It wasn't "defying the laws of physics," it was simulating camera movement around a "frozen" scene. Without having seen The Matrix beforehand, I imagine 90% of the audience would not even have understood what was being attempted here.

so anything that defies the standard laws of physics is now a "Matrix reference?"

There is another connection with the Matrix that I'm surprised nobody has seen. Take a look at the performers when they leave the stage. Notice anyone familiar? Doh! Does the name Mr Reeves mean anything to you...???

Edited by author 08-30-2003 04:20 PM
see ned batchelder's blog for 27 august for a description of the japanese tv show this came from, as well as a url to the tv show itself

Tyler: The choreography in the performance piece contains references to Matrix-style FX and cinematography.

what, exactly, does this have to do with teh metrix?

One could amost say that it is a groove, slightly transformed, alost a break from what would be considered to be normal.

This Shadow Basketball Clip is another ingenious way of using this old style of Japanese theatre.

I like to kiss ass.

I always thought that this should be an inspiration to dance companies around the world. If seeeing it again means that someone gets an idea to do something else cool with dancers and such, I say show it again!