The Lean was orginally seen in the Smooth Criminal music video which was from the movie Moonwalker. (Michael Jackson)
Basically the lean dance move in the video was a special effect. A seemingly impossible distance was achieved without the use of cables. A patent was applied for a hitching device built into the floor of the stage and the performers' shoes. It consists of pegs that rise from the stage at the appropriate moment, and special shoes with ankle supports and cutouts in the heels which can slide over the pegs and be thereby attached to the stage temporarily. The shoes allow the performers to lean without needing to keep their centers of mass directly over their feet. They have a specially designed heel slot which can be detachably engaged with the hitch member by simply sliding the shoe wearer's foot forward, thereby engaging with the hitch member.
FROM CLAUDIO: i had always wondered how M.J. did that fantastic move! The use of technology in dancing is very interesting because dance is an umbrella term to define many different types of dancing. I would assume that technology that enhances the performance for music videos or shows is more than welcomed. On the other hand technologies that give an unfair disadvantage to couples competing in a ball-room dancing contest or in any other contest do create more argument and debate.
ResponderEliminarHow many times, in movies, have we seen a competitive ballet dancer getting hurt and ending a promising career? I think that the big debates will arise when medical technology will allow the replacements of major parts of the body to repair permanent damages. Or maybe to reinforce bones and muscles? Or maybe a new pill that allows muscles to become more flexible without needing hours and hours of stretching exercises? I am not aware of such debates yet, but i can see them coming.
Since dance, and ballet in particular, are not sports with a point system, an international ranking, but it is more about performance and the beauty to the audience in a theatre maybe technology will be more welcomed?
Wow never knew this despite being a big MJ fan...
ResponderEliminarI did know however that he was always very innovative in his video clips and dancing moves, a one of a kind pioneer in a lot of things.. a legend.
Crazy if you think about it how such a 'simple' technology can defy the rules of gravity. And even more so if you consider the fact that this video dates back from 1988.
I wonder why nowadays, with so many more technologies available and constantly being developed, we barely see any WOW-moments in video clips when it comes to dancing moves (not counting purely choreographic skill).
Defenetly, I want one of this "ankle" supports.
ResponderEliminarIt's amazing how technology can increase the 'show' which at the end the users or end consumers will enjoy the most (in reallity is the same in every sport we go in).
The Legend goes on...
thats pretty tricky MJ, i think you fooled us all (more or less). I never knew this technology existed, i thought that they all had air support by "invisible" strings lol. Know i can also see the cross over with this technology and magic. It explains alot ;) thanks blogg!
ResponderEliminarFrom Luis: This is a good example of how the technology improve the performance and skills of the dancers in order to create very attractive and cool dances, but the most amazing aspect is that the technology can overpass the laws of physics.
ResponderEliminarAnayeli: This is very interesting information, to know how some famous tricks are realized. We can see the way technology can complement the skills and talents of the dancers and make a bigger show. It makes better the whole experience, not only for dancers but also for the public.
ResponderEliminarWe got fooled! I actually tought that the lean dance was real and not based on these types of shoes. As Kristian mentioned, strange that we don't see those WOW moments any more on video clips with all the technologies available. The combination of music + technology is amaizing, I think electronic music is doing an incredible job combining both.
ResponderEliminarWell...now I feel bad that I "took the magic away". Had I known...I wouldn't have posted it!
ResponderEliminarI'm a big MJ fan myself and I completely ignored it, I just thought he was a great dancer, but now I see I was a little bit naïve.
It's very interesting what you guys have mentioned that nowadays we don't see those movements anymore, and I certainly don't understand why. I personally think that performances nowadays are more based on simply body exposure, saving a couple of exceptions of some dancers and some types of dancing.
I don't see dancing as innovative as it used to be, it's like going backwards.
Sara