P 30 FINNISH DANCE IN FOCUS 2016–2017
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Dance isn’t exactly the easiest thing to film. “Dance isn’t exactly the easiest thing to film. In every project, there are so many new things to learn. It’s been an advantage that I come from a dance background – I already speak the same language. I have certainly had fun with this tool, this form.” 3D AND BEING PRESENT Last year Freundlich created no less than two dance short films that made use of the newest technologies, 3D and 4K. The three-dimensional perspective offered by 3D pulled Freundlich in when he saw the Wim Wenders film Pina (2011) on the big screen. “Pina is the ultimate proof of how 3D can bring out the presence of the human body in a way that a traditional 2D
movie or video can’t. It can help convey the essence of a dance work, which often dies in the camera lens or on the screen, to a different degree. The greatest experience for me was what the film did for Pina Bausch’s live performances.” He decided he had to get into 3D for his own work. Freundlich’s short 3D film The Raven (2015) recorded Kaari and Roni Martin’s contemporary flamenco solo Korppi ja kello, which has won prizes from here to Spain, in breathtaking style. It was also the first Finnish 3D dance film. In fact, 3D is still relatively rare in dance film worldwide. In a 3D film, making the viewer feel almost thrust into the action is, according to Freundlich, largely dependent on working with a team that specializes in 3D. For The Raven, stereographer Jarmo Honkala was responsible for realizing the direction of Tuisku McLees. “3D is a demanding medium – maybe eight times more complicated than 2D – and it has a lot of technical, optical, and physiological requirements connected with it.” “You have to plan precisely how much three-dimensionality and depth you want to bring into the picture so that the effect works. With 3D, there’s zero tolerance for error. If everything isn’t technically flawless, in the worst cases the viewer can get a terrible headache. The equipment setups can also get extremely