Tribal Basics, Volume 2:
Makeup & Costume by Carolena Nericcio

Have you actually watched this video yourself? If so, offer your own opinion in the poll below! Otherwise, click the "View Results" button to see what worldwide users of shira.net think of it.

The above poll includes responses submitted since February 7, 2004.

On this video, Carolena Nericcio, the director of the San Francisco dance company FatChanceBellyDance, teaches the make-up and costuming techniques used to achieve the FatChance look.

The first time I viewed this video, the opening made me wonder whether my VCR was showing me the video or showing me live television. It shows a series of people walking toward the camera, bags in hand, and saying, "Hi Julia!" as they approach the camera.

Carolena begins the instruction by talking about the purpose of costume and make-up, including useful comments about how and why stage make-up differs from normal everyday make-up.

The 10-minute make-up instruction begins with thoughts about how to assemble a make-up kit, then covers foundation, lid base, eye make-up, blush, and lip liner. The tone of the instruction assumes the viewer has prior knowledge or experience with applying make-up, and builds on how that might apply to stage make-up. There are no specific instructions for particular facial shapes or features, just general advice leaving it to the viewer to work out the specifics for herself. The first part of the make-up section offers useful stage make-up information applicable to all belly dancers, not just those aspiring to the American Tribal Style look. The last section, on bindis and facial tattoos, focuses specifically on the Tribal look.

The 21-minute costuming section focuses on how to select suitable garments rather than on constructing them, including choli, pantaloons, hip shawl, coin bra, tassel belt, turban, and jewelry. Carolena talks about styles and recommends fabrics. She includes some well-described ethnic insight into the midriff-baring blouse known as a choli along with pictures of some beautiful examples. For each garment, it shows an example and explains the thought behind the style and what to look for. The detailed section on how to wrap a turban should be helpful to dancers who want to try one for themselves. Some well-chosen comments about authenticity explain that this ensemble does not attempt to match the look of any particular ethnic group.

A 19-minute performance segment features 6 members of the FatChanceBellyDance ensemble in full costume and make-up, to showcase how the finished look appears in the context of the dance style. The individuals included are Carolena Nericcio, Jill Parker, Rina Rall, Suzanne Elliott, Elle Livesay, and Andra Young. The dancers take turns coming forward in pairs and trios to dance, while the others stay behind and dance simpler moves as a chorus. The music used for this segment appears on the CD "Sirocco Volume One" by the band Sirocco and the CD "Dancing Drums" by Susu Pampanin.

The FatChance members performing on this video are very strong, flexible, and athletic. A high point occurs when three of them go into deep backbends followed by a drop to the knees. Carolena herself also performs a solo segment to a drum solo in which she displays her expertise with stomach rolls and other abdominal isolations.

For the instructional part of the video, I find the production quality to be "good enough" homemade. There's enough light, the sound quality is very clear, and it's easy to see the techniques being described. However, the production quality deteriorates for the performance segment and interferes somewhat with my ability to enjoy it. The focus seems less sharp than the instructional segment, and some special effects are used which distract rather than enhance. In fact, the first time I watched this video I thought there was something wrong with either the tape itself or my machine. The continuity of the music helped me realize that the blurs and jerkiness in random places were intentional.

You Will Probably Like This Video If

• You already can apply "daytime" make-up and want ideas on how stage make-up might differ.
• You would like to watch as the FatChanceBellyDance troupe applies make-up to achieve its look.
• You would appreciate some insight into the ethnic background behind the choli as a garment.
• You want instructions on how to wrap a turban.
• You would enjoy watching a 19-minute performance by FatChanceBellyDance.

You Probably Won't Care for This Video If

• You know almost nothing about applying make-up and need elementary make-up instructions that start at the very beginning.
• You're looking for instructions on how to construct costume garments.
• You want instruction in how to do dance moves.
• You're not particularly interested in the American Tribal Style variant of belly dance.

What I Liked

• The information presented is organized very well.
• The narration is crisp and clear.
• A variety of people are used to illustrate the key points.
• The performance segment features skilled dancers doing the dance style that the makeup and costuming taught on this video are intended to be used with, so the overall look can be seen in the context of the dance it goes with.
• Carolena offers ethnic/historical perspective on cholis as a garment and some other make-up and costume topics.

What I Didn't Like

• The production quality needs improvement in the performance segment.
• The make-up instruction could be use more how-to detail.
• There aren't any African-American models to show how the makeup techniques might need to be varied for a darker-skinned dancer.

If you'd like to read my reviews of other videos by Carolena Nericcio of FatChanceBellyDance, choose from the list below:

• Tribal Basics, Volume 1: Dance Fundamentals (Revised)
• Tribal Basics, Volume 3: Zils
• Tribal Basics, Volume 4: Advanced Workshop
• Woman Power Workout. By Karen Andes and Carolena Nericcio.

The following are opinion polls only for other videos by Carolena:

• Tribal Basics, Volume 5: Cues & Transitions
• Tribal Basics, Volume 6: Improvisational Choreography
• San Francisco Baladi

Contact Carolena as follows:

FatChanceBellyDance
P.O. Box 460594
San Francisco, CA 94146
U.S.A.

Phone (+1) (415) 431-4322
Email: fcbd@earthlink.net

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