Blue Mind Choreography
Marina Fraser, Movement Direction, Performer for Project Concept Film - Symphony of Inner Peace
​
We sincerely invite Marina to choreograph the concept film Music Video "Symphony of Inner Peace". The film combines four music theme sections into an atmospheric film that tells a true story that unfolds through music-mind-textiles. “ Inner Peace “ It begins with the innocence of birth, “ The Essence of Water: Kindness” navigates through dark times, and ultimately rediscovers genuine authenticity and inner strength “ Heal inspires Love” , Throughout this long and challenging journey, “ The Dawn Light” there is an unwavering hope for life.
The film direction by DoP Cinematographer, Amalia Pop (MA Filmmaking, LFA) and Hristina Tasheva (MA Filmmaking, LFA)
​
Photography by Daniel Brookman
​
​
​
​
​
Marina Fraser
is a professional dancer, actress and choreographer based in London. She trained at Tring Park School during which time she was featured as a dancer in Marvel’s ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ before attending the Royal Ballet School in Covent Garden, London. Whilst there Marina was awarded the Lynn Seymour Award for Expressive Dance and an Ursula Moreton Award for Choreography, by Wayne McGregor and Christopher Wheeldon. She has since gone on to perform internationally with English National Ballet, Viviana Durante Company, Milwaukee Ballet, McNicol Ballet Collective, and Joffrey Ballet Chicago, where she was appointed as a Joffrey Young Moves Choreographer 2021. Marina portrayed ‘Swanhilder’ in Kevan Allen's acclaimed re-thinking of ‘Coppelia’ at the Cockpit Theatre with KVN Company. She was featured in ‘Enola Holmes’ with Fiona Shaw and Millie Bobby Brown, and has recently finished filming ‘Swan of Salen,’ a Scottish multimedia film collaboration between Thistle Ridge Film co, The Willow Trio, and Ballet Folk. Additionally Marina is a writer, a member of Truth Be Told theatre ensemble; and is involved in a range of Improv Comedy events, having trained with Hoopla Impro, London Bridge.
Marina Fraser as ‘Swanhilder’ with Danny Fogarty in rehearsals for KVN Company’s production of ‘Coppelia.’
​
Q&A
​
​
What inspired you to join this project?
​
-Amelia’s vision. I love how she speaks so passionately about the representation of women and neurodivergence within her work. I was very much drawn by the collaborative nature of the project, i learn so much from multidisciplinary collaboration and often seek out the opportunity to create as part of a likeminded team.
​
How do you bridge your experience and background into this collaborative project?
​
- This project presented me with a lot of creative freedom, ultimately i was looking to find what feelings were evoked by Amelia’s Textile Artwork "Liquid Jacquard with Sensory Threads." The challenge was how to present that for film. I explored an abstract narrative, drawing from my classical and highland dance background knowing that I wanted to combine movement with poetry and acting for this project. My previous experience creating for, and performing site specific work enabled us to collaborate and improvise many aspect of the creative process in realtime, which was incredibly exciting.
​
What insights would you like to share with the public based on your profession?
​
- There is something incredibly visceral about performing in natural landscapes. Any opportunity to do so as part of a project is such a privilege. It is full of the unexpected. Along with the beautiful scenery comes potentially inclement weather, challenging terrain and the odd nature enthusiast passing by, but these present a wonderful challenge and more often than not can be woven into a narrative and shape the outcome of the final product. As movement director I had choreographed and planned material to perform when filming on site, but as the performer on the day, there is nothing quite like the feeling of executing a powerful, unplanned moment, and capturing it on camera. Being malleable is key to being able to let go, and go with the flow, whether the tide is coming in when you thought it was going out and the crew are getting ankle deep in salt water, or the sun has come out at the wrong moment so you decide to deliver an impromptu reflective poem to keep the mood melancholy - it’s all relative.
​
​
Which music/ art/ design/ dance genre has been the most influential to your career?
​
- There is so much to choose from! I must start by saying that choreographically, I have always been incredibly inspired by choreographers Matz Ek, Christopher Bruce and Crystal Pite. Their work, for me, captures the beauty of human idiosyncrasy. The narrative aspect of dance is incredibly important to me. I think that dancers should never be afraid to find and show the struggle, humour and joy in what they do, as it is in these qualities that a viewer will see themselves, and be moved. For this reason I
always strive to create and represent characters in a way that exposes their ‘flaws’ in order to celebrate their individuality.
​
- I love so many genres of music, and am in awe of so many talented actors, it would be hard to pick one out - rather like the mind blank when someone asks a cinephile their favourite movie. That said, I must say that I always come back to Highland music, especially fiddle music. The way it fires my imagination and makes my body itchy to move is unparalleled.
​
​
What message, feeling, sensation, or actions do you hope audiences take away from visiting
‘Mind-music-textile?’
​
- Water’s rapid, everchanging form as it journey’s from source to source is so representative of our time on earth. The term “Blue mind”... comes to mind, when I think about the impact of “mind-music-textile.” The unity and peace that water brings us is undeniable whether it is the ocean or a local duck pond. Amelia’s idea really captures this mental state. I hope that audiences come away feeling peaceful, inspired and seen. I hope that women visiting this will relate to the aspect of this project that represents the female experience; the journey of constant persistence, pain and elation from birth to old age and all we experience in between.
​
​
What inspires you about creative collaboration?
​
- The people I meet, and what I learn from them. The energy pouring out of every creative you meet is like life fuel. It is empowering to contribute to a collaborative project knowing that you add value by simply bringing your passion and creativity to the table. The challenge of combining so many perspectives and visions, is such a healthy and invigorating practice.
​
​
​
​
​