While I don't agree that Ashley is wearing "almost nothing," there is a difference in how a 15 year old is supposed to dress/act and the dress/behavior of a 21 year old.
It's funny that we are not supposed to comment on body type, but it's totally okay to say young girls have "improper" programs. And Ashley's costume is "proper" how? 15-year-old girl dancing to Jlo = improper. 21-year-old wearing almost nothing = interpreting music.
Maybe... "wonder"?This isn't a knock or anything on Ashley but instead an honest question. I'm having trouble placing the facial expressions Ashley uses during her SP. At first my reaction was she was portraying disbelief then I started to search for faces of disbelief online and wasn't convinced. Then I started to look for bewilderment and that didn't really gel either. So how exactly does one describe her facial expressions. I really am curious and kind of disappointed in myself for not being able to properly identify it. Any help in educating this skating nerd would be greatly appreciated.
Not that every program needs a story but is there one for this particular program that would shed light. FWIW I had to watch it with no sound so I don't even know what music she used.
This isn't a knock or anything on Ashley but instead an honest question. I'm having trouble placing the facial expressions Ashley uses during her SP. At first my reaction was she was portraying disbelief then I started to search for faces of disbelief online and wasn't convinced. Then I started to look for bewilderment and that didn't really gel either. So how exactly does one describe her facial expressions. I really am curious and kind of disappointed in myself for not being able to properly identify it. Any help in educating this skating nerd would be greatly appreciated.
Not that every program needs a story but is there one for this particular program that would shed light. FWIW I had to watch it with no sound so I don't even know what music she used.
This is unusual for me, but after looking at both JLip and ERadio, I think Lip deserves to be in first over Radio. I think Julia was spot on for the most part. Some of Julia's spins traveled a bit and she of course doesn't have the best double axel in terms of technique, but Julia is a bit less rushed and frantic than Elena at this point. I especially think it's cool that Julia came back so strong from her first GP. I thought Ashley looked great out there and determined. Ash should have a bit more on PCS in my opinion. I also felt that Meite deserved to be above Artemieva, especially with Meite skating in her home country. I guess judges felt that they already gave Meite a few extra points for being in France, compared with how badly they low-balled her at her previous GP. I also think Sammi Cesario should have a bit higher PCS than her compatriot, Courtney Hicks.
Was she supposed to portray Phygia, the wife of Spartacus, and she was trying to express the deep loving union between Phygia and Spartacus?:scratch: Or is her interpretation not meant to stay close to the ballet? I'm under the impression that most of Ashley's programs are more about herself than being concerned with recreating a certain character.Not sure. Her ending expression looks distraught imo hwell:
This isn't a knock or anything on Ashley but instead an honest question. I'm having trouble placing the facial expressions Ashley uses during her SP. At first my reaction was she was portraying disbelief then I started to search for faces of disbelief online and wasn't convinced. Then I started to look for bewilderment and that didn't really gel either. So how exactly does one describe her facial expressions. I really am curious and kind of disappointed in myself for not being able to properly identify it. Any help in educating this skating nerd would be greatly appreciated.
Not that every program needs a story but is there one for this particular program that would shed light. FWIW I had to watch it with no sound so I don't even know what music she used.
This isn't a knock or anything on Ashley but instead an honest question. I'm having trouble placing the facial expressions Ashley uses during her SP. At first my reaction was she was portraying disbelief then I started to search for faces of disbelief online and wasn't convinced. Then I started to look for bewilderment and that didn't really gel either. So how exactly does one describe her facial expressions. I really am curious and kind of disappointed in myself for not being able to properly identify it. Any help in educating this skating nerd would be greatly appreciated.
Not that every program needs a story but is there one for this particular program that would shed light. FWIW I had to watch it with no sound so I don't even know what music she used.
I think she's adequately polished overall but definitely not a vision of elegance. I wouldn't say she flails, but I do find her arm movement very formulaic and repetitive. Radionova's arm movement is a lot more meaningful and specific to the music, but I don't think she is able to control her limbs yet, which makes her appear very frantic.I really don't get the fine quality in Yulia's skating, especially this season. She moves her arms like crazy (waving to be exact, which is fine if she is portraying a sailor) in the short program, but since she does not have long or skinny arms like Edmunds, or Anna, the problem may not be that obvious. Her arm movement is much less refined than Radionova or Ashley.
Radionova comes across as a prepubescent child with "adult" programs. She is a technical wonder, but awkwardly gawky. There is a wobbly look to most of her skating, which I think will disappear as she gains physical maturity. She is extremely talented with an infectious personae on ice. But her skating lacks the poise, finesse and maturity of Wagner or even Julia. In direct competition with a clean Elizaveta, I don't understand how Elena wins. (And while I on the soapbox, I don't understand any beauty or appeal to all the awkward lunging, flailing footwork that seems unrelated to the character of the overall program skated.) I have been following and attending FS events for decades, and I must admit that I have lost a measure of love and devotion to the sport and the direction it is headed.
About Elena. Well, I somehow think it's partly because of her built. She has really long limbs combined with a really thin frame that makes her look awkward and gawky sometimes. Hopefully, she can use it to her advantage to create more beautiful lines and movements on the ice. She does have a lot of competitive fire in her, which I really admire.
I honestly don't mind that she's performing to a music that might be considered sultry or a little too mature for her age, as long as the interpretation and her performance is not seductive, adult-like or something (which luckily, isn't).
Alas, I think skaters in general can't win. They will always be criticized for putting on a blank face (Mirai), smiling too much (Elena), skating to childish themes (Julia), skating to too sultry music (Elena), skating to warhorses (Liza) etc. For me, if a skater gives it her all and enjoys the stage, her music choice is just a backdrop.Yulia smiles a lot in her new SP and people are still saying she doesn't look like she's having fun out there. :confused2:
Alas, I think skaters in general can't win. They will always be criticized for putting on a blank face (Mirai), smiling too much (Elena), skating to childish themes (Julia), skating to too sultry music (Elena), skating to warhorses (Liza) etc. For me, if a skater is really into her program and enjoy themselves out there, their music choice is just a backdrop.
The music is never a backdrop!!
It carries the idea which they should skate to. So I can play a Rachmaninoff piano concerto and not think it matters when the skater does a tango-like routine but has a lot of fun?
Of course it's very important to enjoy and be confident. Figure skating is a type of performance. But what makes it dance-like and artistic? It's the music!
I must say I disagree completely with you. Music is the essence of figure skating.
If music didn't matter, these girls can start speed skating next season.