4 minute read
High Octane Entertainment
Following the success of his Swan Lake Bath Ballet, BBC Arts and One Dance UK are excited to announce a brand-new short film from choreographer Corey Baker, specially commissioned as part of Dance Passion 2022.
Head of Marketing and Communications Lara Coffey caught up with him on a rare break from filming to chat about the piece, the past 18 months and what’s next for him.
What can you tell us about your piece?
I’m trying to create something that is like James Bond meets 'La La Land'! I’m looking at all the different ways movement happens and while I can’t say too much, I can tell you that we’ve got dancers jumping out of planes and doing stunts in cars… it’s going to be high octane.
Making the piece has been a fun creative challenge, as we’re looking at lots of types of movement and working with a lot of dance styles that I don’t have a background in. Learning all these new things has been great.
Corey Baker
Obviously, I’m making this a film and not a live show so when I’m choreographing, I try to remember that we’re in the age of ‘clickbait’ and everything has to be engaging as audiences online lose interest more easily. With this piece I want people to stumble on it and just be totally engaged without even realising or processing that they’re watching a dance film.
How does it feel to be back in the studio creating work vs working remotely or in lockdown?
Honestly, I think making work in lockdown made me realise how much as a creative you really need human interactions to create an energy that you can riff off and play with. The past 18 months has just made me more appreciative of what we do and how we do it and being back in the studio space and working with the dancers is incredible, it’s just a different level of fulfilment.
We’re excited to see your finished film - are you excited for Dance Passion 2022?
I think Dance Passion is coming at an important time for us all. We haven’t had any way to come together and unite in so long. We need something to celebrate and remember that we’re not alone - there’s a whole ecology of dance artists, producers, choreographers etc. out there! I think it’s great that we’re getting this moment to connect, to feel seen and heard and to appreciate each other and be appreciated.
Corey Baker
Photo Dani Bower for One Dance UK
Sounds exhilarating! You’re well-known for being innovative with your work, can you talk to us a bit more about your creative process?
With this film there’s been lots to learn - I’ve never filmed an ‘action sequence’ or choreographed skydivers before - so that was all new! I also had to do it all remotely as we shot the aerial sequence in France and COVID restrictions meant I couldn’t travel there. I’ve made films remotely before but filming skydiving dancers - yeah, that was a new experience, and you have to be open to them.
What do you think comes next for the sector?
It’s time to look at creating new connections with new audiences. I think that as dancers and creatives we need to look at how the art we create reflects the world we are in now and the people in it now.
I love live work and I know that there’s a time and a place for every type of dance style, form and show but given that more people probably have access to wifi than to theatres then we need to find a way to bring our art form in front of those people and into more accessible places, you know in terms of cost or in terms of breaking down stereotypes.
www.coreybakerdance.com
What is Dance Passion?
Photo Dani Bower for One Dance UK
BBC Arts and One Dance UK are pleased to announce that Dance Passion will return in 2022!
Following its success in 2019, Dance Passion will be back on BBC networks, stations and platforms in 2022 to shine a light on the UK’s world-class dance sector.
We’ve been thrilled to be able to commission 14 unique pieces of work to be part of Dance Passion 2022, showcasing talent on film and via new digital interactive platforms – read on for more about these. 2022 will also see us hit the road to find out what drives the passion for dance in various areas of the UK. We’re setting up hubs of activity in venues in Coventry, Leeds, London and Plymouth to capture a wide spectrum of talent from all across the UK.
Training sessions will be available via Digital Cities which will cover topics like how to create content for social media, including TikTok, plus you can take part in other sessions on things like how to navigate music rights, all to help upskill the sector. We’ll also be releasing an engagement pack crammed full of ways for everyone, everywhere, to take part in Dance Passion.
Get Involved
Dance Passion is for everyone in the dance sector, and there will be whole range of opportunities and ways that you can get involved.
www.onedanceuk.org/dancepassion2022
Scan the QR code below with a smartphone camera to keep up to date with what’s on offer.
Dance Passion 2022 is a collaboration between BBC Arts and One Dance UK and is supported by funding from Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants programme.
