by FilmInk Staff
After the success of Prime’s reality TV series DanceLife, Australia now knows how challenging and competitive the world of professional dance can be. As the show cranks its way to the big screen with Dance For Your Life, young dancers Emily Smith, Max Simmons, Tiana Vassellos and Zac De Gersigny let us in on what to expect.
For those not in amongst its rhythmic, heady, highly competitive world, the dance profession is one shrouded in mystery. The curtain was pulled back at least partway, however, with Prime’s compelling reality TV series DanceLife. A fast-moving, fly-on-the-wall look at the lives of the students attending Australia’s premier dance school, Brent Street (located right next to Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park), it showed just how tough, hectic and all-consuming the world of dance can be.
Punctuated with eye-popping, exquisitely choreographed dance routines and sweat-soaked rehearsal footage, DanceLife also introduced audiences to a fascinating crew of charismatic young dancers chasing their dreams while under the watchful, relentless eye of chief choreographer Cassie Bartho. After a successful first season, DanceLife is now breaking out in a major way, headed to the big screen for an exciting exercise in rejuvenation courtesy of the feature film Dance For Your Life.
Even more intense than its small screen predecessor, the feature documentary Dance For Your Life follows ten of Australia’s most exciting and influential young dancers (including some familiar players from DanceLife, along with some dazzling new faces), as they travel to London to compete to earn a permanent contract with Shapehaus, the groundbreaking new dance company created by world-renowned choreographer Dean Lee, who has worked with legends like Janet Jackson and Kylie Minogue.
In Brent Street’s smaller cohort of male dancers, tall, graceful and energetic Max Simmons is one of the inarguable stars, a gifted and charismatic performer who is also one of the longest serving dancers at the school. The trip to London represented a major new life experience for the Sydney dancer. “It was an incredible opportunity with the most incredible people,” Simmons says. “We got to see London and work with the amazing Dean Lee. And at the same time, I was with some of the people in the cast that I’ve known for a really long time who are some of my closest and best friends. Getting to share that experience in London with them is something I will cherish forever.”
In agreement is Simmons’ dance colleague, Emily Smith, one of the breakout stars of the first season of DanceLife. Emily’s journey was one of quiet personal triumph, as she publicly battled confidence issues and the after-effects of childhood trauma to become one of Brent Street’s most powerful dancers, especially in the demanding, highly physical field of hip hop. “It was an incredible but daunting experience,” Smith says of the trip to London. “There were so many incredible dancers from around the world, but you just have to go in there knowing that you’re exactly the same as them…just from the other side of the world. I never thought something like this would ever happen to me. I can’t wait to see what else will come from it. DanceLife really pushed me and made me even more passionate in my love of dance. I think I’ve been able to inspire so many young performers that want to make it into this industry. I love being a part of that journey for them.”
Despite the sense of camaraderie between the young Australian dancers, there was certainly a battle to be fought in the form of the legendary and highly demanding Dean Lee. “I idolise Dean so much, and I know that the rest of the cast do too,” says Tiana Vassellos, whose major role in DanceLife established her as one of Brent Street’s most committed and naturally gifted dancers, even fighting a crushing injury to make her way back into the stage. “So as much as it can be intimidating, it’s also really fulfilling and it’s just so exciting. It was also really nice to work with some of the London dancers.”
In its shift to the big screen, Dance For Your Life represents an even greater oppourtunity to celebrate Australia’s dance community, which is filled with passionate performers, all fighting for a small pool of roles. “It’s a difficult industry because there’s a lot of talent, but there’s not a lot of work for the talent,” says newcomer Zac De Gersigny, who takes centre stage in Dance For Your Life with his exuberance, confidence and dazzling moves. “Everyone’s going for the same work, so it can be rough. It is extremely important to celebrate each other and especially Australian dancers. Australians need to get better at celebrating each other. We’re good at celebrating people until they get to a certain point, and then we’re like, ‘Okay, let’s bring them down. Let’s humble them.’ We need more celebration, and this film really captures that celebration.”
Adds Emily Smith: “We’re finally just getting Australian dancers out in the world. We’re working so hard down here and it’s so important that we’re able to showcase that now and hopefully it’ll push the Aussie dancers to get more seen, more noticed and more love. Watch this film. Praise the dancers. Praise the entertainers. They’re what make the shows happen.”
Tiana Vassellos is also ready to join in the celebrations. “It’s absolutely amazing to be a part of something that is bringing dance to the forefront of Australian screens,” says the young performer. “I feel like it’s been a couple of years since we had that and it’s such a huge part of where our industry is going to grow to in Australia. It’s really important for the general public to be aware of how hard we’re working, and for the opportunities to be just as available to us over here as there are to people on the other side of the world.”
Adds Max Simmons: “It’s really important to spotlight Australian dancers because I honestly think Australian dancers are so hardworking and talented. And because we are far away from other countries, we sometimes don’t get the recognition and the opportunities that other people get. It’s really important that we have dance on our screens just like we have singing and cooking and acting and all those things. Dance is number one for me.”
Also a major cause for celebration for the DanceLife crew is the fact they’ll soon be on the big screen, magnified and blown up for all to see. “It’s absolutely crazy to think that we’re going to be in cinemas all around Australia,” says Tiana Vassellos. “It’s just something that I never thought would really be on the cards. It’s always one of those dreams, but when it actually happens, it’s amazing.”
Max Simmons has star quality to burn, but that doesn’t mean Dance For Your Life didn’t come as a shock. “I never thought being a part of a movie and being flown to London for an opportunity was even in my cards,” says the young dancer. “I honestly just thought I was going to be in Australia.” Will he be seeing the film at the cinema? “Of course I’m going to go check it out,” Simmons laughs. “I’m super excited to see myself on the big screen. Can’t wait! It’s going to be a rollercoaster.”
Dance For Your Life is released in cinemas on April 2.
