Dance Academy: TV dancing gets classical
On the set of the ABC’s new teen dance drama, Dance Academy, Laine Lister discovered that a love of ballet, weak ankles and chance meetings combine to create a very sweet series.
If you believe in fate, then the uncanny development of ABC teen drama Dance Academy is absolutely a case for it, according to producer Joanna Werner.
It began five years ago when Melbourne-based Werner relocated to the Gold Coast to produce children’s television program H2O: Just Add Water.
Enjoying a pre-shoot tipple, Werner met Sam Strauss – who was working in the casting department of H20 at the time – and the two instantly hit it off. Hours later Strauss quizzed Werner about her dream job.
“I said I’d make a show about a girl from the country who gets into the elite dance school; a teen drama. She thought I was joking,” says Werner laughing as she recalls the fateful conversation.
The following day Strauss presented Werner with a script that she’d been working at for years; a strikingly similar concept to the one described by Werner the previous night.
“It was absolutely meant to be,” she says of the script, which she describes as the best in teen drama she had read.
The pair stayed in touch, meeting at weekends to conceptualise characters, story and script before pitching a pilot episode to the networks.
ABC immediately jumped at the opportunity, as did Germany’s public broadcaster ZDF, and together with funds from the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), a further three episodes of Dance Academy were scripted.
The program’s roots throw much further back in history, however. For Werner, a country kid from Victoria, dreams of joining an elite ballet school of her own were shattered thanks to her “weak ankles”.
“I did ballet at my local ballet school for 15 years. I was never good enough and had terrible ankles, so this is a bit of a fantasy show,” she says.
DANCING INTO SYDNEY
Originally slated for production in Victoria, Dance Academy was ultimately set and (partially) shot at the wharves on Sydney’s Darling Harbour.
One half of the series, including the dance scenes, was filmed at the ABC’s Artarmon studios in Sydney’s Northern Suburbs. Other scenes were shot on location in areas as spectacular as the exterior of the Sydney Opera House – NIDA’s theatre doubled as the interior of Opera House – Circular Quay, and atop the Harbour Bridge during a ‘bridge climb’ scene.
Asked why she chose Sydney over her hometown to produce the series – particularly given Victoria’s prior success in long form drama – Werner admits that Victoria was her first preference.
“But to be able to get that extra something to make the show stand out, Sydney is just so beautiful, you can’t go past it,” she says.
Werner also cites the city’s film-friendly policy as a drawcard to shoot in Sydney.
“When I first moved to Sydney and had all these ideas about where to set it I must have sounded very naïve and outside of the Sydney world to think we could shoot at the Opera House, but it’s all been possible,” she says.
Screen NSW did have a hand in luring the project to the harbour city, of course. The agency, along with principal investor Screen Australia, ABC, ZDF Enterprises and ACTF funded the series. Film Victoria also provided funding for post-production, which took place at Melbourne’s Digital Pictures.
GOING PRO
The Werner Film Productions (Werner’s newly established production company) team ventured further afield than simply Sydney and Melbourne in its approach to casting. Thousands of dancers auditioned nation-wide during March and April 2009. Casting director for stage musical Billy Elliot, Lynn Ruthven, was hired to help scour the country in search of teenagers with both acting and dance talent.
“It is always challenging casting any series, and casting a kid’s series is very challenging because you are often dealing with actors who haven’t had much experience. We upped the difficulty level again by wanting to find actors who could actually dance, we didn’t want to fake that,” says Werner.
Along the way there were plenty of ‘oh what are you thinking’ moments during the auditions, with enough laughs and cringe-worthy material to have produced a behind-the-scenes documentary, she adds.
“I was in every audition, it was like having your own personal So You Think You Can Dance series,” she laughs.
Further casting suggestions and technical advice was sought from The Australian Ballet School, as Werner and her team were keen to accurately depict the ballet world and dispel any myths about health, particularly eating disorders, that were once associated with dance.
As a result, the series investigates the science of dance including sports psychology, which is now integral to professional ballet. It was important for Werner and Ruthven to strictly hire only healthy-looking actors for the program.
“The artistic director of the Australian Ballet Company was really supportive of the show, giving us casting suggestions and now that we are casting for professional dancers the Australian Ballet is releasing some of its artists to come film with us, which is really exciting,” she adds.
A POINTE OF DIFFERENCE
Entering a film and television market already saturated with the dance genre – So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars, Australia’s Got Talent, along with their international counterparts that air here – finding a point of difference was critical for the success of the series.
“We’re the only drama series that I know of that’s purely dance, so it’s not acting and singing and lots of performing arts. This is an elite dance school with a classical focus,” says Werner.
However, it is this very point of difference that has proven the greatest challenge in producing the series, according to Werner.
The specialised dance sequences required intensive choreography, performance and rehearsal to please a dance-savvy audience. Those scenes then had to be shot in an interesting visual style.
“For our young actors it has to be one of the most demanding shows you could do; if they aren’t on set acting, they are in dance classes or at training sessions and then trying to finish off their studies as well,” says Werner.
As for the crew, a typical day on set was at least 10 hours and filming took place over 26 weeks, in blocks of four episodes, to produce 26 half-hour episodes of drama.
Set-up director Jeff Walker, who is also directing scenes from episodes 1 and 2 during Encore’s visit to the set, is fantastically energetic and young.
It’s a reunion of sorts for Walker, Werner and Strauss, who met on the set of H2O, but the three join an unfamiliar crew in Sydney.
“Because I hadn’t worked in Sydney before I was introducing myself to a whole new crew, but I have been blown away by the crew that we’ve been able to attract,” says Werner, adding that due to a lack of long-form TV drama in Sydney a huge talent pool was available for the series.
CAPTURING THE EMOTION
Shot on two Vericam cameras using DVC Pro Fuji tapes, DOP Martin McGrath and Walker aim to create a ‘cinematic’ feel for the dance scenes.
“We have the option to shoot in slow motion, which is very handy during our dance sequences because we are really trying to highlight the emotion and drama of the dance,” says Walker.
McGrath adds: “I have tried to keep a lighter-than-air feel to the images”.
“Putting space around the characters, keeping an energy to the show without forcing it. Consequently, no extreme close-ups (are used) unless necessary and we’re picking up on emotional cues for camera movement,” he says.
Much of the look of the show McGrath attributes to the two camera operators, Marc Spicer and Simon Harding.
“I have been blessed in this regard with two of the best in the business and their great work means we have a lot of creative freedom,” he says.
Ben Dugard and his team have given the lighting a strong multi-sourced feel, says McGrath: “never theatrical, but not quite naturalism either”.
As for the colour palette, production designer Murray Picknett was largely responsible, and opted for a bright and warm scheme.
Originally Picknett opted for a cooler blue palette, modelled on the Sydney Theatre Company, which appeared washed out when shot in HD. He later added texture with wall panelling and warmed the palette with richer hues.
“The trouble with HD cameras is that if you paint a wall in certain tones it looks as bland as anything. When I saw some of the original rushes I thought ‘oh god what happened to all that dressing?” says Picknett.
The AFI Award winner (for 2000’s Bootmen) had the opportunity to experiment with new materials for the set of Dance Academy.
Picknett consulted specialist ballet-flooring professionals before building the regulation Tarkett dance floor.
“That whole studio has a sprung dance floor, there’s a sub frame and then there’s timber with the Tarkett on top,” he says crouched down inspecting the studio floor.
“We also had special mirrors made and dance bars – I’ve learned quite a lot about ballet,” he laughs.
Standing in the custom-built set, it’s easy to imagine you’re inside one of the many dance studios of the Sydney Theatre Company.
Werner is spot on; everything about this series feels very natural. Should the on-set atmosphere transcend to the screen, then the series is sure to appeal.
Werner and her team certainly have their fingers crossed for the success of this series, and have their sights set on a second instalment – she and Strauss have already mapped character arcs for their much-adored dancers.
“You kind of fall in love with your characters and the kids are certainly keen for more,” she says.
Perhaps fate will again play a role.
June 8th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Comments
8 Jun 10
7:52 PM
i love ya Cristion!!!
9 Jun 10
10:24 AM
Huge congratulations to everyone involved in this fantastic new series, (I want to insert ‘Australian’ but will add ‘International’ instead!)
I love that the producers Werner Film Productions have committed to the authentic representations of dance with such a talented cast and crew.
I’ve only missed one episode and couldn’t help that… but have re-scheduled my life so I won’t miss anymore!
Can’t wait to buy the DVD of the series to keep and also look forward to the next series.
Well done again – I’ll be voting for you at BOTH the AFI’s and the AWGIES!
9 Jun 10
11:07 AM
I like it and it fills a gap on the ABC left when Blue Water High
was not renewed for a further season
We have had horseriding in Saddle Club,
Mermaids in H2o Just Add Water,
now ballet dancers in Dance Academy
Maybe a tv series following the lives of gymnasts
might be a further project ?
9 Jun 10
6:57 PM
This is a wonderful series that I accidentally stumbled upon and I just love it! Ballet was and still is one of my favourite types of dancing, so to see a whole series devoted to it is the ultimate dream. There is already a series of gymnasts called Make It or Break It which is also terrific to watch (replying to the above comment).
16 Jun 10
11:26 AM
the best show ever
21 Jun 10
5:53 PM
I’m deeeeply in love with Christian!
21 Jun 10
8:46 PM
i loveeee christian
he is so hot 
: )
23 Jun 10
6:22 PM
i’m creating a Facebook page for it.
JOIN:)!!!!!!
24 Jun 10
6:07 PM
I love the show and it makes me wanna go to a place just like it so thank
xx
24 Jun 10
6:09 PM
omg kat and Tara remind me and my best friend
24 Jun 10
6:17 PM
OMG I wish that I could get the chance to meet Kat, Abigail, Sammy, Christian, Ethan!!
I LOVE YOU GUYS XOXO
24 Jun 10
6:52 PM
i loveeee christian till death .. u r a hottte lol
27 Jun 10
9:03 PM
I just wanna say Christian all the way and is Ethan supposed to be hot or something because he is soooooooo not.
Tara is an absolute n00b for not going out with Christian because it is so meant to be and Ethan can go find another toy, loser.
Love the show and does anyone know how many series there will be??
29 Jun 10
7:25 PM
back off christians mine!!!
ahahahh <333333 (LLL))
1 Jul 10
10:39 AM
i love this show toooooo!!!
Christian is soooooooooo HOTTTTT!!! i know everyone said that but just want to re-enforce it incase anyone disagreed. Christian isss the bessst character too! Tara stay with Christian!!! oh. and the best episode was Christian’s court case one, it was soooo sweet when they all came to see him =)
Thx for maikng this series guys, it’s really good! <3 Please make a series two =D
1 Jul 10
12:53 PM
I live in Canada and I search all over the internet just to find episodes of this show. Do not give up on this series because I really think that if it picks up it could be broad-casted in America, too. I love it and I love the fact that all of your actors are healthy looking, your girls aren’t twigs like the majority of actresses we have in America. Everything about this show is amazing, so please please please continue with a second season. With a little more advertising, this show could take root in more countries than just Australia and Germany.
2 Jul 10
7:52 PM
Best frigen show ever made,
please make more,
other wise there will be nothing els to watch
i love all the characters ,
Especially Christian (he’s so hot)
yeah so continue your good work
i love it <3
thankyou
2 Jul 10
7:57 PM
I LOVE YOU CHRISTION YOUR SUCH A HOTTIE! <3 XXXXXX
2 Jul 10
8:28 PM
i loveeeeeeeee dance academy !!!!!!
make more there good
ily all of u
2 Jul 10
8:48 PM
Christian biggest fan <3
2 Jul 10
8:49 PM
dance academy’s biggest fan!!
<3
3 Jul 10
1:36 PM
OMFG
CHRISTIANN
YAYAYAY
SOO HOTTTT
3 Jul 10
1:40 PM
ethan is a dork. chistian is cuter.
4 Jul 10
5:59 PM
omg luv this show
kat and cristian 4 eva!!!
does anyone know how to actually sendaessage directly to the??
5 Jul 10
6:39 PM
An absolutely wonderful show. What brilliant actors/dancers. Go Tara – you’re terrific.
5 Jul 10
8:09 PM
hi i just wanted to say the show is cool but can christion and tare go togher agone i love u christion,tare,abagirl,kat and samy.lol lol lol
6 Jul 10
7:08 PM
i hate abagelie she is so mean i like tara abigile is a dork
7 Jul 10
2:45 AM
Sammy all the way!!!!!!
7 Jul 10
11:38 AM
wow catt like me OMG love ur show tara cristian fantabulous
7 Jul 10
4:31 PM
SAMMMMYYYY <3
7 Jul 10
6:22 PM
please do another series it was such a great show to watch……….a decent one which is missing from Australian tv……….well done to all who worked on the show and the creators and the camera staff……..everyone
7 Jul 10
6:24 PM
agrees with addicted MORE SHOWS PLEASE
7 Jul 10
6:41 PM
OMG christian is mine losers lol Tara go get someone eles his totally mine if i could see christian of the set i would die! OMG etahn is so fricken ugly how can Tara like him?
i love dance acadmy cross your fingers they will make season 2!
10 Jul 10
8:47 PM
OMG DANCE ACADEMY IS THE BEST SHOW EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLEEEZE KEEP PUTTING THEIR SHOWS ON TV COZ IT ROCKS!!!!!!!!!
AND EVERY1 KNOWS THAT CHRISTIAN IS THE NO:1 HOTTIEEE!!!!!:):p LUV U BABBY!!!
ANYWAYS LUV IT!!!!!!! PLEEZE MAKE A SEASON 2!!!!!!!
10 Jul 10
8:51 PM
I LOVE THIS SHOW THE MOST OUT OF ALL U!!!! HEHEHEHEHEH
OH AND BY THE WAY CHRISTIANS MY BROTHER NOT JOKING SO YERRRR I KNOW HIS SOOOOOOOO HOT HEHEHE
IVE MET THE CAST AND CREW AND AST AND TALKED TO THEM ALL
10 Jul 10
10:45 PM
i luv kat shes awesome
11 Jul 10
9:51 PM
Ohmygosh, I absolutely love this series . When’s the second season coming out ?! I’m DYING for more
miss seeing Christian, Kat, Tara and Sammy …
please, if anyone knows when the second season is coming out please post it !
12 Jul 10
4:37 PM
is there gonna be a season 2?
12 Jul 10
5:01 PM
Hey,
Anyway I adore the show, the characters, the storyline and I’m really going to miss it as tonight is the season finale 
I hope and plead that there are many more seasons to come, and I wish the romours of a season two, I’ve heard are true. What a dedicated set of young performers, GOOD LUCK !
Dance Academy is a great show, I’m hooked. When I first saw Jordan and Tom I was like where have I seen you before, yes, Home and Away, you guys are amzing all rounders and It’d be my pleasure to go out with you
Love you guys xo
12 Jul 10
6:37 PM
I absolutely love this show.
I hope it continues onto a second season!
12 Jul 10
7:26 PM
Christiann <3<3
Ohh and just wondering if they've already toured Sydney.. if they have they should come back again and do a complete tourrrrr!!!!!!
Oh lol and Kat gets kudos for being in Summer Heights High as well <3
13 Jul 10
2:20 AM
What a fabulous series,just beautiful! Great work everyone and what a fantastic way to promote Australia.Thank you Joanne!
13 Jul 10
4:19 PM
i loVE THE SHOW BUT WHY DOES ABC3 PLAY EPISODES AFTER THE SAME SEOSON FINALE ON ABC1 ITS ANNOYING. BUT I LOVE THE SHOW AND KAT PLZ MAKE A NEW SERIES BUT MAKE ABIGAIL THE DORK NICER PLZ
13 Jul 10
6:09 PM
Kat your awsome and your my fav character
you guys do a great job with the show and your all so butiful dances
i wish i had a chance to meet you guys
from maddie.
14 Jul 10
2:55 AM
I’m from Latvia and it is very pleasurable to watch series like these, because Americans make almost every teenager the same and their goals as well. But these are normal teenagers who think about their future not only about sex, their parents. I enjoy these TV Series very much.
Thank you. Make the second season!
14 Jul 10
6:04 PM
I LOVE CHRISTAN
16 Jul 10
1:58 PM
Hi i wish i was on dance academy i am a dancer my self and would de so good if there are any auditions left i think i would de good at that role anyway i love everyon one the cast of dance academy and pagie i no her she is so nice loving and caring so luz ya pagie
19 Jul 10
2:15 PM
Find Dance Classes or Dance Schools online. Search via the dance genre and your location in Australia to find dancing classes in your local area!