About the Big Dance Shorts 2012

Big Dance and Channel 4 in association with BAFTA present an opportunity for choreographers and filmmakers to work together and create 5 short films to be broadcast on Channel 4 and screen to live audiences during Big Dance Week 2012.

In order to stimulate and encourage collaboration between the filmmakers and choreographers, Big Dance Shorts will offer the chance for filmmakers (directors or producers or teams thereof) and choreographers (or choreographic teams with filmmakers on board) to get their film idea commissioned. 5 films will be commissioned in total.

After the initial application process, 10 projects will be selected to pitch to a panel of experts and the 5 strongest projects will receive £4,000 and a package of support to make their film, including support from a BAFTA mentor and guidance from an experienced Production Executive. The films will be broadcast on Channel 4 as part of the ‘Random Acts’ season and will also be screened as part of the Big Dance Pop-Up Cinema programme in summer 2012 at a high profile central London location.

Aims

This is an exciting opportunity to explore the unique ability of film to capture dance and communicate to mass audiences. It aims to develop the craft practice of filming dance by encouraging filmmakers to work with choreographers.

Big Dance Shorts also aims to facilitate the exchange of ideas and expertise both within the filmmaker community and between choreographers and filmmakers.

Visit the Big Dance 2012 Website

Who we are

Donna Mabey

Producer

Photo by Mehrdad Azmin website

My production background began with Co-ordinating on leading prime time dramas such as the BBC's 'Silent Witness' and ITV: 'He Kills Coppers', as well as independents, including Ecosse Films and United with David tenant for World Productions.

In developing 'passion' projects, I co-produced 'Monsters & Rabbits': a short for the UK Film Council's Pulse projects which played successfully at festivals around the world including Edinburgh and the Portuguese Sci-fi Festival, Fantasporto. Most recently I produced 'Daily Grind', a short directed by Mariana, as part of the 48hr Smoke and Mirrors competition, which was well received.

One of my long running projects, is co-creator for the interactive website Madlovegame.com. I am currently finishing PM-ing on the Channel 4 comedy, Pete vs Life.

Click here to view my IMDB Profile

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Stuart Grant

Creative Director

Photo by Mehrdad Azmin website

"I've got it..."

That's the moment I love. The realisation that you've got the solution to a problem or an idea that sparks my excitement and the excitement of the people around me.

I found my self designing and creating websites and media for the last 10 years, because I love interaction. Finding ideas in everything, drawing inspiration from the simplest of things. I have always been good at problem solving and abstract thinking.

I live my life high on engagement and connection. In the last two years I have been expanding my creative expression from just ‘pictures behind glass' websites and magazines to Developing concepts and executing interactive exhibitions for high profile advertising campaigns that go beyond day to day web browsing and design. I have been involved in projects with clients such as Budwieser, Becks, Queen, Nokia, Andy Murray, Lurpak Butter, Rekorderlig, Virgin Galactic, Chelsea Blue Wing, Electronic Arts, Disney, The NHS, Open University & David Beckham.

I draw great inspiration from the fundamental ideologies of Hip Hop where dance and self expression are an integral part of the community. Which is exactly why I want to be a part of the Big Dance shorts.

Click here to have a look at my developer portfolio
Mariana Conde

Filmmaker

Photo by Mehrdad Azmin website

I always perceived the world in a peculiar way. Strong visual moments seemed to slow down, crowds of people gather together to form extraordinary shapes, and each shadow held a secret.

Filmmaking allows me to depict the world as I see it. As a filmmaker I explore techniques unusual to cinema and find my inspiration in animation, comics and theatre.

Fascinated by the work of the actor I studied performing arts, becoming aware of the potential for physical games to help shape a character and even story.

In 2003 I collaborated with choreographer Stuart Bowden on a dance video for Alternative Routes, an initiative of the National Dance Company of Wales and have since wanted to take my relationship with dance further.

In 2010 I was given the chance to work as a Production Coordinator for the Nike World Cup advert Write the Future, which allowed me to observe Alejandro Gonzáles Iñarritu directing cast and crew.

This year I was given the chance to represent Portugal on Off Valladolid's Film Encounter and made a film with in colaboration with other up and coming directors. It was a fantastic creative colaborative experience.

My experience in Post Production also allows me to think a film through, from concept to edit, which is fundamental when working with movement.

I am aiming to bring all my skills together to create an exciting and unique Big Dance Short!

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Josephine McGrail

Main Choreographer

Coming from a classical background (The Royal Danish Ballet and Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance), my style draws strongly from these elements.

Working as a dancer myself in todays world, where most things are directly manufactured to light up a desire within us that will make us want to reach the kind of perfection the media promotes, I am more than thrilled to be part of a project that aims to do everything but that.

With this understanding, I have through my work as a choreographer/dancer/actress had the privilege to attempt at grasping the space between the commercial world and the old traditions using the immediate markets such as Apple, Rimmel, Xmen, Brit Awards, L'Oreal, Vodafone, H&M, Black Eyed Peas, The Cochrane Theatre (Design for Dance), Royal Opera House, Miss Universe, Saatchi&Saatchi, M&S, Harrods, Musion and BBC4 as a tool to reach the everyman and woman.

I use the classical tradition in a free flowing way, allowing new shapes to take place, always seeking to discover not only what lies beneath, but also accepting and exploring what may be found, in places hidden far away, deep within or high above. Illusion versus reality, emotions versus thoughts: the pull of gravity is there as the constant reminder that we are all human (mortal). The dancers expression is there to help us pass that bridge between heaven and earth and, if even just for a short while, lift us up and out of our comfort zone, to a place where the sky is not the limit..

I really think that Big Dance 2012 is an incredible opportunity not only for new talent to be able to showcase their work to the public, but more importantly; a fantastic platform for creatives solidifying their ideas and visions into something truly inspiring without the usual restrictions of social/cultural/ethical character. And I particularly feel that the message of this short film is extremely relevant in two ways: first off Black Swan is still fresh in peoples mind and so the connection/recognizing between the two will definitely be linked (whether its conscious or subconscious), secondly for me personally, growing up in a place (The Royal Danish Ballet) where the mantra of "you MUST be(come) perfect" brings the message of the short very close to my heart: realizing that real beauty is not achieved by something from the exterior world but instead is always there....within.

Showreel
Supple / Guillermo Martin Nam

Consultant Choreographer

My Name is Guillermo Martin Nam but better know as Supple. I was born in South American born, raised in Australia and now based in London. My unique style of dance and high knowledge of dance and urban styles made me win an award for "Most Innovative Choreography in TV and Film" (GTI VW, Gene Kelly Singing in the Rain advert).

As a performer, my range of work runs from Urban street, Pop and Theatre, being involved in the 2002 Destiny's Child Tour, Janet Jackson's Promotional Velvet Rope Oz Appearance, Madonna, as well as theatre credits such as The National Theatre, English National Opera, Sadler’s Wells, The Place and many more.

As a choreographer I have worked with artists such as Jamiroquai, M.I.A, Chemical Brothers, Lily Allen, McFly, Rhikitk Rhoshan, Amr Diab and more. I have choreographed huge campaigns/commercials for clients like Halifax, Marks and Spencers, VW Golf and Sony Ericsson, "Britain's Next Top Model", MTV's "Bust a Move", and "So You Think You Can Dance" (Australia and UK) and many more.

Recently I have ventured into directing and successfully taken the role as Creative /Artistic Director for the hit TV show "Got To Dance" (Sky 1) 2010, 2011, 2012, Dance Director for the new up coming Hip Hop film working title "Someday", Music Film Director and choreographer for film "Australia with Love", and theatre director for E.D.D.

My brave attempt to push boundaries and fusion of styles makes me a strong Consultant Choreographer for Upgrade.

Singing In The Rain
Tim Casson

Performer / Choreographer

I am delighted to be playing the character of Philip and am looking forward to this collaboration between young choreographers and filmmakers offered by Big Dance 2012. One of my interests is the use of contemporary dance within popular culture and this project will allow me to experience this further through developing this character for the screen!

I am a Dance Artist currently based in London working as a performer, teacher and choreographer. After training in Musical Theatre, studying Contemporary Dance, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Theatre, Singing and Ballet, I went on to complete an MA in Contemporary Dance at London Contemporary Dance School. As a performer, I have created and toured internationally for the last 5 years with Jasmin Vardimon Company and Made By Katie Green amongst others, and have also been a lecturer in Physical Theatre at Royal Holloway University London as well as teaching for Sadler's Wells, StopGAP Dance Company and at various other dance locations and universities across the UK.

For more information see www.timcasson.co.uk