STEP UP - $21.1 Box Office Hit

(c) Disney

The teen dancing movie "Step Up," had an strong debut opening in cinemas this weekend. The film shocked box office observers over the weekend by taking in $21.1 million on fewer than 2500 screens over the US weekend. "Step" Starring newcomers Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan capitalized on a popular soundtrack and online marketing campaigns to reach its mostly teen audience and give Disney its third summer hit following "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" and "Cars."

Tyler Gage (CHANNING TATUM) is a rebel from the wrong side of Baltimore¹s tracks. Him and his two buddies, Mac and Skinny, are just sliding by through life, enjoying basketball, parties, and dancing while stealing cars for an income and maybe going to school every once in a while. After a bit of good-natured vandalism at the nearby ultra-elite Maryland School of Arts, Gage lands himself in front of a judge, and is sentenced to 200 hours of community service outside the school.

Nora (JENNA DEWAN) is a privileged ballet dancer attending the school and the only thing standing in the way of her obviously brilliant future is finding a great dance partner for her senior showcase.

Gage's skills as a gifted street dancer draw Nora¹s attention. Now, as sparks fly between them, both on and off stage, Tyler realizes he has just one performance to prove that he can step up to a life far larger than he ever imagined.

"It's great when a movie like this so over-performs in the marketplace," said Chuck Viane, president of Disney's Buena Vista Distribution. "The filmmakers knew who their audience was and for $12 million made a film that was extremely pleasing. "We had so many sold-out auditoriums, it was like the old days and watching the public embrace a movie."

STEP UP - Box Office Hit

(c) Disney

(Right) Directorial debut of leading choreographer Anne Fletcher with R&B superstar Mario.

Cast also includes Drew Sidora as well as rap legend Heavy D, Damaine Radcliff, De'Shawn Washington and Academy Award® nominee and Golden Globe® winner Rachel Griffiths.

SEE STEP UP TRAILER

Step Up is a Touchstone Pictures Release.
Directed by Anne Fletcher.
Screenplay by Duane Adler and Melissa Rosenberg.
Starring: Tatum Channing, Jenna Dewan, Drew Sidora, Damain Radcliffe, De'Shawn Washington
Running time: 100 minutes.

Filmmakers Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine explore the remarkable history of the legendary dance troupe Ballets Russes in this meticulously researched documentary that traces the evolution of the group from their 1909 debut performance in Paris until their final 1962 show in Brooklyn, NY.

DVD Released on 21st August 2006

Performing at venues both large and small, the Ballets Russes opened the world's eyes to the art of dance in a manner never even conceived by vaudeville. Detailing everything from the involvement of such legendary artists as Picasso and Matisse to the quarrels between choreography giants George Balanchine and Leonid Massine -- and including interviews with such historical Ballets Russes dancers as Yvonne Chouteau, Raven Wilkinson, and other surviving members of the troupe -- this documentary pays tribute to some of the biggest names in the world of dance while simultaneously showcasing the remarkable influence that Ballets Russes had on generations of dancers.

BALLETS RUSSES - OUT ON DVD AUGUST 21 2006 - £19.99. ORDER YOUR COPY HERE

We are giving two lucky winners the opportunity to win a copy of Ballets Russes,courtesy of Revolver Entertainment.

"What is the name of the English ballerina who features in the film who was made a Dame?"

Submit your Answers Here: DVD Competition

 

UK - LONDON CALL FOR ENTRIES- 7th Constellation Change Screen Dance Festival

7th Constellation Change Screen Dance Festival

Deadline 17th November 2006

CALL FOR ENTRIES - Deadline 17th November 2006

Constellation Change announces its call for entries for its 7th Screen Dance Festival which takes place in March 2007. Created in 1998 as part of the Carol Straker Dance Foundation's 10th anniversary, CCSDFestival is committed to the development of promoting artistic, creative uses of dance on film. The festival embraces a wide range of diversified and dynamic dance films and has developed into a truly International event, screening films from over 47 Countries. The Festival has UK premiered films from Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures , 20th Century Fox , TF1 International, and Samuel Goldwyn Films to name but a few.

The festival provides a showcase for new and established dance works and the forthcoming 2007 festival will include Dance, Camera, Action shorts, Feature length films, talks and seminars and a high caliber of international filmmakers and guest artists.

There is No entry fee to the CCSDFestival. Entrants are invited to submit films & Videos in one of three categories: Filmed Choreography, Innovative Works and Documentary style.

To receive Entry form then mail your full postal address details to: ccfestival@hotmail.com with the subject: 2007 Entries.

To submit an entry online, then visit the website link below. http://www.constellation-change.co.uk online Application

 

London - Keith Young to Feature in Trade Secrets - The Times - Knowledge Magazine.

Photos Courtesy Constellation Change & MSA

This Month The Times knowledge magazine is featuring Choreographer Keith Young.

KEITH YOUNG is one of the premiere choreographers working in the entertainment industry today. His Film Credits include RENT for director Chris Columbus, SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE, starring Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton, and the top-grossing WHAT WOMEN WANT with Mel Gibson. Just a few of Keith’s other accomplishments include choreography for the #1 video “ROSES,” for the acclaimed group OUTKAST, and countless ad campaigns for such products as THE GAP, K-MART, and PEPSI. Keith is a multiple American Choreography Award nominee and winner for his film, television, and commercial choreography and was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work on THE DREW CAREY SHOW, and recently Staged Three 6 Mafia's Award Winning song at this years Academy Awards in 2006.

Keith received a Bachelor of Science degree in Arts Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Although his primary focus was in painting and sculpture, Keith was drawn to the all-encompassing expression that dance allows. He joined Twyla Tharp as a principal dancer, and later became her assistant on Milos Forman’s acclaimed film, AMADEUS. He also served as rehearsal director in the staging of the SINATRA SUITE, featuring Mikhail Baryshnikov and Twyla Tharp, for American Ballet Theatre. As part of UK Constellation Change in 2006, he gave lectures for Dance students at The Urdang Academy and Hammersmith and West London College.

KEITH YOUNG - FILM CREDITS

Rent (2005) Choreographer

Son of the Mask (2005) Choreographer

Rat Race (2001) Choreographer

What Women Want (2000) Choreographer

Flawless (1999) Choreographer

The Parent Trap (1998) Choreographer

Grace of My Heart (1996) Choreographe r

House Arrest (1996) Choreographer

View Stagework -Dancing Wheels Choreographed by Keith Young

In Development - UK

HIP HOP SHORTS - THE CORNER OF SUNSET & MORNING GLORY II
Executive Producers: Akin Souleyman, Martha Bergmark.
Producer: Ellen Brandvold ,

Film Budget Euro 62,000 X3
Broadcaster Ellen Brandvold & Launch VI will be supporting the direct costs of production of a trio of 30-minute Hip Hop film projects in 2007. TCOSAMG is open to animation, music videos, documentaries and shorts with an international focus, in which storytellers bring their Hip Hop ideas, experiences and cultures to new audiences.

Guidelines for proposals will be released soon for Deadline 21st December 2006. ellenbrandvold@hotmail.com

In Production - Los Angeles

"Lionsgate and Element Films ("Waiting", "Five Fingers") have signed a three-year deal for Element to develop, finance and produce three films a year for Lionsgate to distribute, bolstering its slate of 18-20 films per year. The first film under the agreement is "The Prom," which comes from Lionsgate. The romantic teen comedy marks John Chu's (When the Kids Are Away) directorial debut and is set to begin principal photography in New Orleans..."

In Production - Paris, FRANCE

HIP HOP DIVAS
Director: Gayle Whyte
Producer: Gayle Whyte
Screenwriter: Fred Moore, Gayle Whyte

Film Budget Euro 55,000
30 minute documentary following an All Female Hip Hop Dance Crew as they tour Europe. Status: in Pre Production France, Shooting Sept 14th-21st 2006

In Production - USA

TAP
Director: Chloe Arnold
Featuring:Jason Samuels Smith

Film Budget :TBA
Documentary on the re-emergence of Tap.

In Post Production - USA

NEW YORK STATE OF MIND.
Director: Peter"The Juice" Berry
Producer: Ellen Brandvold
Choreographer: Yukari Sakiguchi

Film Budget Euro 32,000
Behind the scenes making of the feature film "Quiet Days In New York". Interviews in New York, Denmark and London with the films cast and crew.