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Just Dance
Renowned choreographer Michelle Johnston has worked with international stars like Catherine Zeta Jones, Cate Blanchett, Renee Zelwegger, Usher and many more. Renowned choreographer Michelle Johnston has worked with international stars like Catherine Zeta Jones, Cate Blanchett, Renee Zelwegger, Usher and many more.
Michelle is a dancer and choreographer par excellence. The 21 selected contestants of Just Dance will now have the honour of training under Michelle. We catch up with Michelle to know more about her and find out what's in store for the contestants.
You have worked with international stars on television, film, and stage. How has the whole experience been?
It is challenging working with celebrities because people expect so much from them and they are afraid to look bad. They are scared if they have not had any dance experience before so they hugely depend on me to make them look good. It's my job to make them look good and I have never let anybody down (laughs).
It is challenging working with celebrities because people expect so much from them and they are afraid to look bad. They are scared if they have not had any dance experience before so they hugely depend on me to make them look good. It's my job to make them look good and I have never let anybody down (laughs).
Tell the Indian audience a little bit about yourself and your body of work?
I have worked with actors and performers ranging from Madonna to Cate Blanchett to Brad Pitt to John Travolta and Usher ? basically celebrities from all areas of the performing world. I have done videos, I have starred in movies, I have worked as a choreographer, dancer. I started pretty young so my body of work is vast by now. Now I am ancient, really very old.
I have worked with actors and performers ranging from Madonna to Cate Blanchett to Brad Pitt to John Travolta and Usher ? basically celebrities from all areas of the performing world. I have done videos, I have starred in movies, I have worked as a choreographer, dancer. I started pretty young so my body of work is vast by now. Now I am ancient, really very old.
What has been your most satisfying work till date?
That's difficult to choose because certain work is satisfying for certain reasons. The most satisfying was working on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Cate Blanchett had never danced before and was supposed to play a prima ballerina in the movie. We hired a dance double because we were sure she would never be able to pull it off. I trained with her for a long period and by the time we started to shoot she had dedicated herself to becoming a dancer. We did not have to use the dance double as Cate could do all the dance moves. The poor dance double just sat there waiting to be called.
That's difficult to choose because certain work is satisfying for certain reasons. The most satisfying was working on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Cate Blanchett had never danced before and was supposed to play a prima ballerina in the movie. We hired a dance double because we were sure she would never be able to pull it off. I trained with her for a long period and by the time we started to shoot she had dedicated herself to becoming a dancer. We did not have to use the dance double as Cate could do all the dance moves. The poor dance double just sat there waiting to be called.
Who would you say are exceptional dancers in Hollywood?
Usher for sure, you can give him anything and he makes it look amazing. I worked with Catherine Zeta Jones for Chicago and she comes from a theatre background. She's Welsh but she did a lot of work in the UK which is great. Another person who amazed me is Renee Zelwegger. She has not had dance training but she's amazing. Some people just have this gift of dance and she is very gifted. John Travolta always wants to try something different. Then there is Ashanti. Also Wayne Brady the African- American comedian whom I trained for a show is a great dancer.
Usher for sure, you can give him anything and he makes it look amazing. I worked with Catherine Zeta Jones for Chicago and she comes from a theatre background. She's Welsh but she did a lot of work in the UK which is great. Another person who amazed me is Renee Zelwegger. She has not had dance training but she's amazing. Some people just have this gift of dance and she is very gifted. John Travolta always wants to try something different. Then there is Ashanti. Also Wayne Brady the African- American comedian whom I trained for a show is a great dancer.
Are you well-acquainted with Hrithik Roshan's body of work? What do you think of his style and form? And which do you think is his best performance till date?
I was not very well acquainted with Hrithik, but when I came on to this project I watched his work on Youtube and feel he is the perfect person for the show. He is so versatile, he can do any kind of style. He is a complete performer and that is what we are looking for in the show.
I was not very well acquainted with Hrithik, but when I came on to this project I watched his work on Youtube and feel he is the perfect person for the show. He is so versatile, he can do any kind of style. He is a complete performer and that is what we are looking for in the show.
What do you think of the current bunch of talent on hand?
This group is interesting because it ranges from people who have had a lot of experience like Karan from the UK who has trained with the best of teachers and has worked for a long time. From that level to kids from rural areas who have learnt dance by watching Youtube and have had no formal training at all. I have a class where I will make the contestants do a piece of choreography where they can add their own style. All the 21 contestants are very talented, some only in certain areas and others in many areas.
This group is interesting because it ranges from people who have had a lot of experience like Karan from the UK who has trained with the best of teachers and has worked for a long time. From that level to kids from rural areas who have learnt dance by watching Youtube and have had no formal training at all. I have a class where I will make the contestants do a piece of choreography where they can add their own style. All the 21 contestants are very talented, some only in certain areas and others in many areas.
What are the parameters of judging a dancer's ability?
We are looking for versatility, someone who can do different styles and someone who is professional, dedicated, respectful and hardworking. Also someone who loves dance.
We are looking for versatility, someone who can do different styles and someone who is professional, dedicated, respectful and hardworking. Also someone who loves dance.
Are the international dance styles easy to learn? Do you think these contestants will be able to pick them up easily?
I had an audition for the contestants on the first day and I was really scared but these kids are so dedicated. They practice at home and comeback the next day having improved. In 5-6 days my opinion has taken a 180 degree turn. Now we are doing a whole production number with American Jazz, Boxy dance and everyone is going to be in it.
I had an audition for the contestants on the first day and I was really scared but these kids are so dedicated. They practice at home and comeback the next day having improved. In 5-6 days my opinion has taken a 180 degree turn. Now we are doing a whole production number with American Jazz, Boxy dance and everyone is going to be in it.
Who do you think has the maximum potential among the contestants?
I will choose different people for different reasons. Sagar stands out because he is really good looking. He has a good commercial look and can become an actor. He has done very well in all styles. He has been in the top three every single day. Swarali is improving day by day I did not notice her much in the beginning but she has started to come out now. I also like both Karans as both are very strong. Karan Pagali is a darling and a very sweet guy to work with. Karan Khanna is masculine and has an animal kind of quality to him. He's physically very strong so he can do lifts easily.
I will choose different people for different reasons. Sagar stands out because he is really good looking. He has a good commercial look and can become an actor. He has done very well in all styles. He has been in the top three every single day. Swarali is improving day by day I did not notice her much in the beginning but she has started to come out now. I also like both Karans as both are very strong. Karan Pagali is a darling and a very sweet guy to work with. Karan Khanna is masculine and has an animal kind of quality to him. He's physically very strong so he can do lifts easily.
What will your focus be during the workshop?
My focus will be to bring out the best in all the dancers and making them as comfortable with International dance styles as possible.
My focus will be to bring out the best in all the dancers and making them as comfortable with International dance styles as possible.
How much can you hone a talent in a dancer?
It's my job to hone the talent in dancers so I will do the best I can.
It's my job to hone the talent in dancers so I will do the best I can.
What are your expectations from the contestants?
I expect the contestants to keep improving day by day and perform with dedication and focus. I expect them to be professional and hardworking.
I expect the contestants to keep improving day by day and perform with dedication and focus. I expect them to be professional and hardworking.
What is the kind of transformation you are expecting to see at the end of this workshop? How do you imagine the end result to be?
I want all the dancers to be comfortable with the dance styles that I am teaching them. There are some who excel in Indian but are not too familiar with western so I am looking for a transformation there.
I want all the dancers to be comfortable with the dance styles that I am teaching them. There are some who excel in Indian but are not too familiar with western so I am looking for a transformation there.
What has been Hrithik's brief to you. How does he want the workshops to benefit the contestants and what is the end result he wants to see?
Unfortunately I have not got the opportunity to interact with Hrithik. I have seen him in the promos on TV so I know who he is but he has no idea about who I am.
Unfortunately I have not got the opportunity to interact with Hrithik. I have seen him in the promos on TV so I know who he is but he has no idea about who I am.
Natasha Coutinho/Hill Road Media Wednesday, July 13, 2011
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