Choreographer Christopher Scott was first uncovered to bop after shifting to Hollywood at age 13, the place he attended Hollywood Excessive’s Performing Arts Magnet Program. His expertise performing “Cool” in West Aspect Story unleashed a lifelong ardour for dance. Scott’s dance journey has since been formed by key moments and other people he’s met alongside the best way. One such particular person is director John Chu, who he first met whereas starring in Step Up 2: Journey to the Streets. This relationship launched The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers (LXD), and opened doorways for Scott to change into a daily choreographer on So You Suppose You Can Dance, Affiliate Choreographer for 2021’s Within the Heights and, most just lately, the film musical sensation Depraved. Dance Informa chatted with Scott about his expertise choreographing Depraved, the place he drew inspiration from, and why he’s so excited for followers to see the movie.
Though Scott had his personal method to choreographing Depraved, he drew inspiration from Wayne Cilento’s authentic Broadway choreography. “I had most likely seen the musical 5 – 6 occasions earlier than I received the job,” Scott remembers. “Within the very early levels, John and I noticed it once more in New York and it reignited all that magic and enjoyable of the present. Although there was a ton of strain, I couldn’t take myself too significantly as a result of there’s a pleasure that’s baked into the present that must be preserved. I wished to honor Wayne and create one thing that didn’t really feel utterly out of nowhere. There are such a lot of stunning lifts in Depraved, and so it was at the back of my thoughts to include these into the film. They’re sprinkled in little pockets that you simply may not even catch, however they’re there as a little bit of a love letter to Wayne and all who created the present.”
The world of Depraved is historically boxed onto a stage, however on the display, it turned large, spanning from the Emerald Metropolis to Shiz. Scott shares in regards to the course of of making distinctive motion languages for the large display.
“Once you go to Oz, there aren’t any guidelines – it’s a world that we’re constructing. I positively explored with motion that wasn’t my regular stuff. I wished to enter type of a unusual motion language and develop one thing. What we do have in Ozare totally different components of the world – Winkie Nation, Munchkinland, Emerald Metropolis, Shiz – so, you will have these totally different areas which every has its personal motion language. We constructed the motion based mostly on the place they’re from. Munchkinland may be very grounded to the earth. Fiyero has numerous dancing and he’s from Winkie Nation, which is a army based mostly tradition, and what’s army? Boots and stomping and percussion – so we began taking part in with rhythmic issues and numerous footwork.”
One thing distinctive about this film adaptation, is that it spans two components. This created a fuller and deeper connection to the actors, their character’s story and, in flip, the choreography. “On paper, once you see what number of dance numbers I used to be answerable for in Depraved Elements 1 & 2, it’s much like Within the Heights,” Scott explains. “However there’s one thing about stretching it out over that period of time the place the work felt endless. What was unbelievable about doing two films was watching the actors develop their characters. Once I choreograph, I join with the actors and ensure I take heed to their variations of the characters earlier than I get set on any concepts for them. Over these two films, they’ve fairly a journey. It’s a must to give them time to seek out that journey, so it’s important to be versatile and keen to shift and take heed to the actors.”
When requested about choosing his favourite quantity, Scott chuckles and admits he ought to have identified that query was coming. “It’s actually onerous and going to sound like I’m choosing each quantity, however I’ll say once I got here into this job I assumed ‘Dancing Via Life’ is a significant accountability. It’s a protracted quantity, so I began with it and it holds a particular place in my coronary heart. Then we get to the OzDust. That second with Glinda and Elphaba within the OzDust was most likely probably the most particular course of I’ve ever skilled. It began with myself and Consolation Fedoke working collectively. Then we began working with Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba), who’s an unbelievable dancer. We created it in non-public, after which launched Ariana Grande (Glinda) to the quantity within the rehearsal house, and it felt like the true second on the OzDust. One different quantity that turned a favourite was ‘Common’. I might are available with concepts of choreography, however finally, I simply let Ariana play, and that lady is so humorous, good and artistic. I imply, we might nonetheless be choreographing it at the moment and arising with new stuff! Once I watch it within the film now, I’m like, ‘Wow, it actually labored.’ She is completely phenomenal in that quantity.”
Depraved is arguably probably the most well-known story Scott has labored on, and when requested if he felt the load of the enterprise, he solutions with a convincing sure. “That was most likely the most important factor I used to be not ready to really feel. At first, it’s simply so thrilling, and then you definately begin making choices and creating. It actually felt like a once-in-a-lifetime alternative, so the load did begin to really feel heavy. However what John does so properly, is take the strain off. He’s so enjoyable once you get within the room with him, and it appears like we’re again within the early days of doing LXD in his front room. John is a grasp at pulling in actually good folks – there’s no ego within the room. His philosophy is greatest thought wins, and we simply go and play and the load goes away.”
When requested what Scott was most excited for audiences to see, his eyes gentle up and his love for all issues Depraved is clear. “I’m most excited for them to see that traditional Hollywood film magic that everyone dropped at this world. It’s nostalgic – the easy picture of the Yellow Brick Highway and also you get emotional. I didn’t realize it was going to really feel this large with the entire stunning photos on-line and posters and merch. It’s getting me actually excited to know I’m part of one thing that has a lot Hollywood historical past.”
As we wrap up the dialog, Scott can’t maintain again from sharing slightly extra about what the collaboration on Depraved meant to him. “Each film is a big collaboration, however Depraved is so huge that I’d by no means felt collaboration at this degree earlier than. There have been moments once I’d stroll onto a set to get a really feel of it earlier than it was completed being constructed, and I’d go searching and there have been these unbelievable craftspeople portray miniatures or constructing large buildings. It jogged my memory how a lot work goes into these movies. Now once I watch the film – that’s what I see, these folks in each body creating the world. After which a dance comes up, and it’s our piece of the puzzle.”
Scott concludes, “Ozis even past Depraved; it’s the Wizard of Oz, and you’ve got these iconic photos which can be a lot larger than any little piece of the puzzle. Once you deal with it like that, that’s once you get one of the best outcomes and that’s what all people did in each division. Everyone put a lot care into this film to honor this world that’s a lot larger than any of us and has been round for longer than all of us.”
It’s straightforward to see, Scott has been modified for good by his expertise on Depraved. To maintain up with Scott, observe him on Instagram @chrislxd. Depraved is in theatres now.
By Melody McTier Thomason of Dance Informa.
