the mechanics
brief: create a short film showcasing the work of british choreographer andrew mcnicol and his illustrious mcnicol ballet collective during their 2022 season.
with previous films already telling the story of the mcnicol ballet collective and its artistic mission, the choice was made to create a film that focused on the mechanics of andrew mcnicol’s ballet vocabulary and choreography.
set up as an informative piece of help content, the film highlights the artistry and professionalism of the mcnicol ballet collective by telling the story of how his choreographic vocabulary is shaped and experienced by the dancers, throughout its inception.
the short documentary format, combined with the visual narrative of beauty short film, allows the story to be explored two-fold;
the dancers themselves tell us about their experience, inviting the audience in for a very personal and intimate exploration of how one experiences the appropriation of mcnicol’s choreography.
the cinematography is utilized to grant us an insider’s access into the physical universe of balletic movement. wide angle lenses and swirling camera movement, paired with long lenses and fixed focus, are intended to work in tandem with the dancers and the choreography; allowing an unprecedented sensual experience of dance at its inception.
client - mcnicol ballet collective
artistic director / choreographer - andrew mcnicol
creative - sam asaert
producer - rachel jean birch
director - Sam Asaert
ballet mistress - katya bourvis
cinematorgraphy - sam asaert
sound - sam asaert
edit & post - sam asaert
dancers:
shevelle dynott
winnie dias
joshua mcsherry-gray
laurie mcsherry-gray
kristen mcgarrity
apprentice dancer:
rin ishikawa
costume design - louise flanagan
project coordinator - susannah burke
make up and hair styling – rougedmilk
marketing & pr - lucy white & robert james
dramaturg / mentor - francesca tennant
with support from arts council england and the linbury trust