FILM CHOREOGRAPHY & MOVEMENT DIRECTION WORKSHOPS w/ Francesca Jaynes

Work in dance and movement in film can be an ever-changing and diverse experience. This is what makes it exciting! But it’s also what makes it extremely challenging. The top people in the industry have a vast range of skills (ballet, tap, historical dance, contemporary social dance, etc) and must always be ready to adapt and change to best serve their director and the film.

Within this two-day exploration of the discipline, we’ll look at the complete process of working in dance/movement on a film production, from initial meetings with producers and directors, to casting, rehearsals, and ultimately filming. There are a host of details and elements that need to be considered at each stage of the process, in addition to the actual creation of the work.

With discussions, Q and A’s, and practical ‘on your feet’ workshops, we’ll explore the myriad of fun and challenging scenarios that can present themselves on a variety of job assignments.

Topics will include:

– Different approaches for different films, Genres, and directors;

– How does the dance/movement fit into the narrative of the film and/or scene;

– Relationships with other departments (Directors, Assistant Directors, Costume Departments, Sound Departments, Art and Props Departments);

– Practical sessions in creating and filming the work (historical dance, etc); Actors, dancers, and Muppets – working with differing levels of skills, abilities, and comfort zones.

Francesca Jaynes has been a Choreographer and Movement Director in the film industry for over 25 years. Her work is incredibly diverse, ranging from movement in “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” and “Gravity” to musical films such as “De-Lovely” and “Muppets Most Wanted”.

She has worked with top directors on both sides of the Atlantic, including Mike Leigh, Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton, Joss Whedon, Ron Howard, Michael Winterbottom, and Mike Newell, and with a host of stars such as Judi Dench, Dustin Hoffman, Sandra Bullock, Andy Serkis, Christoph Waltz, Tina Fey, Jude Law, Keira Knightley, and Kevin Kline.

Francesca has recently contributed to the Disney’s adaptation of “Pinocchio,” directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks. She also lent her talents to Marvel Studios’ “Black Widow,” directed by Cate Shortland, working with Scarlett Johansson and Rachel Weisz.

Additionally, she worked on Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon,” featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby, . In “Firebrand,” directed by Karim Aïnouz and starring Jude Law and Alicia Vikander, She also recently contributed as a choreographer to the series “House of Dragon”.

In addition to a wide-ranging CV in film, she works regularly in the theatre in musicals, opera, and plays, and also in television drama.

For a complete look at her career to date, please visit www.francescajaynes.com