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In the midst of Hollywood’s glitz and glamour, where everyone’s chasing the next big break, there’s choreographer Mandy Moore, a beacon of creativity who thrives on teaching dance to those who think they can’t. But let’s face it: who really has time for dance when the world’s falling apart? Yet, she insists that dance is a vital part of life, a notion that’s almost laughable when you consider the chaos around us.
But hey, let’s indulge her for a moment.
Teaching dance to the uninitiated
Moore embodies the spirit of a true artist, claiming she loves teaching people whose expertise doesn’t lie in movement. “I really love teaching people where dance isn’t their first thing,” she quips, as if the idea of someone not dancing is a personal affront.
It’s a charming sentiment, really, but amidst the hustle of modern life, can we really afford to take a break and learn the cha-cha? The irony is thick; while she’s out here promoting the joy of movement, many are just trying to keep their heads above water.
But sure, let’s make time for a little jig.
She fondly reminisces about her experience on the film ‘La La Land’, where she learned that teaching dance is more than just counting steps. “You never leave any space for the magic,” she says, as if the very fabric of existence hinges on her ability to inspire the otherwise uncoordinated.
Sure, because nothing screams ‘magic’ quite like a group of people stumbling through a salsa routine while the world burns outside.
The allure of a Stephen King story
When the opportunity to choreograph ‘The Life of Chuck’, based on a Stephen King novella, landed in her lap, Moore was intrigued.
“As soon as I heard it was a Stephen King story, I was like, ‘Wait, what this?’” Her enthusiasm is palpable, but let’s be real: how does dance fit into a King narrative? Is it a metaphor for the chaotic human experience? Or perhaps a way to distract us from the horror lurking beneath the surface? Whatever it is, she found the characters compelling, especially Chuck, whose dance journey is woven into his life’s fabric.
But are we really here for the dance, or is it just a distraction from the horror of reality?
Developing a dance amidst chaos
Filming during a pandemic—now there’s a real dance of its own. Moore faced the unique challenge of choreographing a dance scene with Tom Hiddleston, who was stuck in London while she was in her own creative bubble. “The process is lo-fi and fancy at the same time,” she remarks, as if that makes any sense. While she’s busy creating elaborate dance phrases, the rest of us are just trying to figure out how to get by. The dance must go on, even in a world that seems to have lost its rhythm.
She sent movement phrases like “this could be a cha-cha phrase” or “this could be an MGM-Gene Kelly phrase” back and forth, like some sort of twisted game of telephone. In the meantime, the world outside continued to spiral out of control. But hey, at least they were dancing, right? It’s a bizarre juxtaposition, and maybe that’s the point: even when chaos reigns, art finds a way to break through.
Bringing it all together
Moore’s secret weapon? A drummer named Taylor Gordon, who was tasked with creating a beat for the fantastical dance scene. Because nothing screams creativity quite like a busker adding rhythm to a world already moving too fast. “By the end, it’s this explosion of different styles and movements and rhythms,” she explains, as if that’s supposed to solve all our problems. But really, can a dance scene fix the underlying issues of human existence? Or is it just a nice distraction while we all pretend everything’s fine?
A passion for dance
Ultimately, Moore’s love for dance shines through. “Everyone can dance—I do feel that,” she insists, as if that’s a universal truth. But let’s not kid ourselves; while some can groove, others are just trying to survive. “You walk, you get up, you do you. That’s dancing. We’re all dancing through life,” she concludes. Ah, the irony is rich. While she’s out here encouraging everyone to embrace their inner dancer, the rest of us are just trying to navigate the absurdity of it all. In a world drowning in chaos, perhaps we could all use a little more dance. Or maybe we just need to learn how to stand still amidst the madness.
