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July 25, 2009

| The Uniform Makes the Mind >>

Just Another Walk Down the Aisle

Just watch this video. There are many subtle things to like about it, but I don’t want to give away the surprise. You won’t have to wait long; the fun starts at 0:30.

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Posted July 25, 2009 at 2:44 | Comments (6) | Permasnark
File under: Briefly Noted

Comments

Call this a lesson in the value of choreography.

The first few pairs of dancers were just plain good. They would be fun to watch no matter what. Then come the less talented. They aren't bad, but they aren't particularly entertaining either. (I have no illusions: I would be in this group too.)

When choreographed, though, the mediocre dancers become more interesting. The big group number works really well and is as enjoyable to watch as were those initial, talented dancers.

I love on-the-fly creativity. I love taking goofy risks. I cannot stand dignity. But this clip shows off how valuable a little planning and structure can be.

(Credit where credit is due: I stole the basic idea for this post from my wife, who has spent more time thinking about choreography than I have.)

Posted by: Dan on July 25, 2009 at 06:05 PM

Yes! Dan, you are exactly right. That was my observation, too: the so-so dancers were sandwiched safely in the middle, buffered on both sides by higher-quality entertainment.

You are 100% right. This would have actually been a bit painful to watch if it hadn't been so cleverly choreographed, and well-practiced.

The classic example for the value of clever choreography over dancing talent has to be Ok Go. Or, I don't know, the Thriller-in-prison stuff.

And you know what? I think this is why I found this video ultimately disappointing. They weren't willing to fully embrace the fact that they're not very good dancers, or to choreograph it to within an inch of their lives to compensate for that fact. It's just some kids dicking around, thinking they're pretty good, thinking they're very cool.

Which is fine for them. But for viral video territory, it's just ehhh.

Aw! I think some of 'em really did go for it. The sharp transitions? The slo-mo breakdown at the end? They practiced this.

Nope. Sorry. I put together sharper routines with my cousins when we were in grade school.

And yes, I am high on haterade.

I finally watched this.

Like so many things in life, it needed an editor.

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