And We Will Dance - Director's Notes

Artist Steve Childs is naturally a rebel. He never wants to do anything in a "typical" way. Typically for him, he doesn't want his film And We Will Dance to fit into any "typical" genre. Whether his film is categorized documentary or experimental is irrelevant to him. He wants his film to be fast-paced; full of movement, from both dancers and cameras. He wants the audience to be swept into the film by overwhelming beauty and emotion.

Why is he directing this film? "For over twenty-five years, I have created paintings of dancers. And We Will Dance is filmed from my perspective as an artist. That's why I'm making this film, because of my visual experience throughout a lifetime of studying dancers. This is my painting done with film instead of on canvas."

The purpose of this film is three-fold; first, to give the audience a totally satisfying experience of their senses, and second, to give them a rare look at the life "behind the curtain" of the dance world--the practices, the struggles, the perseverance. The third reason he says is, "I just had to make this film ever since I had a vision for it several years ago." Generally, when I paint a painting "just for myself," it is often my best work, so I hope that this film will in the same way reach the audience in a deep and moving way."

"A painting's message is communicated not just by the subject matter, but also by the style in which it is painted. I want the viewer to be touched more deeply than simply on an intellectual level. I want them to be emotionally moved by beauty, to be stirred by the music. I might even describe this film as a revival of things beautiful and a commitment to excellence; that being these dancers and their pursuit of a dream."

"I've had the wonderful opportunity to paint dancers from companies in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Salt Lake City, and Winston-Salem and there is a common thread that runs through them all. That thread is their passion and pursuit of excellence, as well as a determination to work hard."

"Once, I was privileged to create a limited edition lithographic print of a dancer through the ancient method of etching chemicals into stone. Like that experiment, this film presents the same subject--dancers. But this time, the medium IS the message. Although expressing movement is sometime limited in a flat, two-dimensional painting or print, the very essence of film is movement. Light and shadow are my paints. The camera is my brush. Instead of a painting hanging in a brightly-lit art gallery, this time the dancers can dance right off the surface, projected on a screen in a darkened theater. I set out initially to add that dimension of movement. While filming, I became so inspired by the passion and commitment of the student athletes I met, that I felt compelled to share their stories--at least of four dancers."

Childs says, "As an artist, I paint using a technique that I call "lost and found edges." Some edges of the painting are defined while others are vague or even non-existent, blank canvas. It may appear unfinished. But this way the viewer becomes more involved in, and almost participates in, filling in the spaces. A painting can only tell part of a story--each viewer completes the painting in their own way."

"As the director, I want to use "lost and found edges" in this film. At first glance, the story may not seem complete, or at least, not tied up neatly in traditional beginning, middle and ending segments. My paintings are not achieved by long, slow, deliberate brushstrokes. I paint by building up layers and textures. Compare each film clip to a single, quick brushstroke--which seems essential early in a painting--but later may only act as texture or contrast. I'd rather build the characters with short vignettes rather than long interviews. Likewise, this film uses short clips of explosive energy to express passion for life and dance."

"Just as listening to great music touches us so deeply; observing the trained dancer's body in motion has the same primal effect that we can't adequately explain. It is this observation that I hope the audience will experience while watching this film. I hope most people will go away with a new appreciation for these dancers and for a refreshing look at beauty and passion."