07. Taemin (1/2)
(OST – Perfectly Imperfect by Superscar)Day one of the boot camp filming had commenced. I had met up with the twenty five dancers that were in my group, fourteen boys and eleven girls.“Good morning everyone,” I quickly greeted them as they all trailed into the practice room given to us. They responded slightly sleepily which reminded me of how I had once been not used to the late hours and the early morning rises. “As you would know we have to put together a three minute performance on the last day of boot camp.” They nodded waiting for me to continue. “Well to help with that and to also assist me in deciding the final twelve I have brought along a friend.” Turning to the curtain I called, “come on out.”
Jongin bounded out much to the surprise of everyone who clapped or cheered. “Hello it’s nice to meet you.” He said cheerfully. I pulled him aside and asked Kim Seungwoo to come out.“He’s the same age as you.”
“Oh really,” Jongin then reached a hand out and they greeted, starting to talk informally. When the excitement had died down I then got everyone seated to brain storm.“So how should we do this? Lift up your hand if you have an idea.” Five hands came up. Jongin and I made sure to pay attention to what the group were saying.
“Ballroom dances?”“Could we do a dance that is edgy such as break dancing?”“Or maybe a mix of boy verses girl dancing?”
Some ideas were rather ridiculous. “Could the boys wear tutus?” We were very quick to disagree. And then Joonah thought of something. She didn’t like having us all turn and watch her as she tried to explain her idea.“M-maybe we could b-blend them?”
That got me and Jongin thinking. “Hmm that’s an idea.” I agreed. “We would have to get some help with the areas we aren’t familiar with.”
Jongin glanced at the group. “But some of you should be familiar with different styles at least.” There were some nods. “Excellent,” Jongin stood up. “We’ll group everyone based on their main style and work from there ok?”
We now had a plan of action. The cameras captured us as we began to figure out the parts for each group and how to fit it all into the three minute performance.ΩThe director pulled me aside for an explanation about our dance. “We’re going to do a combined performance. It means we’re pulling contemporary, hip hop, popping and even jazz into one.”
“Won’t it be hard to blend them in so that it would not be obvious in the dancing?”
“We’re going to separate the dances that have the similarities in style to opposite ends of the performance.” I told him. “It’s like we’re knitting a rainbow sweater using all our colours to make something truly remarkable.”
The days were passing before the performance at Boot Camp. It was day three and two days before the big event and the eliminations. Jongin had to leave for a schedule so I was coaching for the final days towards it. Everyone was practicing the choreography except the jazz dancers bumped into those who were trying to leave the space after doing hip hop. I cut the music. Everyone came to a steady pause.“What are you doing?” My voice was starting to rise. “We’ve got the routine down so why is it still sloppy?”
“We’re bumping into them as we come so it’s—““—I don’t want excuses.” I cut him off, sharply. “It’s important that you pay attention to when the hip hoppers have left. You then have three seconds to skip onto the stage and dance.”
Everyone’s moods were down and I began to feel somewhat guilty for being so strict. “Do it again.” Going back to the stereo I played the music again. One minute through and so far so good things ran smoother. But come to the minute and a half mark and the pop and lockers were out of synch and routine.I paused the music and went over to the three guys and one girl. “You’ve forgotten your moves and you are not moving in time.”“We’re sorry teacher—““Sorry?” I heaved a rather exaggerated but deliberate sigh. I turned around to look at them all. “Why are we still forgetting the dance moves?! Why are we still clumsy at entering and exiting; and why do we have to keep going over it?! Did I pick a bunch of talentless, lazy people?!”Their faces had fallen. I hadn’t intended to be so harsh. Some of the girls’ faces crinkled as though they were about to cry. The director with the camera men who had caught that on film cut the recording.