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Monday, 24 October 2005 |
Jazz, Tap and other art forms of the street have become classic because of either Enthusiasts, mass media attention and/or Historians. The UNDERGROUND DANCE MASTERS were never seen by a large part of society let alone any of the mass media.
This feature documentary will take you through this FORGOTTEN ERA of an underground life style when a special group of artists created art not on canvas nor recordings but in unique dances, in short a Physical Graffiti. Using their individual styles as gun slingers used their guns, to dominate others, get respect and build self pride solely through the art of dance. This was a time when you could go into a rough neighborhood and could tell which were the street dancers as opposed to gang members. This 1 hour and 55 minute production covers a 15 year span from 1970 to 1985. It talks about a very special group of Latino, Black and White Youths, who are the true masters of an art form that has become a true American art form in spite of the color tensions of the time. This is truly about one's heart and ability and not the color of an individual.
Many of today's superstars have based their entire career on the styles and moves they have stolen from these UNDERGROUND DANCE MASTERS. Because of the nature of the entertainment industry being what it is, people as MICHAEL JACKSON, JANET JACKSON and many others will never give any credit to these UNDERGROUND DANCE MASTERS that they have blatantly ripped off and continue to do so. By telling about these real life encounters with these superstars and giving biting insight to how these stars are really the wanna be's and not the originals. Telling the truth and backing it up with pictures and air dates to prove what is said.
LOCKING AND POPPING are the basic styles of dance that we explore. Explaining the origins of the dances and how each new style was created and then evolved into a new masterful creation.
Combined with backgrounds on each dance group, there are personal quotes and stories told by members, in hopes to paint a clear picture of both the positive and negative side of the underground dance scene as they lived it. This along with a special interview with Director/Choreographer KENNY ORTEGA, who was very key in allowing this true American art form to be exposed to the world, gives a clear non bias history.
These special dance groups that are the masters and creators have names like THE CAMPBELLOCK DANCERS, CHAIN REACTION, THE ELECTRIC BOOGALOO, MECHANICAL DEVICE, MYSTERIOUS POPPERS, DEMONS OF THE MIND and many more. Each dance group is considered legendary with their own individual style in the Urban Dance world of today.
Because of this small but important piece of history never being recorded or documented, there has been a missing piece to a bigger puzzle. Today you can look at television shows like Geraldo, Oprah, Montel, etc., one of the topics that they are all addressing is the supposed trend of hip hop style and clothing. Some say it's black, others say it's not. Some say it is from the east coast or from Africa, others say it's not. All of these people do not know for sure because it's a style that they just gravitated toward as they were growing up. This film can answer many of those questions. Because it is a true documentary and pictorial testimony of the original scene that created these unique dances and clothing styles. It is important to destroy all of the myths that exist today.
Since 1982 with the exploitation of trends like Break Dancing and other media created monsters, the two art forms of Locking and Popping were almost completely destroyed. Instead, because of the resilience of these special individuals it went even further underground where it has existed in its purest form, waiting for the day when the real story is to be told. Today is that day and this is the truth of the UNDERGROUND DANCE MASTERS: HISTORY OF A FORGOTTEN ERA.
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