NO DANCING ALLOWED: AN EARTHBOUND STUDIO DOCUMENTARY
Click to Donate
THE STORY
SETTING THE SCENE
Street Dance, rooted in African ceremonial traditions, flourished in New York clubs, fostering unique dance techniques. No Dancing Allowed delves into its history and the harmful effects of institutional suppression. The 1926 Cabaret Law, along with an excise tax, shut down Harlem jazz clubs, hindering the growth of Lindy Hop (Hip-Hop's jazzy ancestor) and ending the Harlem Renaissance. Permits were mainly granted to white owners, closing communal dance spaces and stifling the exchange of dance knowledge. Consequently, the social dances born in New York City were forced to migrate, leading to their global spread. However, this unintended globalization resulted in misrepresentation and cultural appropriation as these dances were divorced from their original contexts.
During Mayor Giuliani's 1990s "Quality of Life" campaign, the Cabaret Laws were revived, closing many House dance venues under the guise of reducing crime. This disproportionately targeted Black communities. Government policies have often disrupted NYC dance scenes, forcing dancers to find new ways to continue growing the culture. Today, dancers are turning back to their roots, embracing the essence of the social dances that formed the foundation of the cultures, realizing that it's not the spaces but the people themselves who keep the culture alive and thriving, regardless of where they dance.
PURPOSE
1) Provide reliable documentation on the origins of Street Dance in light of media misrepresentation
2) Pay homage to the nostalgic & eclectic energy of nightclubs, social gatherings, and art culture throughout the 20th century
3) Examine the side effects of public policy on performing artists and explore their impact on marginalized communities
DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH
Our approach to creating this film is centered on our commitment to the authenticity of the culture and presenting these stories from the perspective of the individuals directly affected by it. The film leverages Julia Kito Kirtley's extensive documentation of the culture since the mid-90s, including over 30 previously unseen tapes being shown for the first time. These tapes offer a treasure trove of exclusive content, featuring rehearsal footage of MOPTOP, Dance Fusion’s trip to Japan, and various other international shows and rehearsals from the late 90s to the early 2000s. This never-before-seen collection of performances, rehearsals, and sessions offers an unprecedented look into the development and global spread of street dance culture from some of the pioneers of the culture themselves.
The entertainment industry has long exploited and commodified Street Dance culture, often without proper acknowledgment or compensation for its originators and pioneers. This pattern of appropriation has frequently led to a distorted representation of the culture and its values. Recognizing this issue, our approach to No Dancing Allowedprioritized building genuine, trust-based relationships with our film's main subjects. This process required deep immersion into street dance culture, allowing us to understand and respect its nuances and complexities. Simultaneously, we took an innovative step by employing our main subjects, Sekou Heru and LaTasha Bares, as Executive Producers. This unique arrangement empowers them to oversee and validate the authenticity of Earthbound's work. Their intimate knowledge of Street Dance culture and its history allows them to act as cultural guardians, ensuring our portrayal remains true to the essence of the movement they've helped shape.
Our commitment to authenticity extended beyond the filming process; in an unprecedented move, Earthbound has committed to providing royalties to all interviewees featured in our film. This decision shifts the traditional industry model, emphasizing the crucial role these individuals play not only in the development of our film but in the evolution of street dance culture as a whole. By valuing the contributions of these pioneers and ancillary characters, we aim to set a new standard for how the entertainment industry engages with and represents cultural movements.
Our artistic approach to "No Dancing Allowed" aims to tell a complex story through a personal lens, highlighting the impact of the Cabaret Laws and the resilience of Black Social Dance culture. The film's visual elements, including set design, cinematography, and art direction, work together to create an engaging world that reflects our motifs and the interviewees' experiences. All materials used in our sets are found, borrowed, or repurposed, adding to the authenticity of our scenes and mirroring the film's essence of piecing together historical fragments to tell a meaningful story.
We've carefully composed each visual decision, from props to lighting and locations, to mirror both our overarching narrative and the unique stories of our subjects. The sets range from assemblages of jazz records, industrial objects, and organic items that commemorate the rich history of social dance, to brighter, more hopeful settings. These varied environments help us illustrate the journey of black social dance culture, from its weathered past to its vibrant future, emphasizing the community's unwavering commitment to celebrating joy despite challenges.
The film's tone incorporates high-energy montages and nostalgic historical excerpts, evoking a sense of nostalgia and a desire to revisit the past. Stock footage from various eras provides a vivid glimpse into history, while raw portrayals of modern-day dancers feature gatherings, battles, training sessions, and testimonies. Animations and archival footage provide historical context, with multi-media stop-motion sequences outlining the timeline of street culture and animated maps visualizing the impact of gentrification.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Earthbound Studio is an organization established two years ago with a mission to positively influence the dance sphere through research, multi-media projects, and conversations with industry professionals. Our goal is to empower artists, advocate for fair compensation, and illuminate untold stories. Earthbound Studio's Creative Team: Jared Harbour (Lead Producer), Aidan Gibney (Director), Ellen Ling (Producer), Ashley Bland (Production Designer), Tian Sewell-Morgan (Associate Producer)
Kelly Peters and Gladys Bank are the renowned founders of Brickhouse NYC, a premier Hip Hop and commercial dance training studio located in the heart of New York City’s Times Square. Their vision has turned the studio into a national hub for the ultimate dance training experience, attracting an international community of dancers and instructors. Peters and Bank are not only dedicated to the teaching and preservation of authentic Hip Hop culture but are also focused on its evolution through cutting-edge choreography and commercial styles. They hold prominent roles as Executive Producers for No Dancing Allowed, further showcasing their passion and commitment to the dance industry.
Sekou Heru and LaTasha Barnes are both co-Executive Producers and primary subjects of No Dancing Allowed. They live and breathe Street Dance culture, with decades of experience as practitioners and educators of House, Hip-Hop, and Lindy Hop.
PROGRESS TO DATE
OUR GOAL
We aim to raise $50,000 to fund the remaining part of our production. These funds will cover post-production costs, allowing us to bring diverse, creative team members with unique perspectives on Street Dance Culture. The budget will go towards hiring a Music Supervisor, Script Writer, Editor, Sound Designer, and Animator. It will also cover miscellaneous post-production expenses such as color grading, visual effects, music licensing fees, and audio mixing and mastering studio rental. This funding is vital to elevating the quality of our film and ensuring we can fully realize our vision of authentically representing the rich history and culture of street dance.
With your support, we can assemble a talented team to bring fresh insights and technical expertise to our project, enabling us to create a compelling and visually stunning documentary that does justice to the legacy of street dance and its pioneers.
Simultaneously, we continue to embark on our private investor raise to fund licensing stock footage and animations essential to convey the story. Should you or anyone you know like to get involved with this project on such a level, please email [email protected].
THE IMPACT
Your involvement would support dance artists, draw attention to a story that needs to be told, and challenge a system that has suppressed this vibrant art form and community for decades. No Dancing Allowed is more than just a film; it's a movement toward understanding dance's cultural heritage and reclaiming a history that systemic forces have tried to erase for decades.
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP
Even if you are not able to donate at this time, there are still other ways you can help our team! Please share this page, follow our instagram page @earthbound.studio, share our posts—every share helps get the word out. Let's make some noise about our campaign!
Our pitch deck for No Dancing Allowed can be viewed here... Click Me!
Donate via Credit Card or eCheck
How do I know that my donation was made successfully?
Do I get a receipt?
Is my donation private?