About dance capabilities in the movie "Save the Last Dance." About Julliard?

Question

I saw the movie and in the end the girl auditions for Julliard and emmediately gets in becasue of her dance moveis and ballet gracefulnes. I know that there is much more needed to become a dancer, such as having the body, smile, and magic and potential for dance. I just want to know if the dance that got her (teh main characer) into Julliard
really what someone needs to get in. The dance was beautiful but is that all that is needed in terms of dance moves to get into Julliard. Or was the producer just excagerating.

Answer 1

Hi again. :-)

Did you notice in your paragraph how you contradicted yourself? First you acknowledge that "there is much more needed to become a dancer," and include the important qualities of "magic and potential for dance." But then you totally toss that aside and think that it is "the dance that got her into Juilliard." So, in a way, you answered your own question: "is that all that is needed in terms of dance moves to get into Juilliard?" NO, it is not, nor would those dance moves necessarily get you in.

First of all, goldwing is correct: that movie is definitely not real life. As I've told you, and the same holds for the Juilliard audition, the first stage of any audition is the full-group dance class. I'm pretty confident that Julia Stiles would have been eliminated after that portion (the first cut) and would not have been given the opportunity to even show one of the solos that she prepared, as her ballet technique is pretty poor.

But S L is also correct that Juilliard looks for "potential" (i.e. talent) over technical skills. However, it's generally the minority students who get an extra chance past the first cut to demonstrate their talent through their first solos if their skills seem a bit off. (Applicants are told to prepare two, contrasting solos.) White girls will get eliminated even with superior skills if they're not showing that "magic and potential." That may sound biased, but it really is only the more talented dancers who make it past the second cut. And then there are more rounds after that. The final result is an entry class (of 12 guys and 12 girls) that is the most talented and most diverse that Juilliard can find.

So do you understand that it does you no good to focus on a particular set of "moves"? The first thing a dancer needs is sound TRAINING. That can only come from qualified teachers (not from practicing alone in your room). After that, you've eitiher got that "It Factor" (what Kath is calling an "X factor") or you don't. (And, between you and me, Juilliard is not the final arbiter of talent. People have become successful dancers without going to Juilliard.)

Good luck with your audition on Friday. Think happy thoughts and stay focused. :-)

P.S. Any chance of picking a "best answer" for a change? It's not fair to leave us hanging when we're nice enough to take time to answer you.

Answer 2

Save The Last Dance Audition

Answer 3

I don't know about Julliard but most of the dance company will look for a plus or X factor aside from the ability to dance. Skills can be learned but that x factor is not. But sometimes, you have to show off first before they recognize you. You should have the basic skills of course. And don't forget it's a movie there are lots of movie must have in it. I like the movie too.

Answer 4

The movie was definitely exaggerated. Not to say that the choreography wasn't good, it just isn't the type of thing that would get her immediately into Juilliard. But the audition part is partially based on facts.

Dance Auditions for Juilliard go as follows:
The first section of the audition will consist of a ballet class and a modern dance class. Those applicants who demonstrate a strong technical base during this first section will be invited back to perform a solo, not to exceed two minutes in length. All applicants should come to the audition with two contrasting solos. Selected applicants may be asked to show their second
solo if the faculty deems it necessary.
Some applicants will then be invited to an additional callback session based upon the faculty review of solos. This may consist of a brief repertory sequence that will be taught and coached. Based on the faculty’s evaluation of both callback sessions, some applicants will be asked to stay for a brief,
informal interview. Students not invited to the interview may reasonably conclude that they are no longer under serious consideration for admission.
The purpose of the solos is to show the dancer as a performer, and should be chosen to show the candidate’s range as well as his/her ability to project.
The solos may be from ballet or modern repertory or original works and should contrast in movement quality. Please be prepared to tell the jury the name of the piece (if it has a name), the choreographer, and the composer.
Each applicant is advised to provide a CD recording with accompaniment for the solo. We strongly encourage you to have a cued back-up cassette of your music should one be needed.
Required dress for the ballet section is black leotard, pink tights, and ballet shoes for women, and white tee shirt, black tights, white socks, and ballet shoes for men. For the modern dance section, candidates must be barefoot.

Answer 5

Oh, I love that movie. makes me cry. anyway, yeah, It's like with any other audition, everything goes into consideration. Grace, ability, personality, animation,memory of terminology, everything. My dance teacher has tried out and says that places like juliard will often take the dancer with more potential and personality then the better technical dancer. It is much differrent, because in that movie, during the audition she's as personable as a moldy log.

Answer 6

the reason she got in was not the dance its self but the choreography and the feelings she put into it also her consideration and every thing you named as well

Answer 7

This was a movie, Flashdance was a movie, .... this is not real life.