Wild Swans: Behind the Scenes
26 min documentary, produced, directed and filmed by Philippe Charluet for ABC-TV (Australia)
We follow acclaimed choreographer Meryl Tankard and composer Elena Kats-Chernin, together with artists of The Australian Ballet creating this brand new ballet and composition based on Hans Christian Andersen’s 1838 fairy-tale ‘The Wild Swans’.
We are privy to an intense and dramatic journey where beauty, technique and joy mix with pain, sweat and tears almost on a daily basis. Meryl candidly allows us to be part of her creative process, a process where her improvisation techniques need to adapt to the disciplined world of The Australian Ballet, and where, despite the pressure of time, WILD SWANS comes together almost magically at its Sydney Opera House’s premiere.
Extra sequences were also filmed and included within the 26 min ABC TV documentary WORRIES ON A STRING, an intimate portrait of composer Elena Kats-Chernin as she juggles sole parenthood and full time composing.
“Seeing these two incredible women, Meryl and Elena, together with visual artist Regis Lansac, collaborating with such vision, talent and intensity, truly inspired me in capturing the creative spirit of Wild Swans.”
Philippe Charluet, director.
Videos tab above
Excerpts from Possessed
(filmed at the Peter Lehmann Winery in the Barossa Valley, Sth Australia. Live music by the Ballanescu Quartet)
Michelle’s Story – opening sequence
MICHELLE’S STORY: Precious dance performance footage, filmed by Philippe Charluet throughout the 1980′s/90′s, features in this half-hour documentary produced by Kate Croser and directed by Meryl Tankard.
SYNOPSIS: At the peak of her career, Michelle Ryan was one of Australia’s leading artists, dancing under choreographer Meryl Tankard at the ADT. From there she toured the world until her dancing came to an abrupt end,diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Betrayed by her body she loses her career, mobility and marriage. Despite her damaged confidence and disability, she is drawn back to dance, becoming an inspirational artistic director at the Restless Dance Theatre, an Adelaide-based company working with young disabled people.
For the Australian Ballet
Concept & Choreography
Meryl Tankard
Music
Elena Kats-Chernin
Permission of Boosey & Hawkes Pty Ltd
Visual Design (Illuminations)
Regis Lansac
Production Design
Angus Strathie
Lighting Design
Stephen Wickham
Assistant to Ms Tankard & Ballet Mistress
Elizabeth Hill
Movement vocubulary
Devised with the dancers
The Dancers
Stephen Baynes
Annabel Bronner Reid
Adam Bull
Adrian Burnett
Michael Carter
Jane Casson
Joshua Consandine
Tim Farrar
Sophie Fletcher
Tim Harbour
Alexa Heckmann
Joshua Horner
Lana Jones
Andrew Killian
Paul Knobloch
Felicia Palanca
Andrea Parkyn
Jesse Passamani
Nelson Reguera Perez
Rachel Read
Leanne Stojmenov
Jessica Thompson
Camilla Vergotis
Damien Welch
Steven Woodgate
Wei Wei Zhang
Principal Conductor
Mark Summerbell
Guest Conductor
Simon Kenway
Orchestras
Australian Opera & Ballet Orchestra
Orchestra Victoria
Soprano
Lisa Crosato
Angela Brewer
Stage Manager
Fiona Boundy
Associate Artistic Director
Danilo Radojevic
Artistic Director
David McAllister
A ballet commissioned by
The Australian Ballet &
The Sydney Opera House
Title Artwork
Steve Georgiou Design
TV PRODUCTION
Production Co-ordinator
Rosalin Stock
Production Manager
Chris Oliver-Taylor
Director’s Assistant
Maureen Mitchell
Camera
Philippe Charluet
Rod Coats
Malcolm Crook
Mark Farnell
Peter Watts
Sound
Chris Coltman
Paul Freeman
Tony Helos
Shane Munroe
Darren Shine
Title Design
Julia Bourke
Online Editor & Grading
Ronnie Oliver
Sound Post Production
Andrew Jobson
Editor
Elena Christie
Producer/Director
Philippe Charluet
Executive Producer
Richard Moore