The dancing class

THE DANCING CLASS is an impression of a ballet studio (R. Pomie, Melbourne). It observes the daily routine and tries to capture the brief unguarded reactions of the girls to the disciplines of the ballet room. The director (Tom Cowan) paid many visits to the studio over several months in order to work out sequences for the film. Shooting, itself, took place in only four short intensive sessions. Describing the background to the making of the film, Mr. Cowan writes: "Perhaps the most interesting aspect is that it was made as a co-operative effort, but it is by no means an isolated example of the products of young people in Melbourne. There is a large group of people who are making films and are co-operating with each other to get films finished. The nuclei of the group are at the A.B.C. film department, the Melbourne University Film Group and the State Film Centre. There were many difficulties, mainly arising from the small budget." Although Mr. Cowan as both Producer and Director was thus involved in making, and raising money to make the film, his joint role provided the freedom required to make an intensely personal one. An example of a co-operative aspect of the work was the loan by Patrick Ryan (Producer of 'The Prize' which won the first Advertiser Award in 1962) of lighting equipment with which to make the film.

The ReelDance Archive was developed by ReelDance Inc. with support from Arts NSW, Australia Council for the Arts and Performance Space.