Seth Collier burst onto the worldwide dance movie scene in 2022 when he received the Impressed Dance Movie Pageant at simply 17 years previous. His runner-up? None apart from Emmy Award–successful choreographer Derek Hough. Now, Collier is able to take the skilled efficiency trade by storm—beginning with a transfer from Australia to L.A. this July.
Collier chatted with Dance Spirit about his journey to bounce, how he turned a faculty venture into IDFF’s Better of the Fest–successful work, his objectives for the longer term, and extra.
Dance Spirit: Inform us a bit about your dance coaching.
SC: I grew up on a farm, and my mother and father knew nothing about dance. They put me in rugby for six years, however after I noticed my sister take a dance class at a close-by college known as Simply Dance, I instantly stated I wished to hitch too. At 12, I began dancing at a non-public college known as West Moreton Anglican School. It had a great dance program and we competed towards different faculties. After I was in tenth grade, I traveled at some point per week to coach at Dynamite Studios [one of Australia’s premier dance studios] on the Gold Coast. After that first 12 months, I joined the college full-time. It’s comparable to a school dance program within the U.S. the place you dance all day day by day and end with a qualification. Whereas there I centered on industrial and musical theater dance, and I completed my full-time coaching with them in 2022.
DS: What’s the Impressed Dance Movie Pageant?
SC: It’s an [Australia-based] competitors of dance work on movie, run by Adam Garcia—a former decide on Australia’s model of “Dancing with the Stars.” Folks from everywhere in the world submit their dance movies, and a handful of movies are chosen for the showcase in Brisbane. On the showcase the winner is introduced.
DS: Inform us a bit about your journey to successful the IDFF.
SC: After I was 16, I choreographed, filmed, edited, and danced in River, as a part of a faculty dance project. I didn’t have a crew or any actual assist filming it. I used to be proud of it, however I by no means anticipated something to return of it. In 2022 my dance trainer, Kate Wormald, was an envoy to the Impressed Dance Movie Pageant and posted concerning the competitors. I submitted River, having no concept that I’d be competing with professionals like Derek Hough. I had no expectations that I’d win. Surprisingly, I used to be chosen for the showcase and received Better of the Fest. I used to be utterly shocked.
DS: What different choreographic work have you ever accomplished?
I’ve choreographed and danced in movies for the Australian Broadcasting Company, together with a children’ movie I did after I was 17 known as Viv’s Foolish Mango. I auditioned for the function of Brad within the movie, and once they gave me the half they requested if I’d be capable to additionally choreograph and dance within the present. Aside from that, I’ve accomplished a lot of stay performances, in addition to a music video for Alexa Curtis after I was 18 years previous.
DS: What was the turning level in your coaching whenever you realized you possibly can make dance your profession?
SC: I’ve all the time danced with out a profession mindset—it was simply one thing I beloved doing. However throughout my 12 months of full-time coaching at Dynamite, I bought picked for some solo moments and lead roles within the dances, and any doubt in my thoughts of my potential to pursue it as a profession left. The solidifying second was after I signed with my company, McDonald/Selznick [MSA] Associates, in October of 2023.
DS: What challenges have you ever confronted as a dancer?
SC: I’ve had moments the place I’ve felt like I wasn’t adequate, however the main challenges to my dance coaching got here from residing on a farm out within the bush. It took me an hour and a half to get to my dance lessons at Dynamite day by day. My mother and father didn’t have a clue concerning the performing arts trade, so I needed to navigate all of it on my own, and that was actually laborious.
DS: What are your goals for the longer term?
SC: I’ve bought a lot of plans and goals. My present profession plan is to maneuver to Los Angeles this July and begin working with MSA. I’ve landed a job at Gravity Area LA in Hollywood, and can work there as a Dynamite consultant trainer and choreographer. Long run, I’d like to work within the industrial world and be a backup dancer for an artist.
