Strictly International Strictly International
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The hit BBC show is a worldwide Strictlyphenomenon, discoversinternational Marianka Swain he goal is for music, glamour, dances, has since appeared on six “ audiences to dancers, lighting, costumes, continents, in nations as tune in and set – and the all-important diverse as South Africa, knowT instantly it’s a version glitterball – combined provide Kazakhstan, Finland and of Dancing with the Stars,” an indefinable magic.” India. Three BBC Worldwide explains Adam Waddell, The challenge, notes “flying producers” help local director of entertainment Adam, is staying true to the broadcasters make the best brands at BBC Worldwide, original, but adapting to a version for their country, which is responsible for different cultural context. tailoring every aspect. Strictly Come Dancing’s The show was first exported “The pro-celebrity pairing global domination. “The in 2004 to Australia and is essential, as is the 50:50 ➤ DECEMBER 2014 \ DANCE TODAY 25 STRICTLY INTERNATIONAL STRICTLY INTERNATIONAL India’s version of Dancing with the Stars, Strictly success Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa “It blends celebrity, competition and glamour. It’s wish fulfilment for the audience, and you know you’ll get great value every single week.” Darren “You’re so aware it’s live and anything can happen. There’s the stress of ‘Will it come together?’ – and when it does, it’s incredible.” James “It’s fun, shiny-floor entertainment and ‘event TV’ families can enjoy together. There’s something inspiring about Darren Bennett seeing people striving and excelling (far right) at new experiences, and every show judging in the Middle East is a spectacle, built on creativity, ingenuity and hard work.” Adam scoring and voting, and season after season.” knowledge in their work as have brought a lot to the “With the time constraints, the dances brilliantly – you we always start with the Many countries use the judges and consultants on British version.” it’s more making sure they get rhythmical drums and traditional ten ballroom iconic theme music, “and multiple new versions. “BBC James Wilson has remember the routine than that haunting Arabic sound.” dances,” says Adam. “But the structure remains the Worldwide asked for our done numerous Strictly- in-depth technique, though “People complain here the different durations, same: rehearsal footage, help setting up the Turkish related stage shows and I tried to maintain ballroom when Strictly doesn’t use separate results shows, live performance, judges’ show, particularly in finding was delighted to join the standards – it’s Strictly, after traditional music, but if you themed weeks, marathons, comments, backstage chat suitable professionals. pro dancer cast for the all. Lilia was the only judge have five tangos on one group dances, dance-offs and the all-important reveal Not every country has Turkish debut in 2010. “The with competitive ballroom night, you need variation,” and innumerable twists of the scores, plus a weekly homegrown ballroom talent, biggest challenge was the experience, and the Turkish argues Darren. “As long provide a huge arsenal. elimination”. Other fixed so it has to be imported, or language barrier – my pop public considered it more as it has the right beat, That and the constantly elements across the world we use local dancers but star celebrity didn’t speak aesthetically than with great it’s fine – we use lots renewed cast keeps it fresh, include the set, with its have foreign choreographers much English, so we did lots dance knowledge. After of oriental music in the large dancefloor and twin working with them. The of signalling and I learned the third week we stopped Middle East. The important Strictly stats staircases framing the band, audience engages more some Turkish dance jargon. doing slow dances, as thing is distinguishing ✦ It’s travelled to more enthusiastic studio audience when there’s at least a It meant I couldn’t articulate viewers preferred upbeat the styles in the first few than 50 countries and judges’ desk. “Scoring few locals – look at the why you place your foot in numbers – that meant doing weeks, so the audience ✦ Over 250 series have panels are a must! However, response to ‘Kevin from a certain position, just ‘Foot styles like salsa, mambo familiarises themselves been recorded to date. colour scheme, finish and Grimsby’! – and if we can forward’ and hope for the and cha cha every week, with each, then getting ✦ Every week of design all reflect local tastes.” train up some each series, best. Still, it meant I got to so it was tricky keeping it creative later on. We’ve 2013, a version was in we leave a legacy of dance dance on the biggest show fresh. Music-wise, it was also added new dances: production somewhere arren Bennett in that country. It’s great to in the world, watched by about 50:50 traditional and mambo, hustle, Bollywood, across the globe. and Lilia Kopylova have new influences as well millions, and learn a new Turkish. Some of their music ‘contemporary ballroom’, use their insider Strictly though – pros like Artem language at the same time! is just spectacular and fitted which blends the two.” ➤ 26 \ WWW.DANCE-TODAY.CO.UKD Photograph © BBC Worldwide Photograph © Darren Bennett DECEMBER 2014 \ DANCE TODAY 27 STRICTLY INTERNATIONAL Pamela Anderson on Dancing with the Above, Lilia judging in Turkey. Stars in the US Below, Veronica Ngô Thanh Vân performs on Dancing with the Stars in Vietnam As for being sensitive Promote the show with a to different cultures when classy image and people will it comes to sexiness, “the respect it. Beyond that, lots tiny costumes aren’t a of companies know TV, but problem so much as how not dancing, so we advise on you perform – no grinding! style, costumes, how to shoot movement. I tell directors if Strictly scoring I can’t watch a routine back Darren judged on the and copy it as a dancer, it’s “Pros on the international Middle East show, and wrong – you can have some shows get lots of helps develop new close-ups of faces, but not opportunities, plus it really panels. “You need at the expense of footwork, changes people’s perceptions a mixed group with body shots, following the of who can dance and what different perspectives line of a lift. Basically, once it offers – you see that – Len says it wouldn’t the show really focuses filtering down to studios,” work with four of him. on dance, it can’t fail!” observes Darren. As in the I tell judges to think “It’s given me amazing UK, it can take a few seasons visually, paint a picture experiences and definitely before a male winner breaks for people at home, helped my career,” believes through, “especially where and communicate James, who did two seasons it’s not culturally established clearly. Don’t overthink in Turkey and stayed there to that men dance. But if you the scoring – go choreograph and perform on stick with the brand, that with your gut!” The Voice. “I’d love to do more joy of dance translates, abroad – I’m a secret gypsy!” wherever you are.” l 28 \ WWW.DANCE-TODAY.CO.UK Photographs (clockwise from top right) © Darren Bennett/BBC Worldwide.