In today's world of distractions without depth, these dancers live in the moment. This film is about appreciating the beauty of the everyday and the abundance in simplicity.

Interview with Mark Orsborn Jen Ray and Justin Myles of The JaM Youth Project

Watch If I Ruled The World here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

The JaM Youth Project is a pre-professional tap dance company based in Washington, DC with passionate young dancers from all over the country. JYP provides opportunities for development through tap technique, choreography, performance, dancefilms, and master classes. “If I Ruled the World” is our third film and celebrates some of the various environments in our immediate area, and the beauty of being present. We are a diverse group hailing from many places, and with different stories, but with common love for tap dance and goal for continued growth.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

The cinematography and editing give every element, whether it be water or leaves, running or laughter, dance-like qualities. This film combines creative choreography, quality technique, honest moments, and gorgeous scenery. It’s a serene viewing experience that may inspire a laugh, evoke nostalgia, and certainly move you.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

IIRTW is all about living in the moment, letting kids be kids, and connecting with each other and nature. This is a film featuring young dancers but the core values are those that transcend age, era, and the immediate story. We communicate through movement, but we do much more than entertain. JYP is focused on moving our audiences, inspiring thought, emotion, and conversation through tap dance and film.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

Our films are medium-specific and different from our live performances because we explore our environments, focus on details, use expressive camera movement, and rhythmic editing to create something entirely new. For this film, we wanted to show a variety of settings (on the farm, by the water, in the city, etc.) and really encouraged the kids to improvise, and be natural so what we captured was authentic.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The families associated with JYP received it very well, and were emotionally impacted by seeing their children/themselves in this way. When we released the film online, as has been the case with our other films, a diverse audience has connected with it and shared just how moved by the emotion, compelled by the storytelling, and inspired by the tap dancing they are.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

We deeply value our audience, and our audience deeply values our work, but have not pushed through to “viral” status or a massive audience of millions. We understand that our choices not use pop music, or something trending, does not work to our advantage – which we are accepting of because that’s not what we are about. The challenge, then, is how to reach a larger audience without catering to/rendering ourselves the lowest common denominator for the sake of growing our audience.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

We would love for those who are interested in “If I Ruled the World” to follow our future projects, as we produce two films per year. Our audience can also find The JaM Project, the adult professional company, and Dancinema Productions, a gateway to various aspects of dancefilm.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

We are always looking for more young tap dancers to join the JaMily, as well as performance opportunities for the company. We would really like to collaborate to create exciting new content for organizations and businesses that want to use movement, rhythm, and the power of dancefilm to further develop and promote their brands and messaging.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

We would like everyone to witness how kids can be kids and the work can still be interesting with wider audience appeal than just other kids. Our dancefilms capture young people in everyday activities and settings that celebrate the music and movement of life.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Can kids still be kids? How is the way we understand this question informed by our own nostalgia and/or awareness of today’s social climate?

Would you like to add anything else?

You can follow us on:

FB: The JaM Youth Project

Instagram: @jamyouthprojecttap

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Follow us online to stay posted on this and other releases to come! Our next film is already in the works and will be released at the start of this summer!

The JaM Project is developing their live performance inspired by classic rock such as The Doobie Brothers and Chicago, a concept which was awarded at The Capezio ACE Awards Competition in 2016.

Dancinema is producing the CASCADIA Dance & Cinema Festival (Vancouver, BC - July 2, 2017) and CAPITOL Dance & Cinema Festival (Washington, DC – August 18 – 19, 2017), which will include dancefilm screenings, workshops, and forums. Submission deadlines are March 31st & May 1st!

Interview: March 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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If I Ruled the World

In today's world of distractions without depth, these dancers live in the moment. This film is about appreciating the beauty of the everyday and the abundance in simplicity.

Length: 5:39

Concept: Mark Orsborn, Jen Ray & Justin Myles

Choreography: Mark Orsborn & Justin Myles

Direction: Mark Orsborn & Jen Ray

Cinematography: Jen Ray

Editing: Jen Ray

Sound: Justin Myles

Original Music: “If I Ruled the World” - Jamie Cullum

Featuring: Select dancers from The JaM Youth Project

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):

Opportunities to Collaborate with Brands and Organizations, Distributors, Press, Performance Opportunities, and Dancers of course!

Producer / Funders: The JaM Youth Project

Made in association with: Dancinema Productions

Where can I see it in the next month?

It is available to view online! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zyu-TDYFges&t=9s

About the writer, director and producer:

Mark Orsborn is a tap dancer, choreographer, and master teacher from Washington, DC. His choreography has been recognized by The Capezio ACE Awards, Dance Spirit, The Young Choreographers Festival, and the Fred and Adele Astaire Awards. Mark is the co-founder of The JaM Project.

Jen Ray’s company Dancinema is a true fusion of dance and film through productions, education, and events including films, workshops, performances, & the “Dance & Cinema Festival” series (Cascadia in Vancouver, BC, and Capitol in Washington, DC). Her films have been selected for Festivals internationally as well as KCET’s Global Dance Video Program and Dance Teacher Magazine. Jen Ray is also an Advisory Panel Member of YPAD: Youth Protection Advocates in Dance, empowering communities and keeping youth happy, healthy and safe in dance.

Justin Myles is a multi-talented performer whose training and experience reflects a variety of genres and disciplines. Upon Graduating Point Park University, Justin toured with the international sensation STOMP! Most recently, he finished his second tour with the Australian-based Tap Dogs. Justin is the co-founder of The JaM Project.