Full circle...
This summer I wrote about how lucky I was to be able to skate with the man who inspired me to perform comedy. I was then blown away to be asked to skate in his come back show November 7th. Shortly after, I got an email asking to call ASAP for a favor. I dialedas fast as my sweet free iPhone 3gs (yes, remember all the hassle and the reward?!) allowed me to. As I was shopping at Great Lakes Crossing with Ashley, Scott asked me if I could help him choreograph a new routine. Hmmm....I don't think he finished the question before I exclaimed the words, "uhm, YES!"
I have to say this has been a great experience. He asked for a comedy shtick with this great music and idea. Now here was the real challenge for me. I'm use to setting the sight gags, spacing them out, and then build a pattern off of that. Scott works the exact opposite! So for the first time ever I had to work backwards, or forwards depending on who's point of view, and map out a program with no props - except one. (oh, and why am I being so evasive about the routine? Well, this is his routine, and will be on TV soon, Thanksgiving, and at that time I'll post the video of it on here.)
So today I woke up at 4a.m. and drove to the airport, armed with props, skates, and an iPod. I am happy to announce that Southwest doesn't charge you for luggage! Keep up the good work guys. Islept the entire flight to Nashville, but managed to crack open an eyelid to take a snap shot of the sun coming out to say, "Hey Hollander, long time no see at this hour of the day. You feeling ok?"
The flight flew by, pun intended, and off to the house we went. After visiting with the littlest one, Max, who does some sweet body dives onto the couch, we took off to the rink. I was happy the layout of the program seemed to work out ok with some changes here and there. It was nice to work with someone who can take suggestions, but also helps in the creative flow of it all to create something even better. Tricks, steps, concepts, bouncing off suggestions, and skating together, it all seemed to just lay itself out in front of us. I can totally picture the program I would have put together on my own, and the one he would have done on his own. Both are completely different. Mix them together and I honestly like this "hybrid" the best. I have to admit it still drives me crazy not to have gags/props/etc. set and choreographed into the routine, since that has been my driving force for all of my programs. All in all, its gonna be one sweet program, and I'm so happy to be involved in helping to create it.
So then we ate lunch while he interviewed with the press. From there, we came back to skate and work out for ourselves for upcoming shows. THEN, Scotthad an off ice work out planned with his trainer. I put on some tunes and worked out on my own in the gym upstairs. Now I have to tell you all my dissatisfaction for the majority of skaters today. Scott said he only did a half work out. There was no yelling, or chastising from the trainer, he just said here is what to do, and Scott does it. That is what I am use to. I don't know if it is this generation or what, but I see current skaters who are at nationals who whine and complain and don't even come close to working out as hard as Scott did for a "half" work out. When I win a sprint working out at home with skaters, and then they beat me by a mile when told that the first person across the line doesn't have to do the next ab work out, that is a problem! Just saying.
So we came back home for a nice dinner and the oldest boy, Aiden, tried out his tattoo skills on my arm with crayola washable...pretty talented for a 6yr old eh? Its a python! Well, tomorrow is a 6am wake up, skating, lunch at the school cafeteria with the tattoo artist, more skating, and then a flight back home. I would have never thought in a million years that I would have such a cool opportunity such as this. I think soon I will post about my mime instructor from a long time ago and his cool story about working with his inspiration as a kid, Marcel Marceau. Till tomorrow, have a good one guys!
Be well,
Dan