News / Aardman Animations
Bristol dancer on choreographing Chicken Run 2 dance scene
A Bristol dancer and DJ who has become known for her signature Northern Soul moves has had a “huge moment” in her career after choreographing the dance scene in the new Chicken Run.
Levanna McLean went viral after she posted a video of her dancing to Pharell Williams’ Happy with her Northern Soul style a few years back. Now the DJ and dancer runs Bristol Northern Soul Club with fellow DJ Eve Burgsoul, as well as DJing around the world.
After months of waiting, Levanna revealed on Monday that she had choreographed a key dance scene in Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, which premiered on December 15.
is needed now More than ever
The second film from the Bristol-based production studio, Aardman Animations, sees Rocky bust some moves to distract Miss Tweedy and her crew while the main character, Molly, and her mum escape.
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Levanna was invited to the studio to catch a glimpse of the behind the scenes process, and was shown a storyboard and sketches for the scene.
The animators needed live action footage so they could imitate and copy the key movements on the characters, and luckily, Levanna was there to step in.
“They gave me a brief idea of their vision and the song by the Mar-Keys “Last Night” and then I got to work on choreographing some moves for Rocky,” Levanna said about the moment she was offered the task.
“It’s a really intense moment in the film until Rocky bursts into his dance and It was important to me that Rocky’s cheeky personality shone through but I also wanted to add a little personal touch with my Northern Soul style so while keeping it tongue and cheek at the beginning, I added a little Northern Soul finesse at the end of the choreo with some box splits and a spin to finish.
“The idea was that Rocky would break out into dance not really knowing what he was supposed to be doing but by then end, gets carried away with the routine before he realising that he has to make a getaway.”
Levanna called the opportunity a “huge moment” in her career, after years of watching Chicken Run as a child.
“For me this was such a huge moment in my career. I remember as a little kid, watching Chicken Run so many times, it would always be the go to film the teachers would play in class on film days.
“So to be asked to be part of the process on Chicken Run 2 was a full circle moment, I hope that kids today get to enjoy it as much as I did the first one!
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget is available to watch on Netflix now.
Main photo: Levanna McLean/Aardman Animations
Read next:
- The Northern Soul club taking Bristol by storm
- Chicken Run stars join Amelia Dimoldenberg for Chicken Shop Date
- Beloved Aardman characters appear in new mural
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