Friends on wheels

The interpretation of certain dance styles onto rollerskates is not a skill every dancer--or skater can possess; but there exist in the world certain individuals who have created a brand of skating so uniquely theirs that it becomes recognizable, even in an iPod silhouette commercial. A friend and fellow Venice skater Terrell Ferguson was one of the highlighted skaters in that commercial and he did not have to call me on the phone to tell me that he had landed the iPod commercial. It was obvious from the moment they cut to his spin who was skating.

While creating a vignette depicting a modern version of Swan Lake on rollerskates, I needed a female who could pull off a number depicting the Black Swan to an extremely intense song by A Perfect Circle. There was only one person I could ever consider for the part-- Courtney Rae Ross-Tait. Where some skaters draw a very clear boundary between what they can and cannot do, none exists for this woman. She is utterly fearless, throwing her body in unimaginable contortions while spinning, jumping and writhing around on the ground-- always in the most impressively defiant way. I was beyond thrilled when Courtney agreed to perform in Rollerstar, and feel it is my duty as a producer (and admirer), to implore the world to witness this force on wheels.

Similarly, while watching two of my favorite Venice skaters one day, I created the idea behind a tribute number dedicated to the survival spirit of the Harlem rent party era in the form of Dee Upshaw and Terrell Ferguson-- whose expressive interpretations of legendary Venice line dances so perfectly epitomized this spirit, they inspired its creation.

Such are the stories and muses responsible for the conception-- and manifestation of Rollerstar. My own inner divine discontent with the prevailing disco stereotype of rollerskating turned reality in the form of a collaboration between some of the most amazing talents on rollerskates. It makes me smile to think that something which existed for so long in my imagination is finally happening. With a whole lotta help from some friends.