Plot Summary

James Solis-Gutierrez struggled to express himself until he was thrown into a dance class with Joseph DeMers in middle school. Over several years, James fell in love with dance, the way it made him feel and the culture woven into the form's complex fabric. He felt especially drawn to the style of Street Dance, first introduced to him by Larry Southall, assistant teaching professor of dance at the University of Colorado Boulder, who met James at Denver's High School Day of Dance. James' Dance Journey documents the story of turning a physical education requirement into a lifelong passion that, despite many struggles and triumphs, eventually transforms into a career.

Synopsis

"James' Dance Journey" is a synthetic documentary that chronicles the path of James Solis-Gutierrez, beginning in middle school within the Denver public school system. When the school randomly assigns electives, James finds himself in a dance class taught by Joseph DeMers. Initially apprehensive about this placement, perceiving dance as an art form exclusively for women, James struggles to feel comfortable in his own skin while his male classmates attend P.E. class. Over time, however, he falls in love with dance and becomes passionate about it. James discovers a new way to express himself and, with DeMers' guidance, hones his skills and improves his technique.

The same year DeMers transitions from teaching middle school dance to high school dance, James moves to South High School in Denver, Colorado. During his high school years, James embarks on class trips to the International Association of Blacks in Dance, where he takes master classes from a wide range of artists. He also interns as a receptionist at Your Soul's Movement in exchange for dance classes he otherwise could not afford. James attends CU Boulder's High School Day of Dance, where he meets Larry Southall and is introduced to street dance. Initially dismissive of street dance due to confusing it with what Southall calls Jazz Hip Hop, James eventually falls in love with the style and the community behind it.

In his junior year of high school, James faces a pivotal decision: whether to pursue higher education or find his own path to becoming a professional dancer. He decides to attempt entry into CU Boulder's BFA dance program. Despite rigorous training and practice, he is ultimately rejected from the program. Heartbroken, James gives up on his dream of pursuing dance and takes a job at a fast food restaurant. However, the thought of becoming a professional dancer continues to haunt him. After a heartfelt conversation with his parents, James resolves not to give up on his dream and gives the BFA program another shot.

James dedicates the next year to training for the BFA audition, and despite the challenges, he manages to get accepted into CU's BFA dance program. As a first-generation student, he pursues his degree at CU. While at CU, James meets Rennie Harris and joins his dance company, Rennie Harris Awe Inspiring Works (RHAW), officially becoming a professional dancer. He graduates from CU with a BFA after his final performance and moves to California to continue his career as a professional dancer.

"James' Dance Journey" is a story of perseverance, passion, and the transformative power of dance, showcasing the remarkable evolution of a young man who overcomes societal expectations and personal setbacks to achieve his dreams.

Awards

2 wins

2024

Best Film Awards

Won, Best Student Film

Ethan Geiger Random Name Productions

Won, Best Student Film

Best Student Film

Ethan Geiger Random Name Productions

Technical Details

Runtime22 minutes

Sound Mix: Stereo

ColorAspect Ratio: 2.35 : 1 / 2:76:1 / DCI 4K / Various

Camera: BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K

Negative Format: Blackmagic RAW

Release Details

Country of Origin: United States

Languages: English

Production Status

Released

May 31, 2024

Production Dates

March 15, 2023October 20, 2023—

Filming Locations

• Boulder Colorado, USA (James and Larry's interviews as well as all CU and most dance footage)

• Denver, Colorado, USA (Joseph's interview and all high school, Your Soul's Movement, and Cleo Parker Robinson related footage)