F3VER

F3VER is a short dance documentary that delves into the life of Andrew "Dancefever 3D" Jones, showcasing how dance became his refuge from a tumultuous upbringing while also serving as a means to uplift his community. Commissioned as one of five films by Kern County Dance Alliance Creative Corps and Dance Camera West, this project aims to amplify the voices of underrepresented artists from low-income neighborhoods in Central California. As a filmmaker whose work predominantly centers around Black life through movement, I sought to explore a new approach in F3VER, placing movement at the heart of the documentary rather than relegating it to a peripheral role. Throughout the film, I integrate dance into depicting the environments that have shaped Andrew's life. Additionally, I utilize found footage to provide a personal and authentic perspective, drawing from Andrew's collection of images and mementos, as he had no family home videos from his childhood. My goal was to immerse Andrew in the spaces that have influenced him, with each dance sequence serving as a poignant memory of those locations. While Andrew openly acknowledges his past as a "crack baby" and the challenges he has overcome, I wanted to emphasize his resilience beyond mere trauma. His journey is a testament to his perseverance and a powerful illustration of finding freedom through movement, community, and self-belief. Ultimately, F3VER aims to inspire viewers to transcend their traumas and recognize that while obstacles may persist, belief in oneself can lead to surpassing expectations. Andrew's story is of immense strength and deserves to be widely shared. I urge you to support or engage with this project in any way possible, whether through funding, promotion or simply by watching and sharing it with others. Together, let's amplify the voices of individuals like Andrew and celebrate the power of resilience and determination.

Irishia Hubbard Romaine (she/her) is an experimental filmmaker working primarily with the embodied Black female experience. Her artistic practice is rooted in her cultural identity as a Black female, filmmaker, and movement practitioner from the South. Irishia is an Assistant Professor in the School of Dance at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and a 2024 Mellon Arts & Practitioner Fellow at the Yale Center for the Study of Race, Indigeneity, and Transnational Migration (RITM). Additionally, she is the Visibility Program Director for Dance Camera West and serves as a professional stager for the Donald McKayle Legacy.

Kelly Hargraves, an L.A. dance film creator and curator, currently serves as the Executive/Artistic Director of Dance Camera West. Co-founder of the Los Angeles festival of dance film in 2001, she returned to DCW in 2018, launching the Visibility Program for underrepresented artists, producing 12 films by BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists. With a Masters in Dance Film from NYU Gallatin School, a BFA in Contemporary Dance from Concordia University, and a BA in Communication Studies from the University of Windsor, Kelly's career spans independent dance in Montréal and New York. She directed internationally screened dance films and serves as a guest lecturer, panel speaker, and jury member worldwide. Additionally, she contributed as a dance reviewer and radio music DJ for over a decade in Canada.

Angel 'Halo' Castro's artistic journey began in acting and musical theater, transitioning to dance at 18. Graduating from the ASU School of Dance in 2008, he became a prominent figure in Arizona's dance scene. He danced for and choreographed with top companies like Scorpius Dance Theatre and EPIK Dance Company, known for his dynamic style. Castro's choreography graced various stages and arenas nationwide, earning accolades from JAVA Magazine and Phoenix New Times. He founded HALO Movement Collective, producing six original productions. His directorial debut,s “Letters to June,” premiered in 2021 and “Son of Venus,” in 2023.

Andrew ”Dance Fever 3D” Jones, is a professional dancer, bodybuilder, celebrity fitness trainer, and rehabilitative addiction specialist who has appeared on So You Think You Can Dance and is an internationally renowned motivational speaker and ordained minister specializing in working with at-risk youth. Jones describes himself as a "certified crack baby" from the "hood." Dance and fitness were Jones' escape as he battled anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts, while also trying to avoid physical abuse.

"F3VER" was one of four commissioned films as part of the "VISIBILITY: SELF REFLECTIONS" dance film commission project, which focused on amplifying the voices of underrepresented artists from low Healthy Places Index (HPI) neighborhoods in Central California. The project was funded by the KDA Creative Corps (KDACC), which had awarded a $255,000 grant to Dance Camera West (DCW) to create the "VISIBILITY: SELF REFLECTIONS" project.

Andrew Dancefever 3D Jones was preassigned to me as the lead subject for "F3VER." Prior to shooting, I spent a week with him, immersing myself in his world to understand him as a person, observe his movement aesthetic, and connect with the environments that shaped his life. My inspiration for "F3VER" stemmed from a desire to explore the transformative power of dance and resilience in the face of adversity. I sought to delve into Andrew's experiences, highlighting how dance served as both a refuge from his turbulent upbringing and a catalyst for positive change in his life and community.

Multiple street and club dance styles are highlighted in the film, including krumping, popping and waving. - Krumping is a high-energy street dance that evolved from Clown Dancing or C-Walking, characterized by expressive and exaggerated movements. It originates from the South Central neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. - Popping is a street dance style that originated in Fresno, California. It is based on the technique of quickly contracting and relaxing muscles to cause a jerk in the dancer's body, known as a "pop" or "hit." - Waving is a dance style that involves fluid movements creating the illusion of a wave traveling through the dancer's body. It originated from the popping community in California.

We began rehearsals in June of 2023, with only a week for rehearsals and location scouting. We returned in August of 2023 for another week to film. Over the following seven months, I dedicated myself to post-production needs such as editing and color grading the film. We completed the film on March 31, 2024.

I thoroughly enjoyed interviewing individuals who have contributed to Andrew's life journey. From his students to his college best friend, I felt embraced by his community, sensing the admiration and respect they held for him. Additionally, experiencing Bakersfield from someone else's perspective was enlightening. For California natives, the name "Bakersfield" often conjures up stereotypes or images of vast farmland. However, being there and learning about how people grew up and continue to live life provided me with a truly eye-opening perspective.

The score was created by Dylan Romaine, a professional guitarist, bassist, and music producer. Dylan and I worked together to develop a score that highlighted the complex and lively environments where Andrew lived. We aimed to use beats and rhythms that reflected Andrew's street-style dancing and challenged the music genres that are heavily used in screendance films. Additionally, we wanted to portray a sense of nostalgia throughout the score.