Dancing Dads, First Rehearsal
ABOUT THE FILM
The idea for the film came during a rehearsal for that year's recital dance. As usual, the Dads were struggling to learn the steps of a dance that seemed way beyond their reach (but would probably have been mastered in a few minutes by ther own kids). During a break, the dads started talking about their kids’ passions and why they were there supporting them.
From the barrel-chested auto detailer who owns his own pair of jazz shoes to the graphic designer whose daughter gave up dance after an injury, everyone had a deeply personal reason for being in that studio.
DANCING DADS is a movie about LOVE, FEAR, DEDICATION and POOR COORDINATION. That last one is really important because - make no mistake about it - these dads CANNOT dance. But they try their best. Because they love their kids.
ABOUT THE FILMMAKER
Oliver Oertel is a husband, father and filmmaker living in Southern California. He has written and/or directed several short films, stage plays, feature screenplays, web series, and comedy sketches. He is also an improviser, having studied and performed at I/O Chicago, The Second City and the Hothouse, Los Angeles. He's also worked on such well-known TV shows as The Little Couple (TLC), House Hunters (HGTV), Iron Chef America (Food Network), House Hunters (HGTV) and a host of other shows you probably settled down to watch after a long, hard day.
He always knew he'd be the dad of a daughter, but never realized how much his daughter's love of dance would become a part of his life. He's performed in Los Angeles Ballet Academy's recital with the other Dancing Dads four times.