Sometimes you just have to go for it. That’s what we realized working on the Chukchansi “Fun for Life” dancing spots. They were based on a big idea, and presented plenty of new challenges.
The whole production was a true collaboration between Windsong Productions and JSA. We worked together to create the concept of a La La Land-style dancing spot full of extravagance and fun. JSA wrote the lyrics and music, while Windsong worked with the choreographer to plan the dance.
This was something new for a us: a full dancing spot. And it was our first time working with a choreographer. Hannah Millar, a choreographer from Fresno, helped us develop the dance featuring more than 30 dancers in multiple locations.
Scouting the locations—in this case, the different areas of the casino—was key to this shoot, as the dances had to be specifically designed to fit within those spaces.
The three-day production consisted of one day of walkthroughs and two days of shooting. The walkthroughs were essential for working out the kinks in the choreography. Each scene had a lot of moving parts (literally) and things to keep in the air (or balanced precariously). The dining room scene in particular presented a unique challenge, with its fully set table and careful coordination.
Working with the Chukchansi marketing team was great. They let us take over huge areas of the open casino, so we could get the shots just right.
In the end, we produced two commercials: a gaming spot and an amenities spot, both of which you can watch below.
