Creating The Spark – with Jason Gilkison

This week, Kevin talks to his mentor, Strictly Come Dancing’s creative director, and one of the world’s most influential and sought-after choreographers and dance champions, Jason Gilkison!

Jason talks to Kevin about the effects of lockdown upon his creative side, the importance of art and culture upon the soul, and the incredible journey that has led him to become one of the world’s greatest choreographers.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Lockdown has caused Jason to develop the art of self-inspiration. When we are not able to readily absorb outer creative influences, we must look internally.
• Expression comes from within. Without formal training, sometimes we can struggle for direction, but those with a need to express themselves artistically, will always do so from within.
• The great students, and the great teachers, are the ones who instinctually know each other so well, that teaching and learning become an almost telepathic process.
• We create great choreography by incremental experimentation, and by focusing upon the essence of what it is we are trying to achieve.
• Creating a television show is about building a passionate family of colleagues. Even those without on-camera jobs, still become part of each performance and event, which adds to the camaraderie.

BEST MOMENTS

‘Inspiration can come in the weirdest places’ - 2:50

‘We danced from “in”, because that’s all we knew how to do’ - 29:40

‘I never would have been able to predict all the highs and lows’ - 44:23

‘It felt like a warm bath, coming to Strictly’ - 1:13:50

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Jason Gilkison Twitter - https://twitter.com/jasongilkison?lang=en

Jason Gilkison Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jasongilkison/?hl=en

The Kevin Clifton Show - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-kevin-clifton-show/id1475650764

ABOUT THE HOST

Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.

CONTACT METHOD

Kevin Clifton Instagram

Kevin Clifton Facebook

Kevin Clifton YouTube