“Past and Present” by Zach Hagy

FROM THE DIRECTOR

“I have always loved dance and find it to be one of the only things that frees my anxiety of the future. Although I typically dance alone or with my loved ones working with professional dancers who access their flow state so quickly is truly incredible. There are moments in here that reflect my emotions over the years and during COVID.

Sometimes I dwell too much on the future and think about what I could be doing better in the present or what I did wrong in the past and why is the future (or now) different than I expected? Having ADHD my brain is constantly traveling and exploring new terrains. Much like dance and the beautiful chaos that somehow makes us calm. This piece is the story of my past and present colliding together to create our future.

Giving direction to the dancers was a very refreshing experience. There wasn’t a lot of choreography that was involved, instead they were given an emotion or a tone and feel for that moment. So fluidly they can transition to a different ton, it felt like I was watching Jazz.

This is my first dance film and has been one of the most exciting things I’ve done. For me, sometimes it’s difficult to relate on such a literal narrative but making something more abstract leaves room for interpretation."

-Zach Hagy

Credits

Director // Zach Hagy @zachhagy

Cinematographer // Jesse Barron @jessebarron

Editor // Matthew Bouwense @mbouwense

Artistic Director // Stephanie Pizzo @svpizzo w/ @eisenhowerdancedetroit

Score // Jesse Barron

Color // Company 3 @sofie_borup w/ @company_3

Sound design // Gabe Sayre

1st AC // Hannah Noel

Production Designer // Ryann Kearney

Movi Tec // Richie Trimble

Steadicam // Mike Herst

2nd AC // Trentin Piwinski

Gaffer // Dave St. George

Grip // Trevor Stevens

Swing // Blake Brown

Mix // Tim Biesta

Title Design // New Archive

BTS // Bre’Ann White

Stills Photographer // Lindsey Manning

PA // Matt Charles

Executive Director // Eisenhower Dance Detroit: Anne Bak Marine

Assistant Director // Eisenhower Dance Detroit: Molly McMullen

DIA Director of Public Programs // Larry Baranski

DIA Program Manager // Rudy Lauerman

Guardian Building Property Administrator // Megan O'Conner

Meadow Brook Hall Executive Director // Shannon O'Berski

Scarab Club Executive Director // MaryAnn Wilkinson

Dancers

Alex Hlavaty

Brooke Mainland

Kelsey Lewinski

Michael Teasley III

Emy Bezbatchenko

Tyler Kerbel

Tara Charvat


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