Workout 1 DVD
A look behind the scenes during the filming |
Palm Pictures, Chris Blackwell’s audiovisual entertainment company, in association with the New York City Ballet, announces the release of
New York City Ballet Workout on both the DVD and VHS formats.
New York City Ballet Workout, the home video release is based on the highly successful and critically acclaimed book of the same title, this time benefiting from the interactive and feature heavy nature of DVD.
The main program was filmed in Screen Gems Studio in North Carolina, specifically for this release, and was produced by Palm Pictures in association with New York City Ballet.
Christopher Ramsey, Director of External Affairs for New York City Ballet and one of the program’s executive producers states that "NYCB Workout has been proven in studios and gyms around the world. Whether you love ballet or are simply searching for an alternative workout regimen designed to produce a strong, graceful body, this program will deliver exceptional results. And the beauty of the production along with the unprecedented flexibility of the DVD really place it in a class all its own."
New York City Ballet Workout features four extraordinary New York City Ballet dancers, Helene Alexopoulos, Albert Evans, Edwaard Liang, and Deanna McBrearty, demonstrating the exercises, as well as offering personal documentary-styled insights into their daily lives as ballet dancers. These "daily diaries" were filmed around New York (Going to the gym, taking kids to school, visiting friends, etc.) offering insight into their normal everyday routine, discussing their personal goals and hurdles throughout their dance careers, as well as describing the challenges facing dancers in the competitive and physically demanding world of ballet.
The main program was directed and produced by Richard Blanshard. Alex Thompson served as Director of Photography (EXCALIBUR, LEGEND, Kenneth Branagh’s HAMLET, CLIFFHANGER, also a member of the British Society of Cinematographers), with Nicholas Hippisley Coxe as Line Producer (Alan Parker’s EVITA).
Executive producers are Alistair Norbury and Suzette Newman of Palm Pictures, Bill Bachle of Solutions by Design, and Christopher Ramsey of New York City Ballet. Creative Director and Director of Instructional Fitness is Rebecca Metzger-Hirsch of the New York City Ballet. Peter Martins, Ballet Master in Chief, New York City Ballet, supplies the instructional voice-over.
Beyond the main program and "daily diaries," the DVD offers the following extra features:
Personal music selection - The user can select what type of music they would like to workout to: a "classical" soundtrack, or a contemporary soundtrack featuring music from the RYKO PALM music catalog.
Photo gallery - This will include photos from the original exercise book, as well as archival photos of the four dancers in performance.
Behind the Scenes Footage - a "Making of..." documentary style section will be included, featuring interviews with Peter Martins, Christopher Ramsey, Alex Thomson, Rebecca Metzger-Hirsch, Richard Blanshard and other key personnel involved with the production.
DVD ROM web-links - interactive content accessible via computer with direct access to Palm Pictures, New York City Ballet and Kodak websites.
Personal Workout Programming Option - Available only on DVD, along with the full program, users will be able to select specific programs that have been tailored for personal exercise routines.
This DVD is a film to digital transfer. The exercise section of this DVD was filmed by acclaimed Cinematographer Alex Thompson and Director Richard Blanshard on 16mm Kodak film. The rest of the program was filmed on digital video.
Sound features - Stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1.
Visual Glossary of Ballet Terms - a visual full-motion glossary of common ballet terms is included for easy reference by viewers.
The New York City Ballet Workout DVD and VHS was released for sale worldwide on March 27, 2001, and is distributed by Palm Pictures’ distribution company RYKO DISTRIBUTION.
The New York City Ballet Workout has received consistently upbeat reviews from the press, including articles in SHAPE (both in their U.S. and U.D. editions), NEW WOMAN, and WALKING magazines, as well as national television coverage from "CBS Saturday Morning," and "New Attitudes" on Lifetime Television for Women. Feedback from participants in the program has also been glowing. Some of the comments: "the workout requires control, balance and strength, and working with turned-out and neutral positions; makes one think about how they are using their body..." or, "a good overall workout at a slower pace - but just as hard," or even, "I never did anything so complex with such incredible ease as a first time participant. I felt wellness beyond theWorkout."
New York City Ballet Workout is sponsored in part by 