New Sky1 Series to Spotlight Famed Dance Studio

LONDON: Sky1 HD has commissioned from Pulse Films an observational documentary series that follows the lives of teachers, pupils and staff at the world-famous Pineapple Dance Studios.

Pineapple Studios is the largest dance studio space in Europe, with more than 200 classes each week covering over 30 styles of dance. The 80 teachers are industry professionals, who choreograph and dance with the world’s leading artists and companies, including Madonna, The Royal Ballet and West End shows like Chicago. Pineapple Dance Studios: Survival of the Fittest (working title) will follow a group from the dance studio as they attend auditions, rehearsals and performances. Filmed entirely in HD, the series combines exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of everyday life at the studios with interviews and set pieces from staff and pupils.

The 7×1-hour series is slated for February 2010.

Jonathan Stadlen, the executive producer and head of TV at Pulse Films, said: “Pineapple Studios is an amazing location for a documentary series. It’s like Airport crossed with Fame. With the dance studios as our focal point we will follow our characters from their bedrooms right through to auditions, rehearsals and ultimately first night on stage. Filming in HD will allow viewers to get closer than ever before to our characters, who are some of the biggest personalities I have come across during my time in television.”

Celia Taylor, the commissioning editor for factual and features for Sky1 HD, Sky1, 2 and 3, added: “Pineapple Dance Studios: Survival Of The Fittest will be an innovative and fresh take on the ob-doc. It’s brilliantly energetic, funny and unique—all the things I want for Sky1 HD.”