Thread: New Cheeky Girls: Andalee Rhythms dvd, 4 Zoe Jakes instructionals!

I just came across this holiday season announcement by Cheeky girls Productions and thought I'd share my excitement:

Cheeky Girls Productions

Apparently, not only does a new Combination Nation3 and Ruby Arms dvd come out this fall (I have already lusted over the trailers - more new dvds after quite some dvd withdrawal for a year or so!).. even more excited I got over this announcement. I love Zoe Jakes and can't wait to see what she has created together with Cheeky Girls. Hope the trailer for Andalee is soon going to be up!

So there seem to be more things movin again.. several Hollywood Music releases, now Cheeky Girls.. awesome!

Wow - Zoe's is a 4-disc set! That's actually got me quite curious now.

Originally Posted by aziyade

Wow - Zoe's is a 4-disc set! That's actually got me quite curious now.

Yippee....I was thinking of getting the BDSS Zoe Jakes dvd (Killer Drillz) but was reluctant due to the general disappointment of BDSS dvds. Now I'll wait (im)patiently for this 4 disc (!!) set. Michele rocks!!

Originally Posted by Rosemarie

Yippee....I was thinking of getting the BDSS Zoe Jakes dvd (Killer Drillz) but was reluctant due to the general disappointment of BDSS dvds. Now I'll wait (im)patiently for this 4 disc (!!) set. Michele rocks!!

I just got the bdss drillz, have only watched about half of it so is far, but my first impression is a little disappointing, mainly from a production point of view. Zoe seems to be in a huge rush to get through all her material, and there are lots of bits which I felt neededa second take but were ignored,when she messes up her speech, directions etc.. I will post a proper review when I have had a more thorough look, but knowing Michelle, her dvd will be in a different league!

Here is a little more info about the Zoe DVD

We filmed it over a long weekend, where we just locked ourselves in the studio for several days and filmed everything that Zoe knows about dance.

wow.........just wow

Mind reader! When I saw the Zoe BDSS listed on Amazon, I thought that she should hook up with you for a more professional dvd product.

Originally Posted by firefly5

I just got the bdss drillz, have only watched about half of it so is far, but my first impression is a little disappointing, mainly from a production point of view. Zoe seems to be in a huge rush to get through all her material, and there are lots of bits which I felt neededa second take but were ignored,when she messes up her speech, directions etc.. I will post a proper review when I have had a more thorough look, but knowing Michelle, her dvd will be in a different league!

what you say I have unfortunately disliked about previous bdss products.. thats what keeps me from getting others from the line so far. apparently with reason, sadly!

Dina -- I agree. The BDSS almost categorically seem to fall very short of the mark. I don't understand how they can put so much effort and money into a product that ends up being so .... "meh." And it's not like they don't have good teachers on them.

I'm glad Zoe is getting a "second chance" so-to-speak, with this set.

Wow! I can't wait...

I can't wait for the new Zoe DVDs! I have (and am trying to sell LOL) the BDSS Killer Drillz and there is something about it that I just don't like.

I can't watch videos right now, but without even having watched the trailer for Zoe's DVD with Cheeky Girls I already want it!

Originally Posted by michellejoyce

Here is a little more info about the Zoe DVD

We filmed it over a long weekend, where we just locked ourselves in the studio for several days and filmed everything that Zoe knows about dance.

Michelle - when can we preorder ?!!!!!

Originally Posted by michellejoyce

We filmed it over a long weekend, where we just locked ourselves in the studio for several days and filmed everything that Zoe knows about dance.

Well, if that's not the most awesome thing I've ever heard...

I think this will be the perfect way to stay warm this winter. People will wonder why we will be praying for snow days, lol.

I did a bit more of the bdss dvd today, and I wish I'd waited a bit longer for the cheeky girls one to come out. The quality of the teaching and filming in the drills is similar to the instructional section, on the whole pretty basic moves, with directional changes, double speed etc, ok drills, but nothing new. The filming is quite irritating, with lots of changing from rear to side to front camera angles, during the same section. To my mind Zoe seems a bit bored, and appears to be 'going through the motions' I really don't believe she is putting her heart and soul into it.
There are still more unedited mistakes, a few times she gets her words mixed, and directions wrong, and there are some long pauses while she composes herself before starting again. It has more of a workshop feel than a polished dvd performance. I suspect it would have a lot more appeal if you have been to one of her workshops in real life. Still nowhere near the same league as most of the cheeky girls dvd s, and most of wdny's too. It's even more frustrating when you see the beautiful performance she does, she is an incredible dancer. I found myself thinking that she was contractually obliged to make the bdss dvd and wanted to get through it as quickly as possible. I hope this doesn't come across as overly harsh, maybe I' ve been a bit spoiled by working with Serpentine and Lunar, which are both exceptional.

I was lucky enough to be one of the proof watchers/readers of the layering section of Michelle and Zoes 4 dvd set.
Ok girls here's my opinion of the layering


WOW' I've watched the Layering section thru once already and am really impressed. I'm going to watch it again to make sure that everything is aok and that I didn't miss anything the first time .
I'd say that this is dvd appears to have something for everyone.
There's enough instruction very clearly broken down for a beginner to be able to put into practice and yet there's plenty to keep the more advanced dancers happy with layer upon layer of layering.
The practice flows are great and I particularly love that there's no talking down to the viewer.
It's always escaped me why someone makes a dvd and then keeps saying things like - Great - beautiful etc when for all they know I could be swinging from a monkey bar ;)