My thoughts on what went on making the SGBM documentary, and on the final product. To go there we must go back a year, in why I wanted to make this film. Even before I joined SGBM, I always made it a goal, to glorify God by my talents, or provide something positive to the dance community. I didn’t know how I was going to manage that, but that has always been my intention the past year. I had this urge one day. I think it was around early November 2010, that I had a feeling inside my heart. I didn’t know where it came from at the time, but during the process I knew it had to be God. It was a feeling that told me to document the SGBM dance year. Keep in mind in November, the team didn’t officially become a competitive team, I didn’t even know myself. The team officially announced its competitive status like in December 2010, so this feeling was really random; a feeling that had a purpose. At the time I don’t think nobody knew what this season had in store; but if there was one person it would’ve been God.
I pitched my idea to Vinh, our artistic director, and he agreed. I think he felt the same feeling that I did; that this 2010-2011 cast was something special. We then found out we were going to be a competitive team for the first time in our five year history as an exhibition dance team. For a month, I was just documenting rehearsals before the “announcement.” I was starting to realize,
“Wow this could be a good story! EXHIBITION DANCE TEAM COMPETES FOR THE FIRST TIME…”
It was going to be a journey that nobody in the dance community ever has witness. This was original; this has never been done; this was PERFECT! Win or lose at competitions, documenting a whole season with a dance team would be worth watching. Especially, with Vinh’s background/foundation physically and spiritually, it will be very inspiring for others to see. He had drama, he had something to fight for, he had hurdles that he overcame, and it made the story “oh so touching and encouraging.” He wanted to glorify God with our first medley. It was a bold move, but win or lose at competitions, he will be a winner in Gods eyes. That would be so motivational to witness, and that’s when I realized, that the feeling of documenting this story was no accident it was from God. Vinh, pushing a medley about struggles, reminds myself to complete people, and not to compete against people. It reminded me not to pull people down, but to lift people up instead. I wanted the world to see Vinh’s intentions and purpose, because it came from a good place.
The whole year became a blessing, cause it was so memorable, that we ended up placing at Body Rock. To me, placing at body rock is like winning first place at other competitions. I also felt coming in to Body Rock, there were so many great teams, that the chances of placing were slim. But the team had great leaders with great foundations to show that winning doesn’t mean anything in life. What meant more was the fact we can show the world what God has given to us, and the product we showed was cause of Him. I wanted the world to see our intentions, and everything we did was a blessing.
Ending the year at HHI, getting first place for mega crew division USA finals and 2nd in mega crew world finals, was just amazing. Thank you God. We weren’t even supposed to be there, but the Good Lord coordinated everything that managed the team to stay and compete for worlds. I’m looking back at the year, and I realized where we came from. Who would’ve thought at the beginning of the year we would perform on the world stage at HHI? This was it, my conclusion to my feelings a year ago. God wanted me to show the world an inspiring story. This was more than a dance team, but a group of individuals who fought for something good. Even with trials along the way, it was about overcoming them and uniting as one. This story is a testament. I think Kevin Brewer said it best, that this year was a testimony that God put this together because the team is STILL GOING STRONG.
Please take the time to watch the documentary. Witness the love, the passion and the journey of what SGBM went through this year. It’s amazing. It was very emotional for me to edit the documentary, but the message God wanted me to present was worth the final product.
“Praise Jesus for your guidance and your strength to endure the things we went through to present ourselves so YOU can be glorified.”
Thank you Vinh, and J. Vaughn for leading this team to memorable unforgettable year!
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