Yesterday was the filming and WHAT a day! Preparations began at 11am and finished at 11pm…I’m exhausted but so happy! The cameras swirling in the air and the excitement behind the scenes was exhilerating. We had tough days, we flew 13 hours, rehearsed in freezing theatres, learned all new drumming rhythms to back up Issam, felt pressure from all angles to get everything perfect for the ONE shot filmig; girls bursting into tears (including me), last minute costume stitching, new hair styles, experimental make-up, tanning lotion, aaaghhhhh! But through the frey we all came together and hugged when one of us came to our wits end, laughed when things got too serious, focused on our 8 counts when all the psychology of insecurity or doubt churned our individual and communal pot of emotions up… stamina and excitement combined until atlast Stevo called “we go now” and we all screamed! Then the show was so fun! I had to hold back from screaming the entire time! Miles spruced up the stage with new palm trees and chinese lanterns. For each of us he bought chinese tigers to represent the upcoming year of the tiger as good luck charms. Everybody raced around helping each other put on wings and set veils. The entire experience was a good feeling that, no matter what the DVD ends up looking like (it’s all in the hands of the editors now) we will watch it and remember how good we felt banding together and staying positive under stress.
I can’t wait for you all to see it!
Moria
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Shanghai News
Moria Chappell
Jenny 12:40 pm on December 18, 2009 Permalink
Hi Moria, sounds like it was a fun taping. My sister and I are huge fan of yours. Too bad we live too far to take a tribal class. I always wanted to learn. We live in Corona, CA. Have a safe trip back. Can you do me a favor and give Cecilia a hug for us? Tell her it’s from “Melissa and Juanita”, she’ll know. Thanks a mil!!
Khadija 5:44 pm on December 18, 2009 Permalink
when will it come out?
Moria Chappell 10:13 am on December 19, 2009 Permalink
Hey Jenny, thanks for the love
Cecilia almost melted when I told her you said hello. And to answer Khadija…I have no idea! But Babelesque was just released and it’s our live show in Tokyo that we filmed, when was that?…a year ago? Editing takes time, printing takes time, distribution, licensing…details I’m lucky enough to not have to deal with
Haha, I just dance here!
Khadija 1:07 am on December 20, 2009 Permalink
Thanks Moria!! Thanks for posting to the blog!!! Glad you got through the filming alive!!
Rach Zhong 6:57 pm on December 20, 2009 Permalink
Dear Moria, I was there enjoying the show in the night of the Dec 17th.I really want to thank all of you, all the dancers, Issam,Miles…..For bring us such excellent show!
I can totally understand how tough it was, Weather was so cold, and perfect performance was non-stop,it was exhausting I am sure, because even an audience as me got tired(but mostly excited) after the show and went home with shoulders in pain(stretching my neck to see the performance clearly, I didn’t want to miss anything)
I guess you are on your way home, could you pls give my thanks and regards to all the members?Also, Merry Christmas and happy new year.
I wish I have chance to see your performance in Shanghai again,maybe a warmer time. Pls do come back and bring us the new shows!!!!
My poor english makes it diffcult to express how happy/how moved/how excited I am now.
Merry Christmas and happy new year.
Moria Chappell 7:24 pm on December 20, 2009 Permalink
Rach, thanks for your love and support! Yes, it was VERY cold, but it’s even colder in Beijing today! I will pass on your message to the rest of the girls and I hope to see you again under warmer conditions
Nefabit 8:41 pm on December 20, 2009 Permalink
Hi Moria! Sounds absolutely hectic, but fun and I’m sure that you girls will have some amazing memories from this and all your other adventures. What I do with my troupe is often enough to put me at my wits end and we haven’t done anything like shoot a DVD (yet!)

Thanks for writing so we can all live our dreams a little vicariously!
Nefabit