Filmmaker and Ballerina: The Complex Dance of Documentary Filmmaking

The 90-minute film follows Prima Ballerina Wendy Whelan in the last months of her impressive career as she battles great physical pain and mounting uncertainty, resulting in her heartwrenching decision to retire after a record-setting 30 years at the New York City Ballet. Gleaned from over 600 hours of footage, Restless Creature has received critical acclaim from Vogue, The New York Times, and was featured in the 54th annual New York Film Festival.

 

Dalton faculty member and Educational Technologist Arlo Klinger, who had been advising students on documentary techniques, asked house parent Schlesinger if he was willing to offer his expert advice. He immediately obliged and invited Ms. Whelan to join him, and she generously agreed.

 

On Monday, February 11, both Schlesinger and Whelan gathered with Dalton students in the High School Library to watch clips of the film, discuss documentary filmmaking techniques, and Schlesinger’s approach to the film. In the discussion, Schlesinger explained how he used the method of cinéma vérité to follow Whelan through every aspect of a very challenging year, using candid shots and raw, intimate reactions to carry her narrative.

 

Students used this special opportunity to ask many questions about the film, filmmaking processes, as well as Ms. Whelan’s dance career to gather advice for creating their own history video projects.

 

To learn more about the film and Ms. Whelan’s career, visit the Restless Creature website.