Les Mills Live London was an unforgettable and unmissable event, not just for instructors in the UK but also for instructors and fans from across the world. Over 2000 participants joined each of the classes that took place at the iconic London ExCel in October of last year, the first international filming since the onset of COVID-19. And what an event it was. I had the good fortune of participating at the event myself, to be able to witness the filming of my favourite program, BODYCOMBAT, where three of our Presenters- Denisa Alexandru, Rio Nunga and Aldrin Dela Vega absolutely rocked the stage!
I caught up with Aldrin of Les Mills IMEA for a quick chat about his experience in London, the before and after of filming, and what exactly went into preparing for an experience of a lifetime.
Amandeep: Aldrin- what a surreal event it was! Tell us about what happened before the filming when you got to London.
Aldrin: Well, my first stop in London was at my friend’s! I wanted to catch up with my friend and be a tourist for a day because I knew the days ahead were going to be busy- and I was right! But luckily, before I became a busy bee, I managed to see all the London sights – Big Ben, London Eye, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace! It was nice to experience cold weather as well again after a long time in Dubai. The city was lovely! But after the tourist day, it got super hectic. That’s when the work started.
Amandeep: What was it like meeting the Presenters from other programs and regions? We had so many Presenters on stage for all the programs and it was magical for us, the attendees. It must have been something else entirely for you!
Aldrin: So, the first interaction we had was at the Opening Ceremony. There were more than 230 Presenters in London and we each received a memento. All 230 plus mementos were carved out of the same stone. Can you believe that?! It felt so symbolic of our value of being United and of our connection. It felt amazing.
Amandeep: Obviously, an event of this scale requires a lot of work. What was it like during the rehearsals with the team?
Aldrin: It was definitely a lot of work! Not just during rehearsals but even in the lead up to us flying out to London. But when we got to the rehearsals, Dan and Rach were welcoming and supportive. They walked us through the schedule and what the expectations are of us, as Presenters during filming. I had imagined it would be quite stressful, but I am lucky enough to have worked with Dan and Rach in the past during Dubai Lives. I am quite sure that they would have made us feel welcome and supported regardless of whether or not we’d worked with them before!
Once we had all settled in, the physical work truly started. The practice sessions were intense. We had to make sure that our choreography was absolutely on point and there was no room for errors, because the end product is viewed by so many! We used the time at rehearsals to not only work on our choreography but also finetuning our scripts, practising coaching, and perfecting our technique. There were so many of us in the BODYCOMBAT team, so along with Dan and Rach, we also had Steve Tansey and Oscar Peiro working with us.
Amandeep: So, I’m curious- as instructors, when we get our releases, we have the masterclass video and the music and choreography notes to help us learn our choreography and guide us on what to say. You wouldn’t have had that, of course, because the filming hadn’t been done yet! What support did you have available while you were prepping before going to London?
Aldrin: Let me put it this way- before London, it was a lot of brain work. Before the filming, it was a lot of leg work! We were provided videos from a regular class to support us through the moves and technique. For a first time Presenter at Live, this was a bit strange to me! But it was helpful. We were given notes of the choreography, but it wasn’t the final product that we are so used to seeing when we usually receive our digital kits. It felt surreal to be a part of the process of creating this amazing product.
We were required to film our allocated tracks, which we did and received some helpful initial feedback from Dan about things that would need changing, things that were good and things that could be done better for filming.
Amandeep: I had no idea how much work goes into preparing for a day like this! So, tell us about the day of filming. You’ve done your bit- brain work and leg work. Now, it’s showtime. What were you feeling, what was the day like?
Aldrin: So, the team caught up in the morning to run through the choreography and stage formation again. It wasn’t an intense rehearsal anymore. The day was now about experiencing the release on our own and getting used to our scripts. Dan and Rach were so lovely to us, saying the right things, making us feel relaxed. It was so wonderful to receive that encouragement not just from the PDs but also from the rest of the team, the rest of the Presenters in other programs. We were hyping each other up, cheering each other on when on stage, like a big family.
Amandeep: Can you describe the feeling of being on stage?
Aldrin: No! No words can describe that feeling! There were complications before getting to the stage, but it seemed like the people working behind the scenes were prepared for everything. I remember stressing out a little bit but the PDs were calm and told us to focus on safe execution of the moves and enjoying the moment of being on stage. And the moment you get on stage- wow! It feels like…wow! Instructors screaming, excitement, nervousness- it feels like you can get lost in all that emotion.
Amandeep: I was part of the screaming group of instructors. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Aldrin: We enjoyed it too! The crowd was so lovely, especially the group of people in the front. It honestly felt like being home. Everyone was taking pictures during the breaks and telling us how much they are enjoying the whole experience. By the time we got to our track, track 4, the excitement was peaking, and I had to remind myself to focus on the track!
Amandeep: What was it like after the class?
Aldrin: We got emotional after, of course. I was presenting with Denisa and Rio, and so when our part was done, we could get off stage, so we joined the crowd and saw for the first time what everyone else was seeing. I could only think of one word- just ‘wow’! If the view from the floor was so surreal, can you imagine what the final product will look like? We felt so grateful to be a part of this production and so proud of the work that went into it and the product that was going to come out of it. I was so, so happy that I finally managed to be part of a filming! When the class ended, we went back to the rehearsal studio, and everybody was just as emotional as I was! Such a good moment.
Amandeep: Did you eat a lot of food after the filming?
Aldrin: Yes and no! Everything shuts down early! It’s not like in Dubai or anywhere else. We were so hungry, but everything was shutting down. It was a shame because we were now relieved so we could finally eat good food without letting the nerves get to us!
Amandeep: If you get the chance, would you do this again?
Aldrin: Absolutely, I would. Filming is not about the limelight, but about the things you can learn. I learnt so much. I learnt that regardless of whether or not you think you’re ready for filming, when you get up there with 2000 members looking at you, you will feel unprepared! I learnt that so much work goes into filming, both before and during, and by every single person involved. I learnt that it’s never about you- it’s about the team and your attitude towards the team. It was a moment of great pride for me, to be able to represent this brand that I love so deeply. So, absolutely I would!
BODYCOMBAT 94 and all other Q1 2023 releases are available to purchase on Les Mills Connect. Email imea.instructor@lesmills.com for more information