March is Development Disabilities Awareness Month, and to mark the occasion, we had the pleasure of speaking to Dan Watt, the Independent Producer and Director of the 2024 Emmy-winning documentary Everybody Dance, which follows the dance school of children with intellectual and neurodiverse disabilities.
In this interview, Dan discusses his career in filmmaking, how he was inspired to share a story about disabled dancers and the success he received from the film Everybody Dance.
Dan Watt on his filmmaking career and his introduction to developmental disabilities
Dan began by sharing a bit about himself, his career in filmmaking and how, during his early years as a dance teacher, he was first introduced to children with developmental disabilities:
“In the film world, I worked for five years at Columbia Pictures in the film development department, and then I worked for SYCO, Simon Cowell’s production company, as the coordinator for his film and TV department, working on his film This Is Us, the One Direction documentary.
“I learned a lot at these jobs, but I was always fascinated by true stories and felt I needed to explore that. So I decided to take the leap and become an independent producer.
“In my earlier life, I was a dancer, choreographer and director of over 20 stage musicals…. [in my dance classes], I had two sisters that happen to have autism – I did not know much about autism, so I just taught the class as I always did and realised that nothing had to be changed in my teaching style and method.
“I did, however, chat with Fran, the mom, to see if there were any specifics that I was not aware of and to educate myself. She did actually tell me that one of the girls had sensory sensitivities and was sensitive to touch, and to not worry about physically adjusting her arms, just continue to show her. All kids will pick up certain dance steps at their own pace, so I corrected every child when needed and carried on.”
Everybody Dance: a documentary producing true disability representation
Dan explained how he was inspired to create the film Everybody Dance and how he was introduced to the individuals from the dancing school:
“My initial idea for my first film was to see how the determination, dedication and commitment to studying the arts could be applied in everyday life by anyone who has ever studied an art form – I had no plans on it being specifically told through the eyes of kids and their disabilities.
“As I said, I taught two girls who had autism, but I haven’t taught dance in almost 20 years. I had a dream about these two girls. I didn’t give it too much thought until I had a dream about them three weeks later. This time, I paid attention to it, and I thought this was a clear message from a higher power saying, ‘This is your movie’. So, I trusted myself and started on my journey, and here we are.”
Dan continued: “I didn’t quite have the ‘in’ for my movie yet, so I got on the internet and looked for schools and conservatories that offered classes in the arts for kids with disabilities. Many places across the country offer this in a limited way, but feel more like a babysitting service than an actual full-length dance class.
“As I continued to look, I found Ballet for All Kids. I reached out to [their teacher] Bonnie, we chatted a few times and met for coffee. After she felt comfortable with me and my concept, she invited me to observe a class. After that, I knew this was my film.”
Everybody Dance follows five kids, with different disabilities, their families and a dance teacher for 10 months on their journey through life and toward their dance recital.
Dan gave more details about the dancing school and the individuals who were featured in the film:
“Bonnie teaches a full hour of ballet – The kids were at the barre doing tongues, plies, Rond de jambes and things I did when I took class. What is so special about this studio is that everyone is welcome – some kids are atypical, have autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome and other disabilities, but as the name of the studio says, for ‘All Kids’, that was the thing that made me want to tell these stories – everyone coming together with one goal – to dance!”
The disability community has embraced Dan with this project. This has included support from the Canadian Down Syndrome Society, Autism Parenting, Ad Asner Family Centre, and Anna Kennedy in the UK.
From acclaim to awards: Everybody Dance takes the spotlight
Following its powerful impact on audiences, Everybody Dance quickly captured critical acclaim and industry recognition, cementing its place as a truly award-winning film.
The film scored 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and got five stars and a Blue Ribbon by Common Sense Media, which rates films to find the best of family entertainment.
American popstar Kelly Clarkson loved the film so much that she invited Dan on her TV chat show for a segment to discuss it.
Dan shared how it felt to receive feedback from her and get the opportunity to speak to her about the film on The Kelly Clarkson Show:
“I was excited to get the call to appear on the show. Someone on her staff had seen my documentary and suggested it. Kelly watched and loved and wanted to do a segment on Everybody Dance and the dance studio.
“I’m still amazed that my film got to her and her staff and that they felt it was worthy of a segment. Knowing that someone of that calibre felt that these stories and the message needed to be told, touched my heart.”
Everybody Dance was also awarded an Emmy in 2024 for Independent Programming, which Dan attended with his Co-Producer and Editor, Isaiah Camp. He expressed how it felt to be recognised at the Emmys:
“I truly was surprised that I won. Being my first independent film, I didn’t even consider it, and for PBS to submit it as one they felt was worthy still baffles me. I felt proud that there were people in the business who also felt the importance of stories of inclusion and accessibility, and that these kids and families’ stories needed to be told.”
Showcasing inclusion and changing perceptions of children with developmental disabilities
Dan highlighted more about the message he hopes to give to people who watch his film and the lessons he has learnt about developmental disabilities while filming this project.
His message is simple: “Focus on the similarities. All these kids came together with one main goal, to dance. Everyone focused on accomplishing this – learn the steps and choreography – We all come upon obstacles in our lives that we have to work our way through. Some may experience the world in different ways, and if we embrace this, it actually can help us see the wonders of dancing to our own rhythm, yet still dance together.
“This is really a film about dedication, determination, and community – with some dance sprinkled in!”
He also admitted that by working with these disabled children, his perspective on intellectual and neurodiverse disabilities had shifted:
“A moment that changed my life forever and made my vision for the film even clearer happened on a day I was not shooting. I was shopping and went down an aisle where a girl was having a small tantrum, lying on the floor. As I walked by, I thought, ‘I wonder if she’s on the spectrum?’- I didn’t think, ‘what a spoiled kid’ or ‘why isn’t her mom doing anything?’. A switch had been flipped in my brain – my perspective and outlook had changed.
“By being with these kids and families on a weekly bases my eyes had been opened, and I had been educated just by being there. When I got in my car, I started to cry, realising how blessed I was to have found these kids and their families. If I’m lucky, someone will watch this film and their perspective and outlook will be changed too.”
Dan concluded by sharing his next upcoming film project that is also set to represent disability:
“I actually am working with Rosie O’Donnell (talk show host and comedian) on a documentary focusing on autism. Rosie’s child, Clay, has autism and loves some ‘object shows’ that are on YouTube. Rosie and I have gone to some of the conventions, and half the audience are kids on the spectrum. We are exploring how these shows have opened up the creativity of many who watch them and how they are now exploring and creating their own art.”
You can watch Everybody Dance on Prime Video and YouTube.