031: Emma Farnell-Watson: Shifting Between Dance, Acting and Choreography

"So the journey's been really fun, I started working with an acting coach. And weirdly, it really inspired me choreographically because there's something about the way you can say one line in so many different ways is exactly like the way you can do one movement in a million ways, the way that you can pull tension in a text is the same way you can pull tension in the body. So in a weird way, there was so many parallels."

Emma Farnell-Watson

In this episode of the Shapes in Motion podcast, host Stephen Moynihan interviews Emma Farnell-Watson, a multifaceted artist navigating the worlds of dance, choreography, and acting. Emma shares her journey from her early experiences in contemporary dance to her current work in film and musical theatre. The conversation delves into the importance of community, the challenges of transitioning from company work to freelancing, and the creative processes behind her projects. Emma emphasises the significance of authenticity, mental wellbeing, and the value of building community relationships in the arts.

About Emma Farnell-Watson

Choreography Bio

Emma’s work spans both screen and stage. Drawing from her own dance career working with notable contemporary companies such as Hofesh Shechter and an extensive range of commercial brands, she has developed her own creative language and voice as a maker. She has choreographed for brands Chanel, Magnum, Adidas, Marimekko, Burberry, Macdonalds and Marks and Spencer, for artists Freya Ridings, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, Jamie Cullum, Hikaru Utada, and Copenhagen Concerto Orchestra. Her latest TV series has been ‘Age of Innocence’ for Netflix. Alongside this, she has assisted on Season 2 of “Sandman” for Netflix, for BBC series “Dope Girls”, for Bulgari’s recent showcase event and on videos for George Ezra, Baby Queen, eurovision contestant Claude and on new creation for Rambert Dance Company with Emma Evelein, with Benoit Swan-Pouffer on feature film ‘Roots Manoeuvre’, directed by Raine Allen-Miller and with Corey Baker on the new Harry Potter Series as part of the core choreography and movement team. Her last job assisting at Regent Park Open Air Theatres new production of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ won 3 Oliviers and was nominated for Best Choreography. Her latest short film ‘Ammonia’ was commissioned by Sadlers Wells, and featured on the Directors Library, won silver at the 1.4 awards, and was nominated for best short at the National Dance Awards. She loves to continue working for stage and has made work for English National Ballets Youth Company, Immersive Theatre Company, RIFT and live work at Cannes Film Festival in collaboration with Magnum Ice-cream.  

Performance Bio

Emma’s career spans internationally over both the contemporary and commercials fields. After graduating from London Contemporary Dance School she toured internationally with Jasmin Vardimon Company and Hofesh Shechter Company. Freelancing in the past with Michael Keegan-Dolan, Shahar Binyamini, Avant Garde, Dane Hurst and Mthuthuzeli November. Commercially she has featured in adverts for Magnum, Hyundai x Pixel, NUTRL, Cera Ve, Garnier, Smirnoff, Vodafone, M&S, AKT, SKYN, Johnnie Walker, Magners, Sexy Fish, Mira Showers and Fiorrucci x Adidas. She has performed at events for Chanel, Hermes, Longchamp, Cartier, Bulgari and SWATCH, in film for HBO series “A Brave New World”, BBC series “Life in Squares”, Netflix series “Sandman”, BBC proms dance film “Beethoveniena”, Disneys live action remake of “Aladdin” and “Captain Marvel 2” and remake of “Sense and Sensibility”. She has performed in music videos for Coldplay, MK, DJ Tiesto, RAYE, Jax Jones, Autoheart, Jamie Cullum, Callum Scott, George Ezra, Hikaru, and Underworld and performed at The Brit Awards for Dua Lipa x Calvin Harris and the Fashion awards for Kylie Minogue. 

Chapters

Introduction to Emma Farnell-Watson

Influences and Inspirations in Dance

Transitioning from Company Work to Freelancing

Exploring Dance in Film vs. Live Performance

Creative Process Behind 'Ammonia'

Navigating the Shift from Dance to Acting

Assisting in Musical Theatre Productions

The Value of Awards and Recognition

Building Community in the Dance Industry

Advice for Emerging Artists

Finding Balance and Mental Wellbeing

Future Aspirations and Closing Thoughts

Links
Emma Farnell-Watson Instagram - @efarnellwatson

To get in touch with Sarah visit www.sarahperrymovement.com and follow @sarahperrymovement on Instagram.
To get in touch with Stephen visit www.stephenmoynihan.net and follow @stmoynihan on Instagram.