I’m so glad this is a separate thread, I hope it gets more attention.
I did say this elsewhere, but even if Jason is not your favorite skater, even if you’re not sure you understand or like Rohene’s choreo, you owe it to yourself to watch this. It’s gold.
Some skater’s reactions to Ro’s commentary on Twitter and IG (from memory, so may not be exact)
Adam Rippon “ ‘what position is that’ ? I cracked up”
Brooklee Han : “ ‘if you do that I’ll kill you’ Working with Rohene is like that”
Bradie Tennell: “OMG this is giving me flashbacks”
Rohene Ward should do commentary for every skating event ever
This is like gold, and SO Rohene! Frankly, right now I have thoughts of a Sho-Ro collaboration! I'm not sure if Ro's remarks would lose something in the translation to Japanese, but it has the potential to be awesome.
After all his work with Rohene, I'm sure Jason is totally unfazed by this. I especially liked the bad camel remark. :luv17:
I think that aside of fun content, it shows how easy and impactful the chemistry between Jason and Rohene is in terms of working together - it takes this particular union of attitudes and engaged approach towards choreographing not something, but FOR someone to produce 'effortless' moments like these. Rohene obviously understands Jason very well, his style/way of movement, knows his strength and where to push - and for me, these are quite important features to make up of a memorable program in terms of sole creation/visual of it; of course, Jason's programs created by Rohene are not everyone's cup of tea, but what I always appreciate is how they both come up with something that can be immediately associated as 'Jason's', putting that aesthetical seal on it, with refinement of movement, highlighting Jason's flexibility, beautiful spins, musicality, intricacy of his lines and extensions.
After watching once again, I think it is also important to get this kind of 'distance' to yourself and your work, not making everything top-serious and stiff - I find both Jason and Rohene quite outgoing, full of energy and attitude towards skating and people and releasing this energy in such way, catching that much-needed perspective about all things skating, could help in cumulating it again for competitions/important showings of programs. I think also such 'review' may help in catching some potential 'mannerism' in movement/gesticulation/expression that choreographer would like to avoid, like what looks silly or inadequate to the music or movement.
I've met him twice -- once in Helsinki and once he was on my plane on the way to Sk Can. He's quite a character and very friendly. Maybe we can tell the powers that be that we need him for skating commentary. (But of course he still has to continue to do his amazing choreo!!!).
There were some hilarious moments when they were choreographing Hamilton too. They are a great team and the end results are phenomenal. If they can do as well or better than Love is a B***ch, it will be amazing! Can't wait to see it!