A lot of digital ink has been spilled online regarding Jon M. Chu's superhero-oriented dance series, especially since there was a huge buildup towards it with Step Up 3D and the previous LXD performances on TV. The reviews have been mixed on the series. Some critics have panned the episodes, describing the acting performances as subpar and the series concept as preposterous. Others have lauded the premise and found the dancing and cinematography to be inspiring. The LXD has clearly polarized audiences. So the LXD team has to make some smart moves to persevere against this wave of criticism.
One smart move was to broadcast interviews with several of the dancers on Hulu. We got to see and hear the voices of several key performers including Steelo, Jrock, Madd Chadd, Lil C, and more. Few dancers are ever given the opportunity to speak up and share their passion. Somewhere across the globe, there are young dancers who are being inspired by what these performers have to say. The interviews put a human face on the series. And we hope that we'll see more for the upcoming villains in season 2.
Also, the LXD has stayed fresh in the public eye by continuing their live performances. Recently, several cast members performed at the Youtube Live Play event at the NYC Guggenheim Museum. These kind of live performances are what captured the audience's imagination before the series premiered online as seen in their first performance on Fox's So You Think You Can Dance. Hopefully, we'll get to see more varied, live performances from the group to keep things fresh. Is there an audience for a LXD tour across the U.S?
This is a perfect time for the LXD cast to nurture and expand connections with their fanbase via the multiple, available social networking options. They've already done so through Twitter and their Facebook page. What's admirable about The LXD is that it's never felt like something that was processed through a Hollywood studio system. It has that homegrown feel which comes from a collective band of creative minds working together with the resources they've been given to make something unique. We love that about the LXD.
When all is said and done, the LXD team will have created something that has not been done by any preceding generation coming from the street dance culture. They've made an impact. They saw an opportunity and seized it, carrying the idea to its execution with they momentum they had through public performances and online buzz. That in itself is truly amazing. But what's even more at stake is that these dancers - many of whom are from the street scene - are laying groundwork for future generations of street dancers.
It's heartbreaking to see the harsh critics lambast the series when you realize that these dancers and filmmakers worked incredibly hard with the usual film production challenges to create something. It's such a hard process to give birth to something that started as just an idea. We have to expect criticism though. It comes with the territory when you put yourself out there.
But what makes the LXD so special is that they're putting their true selves out there in a unique form. If you admire that kind of resolve, please support them. Watch their episodes on Hulu. Rate them. Share them with your friends. And celebrate what these men and women have done from their hearts. After all, it is heart that distinguishes them. Heart to bounce back from failure, to keep on going when all feels lost, to persevere when it seems unreasonable, and to face your frailties. Heart gives us strength to play, to win with humility, to lose with grace, and to know our true selves. When these men and women dance, they truly are exposing more than just their bodies.
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