On Friday, December 2, Netflix released the official trailer for the new series, in which 15 amateur dancers compete for a prize of $250,000. The dancers, on the other hand, are dressed in motion capture suits that make them appear to be animated creatures. It’s a lot to take in, and that’s before you see a one-eyed alien spin and leap around the stage in the trailer. The future has arrived… and it appears to be a dancing marshmallow woman.
The dancers will be able to hide their identities and display their moves on stage as avatars to judges Ne-Yo, YouTuber Lele Pons, and UK’s top street dancer Ashley Banjo using the latest motion capture technology. Ashley Roberts of the Pussycat Dolls hosts the show. Dancers explain in the trailer that the show’s outlandish premise allows them to feel more free while performing.
Among the CGI avatars are a mummy, a monster, and others. One contestant claims that his extraterrestrial avatar provided him with the confidence he needed to pursue his dream of becoming a dancer. “It took the funny one-eyed alien to believe in myself,” he said in the trailer. As entertaining as the show may sound, Ne-Yo stated that the money will not be given to anyone. The best dancer must “earn it.”
“We’re so excited to unleash this amazing show with Netflix,” executive producers Andrew Jackman and Sarah Tyekiff tell TODAY.com. The incredible VFX technology transforms our dancers into incredible Monsters in real time, and it is also set to transform their lives as they get the opportunity — and newfound confidence — to dance on a global stage.”
“Dance Monsters” will debut on Netflix on Friday, December 16, with eight episodes released over three weeks until Friday, December 30.
