University of Washington 2

The transcript discusses the significance of the dance scenes in the movie "Another Cinderella Story" and compares them to the traditional Grimm's version of Cinderella. It highlights how the dance serves as a form of communication and connection between the characters, reflecting their personalities and desires. The conversation also touches on the numerous adaptations of Cinderella throughout history and how they have evolved to cater to different audiences and convey empowering messages. The story of Cinderella is seen as a reflection of personal growth, self-acceptance, and the pursuit of dreams. It emphasizes the importance of resilience, courage, and staying true to oneself. The discussion concludes by emphasizing the enduring appeal of these stories and the magic found in everyday acts of bravery and determination. Microsoft is mentioned as the sponsor of the episode. It's 12 o'clock. The dance is over. Now, circling back to dancing. They're more than just plot points, are they? In Grimm's, it's all about the mystery and elegance. Cinderella, she's got this understated power drawing the prince in with her brain. That's really a reflection of what was valid back then, the whole idea of femininity and attraction. Totally. It's such a contrast to our 2000's Cinderella. In the movie, the dance is loud, full of life. It's not just a plot device, it's a character in its own right. Mary's dance moves say everything about her. They show her strength, her dreams, and even her struggles. And Joey, the guy's totally smitten, not just by her looks, but by her moves, her passion. It's clever, really, how they've used the dance to show the connection between characters. In the Grimm's version, it's about the prince being captivated by Cinderella's grace. But here, it's Mary's boldness in her dance that captivates Joey. The dance becomes this powerful form of communication that's more than just words or even music. It's soul-seeking. Plus, I think their dance is a great example of the gestural and audio-multimodal elements working together to create powerful scenes the viewers can't look away from. We visually see these two characters connect without having to speak, building their emotional connection to a level words on a page just can't compare to. Their chemistry makes every scene they have together so enticing to watch. Right, and when you think about it, that emotional connection is met in both versions. In the Grimm's tale, it's the prince's fascination with the mysterious lady who appears at a ball. It's subtle but intense. However, in the movie, it's not just fascination. It's a connection sparkled by shared passion and expression. Exactly. And in the modern adaptation, Mary and Joey's dance-off also serves as a pivotal moment for their characters. It's where they both find something they're searching for. Mary finds the courage to be seen, and Joey rediscovers his love for dance. It's beautifully symbolic. I've only watched a couple clips of Another Cinderella Story, and I feel like I need to watch it, especially after our talk today. I wonder how many Cinderella adaptations are out there. Even though the original tale came out in 1812, I feel like people are never tired of making new adaptations. I remember Camila Cabello was also in a Cinderella adaptation about two years ago. Oh yeah, Amazon remade it again with her. I remember seeing the ads for it. That's actually a really good question, though. My answer is probably countless adaptations. It's a timeless tale to tell different generations. Like in the 18th century when it first came out, it's more like a cautionary lesson, as you mentioned earlier, and to our generation, it's more fun to watch with the visual elements, music, fashion choices, you name it. Yeah, it's wild how they keep it so relevant. Each adaptation finds a new way to capture the attention of its target audience. Like in the movie, the writers chose to make our Prince Charming a famous pop star because they're the equivalent to a teenage girl in the 2000s. Who wouldn't want your celebrity crush serenading you in front of the whole school, right? Making Mary an unpopular quiet girl makes it even more relatable for a wider audience. Tells them that they don't have to be the most popular girl in school to fall in love. Absolutely. Audiences have evolved too. The Grimm's version might have been for adults and older kids, but today's versions, like another Cinderella story, are more youth-centric, reflecting teenager dreams, drama, and romance. Exactly. And it's interesting to see how parents' attitudes have shifted. The Grimm's version, with its dark undertones, might not be the first pick for today's parents. They prefer stories that are empowering, where the princesses aren't just waiting to be saved. Yes, the stakes have changed. The older tales were more about societal acceptance in the married world. Today, it's more about personal growth, self-acceptance, and chasing one's dreams. 100%. We see this evolving in so many recent movies, like Barbie or The Little Mermaid. They're shifting to empower young girls and show them that you don't need to fall in love to be happy, or even need to give up love to pursue your goals. We see that Mary gets accepted into dance school and still stays with Joey, who even helps her get in. The image of Cinderella has essentially changed from a damsel in distress to a girl who stays true to her own identity, while rising above her unfortunate circumstances with strength and resilience. Yes, Cinderella no longer is a girl who needs to be rescued by her prince charming, but is a strong-willed young woman who has been able to overcome her struggles and may be falling in love along the way. Absolutely. You know, it's like these tales evolve with us. As our world expands, so do the possibilities in our stories. We're not just redefining Cinderella, we're redefining what it means for a girl to dream. So true. And it's not just about dreaming big, it's about dreaming boldly, with the courage to be different and the strength to be ourselves. It's about turning once upon a time into every single day. Exactly. And these stories, especially Cinderella, have become a canvas for those dreams. It's no longer just a narrative, it's a dialogue with the audience, especially young girls who look up to these characters for inspiration. This adaptation was one of my comfort movies growing up, and I actually rewatch it every few months for inspiration myself. And let's be real, that inspiration is crucial. We're not just talking about fairy tales, we're talking about the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and who we can be. Cinderella's transformation isn't just about a fancy dress and a night at a ball. It's about her journey, her choices, and her resilience. Resilience. That's the key word here. It's not about the magic that happens to you, it's about the magic you make happen. That's the kind of narrative that resonates today, one where Cinderella is proactive, not just reactive. It's empowering, isn't it, to think that a story many of us grew up with, to think that a story many of us grew up with continues to grow with us, adapting to our values and our versions of a braver world. It's incredibly empowering, and it's a reminder that while times change, the core of these stories, the hope, the adventure, the love, remains timeless. It's about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary, and isn't that just the kind of magic we all need? Absolutely. The real magic is in the everyday acts of courage, kindness, and determination. And as we close today's chapter, let's remember that we all have a bit of Cinderella in us, ready to write our own stories with our own twist and happy ending. For sure. Anyways, that's all we have for you guys today. Thank you so much for tuning in, and a big shout-out to today's sponsor, Microsoft, representing Zoom. Even though Zoom's have been discontinued for over a decade, Microsoft acknowledged what a pivotal role Zoom's played in our movie adaptation, so they graciously offered to sponsor this episode. Love you guys. See you next time.