We are adept at consulting during pre-production and preparing choreography to your specs. We also coach and lead/cue the synchronized swimmers on shoot day to keep the team in sync and in the right position for your shots.
Water Coach/Choreographer: Always on-set with our team for each shoot we do that involves more than one performer or any choreographed movement. The coach/choreographer creates dynamic movements customized to your creative team’s specs + works on-site with your director and production team to integrate any on-set adjustments, cue the performers, and ensure synchronicity. We coach and train talent in required movements so that they are fully prepared when cameras roll.
Production: We advise regarding best casting recommendations of synchronized swimmers/water talent for your desired creative. (For example – if you want the person who flies out of the water, you’ll need the person who pushes them). Our experienced water production advisory team will also be available to communicate with you prior to shoot day regarding any needs or requirements particular to your shoot – water temperature, underwater speaker, location specs, costume elements, etc – so that your day-of process goes smoothly.
Mary Ramsey is a former competitive artistic/synchronized swimmer and a synchronized swimming coach and choreographer. She has competed and coached in the sport of artistic swimming for over 20 years. Some of her competitive artistic swimming career highlights include being an NCAA Collegiate Champion and a medalist at international competitions like the US Open, the Oceania Games, and more. She lead a team of 26 swimmers for Beyoncè’s feature Disney+ film Black is King. Other choreography and coaching credits include The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Hail, Caesar!, Disney, Lizzo, CW’s Jane the Virgin, H&M, TNT’s Claws, Maroon 5, Adidas, Morton Salt, Missy Elliott, Athleta, Rita Ora, Calvin Klein x Solange, Ariana Grande, Foo Fighters, Hermès, and more. She has also provided synchronized swimming coaching and training for numerous celebrities, including Scarlett Johansson, Jason Sudeikis and Drew Barrymore.
Mēsha Kussman is the founder of Aqualillies and a dance / water ballet choreographer with a focus on fun glamorous ensemble numbers. She choreographed the Coen Brothers’ Hail, Caesar! starring Scarlett Johansson with 32 synchronized Aqualillies, designed a water ballet for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and created a Vegas showgirl number for The Offer on Paramount+. Mēsha also crafted underwater footage for Justin Bieber’s Believe Tour and was the water choreographer for one of his most-watched music videos Beauty & A Beat with Nicki Minaj. Additional credits include: Lizzo, Glee, The Late Late Show, New Kids On The Block, Rita Ora, Vice, DanceOn, Disney and much of Aqualillies’ live show repertoire. She is particularly passionate about creating beautiful images using synchronized and concentric movements, both on land and in the water and enjoys working with artists, brands and tv+film directors to bring magic to the screen. You can watch her reel here.