Ezekiel

A dance project on Alter egos

Release Date: 10/03/23

The Concept

This project is an exploration of the different parts of ourselves that make us who we are through dance as the medium of expression. In association with film archetypes for each alter ego and my interests, I’ve chosen certain songs to dance to that best reflect who they are within me.

For a very long time as a kid, I was insecure with my body. People have always seen me as this short, weak, and scrawny kid and for a very long time, I was convinced that my very own body was nothing more than these comments that people have attached to me. I remember whenever my family and I would go to the mall every Sunday after church and my mom wanted to buy me new clothes, I would be reminded of the things that people would say about my body. Nothing that I thought looked good would fit well and it only deepened my lack of high self-esteem.

Ezekiel

years later, I would start eating healthier, do yoga, and work out to try my best to shut off the noise.

It was at the beginning of this year that I picked up dancing to add to my tools as an actor, and over the past few months, it has given me a rush of confidence that I have never felt before. It has taught me to take ownership of my own body and reject the old beliefs that I once held or have been imposed on me about my body that have never served me in the first place.

this project is a series of dance covers that I created while I was in New York this past summer. A collection of songs that I love and in some way have pushed me to love my own body throughout the learning process of each one of them.

my mom gave me the name ezekiel.

Brian ezekiel

but for so long i’ve just gone with brian, because i thought that my full first name was just too long to pronounce . Brian ezekiel sounded like it took up too much space. an inconvenience for anyone to say. but i’ve come to realize that that no longer matters to me. that that should have never mattered at all. and it is ok to take up space. and it is ok to own it.

I’ve never made something out of the name Ezekiel.

so I started to create him. But ironically, these versions of myself need no creating. I intended to allow my intuition to guide me to what he eventually was in different forms rather than taking the time to design him. this is based on instinct. based on what I am naturally drawn to and inspired by.

the 5 “characters” in this project are different pieces of myself drawn to their extremes. they are loosely based on different character archetypes that could be found in movies as well.

this project is my first ever dance project. I’ve received so many positive remarks even when i was just starting. I was surprised. Maybe because the poor perception that I had about my body, which I had carried with me for so long, didn’t coincide with the fact that it was capable of doing extraordinary things that people normally wouldn’t be able to do. because of this, the project became my way of practicing not caring about what other people think. A project about unleashing different aspects of myself that I haven’t fully explored, kept hidden, or shown anyone. And getting to know myself better through dance. This is a project on rejecting labels and finally taking ownership of my own body and how I choose to perceive it in a better light. ownership of my creative expression and instincts through movement.

this is the meaning behind ezekiel.

Meet the Alter Egos

  • Himeros

    THE LOVER

    Based on the God of Love / Sexual Desire Himeros. Visually inspired by the K-Pop group BLACKPINK. Represents passion and charm.

  • Based on the Fire element. Aesthetically

    Blaze

    THE REBEL

    Based on the Fire element. Aesthetically based on a biker look. Represents confidence and classy charismatic appeal.

  • Finn

    THE INNOCENT

    Based on one of my favorite cartoon shows growing up, Finn from Adventure Time. Represents the inner child within us.

  • Angelos

    THE SAGE

    Loosely based on the fallen angel Lucifer. Aesthetically based on a ninja. Represents the dark qualities we usually keep to ourselves.

  • Jirachi

    THE CREATOR

    Based on courage and bravery. Risk-taking and adventure. The name is based on a mythical star Pokemon. Represents our ambitious nature and desire to reach beyond the stars.

  • THE alter egos

    All “characters” are based on instinct, intuition, and interests. They are different sides that make up Brian Ezekiel Calo.

The Dances

Dances include songs from BLACKPINK, NCT 127, Baekyhun, New Jeans, & XG. You can also find more dance covers on Brian Ezekiel’s Instagram @IAmBrianEzekiel.

Shoong! dance cover Collab

My friend Jihan and I collaborated on Taeyang’s Shoong! Ft. Lisa of Blackpink. This was my first time dancing with someone and it was a fun process learning the dance and filming it. My friend Ethan shot the video for us. We did multiple takes with varying shot sizes and I edited everything altogether. The first of many dance collaborations.

“Scariest place to be is the same place as last year. Grow”

  • BLAZE

  • HIMEROS

  • Angelos

  • FINN

  • Jirachi