The on-screen chemistry between Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey is unmistakable, but also an example of how skilled actors can hide their real feelings toward each other. In fact, Swayze had to convince Grey to be in this film because she disliked him so much while filming Red Dawn (1984). Relations between the two stars varied throughout production. worked things out enough to have an extremely positive screen-test. Still, that initial cooperation soon faded, and they were quickly “facing off” before every scene. There was concern among the production staff that the animosity between the two stars would endanger the filming of the love scenes. To address this, Screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein and Director Emile Ardolino forced the stars to re-watch their initial screen-tests, the ones with the “breathtaking” chemistry. This had the desired effect, and they were able to return to the film with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

Rehearsals quickly became disco parties involving nearly every cast member, even non-dancers such as Jack Weston. The dancing and drinking went on almost non-stop, and, immersed in the environment, the lead actors and actresses began identifying with their characters. Bergstein built upon this, encouraging the actors and actresses to improvise in their scenes. She also created sexual tension by saying that no matter how intimate or “grinding” the dance steps, none of the dancers were to have any other kind of physical contact with each other for the next six months.

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