Ferris Bueller Star Broderick Nervous Filming Iconic Parade Scene

Matthew Broderick was notably nervous and inexperienced when filming the iconic parade scene in the 1986 film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, according to choreographer and director Kenny Ortega. Despite Broderick's on-screen confidence as he lip-synced and danced to “Twist and Shout” atop a moving parade float in downtown Chicago, Ortega recalled the actor was a "nervous wreck" during rehearsals, admitting he had never danced before. Ortega reassured Broderick, promising to guide him through the process, and praised him as a charming and cooperative pupil. The scene was filmed in one take during a real parade, using 12 cameras, which made the moment feel magical for Ortega, marking his first directing assignment on a motion picture. Co-star Mia Sara also fondly remembers the filming, describing it as a fun and chaotic experience that remains one of her favorite moments from the set. Their combined efforts have contributed to the enduring popularity of this memorable sequence from the John Hughes classic.