I have been shooting dance since my daughters were 3 years old. they are now in their 40's. For the dance teachers and older dancers they want to see the whole dance. Their preference is a fixed camera full stage !! I know it may not be " artistic " but if the point is to show the dancers capabilities or the dance choreography no movement can be missed. Dance is a language. Missing movements is like leaving words out of a sentence. This can of course be facial expressions so need to be close enough to get those too.
First dance music vid shoot. Need advice on "low key" lighting setup
- Thread starter moshuajusic
- Start date
paulears
Veteran
It's interesting that the original idea in the old video seems to have worked. I didn't get draw to the focus, because I work so much with dancers from embryonic to exceptional talent and while I cannot dance to save my life, over the years I've noticed more and more of the stylistic features, and ones that stand out. You always get strange requests too - dancers who have deficiencies will not want to highlight them, so somebody with a 'negative' choreographs routines that show off the good and don't feature the bad, then they want you disguise it. Where it's possible you can disguise flexibility issues with the right angles. The one thing for dance that is vital is camera stability. Even tiny slips create a jarre. Movement is a really useful feature but if the camera moves in any plane it has to be fluid, and the pan head needs to work with you, not against you.
Peter C.
Veteran
Looks like the video is now private.
I have filmed modern dance and you need wide angle to go with the close up otherwise the dancer will jump out of frame or the camera movements will be indecisive. Unless you have intimate knowledge of the choreography it will be difficult to follow too closely. It's my experience that dancers rarely understand what's necessary to film it. You'd have to sit down and work out what key moments would benefit from a close ups. The wide angle should be the predominant shot with appropriate cut ins.
I have filmed modern dance and you need wide angle to go with the close up otherwise the dancer will jump out of frame or the camera movements will be indecisive. Unless you have intimate knowledge of the choreography it will be difficult to follow too closely. It's my experience that dancers rarely understand what's necessary to film it. You'd have to sit down and work out what key moments would benefit from a close ups. The wide angle should be the predominant shot with appropriate cut ins.
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moshuajusic
Member
Hey!! Sorry for the late reply. Was going thru some deep **** mentally/emotionally. Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it. And...
...I respectfully disagree.
The "wobble" in the beginning was intentional. Her going in/out of focus in some parts was also intentional. There were only a couple shots that *should've* been more in focus, but I think it's OK. The Joker's iconic upside down monologue in The Dark Knight has "focus issues" but it's captivating nonetheless. I don't think the routine is any more or less "repetitive" than most. This song is over 5 minutes. Very challenging. But there's vogue, floor work, spooky/crawling, profiling, ballet style. I suppose you might call Kanye's Fade "low creativity" too but I'd call it simple & effective.
Someone commented on the video, "this was creepy but dope." That's exactly the vibe I was going for.
But I'm sincerely taking note of the feedback because while some of it boils down to taste, some of it's technical and it's all valid.
Anywho, it's now on Jaz's channel proper...
...I respectfully disagree.
The "wobble" in the beginning was intentional. Her going in/out of focus in some parts was also intentional. There were only a couple shots that *should've* been more in focus, but I think it's OK. The Joker's iconic upside down monologue in The Dark Knight has "focus issues" but it's captivating nonetheless. I don't think the routine is any more or less "repetitive" than most. This song is over 5 minutes. Very challenging. But there's vogue, floor work, spooky/crawling, profiling, ballet style. I suppose you might call Kanye's Fade "low creativity" too but I'd call it simple & effective.Someone commented on the video, "this was creepy but dope." That's exactly the vibe I was going for.
But I'm sincerely taking note of the feedback because while some of it boils down to taste, some of it's technical and it's all valid.
Anywho, it's now on Jaz's channel proper...
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NorBro
Major Contributor
That's how it should be and your response is setting a good example for others. Boiling down to taste is also attributed to perspective. All four of the guys that commented on your video are likely over 50, so you have to consider their own experiences and expectations as well. (Meaning they might have a different opinion than a 20-year-old on IG who's not looking at production value.)
If all else fails, just send links to TikTok dance videos to completely blow away everyone in this forum. lol
Peter C.
Veteran
I just watched it. I'm impressed you did a great job! There are some stylistic choices and technical mistakes that I didn't like. There are a few sections when you're moving with the gimbal and there is a jerky sudden panning (the opening). I immediately recognized the mechanical pan of a gimbal and didn't like it. You might say you intended it and that's fine but the way it was executed...Hey!! Sorry for the late reply. Was going thru some deep **** mentally/emotionally. Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it. And...
...I respectfully disagree.
Someone commented on the video, "this was creepy but dope." That's exactly the vibe I was going for.
But I'm sincerely taking note of the feedback because while some of it boils down to taste, some of it's technical and it's all valid.
Anywho, it's now on Jaz's channel proper...
In another section when she's next to the window and it goes out of focus, it looks like a mistake. While I liked the cutting between the dark and light scene, the flashing is unpleasant especially after the third or fourth time. Again I don't hate the idea just the way it was implemented.
Your client will no doubt be thrilled and the video on the whole was a success.
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moshuajusic
Member
^Thanks! I know what you're talking about re: gimbal movement. I do prefer steadicam, and I've tried the Merlin. But I believe steadicam is best suited to larger/heavier setups, i.e. a good amount of inertia, otherwise it's too finicky. I was using an a6500. If I move to full frame or a bonafide video/cine camera at some point, I'd give steadicam another shot.
Peter C.
Veteran
I know how hard this is. No shame with working with what you have and making the best of it. I've always wished I had better equipment, bigger budget, or more experience. The most important skill with this type of work is learning to be resourceful to complete the job and building on that experience for the next job.