Originally created 17.8.1999
I have collected some tips on how to shoot dance on a video camera, as I have noticed some mistakes in the dance videos and TV-programmes that I have seen. I hope that these tips will help you during your first attempts.
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Just in case…
1) Before you leave home: pick the media, on which you are going to shoot and write on each one and on each cover a simple description.
2) Before you leave home: Make sure that you’ll have everything you need (extension lead and batteries as well).
3) Check that the media is at the right place.
4) When shooting on a Super tape, make sure that the camera is also shooting it as “super”.
5) Put the date in the beginning (for example when taking of shot of the venue where the dance event will be held).
6) Now take the date off!!! Otherwise it will only cover part of the screen.
7) The camera can not be on (full automated), because then the picture will pump back and forth.
Check “lights” / brightness. If there is too much light white clothes will shine through so much that you can’t see the moves.
9) Check colors. Everything should appear the same through the camera as in reality.
10) Windcut. If you have this option on your camera, you should use it. Otherwise you’ll get only sounds of the wind on tape.
11) ALWAYS: before you turn off the camera you should shoot some extra because the camera will rewind the tape a bit. If you take the cassette from the camera you should shoot quite a bit extra.
12) When you put a new cassette in the camera, check that it is at the right place to avoid shooting over something importan.
13) You do have a zoom in the camera, which you will have to use.
14) If you are shooting with a strange camera (not your own), do have a complete test drive first.
WHEN SHOOTING DANCE:
1) You must shoot the dancers from head to toe. The dancer fills about 3/5 of the middle of the screen. Don’t get confused about the texts that can be seen on the viewer.
2) If there are aerials / airsteps you should open the zoom so that both the man and the woman can be seen all the time. If you don’t have time to zoom you should follow the woman / flyer (and not the man / base who is just standing there…)
AT THE COMPETITION/SHOW, WHEN THERE ARE 1-3 COUPLES ON THE FLOOR AT THE TIME:
0) Choose own cassette for each class. This way the editing will be a lot easier.
1) Shoot from front on because it is the main direction where people aim the presentation.
2) The recording begins before the announcement of the couple, lasts during the dance and ends when the couple has made a bow and is leaving the floor. So you should get the complete event on the tape.
3) You should shoot all couples ALL THE TIME unless you have two cameras. Ie do not change from one couple to another.
4) If possible avoid shooting in parts of the room where people clap a lot (please do not clap yourself…), because the music won’t be audible at all.
AT THE COMPETITION/SHOW WHEN THERE ARE MORE THAN 3 COUPLES ON THE FLOOR:
1) When you are shooting competitions where there are lots of couples on the floor, pick one whom you will follow up during one or two rounds (about 20-30 seconds.)
Taina Kortelainen
