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Tips on How To Make Your First Dance Video

05/16/2018
dance leggings

So you think you can make a dance video? Well, the good news is that you can! With today's smart phone technology, shooting yourself or your fellow dancers has never been easier. All you need are a few key essentials (along with those cute new dance leggings that will look great on screen!) and to follow these 9 simple tips:

Tip #1: Brainstorm different ideas.

Your first step should be to brainstorm ideas for your dance video. Keep in mind, your first concept will probably end up in the trash, as well your second and third. But you want to come up with something that captures your unique abilities as a dancer and choreographer, so take your time coming up with different ideas. There's no limit here and you can come up with as many as you're inspired to. Once you're finished with brainstorming, pick out one or two different concepts and hone them further until you have one strong idea you want to pursue.

Tip #2: Choose your music and location.

Both music and location are vitally important to the quality of your dance video. The music should pair well with the concept, whether it's more edgy, romantic or fanciful. The location should complement the song. It doesn't have to be a perfect match, but it should be something that makes sense for your dance and your audience.

A few other considerations when choosing location:

  • When it comes to choosing a venue, you don't need to rent out an expensive dance studio. In fact, there are likely plenty of cool and unique locations that are right around your neighborhood and could even be in your own home or backyard.
  • Just make sure that whatever location you do choose, it's free and clear from any tripping hazards. Also make sure the surface is flat. A backyard on a steep incline isn't going to be a good spot to shoot a dance video.
  • Check that there's enough space to shoot your dance video. A location might seem ideal at first, but when you think about how much room there needs to be for jumping, leaping and kicks, it could end up being too small.
  • Another point to remember about space is that there needs to be enough of it for the camera to be a distance away and still capture the full routine.
  • Be mindful of the background in the location you choose. You want it to complement your routine, or enhance it in some way, not detract from it. Also, if you're shooting inside, make sure there isn't a lot of clutter around you.

Tip #3: Develop a loose plan for the shoot.

You don't have to stick to it strictly. But if you have a plan in place, you'll know how much time you can devote to activities like setting up the shot, teaching the dance if you have fellow dancers you're shooting, and actually dancing. If you've never shot a video before then it might come as a surprise that it actually takes more time than you think. You can't just expect to go to the spot, whip out your phone, do the dance and call it a day. If the shoot is not well planned out, it's going to reflect in the ultimate quality of your video. So if you want to shoot something that's really special and unique, take the time to develop a plan.

Tip #4: Bring the essentials to the location.

discount dance

You'll need to bring certain essentials with you to your location. This includes:

  • Your phone to record the dance on;
  • A tripod to make sure the shot is stable and not shaky;
  • Your iPod and speakers for your music; and
  • Any dance attire, such as dance leggings, leotards, and shoes.

Tip #5: Shop for props at a discount dance store.

Depending on your particular dance concept, you might even want to consider certain accessories or props. For instance, metallic poms or a cape could add a sense of fun or flair to your dance video. You don't have to spend a ton of money on these items, either; you can often get them at a discount dance store. Just make sure they're not an afterthought and enhance your dance theme in some way.

Tip #6: Get the lighting right.

When you're setting up your shot, keep lighting in mind. If you're shooting inside, you need to have plenty of light to ensure the footage doesn't show up too dark. People want to see your dance moves, but won't be able to if your location isn't properly lit. If, however, you're shooting outside, make sure you keep sun and shadows in mind. Never shoot with the sun behind dancers because it will simply black them out. Instead, make sure they are facing the sun, so they're lit up and easy to see on camera.

Tip #7: Set up your shot.

When it comes to setting up the shot, there are many considerations to take into account beyond lighting. For instance, don't shoot head on, which tends to make the background look flat and one-dimensional. Instead, approach the shot from an angle, which provides more depth and dimension to your shot, making it more interesting to look at.

Tip #8: Be flexible.

Having a plan in place is a must for a successful shoot. However, it's also important to be open to being flexible and spontaneous, too. Your plan should be a general one -- taking care of all the mundane details of the day -- but it should have plenty of room for creativity and improvisation, too. So don't be so afraid to deviate from structure that you miss out on inspiration when it strikes.

Tip #9: Edit the video.

The final step in the process should be to edit the video before posting it. You can simply use editing software like iMovie for your edits; if you don't like iMovie for some reason, there are plenty of other options available, too. One critical area to focus on during this process is to make sure your audio and visuals match up. If they don't, your video won't make sense to your audience. Also, don't overdo it with the editing tools, such as color correcting and grading. Less can often be more with these filters.