Thread: Tips for DIY Promo Videos?

At least closeups of the hips and belly are quasi-relevant in certain cases. When I revisited my TV footage the other day, I was absolutely amazed by the number of times the camera crew zoomed in on my feet and lingered there for 10 seconds .w.:

I can see foot-age in ballroom dance, where footwork is flashy and critical. But in BD? I found this a little bit bizarre. Now hopefully I'm not in any foot fetish videos that I'm unaware of....w.:

If you film additional footage, use a tripod. Not only that, but set it up so that you can do a minimum of panning & zooming. When the camera moves, the viewer becomes aware of it. And if it moves too much, they get seasick. If you do have to pan, use a GOOD tripod, with a real fluid head. That will cost you probably $200 at minimum. The "fluid head" ones you see at Walmart are not really fluid heads. A real fluid head will let you pan & tilt without sticking, you can go from a dead stop to motion in a smooth manner.

Then, make sure your scene is well lit. Lighting is 80% of how your video looks. Find someone that knows tv/video lighting, as it's different than photo or stage lighting.

The other advice I've seen is good.

That's my $.02

-Jon

If you plan on doing a shoot (as opposed to editing together clips) choose a really nice location and please please please do NOT use an empty restaurant/club with tables and chairs in the background. I think it looks really tacky. Think about places that might have really dramatic interiors, but that are pretty empty of people or furniture.

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

At least closeups of the hips and belly are quasi-relevant in certain cases. When I revisited my TV footage the other day, I was absolutely amazed by the number of times the camera crew zoomed in on my feet and lingered there for 10 seconds .w.:

I can see foot-age in ballroom dance, where footwork is flashy and critical. But in BD? I found this a little bit bizarre. Now hopefully I'm not in any foot fetish videos that I'm unaware of....w.:

The camera crew may actually have some experience shooting dancers, but not have really clued in to the idea that footwork is secondary in much solo belly dancing. Maybe they'll do better next time around.

Originally Posted by da Sage

The camera crew may actually have some experience shooting dancers, but not have really clued in to the idea that footwork is secondary in much solo belly dancing.

Yeah, you might want to make sure the camera guys know that one of the reasons belly dancers like long skirts is because they hide what's going on below the hips. Unless you have flawless technique, the mechanics can sort of destroy the illusion, and unlike other dance forms, sometimes we need a little more squat to the posture to get the move happening (to say nothing of how glamorous it looks to see knees moving back and forth really quickly....).

I'm glad to get all this feed back from more experienced folks. I am about to head to Mexico (Playa del Carmen) and intend to attempt some film segments with outdoor settings. I will have a basic tripod only so no pan or zoom within a film section. I will probably do something like what I described (with Torbeau's suggestions for framing in mind) and see if that is helpful for the person I have helping with my first attempt at a promo video. Who doesn't want to dance on a sandy beach with palm trees and the Caribbean Ocean in the background?

Originally Posted by RioDancerCO

Who doesn't want to dance on a sandy beach with palm trees and the Caribbean Ocean in the background?

I know, exactly! My boyfriend was just suggesting this the other day....I can't complain!