Lighting:
Make the Performance room as bright as possible.
Bring in extra lamps from other rooms if you need to, and for lamps that can swivel, face them at your dancer. Open the curtains, but keep sheer curtains closed if you have them — the type that let in light.
If it looks odd, move lights around or switch them with lights or lightbulbs that work better.
Take a photo or video of your dancer in the space with all the lights on, at a similar time of day to when you will be recording, and see if it’s a flattering look for your dancer’s skin tone. Lights can also have different effects based on how close they are to the dancer, so if you have a light that is close to the dancer casting weird shadows, you can move it to another spot or move it back away from the dancer to diffuse that light more. Remember that you will need all lights to be placed somewhere that is out of view of the camera.
Make the Performance room as bright as possible.
Bring in extra lamps from other rooms if you need to, and for lamps that can swivel, face them at your dancer. Open the curtains, but keep sheer curtains closed if you have them — the type that let in light.
If it looks odd, move lights around or switch them with lights or lightbulbs that work better.
Take a photo or video of your dancer in the space with all the lights on, at a similar time of day to when you will be recording, and see if it’s a flattering look for your dancer’s skin tone. Lights can also have different effects based on how close they are to the dancer, so if you have a light that is close to the dancer casting weird shadows, you can move it to another spot or move it back away from the dancer to diffuse that light more. Remember that you will need all lights to be placed somewhere that is out of view of the camera.
Space:
Obviously, when it comes to a performance space, the bigger the better!
Choose a room based on the brightness (windows), size, and what the background will look like when you remove the clutter. Ideally photos and wall mounts should be removed for the recording in order to reduce distractions from your dancer.
Remove cords plugged into the wall that are in view, and move end tables etc. If there is furniture in the background that cannot be moved, such as a desk or a couch, remove as much clutter as possible from it. If you have a patterned couch, consider putting a solid colour blanket over top to make it less distracting so that your dancer has a plain colour to dance in front of. Think about the dancer’s costume and whether it will show up well in front of that background. For example, a dancer in a black costume in front of a black couch will not show up well. Be creative and see how you can change the space to show off your dancer the best, while reducing as many distracting elements as you can.
Obviously, when it comes to a performance space, the bigger the better!
Choose a room based on the brightness (windows), size, and what the background will look like when you remove the clutter. Ideally photos and wall mounts should be removed for the recording in order to reduce distractions from your dancer.
Remove cords plugged into the wall that are in view, and move end tables etc. If there is furniture in the background that cannot be moved, such as a desk or a couch, remove as much clutter as possible from it. If you have a patterned couch, consider putting a solid colour blanket over top to make it less distracting so that your dancer has a plain colour to dance in front of. Think about the dancer’s costume and whether it will show up well in front of that background. For example, a dancer in a black costume in front of a black couch will not show up well. Be creative and see how you can change the space to show off your dancer the best, while reducing as many distracting elements as you can.
Recording:
When recording, it’s very important to have somewhere you can set the camera at a good angle, aim it at your dancer, press record and leave it, without holding it or moving it at all. Holding a phone with your hands while recording will inevitably cause unwanted camera movement or shaking while you record, no matter how hard you try to hold it still on your own. Your best bet is to find something to set it on. If you can’t, press it hard against a wall and hold it there for the duration of the recording. One idea for mounting your camera is on a ladder. You can bring a ladder into the room, and prop the camera/phone up against an object on one of the steps, to keep it steady at the right angle. You can press record before starting, and we can edit the beginning out, so that when your dancer begins, you are done touching the camera/phone. Ensure that you have full battery, as video recording will drain your battery quick.
If stores have opened:
If you are recording after more stores have opened, you can try looking for tripods that hold phones or cameras. They are often under $30, and can be found at places like Staples, the Source, or Walmart — let us know where you find one and we will spread the word! You can also find more lighting solutions at stores that could help you. Talk lamps with several heads that swivel and can be pointed at your dancer are a great option, and be sure to buy bright lights bulbs for them while you are there. These can be found very affordably at Walmart.
Tips on recording will be coming soon!!
When recording, it’s very important to have somewhere you can set the camera at a good angle, aim it at your dancer, press record and leave it, without holding it or moving it at all. Holding a phone with your hands while recording will inevitably cause unwanted camera movement or shaking while you record, no matter how hard you try to hold it still on your own. Your best bet is to find something to set it on. If you can’t, press it hard against a wall and hold it there for the duration of the recording. One idea for mounting your camera is on a ladder. You can bring a ladder into the room, and prop the camera/phone up against an object on one of the steps, to keep it steady at the right angle. You can press record before starting, and we can edit the beginning out, so that when your dancer begins, you are done touching the camera/phone. Ensure that you have full battery, as video recording will drain your battery quick.
If stores have opened:
If you are recording after more stores have opened, you can try looking for tripods that hold phones or cameras. They are often under $30, and can be found at places like Staples, the Source, or Walmart — let us know where you find one and we will spread the word! You can also find more lighting solutions at stores that could help you. Talk lamps with several heads that swivel and can be pointed at your dancer are a great option, and be sure to buy bright lights bulbs for them while you are there. These can be found very affordably at Walmart.
Tips on recording will be coming soon!!