How can dance be viewed differently when it is filmed for DVD or TV? Dance For Camera How can dance be viewed differently when it is filmed for DVD or TV?

Top Shot This is where the camera is positioned above the performers looking down on the dancers By using a top shot the choreographer can show the audience floor patterns, use of space or other aspects. They can also show lighting or projection effects clearly if the lights are shone on the dance floor Example from Nutcracker Example from Still Life In the Zebra scene the great auk is seen from the top next to the zebra’s body and the blood stain. As the camera gets closer the auk raises his left arm and turns away. Camera zooms into black of the penguins body and the scene ends.

Close Up For a close up the camera will zoom in very close to the dancers to focus on the dancers or their facial expressions This helps the audience to see in more detail what is happening on stage Example from Nutcracker Prince Bon Bon standing on the cake and licking his hand as if he is tasting the cake, enabling the audience to see the gesture more clearly. Example from Still Life Close up on rat’s body at the beginning of the dance as he rolls down stage and close up on mask throughout the dance, for example when he is doing the bouncy kicks at the beginning of the piece. Close up on Models during Southern Cape Zebra as they repeat their horizontal and vertical hand gesture.

Long Shot This type of shot shows the scenery from a distance and gives the audience an idea of everything that is happening on stage. Example from Nutcracker- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vED4TZaETTw During the wedding scene when couples are dancing in unison- waltzing and lifting and using patterned pathways that are best seen from further away. Example from Still Life Zebra's entrance at the beginning of the scene.

Medium Shot This shows part of the dancers body perhaps from the waist up or waist down. This type of shot can be used to show the relationship between dancers or to focus the eyes on a particular movement or gesture. Example from Nutcracker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vED4TZaETTw In Sweetieland when Clara is standing on the cake and reaching for the Nutcracker and Princess Sugar is turning him away from her. Example from Still Life When the Monkey is travelling around the stage with gallops, step turn leap turn in attitude.

Slow Motion & Projection Sometimes the dance can be slowed down using a camera. Slow motion can be used to focus in on an important moment in the dance. Film can be projected onto a back drop and used in a dance work. This gives the audience and idea of the theme of the work. The only place I can find slow motion is the beginning of the Nutcracker when they are introducing the characters and they have the characters names on subtitles.