Why Hire a Video Specialist? (Dancers, Aerialists, Pole)

Why hire a videographer or photographer that specializes in your craft?

Because it makes all the difference in the ease of the photo or video shoot, and results of the final edit. I often film pole dancers and aerialists. What triggered this blog post was the fact that many have expressed to me their relief in finding someone who does aerial and also films, as opposed to a general videographer/photographer. It is like finding someone who speaks the same language! Let me explain…

THE SHOOTING SIDE:

Knowing which angles to capture, and the ability to predict what is coming next from your subject will make the subject look their best both in terms of aesthetics and movement. Understanding the transitions is also important and will dictate your ability to move quickly to capture the “moment”. And getting there in time will save the aerialist’s energy. The videographer ideally is moving the camera the whole time, but if they don’t know where they need to be at the right moment, they might capture it less optimally, or miss it entirely. In a typical video shoot, I will ask subjects to repeat things 2-3 times so I have options for incorporating that clip in the edit. When I say 2-3 times though, I mean having 2-3 GOOD clips. If I asked someone to do a pole deadlift or iron-x, and I didn’t catch their profile/shape, then they will have expended a whole lot of energy for nothing. If you only capture it well once (by chance), it doesn’t guarantee it will fit well into your edit - it’s risky. As the videographer, it’s our job to be in the right place at the right time! And only someone who practices the craft (or is familiar enough with it) will know intuitively that you the subject are heading into a certain shape/trick.

THE EDITING SIDE

Knowing what to include vs what not to include in the edit as you sort through all your clips is everything when it comes to making a reel. Editing decisions usually come down to: 

1. Does my edit showcase the talent of my subject? 

2. Does me subject look as good as they can, body and face-wise? Is the video helping or hurting their appearance?

3. Is the subject properly exposed? (technical side)

Finding the perfect balance of those things takes time and practice. 

Oftentimes I find myself conflicted between shots that better showcase movement vs. shots that create a mood with lighting. As a videographer I prefer the lighting, but as a dancer I prefer the movement. And knowing the purpose of the video is to present the dancing in the best possible way, the videographer's eye in me takes the sideline to make way for the dancer's eye in me. You won’t get this with a standard videographer who doesn’t know why, for example,  one clip of a leg extending to straight looks more fluid than the other shot which may not straighten entirely, or which straightens at an uneven pace. This is why you hire a specialist; For that decision-making behind the computer that no one sees, but which makes all the difference in the final video. 

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2019 “Goddess Series” Beach Pole Shoot, '

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