I have collected here some tips on how to film dancing on a video, because I have noticed some mistakes in the dance videos and TV-programms that I have seen. I hope that these tips will help many eager recorders of dancing.

I suggest that everyone reads also these instructions...

1) Before you leave home: pick the videotapes, on which you are going to shoot and write on each tape and on its cover the name of the tape.

2) Before you leave home: Make sure that everything needed is with you (extension cord and batteries also).

3) Check if the tape is rewinded to the right place.

4) When taping on a Super tape, make sure that the camera is also taping it as "super".

5) To the beginning the date (for example when recording the place of competition).

6) Take the date off!!! Otherwise it will only disturb the picture.

7) The camera can not be on (full automated), because then the picture will pump back and forth. 

8) Check "lights". If there is too much light white clothes will shine so much that you can't see the moves.

9) Check colors. Things should appear to be the same through the camera as for real.

8) Windcut. If you have this choice on your camera you should use it. Otherwise you'll get only sounds of the wind on tape.

9) ALWAYS before you turn off the camera you should tape some extra because the camera will rewind the tape a bit. If you take the cassette from the camera you should tape lots of extra.

10) When you put a new cassette in the camera, check that it is on the right place.

11) You do have a zoom in the camera, which you will have to use. Otherwise you will only see ants on a desert.

12) If you are taping with a strange camera (not your own), do make a complete test drive first.
 
 

WHEN RECORDING DANCING:

1) You must shoot the dancers from head to toe. The dancer fills about 3/5 of the middle of the screen. Don't get confused about the texts that can be seen on the screen.

2) If there are aerials you should open the zoom so that both the man and the woman can be seen all the time. If you don't have time to zoom you should follow the woman (and not the man who is just standing there...)

AT THE COMPETITION, WHEN THERE ARE 1-3 COUPLES ON THE FLOOR AT THE TIME:

0) Choose own cassette for each class. This way you will make the editing a lot easier.

1) Shoot from straight front because it is the main direction where people are making the presentation.

2) The taping begins before the announcement of the couple, lasts during the dance and ends when the couple has made a bow and is leaving the floor. So you should get the complete happening on the tape.

3) You should shoot all couples ALL THE TIME unless you have two cameras. So do not change from one couple to another.

4) If possible avoid shooting places where people clap a lot (please do not clap yourself...), because the music won't  be heard from the taping at all.

AT THE COMPETITION WHEN THERE ARE MORE THAN 3 COUPLES ON THE FLOOR:

1) When you are shooting competitions where there are lots of couples on the floor, pick one whom you will follow up during one or two rounds (about 20-30 seconds.)

                                   Taina Kortelainen