Tips for making a Successful
Instructional Video
  • Begin with a clear idea of
    cover.  A warm-up and cool-
    down is critical.  Include core
    movements with clear Begin
    with a clear idea of
  • breakdowns.  Focus on
    what material you want to
    repetition of core movements
    to build body memory.
    Include a dance segment that
    combines all the movements.
    You may also have a
    performance segment in
    costume to show the
    movements as a complete
    Begin with a clear idea of
  • what material you want
    to cover.  A warm-up and
    cool-down is critical.  Include
    core movements with clear
    explanations and thorough
    breakdowns.  Focus on
    repetition of core movements
    to build body memory.
    Include a dance segment that
    combines all the movements.
    You may also have a
    performance segment in
    costume to show the
    movements as a complete
    choregraphy.  Prepare a good
    introduction and closing
    speech thanking viewers for
    using your video.

  • Choose a good location with
    few distractions and ample
    lighting.  Do a test to see how
    the lights look on video, you
    may have to add more.  If
    shooting outside, have some
    fill lights on had to avoid
    shadows as clouds pass.

  • Check for background noise
    and keep extra people out of
    the space to prevent room
    noise. (Just ask about the
    airplanes and tablesaw!)  Let
    nearby businesses/neighbors
    know you are videotaping, as
    they may be able to help in
    noise control.

  • Speak slowly...Don't Rush!

  • Speak Softly...Most dancers
    are used to addressing a large
    class.  Pretend that you are
    talking to an individual
    student in a private class.  
    When using a lavelier or lapel
    mic, avoid speaking loudly as
    you will experience popping
    and "breath" noise.

  • Tape your lapel microphone
    in place and avoid necklaces
    or scarves that might create
    clothing noise.

  • Think about adding one or
    more other dancers to show
    the same movement on
    different body types.

  • For cinematic style you can
    use 2  cameras with different
    camera angles, matbe
    wide/close.  Cutting from one
    angle or shot to another
    smoothly can create variety
    and show the same dance
    movement from different
    sides.

  • You may want to include out
    takes and bloopers in the
    finished version either as an
    additional chapter.

  • Include Credits to all the
    people in the production from
    your costume designer, the
    guy who was drumming for
    you, to your friend who did
    your hair....give everyone
    credit and you will have
    happy people who will be
    there next time around!

  • Most dancers/promoters also
    like to include a high
    resolution graphic of their
    business card or
    advertisement for their
    website...

  •  Always ask permission to
    use a piece of music before
    you do your choreography
    and make sure you have
    secured usage rights for
    video.  Always give full credit
    for the musician, include the
    song title, along with the
    name of the choreographer (if
    applicable).

  • Pay attention to packaging
    and cover design. Keep your
    cover simple but eye
    catching.  Use a good
    photograph, with decent
    lighting.  Look at other
    instructional videos for ideas.
    Include Notes in your insde
    insert.
Why make an Instructional Video?
The first two reasons are the most common
when you ask a dancer why she/he wants to
make an instructional video...

1. To provide their students & workshop
participants with something they can follow
along with in between classes or workshops.

2. To make money.

Both reasons are sound and practical.  Many
students will happily practice along with you at
home and drill their foundation movements
faithfully if they have a simple video to follow
along with.  My first instructor had an audio
tape that she made for us to do our warm-ups
with before every class and we recieved a
copy to practice along with at home when we
pre-registered for class.  The music was fun
and her voice guided us along with simple
visualizations to guide us through streching
and basic movements.  Having a video would
have been even better.  
After an intensive class or workshop, most
students are lucky if they can remember one
or two new moves or combinations.  Knowing
they can purchase a DVD of the material gives
them a chance to refresh thier memories and
can gain you a devoted fan who will look
forward to future workshops and videos.

The second reason...Money...well lets just say
most dancers spend more money on
bellydance then they make!  Classes,
costumes & accessories, workshops, shows,
coventions, videos, music...it all adds up.  If
you want to use the videos as a mentioned
above, you will have to keep your costs and
prices low.  If you have a lot of students, you
will make your money on volume.  Start by
asking your self what you have paid for
Instructional DVDs in the past...now waht do
you think is a fair price for that kind of DVD?  
Most people will say $15-20 for a 60 minute
DVD.  But at workshops, you may have paid
as much as $30 for a DVD half that long!  
Why?   Either their videographer and
duplication service charged them and arm and
a leg, they have 1000 units sitting at home that
they have to sell and want to make a profit, or
they feel their videos are just plain worth the
high price if you want them badly enough.

Whatever you reason, start off simple.  Find a
video production company that does small
runs (under100) of a single DVD and see how
they sell.  Pay attention to how you market
and distribute your video if it is for the general
public.  Get lots of feedback from your
"customers" as to what they liked, what they
did not like, what they would want for the
next DVD, how they felt about the instruction,
visual aspect, pricing, etc...Once you see how
people react, then you have a guide for future
projects.
Instructional Video for Dancers
Productions, unless otherwise noted.  Any use in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission.