Title: Choreographing the Camera Unit: PER007-1 Applied Choreography: Dance and Innovation Course: Dance and Professional Practice Institution: University of Bedfordshire Tutor: Dr Louise Douse

1. Choreographing the Camera
PER007-1 Applied Choreography: Dance and Innovation
Dr Louise Douse

2. When the frame become a shot
• The frame is the rectangle created by the camera lens
• The frame never remains the same for more than a split second.
• Either the subject of the frame will move
• Monday’s workshop – camera is static, dancers moving
• Or, the camera moves
• Choreography of the camera
• Or, in most cases, both will move.
• Choreography of the camera and the subject
University of Bedfordshire 2

3. The shot
• Multiple frames make up a shot
University of Bedfordshire 3

4. The Camera in Motion
• Camera is stationary but lens moves
• Panning
University of Bedfordshire 4

5. The Camera in Motion
• Camera is stationary but lens moves
• Panning
• Tilting
University of Bedfordshire 5

6. The Camera in Motion
• Camera is stationary but lens moves
• Panning
• Tilting
• Rolling
University of Bedfordshire 6

7. The Camera in Motion
• Camera is fixed in space but lens moves
• Panning/ Whip pan
• Tilting
• Rolling
• Zooming/ Crash Zoom
University of Bedfordshire 7

8. The Camera in Motion
• Camera is fixed in space but lens moves
• Panning/ Whip pan, Tilting, Rolling, Zooming/ Crash Zoom
• Camera travels through space
• Strafe
University of Bedfordshire 8

9. The Camera in Motion
• Camera is fixed in space but lens moves
• Panning/ Whip pan, Tilting, Rolling, Zooming/ Crash Zoom
• Camera travels through space
• Strafe
• Crib
University of Bedfordshire 9

10. The Camera in Motion
• Camera is fixed in space but lens moves
• Panning/ Whip pan, Tilting, Rolling, Zooming/ Crash Zoom
• Camera travels through space
• Strafe
• Crib
• Tracking
University of Bedfordshire 10

11. The Camera in Motion
• Camera is fixed in space but lens moves
• Panning/ Whip pan, Tilting, Rolling, Zooming/ Crash Zoom
• Camera travels through space
• Strafe
• Crib
• Tracking
• Circling (around the action)
University of Bedfordshire 11

12. The Camera in Motion
• Camera is fixed in space but lens moves
• Panning/ Whip pan, Tilting, Rolling, Zooming/ Crash Zoom
• Camera travels through space
• Strafe, Crib, Tracking, Circling
• Camera shot styles
• Handheld
• Steadicam
University of Bedfordshire 12

13. Task 1 – Moving Camera / Single Shot
• Choreograph and film a minute-long continuous shot involving one or
more dancers and in which the camera is in constant motion for the
duration.
• The camera movement can be the result of panning, tilting and
zooming or tracking, strafing, circling etc. and combinations thereof.
For flexibility, handhold the camera or carry it on your shoulder.
University of Bedfordshire 13

14. Task 2 – In-camera montage
• Choreograph and film and video dance made up of the following
shots in the order that they appear below:
1. CU, Low, Tilting
2. Birds Eye View, Rolling, Zooming
3. Tracking, Back, MS
4. Pan, WS, Front
• You need to ‘edit in camera’, which means that the shots must be
filmed consecutively. You should rehearse each different shot before
recording as you only want one take of each shot on tape.
University of Bedfordshire 14

15. Next Workshop
Teaching week 7
Calendar week 47
Week beginning
Monday 17th
November
Workshop 2:
Pre-Production,
Production, Post-
Production
McPherson, K. (2006)
‘Developing the work,’ in
Making video dance: a
step-by-step guide to
creating dance for the
screen. London:
Routledge, pp. 43-60.
University of Bedfordshire 15