Video recordings of your dancing

Most of you will have noticed the growing popularity of the hand-held video camera (camcorder) in recent times. It doesn't matter where you go you can usually spot someone using one, and it's not just the tourists either! On the Middle Eastern dance scene it is becoming more popular for events to be filmed in this manner too. Recently I have had several unfortunately experiences with people and video cameras which have left me feeling rather wary of what should be a very useful tool for the dancer.

When taking a booking for an event, appearing in a show or a haflah, it's a good idea to ask in advance if the event is going to be recorded. If they haven't already done so, remind the organiser that they need to have written consent from all the performers that they are happy to be filmed. If you would prefer not to be filmed tell the organiser straight away, follow that up in writing and mention it gain before you go on.

If you are performing in a public place it is virtually impossible to restrict the use of camcorders, but at privately run events (restaurants, parties, shows, etc) the organisers can make it clear what their policy is and enforce it. If you know you are going to be filmed and are happy in principle, it's still a good idea to check in advance what will happen to the finished product and how you go about obtaining a copy for your own use. DVDs are the most common format these days, so if you don't have one make sure that whoever produces the final film is aware of that.

When I arrive at an event where I know I will be filmed (with my approval), I usually take a quick look around to see where the camera person will be, and if possible go and introduce myself. Most filming is done via a static camera on a tripod situated so as not to spoil the audience's view of the stage area. If there are plans to use a mobile hand-held camera, make sure that the person doing the filming knows not to be too intrusive. If I know that the number I am performing will require special lighting, I try and let the person responsible for filming know about this in advance, so that they are prepared for this. That way I am less likely to be disappointed with the final result!

The upside of being filmed is that not only do you have a useful record of your performances; you will also have a very useful tool for critiquing your performances. This can be hard to do to begin with, as we all tend to home in on the bad points first and we are our own harshest critics. However, with practice you can learn how to critique your work with a friendlier eye, allowing yourself to see what was good as well as those things that didn't work out so well! The camcorder can be our friend as well as our enemy depending on how and where it is used.