International Ballroom DVD - Suggestions please

[gclarke]

Could I ask what you would recommend in the way of a good DVD set following the Bronze International Syllabus?

Although I'm a beginner I want the set to cover silver and gold also. I won't be competing although I do intend to take my medals in time.

Feel free to mention DVD for competitors to keep the thread interesting for everyone but it would be good to know whether those DVD would suit beginners also.

My interest is primarily in being able to look at something specific and fine tune footwork, body position etc. rather than a 'learn to dance' type DVD.

[Ron deChasse]

The 'Dancing Basics with Passion' series featuring Kryklyvyy/Smirnoff ,produced by Corky Ballas, is exactly what you described for Int. Latin. There are five in the series, one for each dance, and cover bronze through gold with some variations. From the menu, you can navigate to whichever figure you want.

You can view video clips of them at DanceVision.

I'm not a competitor and find them useful. And yes I would recommend them. If you're looking for Int. Standard, I hope someone here can suggest something similar.

I would be happy to answer specific questions about them.

[gclarke]

Thanks Ron

I've managed to borrow a set from a friend. So far they look quite good.

Any suggestions for the ballroom side?

[and123]

Personally I don't find the Slavik/Karina series good for people who are learning steps and need explanations of technique and lead/follow. The older Corky/Shirley syllabus series from DanceVision is better for that.

For Ballroom/Standard, the DanceVision videos by Victor Veyrasset and Heather Smith are excellent. I have the older version, but from what I have seen of the updated version, it's even better.

[gclarke]

Thanks for that. I did see those ballroom DVD but it's hard to know what's worthwhile.

I have the Slavic/Karina set - just looked at the Samba so far. It looks quite good but very sort of 'expressive' for my level if you know what I mean. I do like them though. I just have to see how they fit in with our lessons in that now we have the private lessons booked I'm not sure what I will feel the need to go home and try and look up (if that makes sense).

Personally I don't find the Slavik/Karina series good for people who are learning steps and need explanations of technique and lead/follow. The older Corky/Shirley syllabus series from DanceVision is better for that.

For Ballroom/Standard, the DanceVision videos by Victor Veyrasset and Heather Smith are excellent. I have the older version, but from what I have seen of the updated version, it's even better.

[Josh]

For Ballroom/Standard, the DanceVision videos by Victor Veyrasset and Heather Smith are excellent. I have the older version, but from what I have seen of the updated version, it's even better.

I second this.

[GJB]

I would also recommend Victor and Heather's DVDs.

[gclarke]

Thanks Guys. I am now shopping around for the best deal. It's almost £400 ($800) for a full set here in the UK:(

I think I will have to buy from the States which should be cheaper. I saw an old listing on eBay from DanceVision at $20 a CD. That sounds more affordable.

I don't suppose anyone has a set they like to sell?

[and123]

Mine are the old VHS version, unfortunately. They are definitely worth the money though.

[operabob]

You can link through to the Grand Ballroom DVD set here.

Wendy & Andy are not Slavik & Karina but they were 13 times provincial champions.

The set is very inexpensive compared to other DVDs costing a 1/3 or less of others. What I like about them is they don't teach the steps in isolation, They put them in combinations as well.

As at this point you seem more step oriented I think these might work for you.

You could buy them through my wife and we'd save you a bit over Andy's prices but we tend to deal locally by word of mouth only and don't take credit cards yet.

Andy does take credit cards but his shipping is higher.

Apologies that our site is way out of date at the moment. We actually have a lot more product than shown and all the DanceVision CDs are $15 not $22. I'll be updating soon and we're looking into credit cards. We are an authorized Canadian distributor of DanceVision products which can be verified by contacting DanceVision.

However, because of the local thing if you're interested you'd probably feel better buying through Andy directly if you like his DVDs.

But don't buy if you don't need to.

OB
http://www.dancingdragon52.com (http://www.dancingdragon52.com/)

[samina]

For Ballroom/Standard, the DanceVision videos by Victor Veyrasset and Heather Smith are excellent. I have the older version, but from what I have seen of the updated version, it's even better.

i was going to suggest this as well. they are very clear.

[Standarddancer]

For Ballroom/Standard, the DanceVision videos by Victor Veyrasset and Heather Smith are excellent. I have the older version, but from what I have seen of the updated version, it's even better.

I third this!!!

[gclarke]

Looks like that's the set then ;)

[gclarke]

I got the Victor and Heather DVDs. They are great - an excellent choice.

Many many thanks for that advice. Shame they don't do Latin ;)

[pruthe]

I also have Victor & Heather DVDs and think they are excellent. But I think some of their technique may reflect a particular style of dancing standard, so you might want to keep that in mind when viewing. There is another active thread here that discusses different styles/technique in standard dance. I was able to acquire an older set of basic training videos by a UK champion and some of the style/technique described was much different.

[dldbm]

I got the Victor and Heather DVDs. They are great - an excellent choice.

Many many thanks for that advice. Shame they don't do Latin ;)

Does anyone know of a good Latin set -- of Victor and Heather quality, but for Latin -- all I want is something that covers generally what the step looks like, the timing, the footwork, the position in relation to line of dance or dance walls as relevant -- the technique I take solely from my teacher, so that is not important for me for a good dvd. Thanks.

[Josh]

"Dancing with Passion" 5 DVD set of Slavik and Karina doing Latin syllabus, available from DanceVision.

[and123]

Seriously? I wasn't that impressed with it. I LOVE watching Slavik and Karina dance, but as a Latin syllabus tool, it didn't hit the mark for me.

[Josh]

Well, she said she wanted a basic look at the figures... I like them for that--they are not good for a strict syllabus guide, but I think they present an overall good view of what the figure should look like. Do you have any others that you like better?

[and123]

I have the Corky/Shirley syllabus series from DanceVision, and they're very thorough in terms of timing, footwork, lead/follow. etc. I know Corky has made newer ones with some other lady, but I have not watched those, so I don't know if they are similar or not. My major impression from the Slavik/Karina videos was it's them dancing syllabus steps with their own stylings added, with occasional voiceovers from Corky. I don't know how much info a Latin beginner would get from it, aside from the decent visuals. But having seen guys attempt to dance like Slavik without a good understanding of how and why he is moving his body like that, it ain't pretty :shock:

[gclarke]

I love the Dancing with Passion set. They aren't as good at laying it out as Victor and Heather but then they have squeezed Bronze Silver and Gold onto one DVD so less time spent on each. I suppose it depends on what you want from the DVDs.

I am tending to look up specifics as I need them on Victors and Heathers DVDs but I'm more inclined to watch Karina and Slavik for entertainment.

I know what you mean about the way he moves.:bouncy:Wonder if I could get my husband to move like that? ;)

[dldbm]

Thanks. I'm a real beginner and am looking for just the timing and general direction of steps when I forget something from class. Will the Dancing with Passion set do that? Looks like the earlier Corky/Shirley DVD might be a bit closer to the Heather/Victor approach -- maybe this would be better for me as a newbie. Unless things have changed and I would be better served with the up to date Dance with Passion series? Hmmm....[

quote=gclarke;574760]I love the Dancing with Passion set. They aren't as good at laying it out as Victor and Heather but then they have squeezed Bronze Silver and Gold onto one DVD so less time spent on each. I suppose it depends on what you want from the DVDs.

I am tending to look up specifics as I need them on Victors and Heathers DVDs but I'm more inclined to watch Karina and Slavik for entertainment.

I know what you mean about the way he moves.:bouncy:Wonder if I could get my husband to move like that? ;)[/quote]

[teotjunk]

Do the Corky/Shirley version ones come in DVDs ? format all I have seen are VHS formas


teotjunk

[latingal]

Welcome to DF teotjunk!