What makes a good cut - dance clips as art form [Archive]

View Full Version : What makes a good cut - dance clips as art form

opendoor

11-04-2009, 02:20 PM

I love to browse YT and to load down interesting dance vids. I never considered what actually makes a good dance video. So I am interested in your opinion about the take, the cut, the angle.

Here are my favorites:

Luca and Antonella (Milonga Triste) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4gt1RM-nxc

Maral and Pablo Rojas (Paris-Texas) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBAmyEO-yK0

Geraldine and Pablo Veron (Una Emocion) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LLuB-wP1cU

Lui

11-04-2009, 04:40 PM

All three are wonderful music video clips. When looking for Tango dancing, I prefer the documentary style of video: no cuts, no foreign dubbed over music, viewpoint of the audience. However that’s more my personal quirk.

In dancing for me the most interesting thing is the translation of music into movement. Therefore, if I don’t hear what the performers have heart, I often feel cheated.

Angel HI

11-04-2009, 04:56 PM

Good dancing makes a good vid, but, that is as objective as individuL opinion. If one must have them, nice/fluent edits that do not detract from the dance are pleasant to watch. Yet, in the grand scheme of things, just a still cam and great dancing.

From the ones above, I enjoyed the second.

dchester

11-04-2009, 08:22 PM

I found the first one to be annoying, and actually couldn't make it through to the finish. I didn't like all the changing camera angles with small snippets of their bodies.

I did like the other two, though.

bordertangoman

11-05-2009, 03:59 AM

The most well produced videos I have seen are on Chicho's website. But then if you are a professional film-maker you will be interested in editing, close ups etc, change of camera angles. There is a video of El Pulpo where the camera man is constantly moving around the dancers and that is another interesting take.

Marcia Rock's documentary is pretty restrained and the video of the dancers at the end of the film is probably the best example I know since although there some changes in camera shot you're barely aware of the camera work and editing.

Captain Jep

11-05-2009, 08:56 AM

I really liked the first one. Great colours and it all worked to the music.

Reminds me of the colour palette in Miles's NY video :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z56Cty_E-I

opendoor

11-05-2009, 11:03 AM

Hi everyone,
I am a tango student (may be for the rest of my life..) And when I watch a raw dance vid ..

... just a still cam and great dancing....

..I start analyzing. When watching a well cut (and even dubbed) dance vid I start dreaming... May be my personal kink.

Mladenac

11-05-2009, 12:20 PM

bordertangoman

11-05-2009, 02:22 PM

I like first video, but it is more of short film (partners relationship made of dance sequence)

Second is quite ok, nice dancing, it is obvious that they are couple.

Third, I just don't like pablo veron. His dancing is so mechanical, and pablo and geraldine tango connection is invisible.

I would agree but the camea work in the last clip is so simple; a long view of the space

http://sandrarumo.free.fr/tangoRitual%20/tangoritual.html

this is my favourite vid on chicho's website. I think becuase the the video reflects the slow melancholy mood of the music. It reflects an aspect of sadness in life, like a Hopper picture; the inevitable transience of existence, the traffic wheeling past indifference to the small element of drama that hte dancers create. The bridge a metaphor for so many things; the contrast of its solidity against the fragility and movement of the dancers; close ups of faces; the enigma of another person; relections in windows of a moving train; strangers that pass through our lives........

and this is Amir Giles

dancing at the Hippodrome; their silhouettes and the fluidity of their movements not to say some tight choreography looks great in the night club lighting; the camerawork is fluid without going over the top. http://www.jango.co.uk/Videos.html

Captain Jep

11-05-2009, 05:41 PM

Hmm we'll have to differ - I dont like Rumolino's edits - too confusing - you just want to watch the dancing and he keeps taking it away from you.

The first film above reminded me of the Victoria Vieyra film - I think it is the greatcoats -

http://www.ar8.com.fr/14rue/14ruedeltango.html

I didnt add it first time because I dont particularly like it. What do others think?

opendoor

11-06-2009, 01:23 AM

..this is my favourite vid on chicho's website (http://sandrarumo.free.fr/tangoRitual%20/tangoritual.html). I think becuase the the video reflects the slow melancholy mood of the music. It reflects an aspect of sadness in life, like a Hopper picture..

well said !
untill now the sister-vid with Victoria used to be my fav Chic vid http://www.ar8.com.fr/bajotango/bajotango.html

opendoor

11-06-2009, 01:33 AM

.. just want to watch the dancing and he keeps taking it away from you..

But a good cut and camera change keeps me away from analyzing. May be it is a bit like leading and following. A well produced video lets me close my eyes, shuts off front my brain, and let me submerge into the music.

bordertangoman

11-06-2009, 02:52 AM

Mladenac

11-06-2009, 08:06 AM

I add this to the thread:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCpsKC9lAyk

opendoor

11-07-2009, 09:17 AM

Okey-Doke ! Booked

bordertangoman

11-07-2009, 07:07 PM

I add this to the thread:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCpsKC9lAyk

excellent; gritty Saudek like setting, tom Waits, and a pair of beuatiful shoulders. what more could you ask?

bordertangoman

11-08-2009, 05:35 AM

Surrender Tango (trailer)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhBtZbtDn6E

bordertangoman

11-08-2009, 05:42 AM

Alas de Tango

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq13vzFD3S8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKS8Z_fatdg

Captain Jep

11-08-2009, 05:55 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxNdCyA798o&feature=related

I like the shots through the door/windows into the garden. Tango is like a secret garden, isnt it? From the shadow into the light...

"We need a chest" (Sophie Alvarez) - hehe :cool: