Seeing yourself for the first time

[dancin_feet]

I had my critque for my rumba showcase presentation on the weekend, where I sat down with my instructor and the GM of the studio and went over the video taken on the night. It was a surreal experience as I have never seen myself dance before.

I was amazed at some things that didn't feel great, but looked fantastic, and also picked up on small things like "my posture looked really bad in that move" or "my head angle / expression could have been better there". I could also remember what I was thinking at certain spots, a slight grin when I completed a series of spins and my instructor winked at me for encouragement. The whole thing looked really simple, but certainly was not simple to do. I guess that is the objective, to try to make it look easy to those watching?? :?

I am curious to know what other's experiences have been watching yourself dance for the first time. I think I'll need to watch a few more times for me to actually be able to look at the routine, still stuck on the fact that that is me!! :shock: :shock:

:lol: :lol:

[Genesius Redux]

I've really had to work to be able to watch myself dance. As with many actors, I hate seeing myself performing and I hate watching myself on film. But watching yourself dancing is part of it.

[Flat Shoes]

The whole thing looked really simple, but certainly was not simple to do. I guess that is the objective, to try to make it look easy to those watching?? :?


At least one of the objectives. I've watched a couple of world class Boogie Woogie dancers prepare a totally new and complex move. It was a lift for use when dancing slow. Man, it looked akward! And it was everything but comfortable and graceful.

But them, it's a matter of doing it over and over, focusing and concentrating, and in the end they're able to pull it off with fantastic grace and controll, smiling all the way through it.

When it comes to seeing myself, I've always hated video and photo cameras pointed at me. I did bring along my video camera one night not long ago though. And it was the first time I've seen myself social dancing, ever. I've seen a couple of videos from some competitions I entered when I was a beginner. That looks weird! But now I looked quite ok and really relaxed (it's Lindy, it's supposed to be relaxed and cool).

For people doing competitions, I would recoomd filming yourself as much as possible. A camera is definitely a the best tool a dancer can have. For those running around on workshops, it beats taking notes by a long stretch (best to do both). And for those serious about competing, it's the best way for working on the details. Even if you have a dedicated trainer, it's only so much a person can pick up at the spot. Having it on film helps you pick up much more details, and it's easier for your trainer to show you what to work on.

[squirrel]

The 1st time I saw myself dancing... oh my god, what an awful experience... I was bouncing and completely lacked grace... I wanted to give up dancing...
Now I've improved... :)

[pygmalion]

Videos are great to help you improve quickly. A picture is definitely worth a thousand words of critique. :? :D

[dr daffy]

lol, as much as i absolutly hate watching myself dance, i do it all the time. like pygmalion said, it's a great way to help your improve quickly and easily. i watch videos of me dancing and pictures and stuff to improve my posture and all that good stuff :P excellent source of critique :wink:

[dancin_feet]

I got my own copy of the video last night and sat down to watch it. Went through everyone's routines, they were just as fantastic as I remember on the night. Then I got to mine ....... :roll:

I had to watch it 5 or 6 times before I got past the fact that it was me on the video! Looking at those damn chicken stick legs ....... :roll: but I persisted and by the 10th or so time (I lost count :oops: ) I was actually beginning to enjoy watching it. My posture definitely needs work (though it is a lot better than when I first started, I can feel that). Some of my spins looked really off balance, though they didn't feel that way at the time! How can that be? I also didn't realise that my arms tend to float around the place when outstretched - gonna have to work on that.

All these little things that I never would have known if I hadn't seen myself on video. You're right - this will improve my dancing no end! :D

[dr daffy]

hehe, see? it will help you improve. and yeah, i know what you mean about looking at yourself like "whoa, it's me on video." lol... i was like that when i first watched mine. i was like "aahh! it's me!! WOW!" haha... now i'm just like "okay, must learn... must do better"

:wink:

[youngsta]

You know what I'm DREADING seeing myself on video! When I'm out there things feel great, I don't want to come to the realization that maybe it doesn't look the way it feels. I may have to face my fear soon though, another Colorado dancer shot some video at the Congress that I'm pretty sure I was in. :shock:

[danceguy]

I have never seen myself dancing on video...although a while back one of my teacher's had a friend video taping our dancing out at a club...and I was like hey, am I in any of those shots? They assured me people would only see my feet (ack! all of my missed steps!) but still I didn't feel too thrilled about it. I hope they had a wide angle lense ha... :shock: :? :shock: :wink:

SG

[dancin_feet]

I never thought of it that way, youngsta, but you're right, it is a fear. One which I am starting to overcome. It's like I think I'm good, but please please don't prove me wrong!! :shock: The only thing I really don't like is my expression. Seems blank and serious. Even though I thought I was smiling at the time! :? Everything else is just something to work on and get better at.

I am really eager to get into it and start working on some of this stuff to make me a better dancer. Will have to get my instructor to slap me around if I'm looking too serious so that I know when I'm doing it. Honestly, I'm smiling on the inside, I don't know why it doesn't show on the outside! :D

[salsachinita]

I know it'd be hard, but I would like to see what I look like on video.

So many people told me that they have footage of me on their videos. I am yet to see them myself :roll: ......

There must be a lot there I can learn :oops: ...........

[dr daffy]

i agree with youngsta... i hate to see myself dance on video and see all the mistakes and improvements that i need to make but when i'm actually out there dancing, i feel great. even though watching myself on video is a good way to improve, i do dread it a lot, lol

[MacMoto]

I've never been videoed (sp?) before and would be mortified to see myself dance. But at the same time I'm also sort of curious because quite a few people have told me I look good on the dancefloor. Maybe I look better than I feel? (Just thinking wishfully here -- I know what you mean Youngsta (though I don't think you have anything to worry about considering your "sassy hips" reputation :wink:)).

[Sabor]

if u feel good dancing, and are complimented by either words or expression and u are a favorite to dance with.. i see no reason for fearing to see yourself on video.. u just being fussy :wink: .. check your self out if u can and while watching yourself say "ooooooh somebody sssstop maaee!!" 8) :lol:

[Kate]

I've never actually seen myself Dance, this is an idea.
I might do that. See what I'm doing wrong and stuff...
Yay. Thats my goal for today. :lol: :P

[spatten]

I get this sinking naseuous feeling in my stomach everytime I watch my dancing. That lasts about a day, then I come back to the studio franctically determined to fix everthing and anything I didn't like usually scheduling some "emergency" lessons. This lasts about a week.
Then I see progress and feel much better about the world- at least until I watch a tape again.

Scott

[cl5814]

I get this sinking naseuous feeling in my stomach everytime I watch my dancing. That lasts about a day, then I come back to the studio franctically determined to fix everthing and anything I didn't like usually scheduling some "emergency" lessons. This lasts about a week.
Then I see progress and feel much better about the world- at least until I watch a tape again.

Scott

I can just see myself in your description. Except for a showcase at the very beginning of my dance life, i have never watched myself on video. Actually, i have avoided it. Have knowledge now, need to change that.

[dr daffy]

lol, spatten, i do the same. :wink: it gets to be pretty fun after a while

[squirrel]

I get this sinking naseuous feeling in my stomach everytime I watch my dancing. That lasts about a day, then I come back to the studio franctically determined to fix everthing and anything I didn't like usually scheduling some "emergency" lessons. This lasts about a week.
Then I see progress and feel much better about the world- at least until I watch a tape again.

Scott

yes... I can related to that... it's sooooo funny!

[dragon3085]

http://www.holtpages.net/Patrick/html/showcase_routine.htm IF anyone wants to see all my bad habits. Actually in my old dojo the sensei would tape of periodically so we could see how far we have come and also see those bad habits that someone can tell you about, but unless you can see yourself doing them, you might not understand how it looks to another person. Same way with dance, when I first saw this video and the ones of the my routines, I was like ohh so that what you mean when you say I don't such and such, and my instructor was yep that what I have been trying tell you for the past 3 month.. :twisted:

[dr daffy]

haha, that's nice, dragon :wink: the things we learn, lol

[Genesius Redux]

I know it'd be hard, but I would like to see what I look like on video.

I'd like to see what you look like on video, too. And in person. 8)