The hold - ceiling view

[Chris Stratton]

I've recently been thinking about the standard hold, and am forming that opinion that it would be usefull too have drawings of how things look from directly above at various stages of closed, outside partner, and promende positions for some of the major schools of thought.

But I'm undecided how to create these:

1) Fake it with freehand sketches

2) Take some measurments and write a computer program that draws a simplified 2-d representation of the dancers viewed from above and lets you move their arms and bodies somehow (actually, could probably do this in a cad program like solidworks without writing any code)

3) Find a good couple and pose them under a balcony or something so that I can take pictures from directly above, then draw in highlights of the interesting aspects.

[Larinda McRaven]

There is a program called Poser, that I know several people have used to do this...

[robin]

I think however you represent it in the end (video/photo/computer graphic/drawing) is secondary to how you get the information in the first place. And there I think your option 3 is the only way forward, base it on one (or ideally several) very good couples.

I've found that many dance-teachers do things so naturally that they find it hard to explain it in concise terms, or rather they do things subtly different from the what they say.

I would even go as far as saying that you need to get the people to dance, rather than just demonstrate the positions you're interested in. I'd be very interested to see it if you have any success! I wouldn't be suprised if there are substantial differences between the top top dancers...

Robin

[Chris Stratton]

If going for actual dancing, it may make sense to try to hang a camera high above the floor in a high ceiling venue - that could not only provide these shots, but an interesting view of routines and floorcraft.

Imagine this view with a video effect that leaves a slowly fading blurred 'trail' behind each couple...

[dancin_feet]

This would be one situation that a computer program just won't do the job. There is no substitute for witnessing the real thing, with real people demonstrating holds and steps.

A computer program can show the precise technique, sure, but how do you allow for different length of armsand legs, size and shape of body, etc which can all have an effect on how a couple dances together.

The video effect showing the trail of a couple dancing to indicate direction and floorcraft would be a great idea! :wink:

[etchuck]

I wonder... can someone get one of those boom-cameras, or at least the hovering overhead cameras that the NFL games started using last year (as well as other sports games nowadays)? :)

Ask NBC to put one in for ice dancing at the next winter games. Beg ABC for that for the USFSA champions.

[JohnK]

The overhead camera used on NFL games is called "SkyCam". It uses 3 or 4 guy wires on computer controlled winches to "fly" the camera both side to side and up/down, in addition to camera pan/tilt/zoom. The winches might be pretty large for an indoor venue, but live overhead footage of skating / dance sport would be fantastic!

[Chris Stratton]

Three words:

Radio Controlled Blimp

[Joe]

Just watch out for those hot gels.