Compeition Videos

[Dima]

After spending a weekend watching a buttload of competition DVDs someone graciously let me borrow, I've come up with a list of what I liked about them.

There are 3 production companies out there that cover most events.
Doug Silton Production (DSP)
Thumbs Up (TU)
Images in Motion (IiM)

Plus a few others, like Dance Jam Productions that do their own releases.

Out of the DVDs that I watched from the first 3 mentioned, here are the things I really liked:

DV quality video from DSP and TU

16:9 ratio on some of the TU DVDs. Everything looks proportionate on widescreen TVs. DSP had it filmed in 16:9, but the DVD encoder was probably set to 4:3.

Clean look of Title Menus + Submenus listing couple's names from spotlight contests from DSP

2 camera angles from IiM for heated contests to cover the whole floor.

1st - 5th place couple tags with on-screen txt before the couple would start their dance from IiM

On-screen txt with couple's names for spotlight as well as the contest name from DSP

The 5 minute event highlight reel from DSP. Really makes me want to attend a few events next year that I've never been to before.

DVD labels that state what's on them from TU. IiM puts it on the jacket, but if you store your DVDs in a binder, it makes it kind of difficult. DSP has it on some of the DVDs.

Front row filming for spotlight contests from DSP and TU (not all contests though).

The white balance on multiple cameras from TU, so there's no difference in image when the angle switches.


So, here are some questions for you:
1. What are some of the things you like about event DVDs?
2. What things would you like to see included in the DVDs that are not currently there?

[BJW]

I don't know who produces them but the Denver CO event, "Dancing A Mile High" produces great DVD's. They label the cover and the DVD itself, which is great. I also like that you can skip ahead to, not only the next dance couple, but you can skip to the beginning of their second dance.

The only thing that I would like to see that I have not, is having ALL dancer names posted before they dance; spotlight dances only of course. Even if a couple doesn't place, me being the WCS junkie I am, I love to know the names of the people dancing. I guess for me it's just fun watching videos, hearing people ask, "who is that", and I can tell them. Fun stuff.

One thing I dislike about videos; slow camera transitions. I love to watch videos and try to pick up moves and styling from them. I hate it when the camera starts to softly blend to a different angle RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A GREAT PATTERN.

That's my 2, sometimes 4, cents.:tonguesmilie:

[swinginstyle]

You can sometimes just supplement the results yourself by checking out either the event's comp result page or RAD.

[whipdancer]

Traditionally I really like Myatt Productions (but they only do a couple of events). They understand that the dance videos aren't for broadcast, but are for dancers. I don't care to have constantly changing camera angles. I need a good clear picture of the couple so that I can see feet, body, head and hands clearly. Myatt has been making a very good product for as long as I've been dancing.

It's only been in the last 5 to 8 years that the other vendors seem to have caught up in terms of what makes a good dance video vs. what makes a good video for broadcast.

So far, Thumbs Up seems to be doing a good job. I'll have to check what other videos I've got to see who has done them.