For Forever

During COVID, I filmed a dance performance that was originally meant for a live audience. My friend hosts a dance camp every summer, and by the end, they perform a retelling of a classic story. 2020 was a creative retelling of Charlotte’s Web.

Since the dancers couldn’t perform onstage, the goal was to turn their show into something that could still be experienced safely from home.

The filming obstacles were like no other during this time of uncertainty. The filming took a total of three days. One day dedicated to each age group, and one final day with everyone together. Everyone had to get their temperature tested upon arrival, and everyone wore masks while dancing until it was time to record. I wore double masks since I was not in the camp’s “social distancing bubble” for extra precaution.

I had to remember I was working with young girls ages 5-15 years old. I could not work them too hard, otherwise they would be exhausted and not enjoy the camp anymore. Some dances I only got so many takes of as to not have the dancers lose their sparkle.

Without the energy of a crowd, I focused on using camera angles, their movement, and close-up shots to bring viewers closer to the performance than they’d ever be in a theater. This let me highlight details like expressions, choreography moments, and the emotion behind the story.

Even though the show couldn’t happen in person, filming it gave the dancers’ work a new life and allowed families and friends to still enjoy the performance. It became its own unique version of the story. This film was shaped by creativity, adaptation, and the desire to keep art alive during an unpredictable time.