Synopsis & Treatment

Synopsis

Mainstream hip-hop dance is seen as a very masculine style of dance which is a stereotype

that I want to challenge with my dance video. A male dancer will be dancing in this style of

dancing and trying to reject the feminine element of this piece (which will be the reflective

rainbow light) and he will eventually learn to accept it. The video will then transition into a

dreamier aesthetic that represents how society has become more accepting to femininity in

hip-hop which will hopefully continue to improve in years to come.

The main focus will be on the dancer’s body movement and slowly detaching the style from

its masculine stereotype in a subtle way.

Treatment

Working Title: TBD

Duration: 3-5 minutes

Genre: Experimental Dance Video

Crew: Rufaro Maumbe and Team

Outline Production: An experimental dance video exploring hip-hop dance movement in a

way that people aren’t usually exposed to.

Target Audience:

I feel all ages/genders will have something they can take away from the video.

Visual Elements:

Lighting – Psychedelic, soft, bright lights.

Camera Movement – Various camera movement.

Editing – Fast, rapid shot transitions at the beginning that will eventually transition into slow

transitions going along with the movements. Adding emphasis on specific shots when the

beat of the music changes/when the beat drops.

Setting – Preferably shot in a studio using a white backdrop for the ease of the reflecting

light I will be using.

Dancers – Only 1 dancer will be needed because I feel it strengthens the message of the

piece.

Props – Plexiglass, sun-catchers, scratched cd’s, lighting gels, crystal prism.

Costume – Black/White/Nude shorts and white t-shirt or shirtless.

Audio Elements:

Music – Non-diegetic hip-hop remix (specific track tbd)

Effects – In post-production, I will judge whether any extra sound effects need to be added

to the track to compliment the visuals.

Requirements and Resources: Canon GH4 camera, Canon 70D camera, 1 tripod, Lighting,

Diffusers, Gels, Production paperwork.

Constraints and Contingency: The reflection from the different materials (plexiglass, crystal

prisms etc. might not have a strong enough reflection so various tests will need to be

carried out)

Legal and Ethical considerations: Making sure that my dancer is always rested, well-

hydrated and has eaten enough on shooting days.

Dance Video Presentation

The Idea

Experimental dance video displaying hip-hop/street dance style in a way that we aren't usually exposed to as an audience. I basically want to take a very urban style of dance and put it into a dreamscape of some sort. I also want to experiment with incorporating different dance styles into the choreography.

Hip-hop and street are not seen as dance styles that can have much fluidity and usually dance videos of this style are filmed in much more urban environments, which is what I want to challenge; adding an element of "femininity" to a usually masculine style of dance.

This aesthetic element of my idea is heavily influenced by Marina Fini, who is a conceptual filmmaker and photographer. She was born in the 80's but is influenced by multiple eras including the late 90's, early 00's, and the 60's. She also claims to have been enamoured with counterculture, hippies, and psychedelia in high school, which I can relate to. Psychedelia fascinates me so much because it's so different from everyday realities and can be seen as a form of escape.


Wifi's Lil Angel by Marina FINI from My Superhero Mag on Vimeo.

I want to use light refraction to produce a rainbow that will be following my dancer around as they try to dance away from it. The idea is the dance will start off very sharp and powerful without the rainbow, then it will follow the dancer whilst s/he tries to escape it, but gradually accepts it whilst the dance will become more fluid.

    

Inspiration

Choreography-

WillDaBeast Adams

Matt Steffanina

The Jabbawockeez

Camera Movement and Editing Style-

ViT Jumpcut Productions

Tim Milgram