dance film

WE’RE THERE TO CELEBRATE: Ben Oddo and Michael Mahany of Dance Network

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In this episode we spoke to Ben Oddo, Content Manager of Dance Network as well as Michael Mahany, NYC Dance Network Correspondent. We learned how co-founders, Julie Stadler and David Medeiros, formed Dance Network. Michael shared his favorite moments as a correspondent and journalist of dance in New York City, as well as his passion for dance, wine, and cooking.  Ben and Michael spoke about the network’s growing dance content and future plans for the platform.

We are also so excited to announce our new partnership with Dance Network which will be launched with the release of this episode!  Pod de Deux will now be featured on Dance Network along with their family of programs. (more…)

I ALWAYS HAVE A CHARACTER WITH A REALLY STRONG PASSION: Steven Cantor

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We recently joined Oscar nominated filmmaker Steven Cantor in the West Village office of Stick Figure Productions to talk about his new epic documentary, “DANCER.” Centered around the once-notorious “bad boy of ballet,” Sergei Polunin, this character-driven documentary instead reveals a charming and multi-dimensional dancer of prodigious talent who has a complicated relationship with his craft. In conversation with Steven, we delved further into the nature of his latest subject as well as his process of creating character-driven documentaries in general. Don’t miss “DANCER” if you haven’t seen it yet (Amazon, iTunes), and stay tuned for Stick Figure’s latest documentary (also dance-related!), “Step,” premiering at Sundance this coming January. (more…)

WE ARE NOT THE FOCUS: Nel Shelby

CHRISTOPHER_NEL_RETOUCHED-3We were delighted to sit down again with Nel Shelby, dance videographer and entrepreneur, to follow up on our brief conversation from earlier this year at the Dance on Camera Festival. In this episode we delve deeper into Nel’s filmmaking process for PS DANCE!, her highly successful new documentary about dance education in public schools that has spawned a movement to bring dance to every child. (You can find our interviews with PS DANCE! viewers here.) We also learn about Nel’s intuitive, collaborative approach to making documentaries and dance films and about how she built her own company, Nel Shelby Productions, over time. Nel articulates her learnings about drawing out interviewees by being present without becoming the focus and shares a positive, optimistic attitude about the future of dance.

Nel Shelby is the founder of Nel Shelby Productions, a production company based in NYC and focused specifically on preserving and promoting dance through dance videography. (more…)

DOCF: SHORT FILMS PROGRAM I


Indigo-Grey-Esteban-Robles_3We talked to a few audience members about highlights from a strong roster of creative short films presented in the Shorts Program I at Dance On Camera Festival. We heard a lot about Indigo Grey and enthusiastic commentary about the rest of the roster as well. It was a great way to end our day at Dance on Camera Festival!

The following short films were presented:

A Portrait of Marc Brew, A Tap Dance in a Circle, Abismo, Approaching the Puddle, Honeymoon, Indigo Grey: The Passage, SajakThor, Still Light, Targeted Advertising, Tebe Tasi,

DOCF: SHORTS PROGRAM I – HONEYMOON

HoneyMoonWe spoke to Marta Renzi, choreographer and director of Honeymoon, a hot short film with a surprising twist featuring dancers Carlos Gonzalez and Tina Vasquez. She gave us a sneak peek into her inspiration and process behind the film before we saw it on the big screen. 

DOCF: THE OTHER SIDE OF STILLNESS

alexx_dev_sun2Each year, the Dance on Camera Festival at Lincoln Center screens one Work-in-Progress. through the Dance Film Association‘s Production Grant, Alexandra Shilling’s latest video project The Other Side of Stillness | Installation was selected and screened as a special event on February 13.  Alex talked to Pod de Deux about the process of making the project and what it was like working with DFA to present her work.

 

DOCF: BAJARI

Bajari-1200x600-32Flamenco is one of the world’s few art forms that is believed to be passed down exclusively through bloodlines. For Barcelona’s Gypsy community, it can’t be learned at a school or on paper. It is lived within the home, created at the bar and perfected on the street corner. Bajari, directed by Eva Vila, goes to all those places with the dancer Karime Amaya, who is working with some of the most talented up-and-coming musicians and dancers to create an innovative show, and little 5-year old Juanito Manzano who takes his first steps to earn his white flamenco boots. We talked to Ron Honsa, board member of Dance Films Association about the film. 

DOCF: Ballerina Program 1: “Body and Soul”

LunaAudience members of all ages shared their love for Natalia Makarova after a screening of her self-directed Ballerina Program 1: Body and Soul–the first section of a four part BBC Documentary series. They gushed over her career, partnerships, free spirit, charm, and her lasting influence on ballet.

DOCF: Horizontes & Cubano Bas (paired program)

Cubano BasHorizontes is a documentary featuring dancers from three generations in Cuba, including the famous Alicia Alonso. It screened with the whimsical short film Cubano Bas, made by Kathy Rose with the original composition of Greg Boyer. We spoke to an audience member about Horizontes and to Kathy and Greg about Cubano Bas.

 

DOCF: Frank Sinatra School of the Arts

High school interviewsDid you know that Dance Films Association gives high school students the opportunity to screen their work to the festival via Capturing Motion NYC? Neither did we – until we encountered a bunch of students on site! Here are our interviews with student filmmakers and their film teacher from Frank Sinatra School of the Arts. Find Justin Rodriguez’s film, Take 5, and Tillie’s film, This Town, on Vimeo.

DOCF: Patricia Dye

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Patricia Dye is one of the awe-inspiring educators featured in the film PS Dance!. As we learned in this interview, she teaches a wide range of techniques to high school students at Science Skills High School for Science, Technology and the Creative Arts in Brooklyn. You can learn more about Patricia and the other educators in the film at http://psdancenyc.com/dance-educators/.

DOCF: PS Dance!


psdance-1600x900-c-defaultPS Dance! is a New York Emmy nominated documentary about dance education in New York City public schools that has now spawned a movement to expand dance education. We found that audience members felt very strongly about this film, and it was a thrill to get such a rush of enthusiastic feedback – about the film itself as well as the need for dance education.

DOCF: Nel Shelby

PSDance_Panel_byChristopherDugganWe kicked off our day at the Dance on Camera Festival with Nel Shelby, Director and Producer of PS Dance!, a documentary about dance education in New York City public schools that has now spawned a movement to expand dance education. Nel runs a thriving dance video production company, which she founded based on her background in broadcast and dance.

*Remember we were on site using mobile equipment, so the audio quality is less polished than usual – but stay tuned for a studio interview with Nel coming soon!