Screendance has existed since the invention of motion pictures. But this hybrid art form, which is also called “dance film” and “cinedance,” has remained a fringe genre of filmmaking—until now. During the pandemic, the screen has arguably become the most popular place for dancemakers to explore their craft. With the multitudes of screendance works now […]

On a carpet of pink Easter grass, the silly and the serious grip GroundWorks DanceTheater‘s dancers in “Pony.” Choreographed, written and directed by Hannah Garner, of 2nd Best Dance Company, the 18-minute dance film, says Garner, “is an absurd, nonsensical, useless coping mechanism for the moment… it’s about being inflexible but learning to change.” More […]

The past school year has not exactly been…normal. Rather than fight the constraints brought on by COVID-19, University of North Carolina School of the Arts interim dean of dance Jared Redick decided to embrace them. He reached out alum Garen Scribner, who made The Australian Ballet’s brilliant “Wilis in Corps-en-tine” film last year along with […]

One of Dance Magazine‘s 2020 “25 to Watch,” choreographer Jay Carlon has brought his transporting theatricality to film. In “BAGGAGE,” he shares the story of his parents’ immigration to the U.S. from the Philippines. The sound design by Alex Wand (who also composed and performs the music) includes interview recordings and voice messages from Carlon’s […]

When even a blink of the eyes is musical, you know the details of a work have been thoroughly thought through. In Madison Elliott’s “Empty Vessel,” directed by Taylor Yocum and set to Hobo Johnson’s “February 15th,” the camera only catches movement from the waist up, but every body part seen is strategically engaged—and every […]

The past year’s worth of pandemic-influenced art has convinced many dance artists to try their hands at filmmaking for the first time—and subsequently find out they have a knack for it. But what does it take to make a career out of dance filmmaking? The answer isn’t simple, but the necessary skills are, luckily, ones […]

Ever since COVID-19 sent the dance world into a tail spin, artists have used the pandemic as a source of inspiration. “Will You Be OK Without Me (and other stories)” from the director-choreographer duo Kuperman Brothers is a collection of scenes expressed through dance and inspired by daily life during the pandemic. The dancers include […]

If you know Sean Lew (and let’s be real—you should), you know that he pours his heart and soul into his craft. Born a star, Lew has danced alongside artists like Sia and Janet Jackson, choreographed for names like Justin Bieber and Meghan Trainor, and performed on two seasons on NBC’s “World of Dance.” At […]