Virtual Pro Cheer Auditions: 8 Simple Tips to Make Your Home Dance Videos Look Professional
Instead of in-person auditions, some pro cheer teams have decided to conduct processes on the virtual space. This means that you have to send your showcase dance video to the judges rather than dance in front of them. With that, appearing professional in your video is now as important as appearing in person. But there are a lot of aspects to consider to ensure that you appear professional. Let’s get straight to them.
1. Use a clean, simple, and contrasting background
You’ll record your dance in your own home and this means choosing a suitable background. Keep your background clean and free from distracting objects such as tables, chairs, or bookshelves. Clear the floor as well to avoid tripping over and stepping on random things as you dance.
Pro cheer tip: Contrast your background color with what you’re wearing. Example: For light-colored walls like white or beige, don’t wear clothes with darker color shades of it like gray or brown. Instead, wear colors of the opposite spectrum like black, blue, or violet.
2. Record with proper lighting
Observe your camera’s white balance. Record in environments with a single light color. If you record with different light colors, your camera will use a different overall shade from the environment. Hence, an undesirable video color quality.
Pro cheer tip: If you’re recording outdoors, the cloudless high noon is the best time. Also, wear light makeup. Don’t look down, the sun above will turn your forehead into a canopy causing dark shadows and concealing your face.
3. Record with proper microphone and speakers
Avoiding visual distractions is imperative, so are auditory ones. You might want to use a noise cancellation microphone or dead cat cover for this especially if you live in a noisy and windy environment. Don’t play your music too loud and don’t put your speakers close to the microphone when recording. This will avoid an earrape for the viewer.
Pro cheer tip: Learn video-editing and edit your showcase video with separate audio but make sure your movement and the music’s beat are in sync.
4. Always use the main camera
For those using phones for recording: Front cameras of phones have lesser megapixels so use the back one for a clearer video. This might be hard as you would want to see your movement while you record. So, get a mirror instead and put it beside your phone.
5. Record in landscape mode
The judges will not approve of a TikTok-ish submission so don’t position your camera on portrait while recording. The landscape mode will show more of your body’s movements without screen restriction. Hence, better audition points scored than a portrait’s limited view.
6. Use camera stability tools and observe camera focus
Don’t ask somebody else to hold your camera while you dance, this is not a vlog. Use a tripod when recording. A shaky recording is deemed unprofessional, hence, bad audition scoring. Also, avoid moving from forward and backward, this will cause a focus blur on your video.
Pro cheer tip: Turn on your camera’s “Rule of Thirds” function. This will mark some background cues which would help you stay in the center focus of the screen while you record.
7. Shoot at a standard angle
Don’t position your camera upward from the ground - this is a worm’s eye view. Don’t position your camera downward from overhead as well - this is a bird’s eye view. Position your camera at chest level. A tripod isn’t just for recording stability, it’s also for height flexibility.
8. Stay confident and command your camera presence
Always smile while recording especially when you dance. Don’t look down and don’t look upward. It’s okay to look at your sides while dancing but do your best to put your attention to the lens most of the time. Avoid stuttering, stand straight, and believe in yourself!
Final pro cheer tip: Remember to check regularly on your dream team’s audition page for recent changes on audition outfits, video length, and date of submission.
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