Reimagining Dance on Screen is a hands-on guide for dancers, choreographers, filmmakers, and independent artists who want to create compelling dance-films. Written from a dancer’s perspective, it approaches dance on camera as a cinematic art form—not simply choreography documented on video.
This volume is aimed at makers rather than theorists—the book emphasizes practical, experience-based guidance over academic study. Its central premise is straightforward: when dance moves onto the screen, the result is not a filmed dance, but a film shaped by cinematic choices. It covers essential filmmaking techniques such as visual storytelling, shot design, camera movement, and editing—tailored to transform dance into a cinematic experience.
The book includes 12 video tutorials and 50 downloadable dance clips for editing practice. Designed for both classroom use and independent practice, it supports artists working solo or with limited resources and assumes no prior editing experience. With an emphasis on creativity over expensive equipment, its clear and encouraging tone invites artists to think cinematically and approach dance-film as a playful, rigorous, and deeply expressive form. It is ideal for students and professionals in dance, film, and the performing arts, whether exploring new artistic mediums or the intersection of movement and cinema.
Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements
I. Foreword
II. Preface
III. Online Content
IV. Prologue: Software
V. Introduction
1: New Thinking
2: Photography
3: Camera
4: Film Language
5: What’s the Big Idea
6: Dancers, Money, Time, Etc.
7: Story Structure & Form
8: Mapping a Shot Strategy
9: Pre-visualization
10: Deeper Camera Settings
11: Preparing Your Performers
12: The Shoot Day Playbook
13: The Camera in Motion
14: Making the Cut
15: Refining The Edit
16: The Ruthless Editor
17: Musicality
18: Music Editing
19: Reality Check
20: Color Correction
21: Crafting the Soundscape
22: Titles & Credits
23: Exporting
24: A Film’s Life
25: Sage Counsel
Appendix A: Camera Buying Guide
Appendix B: Documenting Concert Dance
Glossary
Index
About the Author :
Mitchell Rose is a former choreographer who turned filmmaker after studying directing at the American Film Institute. His films have received over 100 international festival awards, and The New York Times called him “a rare and wonderful talent.” He was a professor of dance-filmmaking at The Ohio State University.
Review :
‘The world of screendance is exploding but utterly overwhelming—yet finally, here is Mitchell Rose with an indispensable road map, a how-to and a do not miss it pep talk. On top of everything, Rose keeps us laughing throughout. Grab this book and keep it closer than your camera!’
Matthew Diamond, Four-time Emmy winning, Oscar-nominated director of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, DANCEMAKER.
‘Mitchell Rose has redefined the landscape of dance-film with his distinctive approach. By working with film syntax as the source material for a choreographic concept, he has opened up myriad possibilities for choreographers, dancers and filmmakers. This witty and useful book provides practical support to any artist seeking to weave movement with film.’
Meredith Monk, Composer, Interdisciplinary Artist
‘Mitchell has always made generous, engaging films that meld the people moving with the moving image. Now, dance makers of all ages and experiences have an indispensable guide to making films that move, and will move their audiences. Devour this book—it will lead you on a new path of endless, gratifying making. I wish I had read this eons ago.’
David Dorfman, Choreographer/Performer/Educator
‘Mitchell’s classes shifted my entire artistic direction. This book distills that same clarity and insight. It opened my eyes to a whole new way of seeing dance—and putting it on the screen.’
Coal Rietenbach, former student of Mitchell Rose, videographer at Alvin Ailey
