Filming Choreographic Movement

In a world where cameras are omnipresent, our project aims to develop tools for filming choreographic movement by transforming the camera into a true creative partner. Led jointly by Bartek Sozanski, filmmaker and director, and József Trefeli, choreographer and dancer, this research aims to establish a practical methodology for creating choreographic works specifically designed for the screen.

Through an exploration of cinematographic techniques (shot values, camera angles, camera movements, editing, etc.), different devices will be studied—from movie cameras to smartphones—in order to enrich choreographic expression. Dancers will learn to adapt their movements to the specificities of each device. Choreographers will develop their ability to design sequences that take advantage of the camera's potential, while filmmakers will gain a detailed understanding of dance movement and its specific requirements.

This dual focus on image and movement highlights the value of a more structured dialogue between two disciplines that are historically linked but still rarely considered together in a systematic way: dance and cinema. To date, there is no formalized methodology offering dancers and choreographers the tools to design their creations while fully integrating the specificities of the moving image.

This project aims to fill this gap by developing a coherent system for translating choreographic intent to the screen, while analyzing how the presence of the camera transforms the dance movement.

To do this, we propose to systematize this articulation by integrating the camera and the operator as constituent elements of choreographic writing. The goal is to explore how dancers, cameramen, and film equipment can co-construct the experience of movement, beyond simple recording. Our hypothesis is that cinematic language should no longer be considered a mere technical device, but rather an active partner in choreographic creation.

film still from “What Are We Fighting For?”

film by Bartek Sozanski and József Trefeli where 8 dancers from Switzerland and New Zealand create together during Covid-19.