Dance-for-Camera Short Film by Abby Strait
Shading Women
Overview
"Shading Women" is a dance-for-camera, short film that explores society's perceptions of women's emotions. While incorporating elements of film color theory, this short film demonstrates the mass diversity of emotions that are shared by women, revealing a reality of emotional complexity that is not often showcased through traditional media.
Purpose
The purpose of my project is to shine a light on the complexity and diversity of emotions that women hold, by showcasing the beauty behind a selection of emotions. After the show, I will incorporate the use of TikTok and Instagram to personally promote and broadcast my film to the public. In addition, my film will be held on the Alma College Dance Company’s social platforms for future recruitment purposes. Finally, my film will provide a professional aid for my personal portfolio, allowing future employers to view my skill set as both a choreographer and cinematographer/editor.
The Process
Planning
Researching film color theory, budgeting and casting, creating a concept layout with shot list ideas, developing a project schedule
Filming
Acquiring equipment, creating a filming schedule, locking down filming locations
Feedback
Strategy 1: Open-ended discussion with the head director of the dance department and the Alma College Dance Company for advice and revisions
Strategy 2: A/B method to provide two different versions of my project to be reviewed and critiqued
Editing
Film organizing, creating potential sequence layouts, incorporating the use of audio, music, and sound effects to aid the final edit, providing Alpha, Beta, and Master drafts of film to be reviewed for feedback
Publishing
Polishing final details, posting video to my personal platforms, providing the head director of the Alma College Dance Company with the final link
Senior Biography
Abby Strait, from Benton, Kentucky, is a 2024 graduating senior of Alma College, with a bachelor’s in New Media Studies, Dance, and Business Administration. Throughout her undergraduate career, Abby has worked with the cinematography and editing of an Italian, docu-short called "Napoletanità", assisted with the sound design, makeup and costume design, and additional cinematography with a variety of peer-lead projects, and has directed and produced a dance for camera, short-film. T
hrough her consistent push to expand her skill set, Abby plans to continue developing and growing her experience in filmmaking and advancing her technical abilities after graduation.
