Reimagining Dance on Screen

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 downloadable dancer footage 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.

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.