A cinematic farewell to a dance legacy

UST’s Pharmacy Dance Troupe wanted to make a music video out of one of their previous performances, while also paying tribute to their graduating seniors.

The group wanted something that was both raw but cinematic, and filming took place atop an abandoned warehouse. The set was left bare, with only a sofa, a few water barrels, and wooden boards as props in an otherwise completely empty expansive space. Lights were utilized to decorate the space and provide each frame with a certain ambience respective of the segment. To maintain visual interest, and signify the beginning and the end of each segment as well, different corners of the location were used for different cuts- no area was used the same way twice.

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Cuts were planned and filmed based on the transitions of the performance and choreography that led to the succeeding segment that usually showcased a new set of dancers as well. Most of the shots were long, and required the camera to pan and follow through with the dancers for the entirety of the segment. This required the team to be familiar with the overall flow of the choreography, and the paths taken by each of the dancers throughout the entire space.

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With this, the team made it a point to be present for at least one of PDT’s rehearsals, and the members took it upon themselves to study the routine enough to have a good grasp of how the camera’s meant to move along with the performers and ultimately throughout the set. Framing and composition were all pre-planned, and test shots were done during the rehearsals. Knowing their choreography gave the team of Araw One their own choreography as well.

Ultimately, the intent behind it all was to give the dancers the chance and opportunity to feel and actually be treated like professionals.

It was to capture the synergy between that specific roster of members, and the legacy that that batch’s seniors will leave behind for newer generations to come. And what makes this music video particularly special is the fact that it may never be this cast of performers sharing the same floor again.