<p>myloves - we used the video camera we already owned, put it on a tripod we already owned (if you don’t own one - someone you know does and you can borrow!), and filmed on a Sunday at the dance studio when it was empty. Her voice teacher did do live accompaniment - but after talking to others, I wish I had gotten her piano tracks (which are needed for Unifieds) and used those - as you can control the volume of the music vs the voice better… however it did not hurt her. D did film all her intros (or slates) separately - and I edited them onto the fronts of the 16 bar or 32 bar cuts (or the monologues) That way we were able to customize for each school without re recording the song or the monologue. D submitted 8 prescreens (2 optional) and passed them all. No professional equipment, no professional studio, no professional video editor… Just D, me, Dad and the Voice Teacher! (And I used Windows Movie maker to edit the clips to include the intros, and to remove the inevitable pause before beginning)</p>
<p>I will confess that before hitting the “submit” button on that first prescreen - we were nerve wracked - but it obviously all worked out.</p>
<p>One thing I did do - my D is a total perfectionist - and she and I both agreed that she would not watch the videos back (except for right away the day we filmed). I did the editing so she wouldn’t spend time second guessing herself. I don’t think she’s watched them yet!</p>
<p>We also filmed for her friend on the same day - saved the voice teacher from having to do it twice, and allowed the girls to take turns and rest between takes. Her friend has also had success with her prescreens.</p>
<p>We even filmed one little bit for UMich on the iPhone in the living room - when we discovered an “optional” video statement on the deadline date when we were trying to submit.</p>
<p>Good Luck to you!! You are already doing your research early - which is fabulous - and I recommend getting these filmed in the early fall as well. She had all apps and prescreens in by Halloween - and were able to secure our first choice audition date/time for all of her schools.</p>