Aftermath
A dance film shot at Arcosanti in the Arizona desert.
Co-writer · Director · Director of Photography
- My role
- Co-writer · Director · Director of Photography
- Runtime
- 7 min
- Location
- Arcosanti, Arizona
- Shot on
- RED V-Raptor, 6K to 8K
- Delivery
- 4K and HD
- Festival
- Show Low Film Festival 2022: Award Winner, Top 100 Screening
The film.
Aftermath is a dance film shot on location at Arcosanti, the experimental town in the Arizona desert. It was made with Cazo Dance Theatre for The Dance Experience AZ, and produced by my company, Nuvine Visuals.
The look book opens with words from Chanel Miller's memoir Know My Name, and the picture follows that tone: dark and moody, with silhouettes, lens flares, shallow depth of field and shadows that move with the dancers. Blankets and sheets are used as part of the movement and the frame.
The finished film was delivered in 4K. It was an Award Winner and a Top 100 Screening at the Show Low Film Festival in 2022.
- DirectorLevi Elizaga
- Co-writerLevi Elizaga
- Based on a story byBridgette Caron Borzillo
- Director of PhotographyLevi Elizaga
- CastAlly McSpadden, Keanna Agustin
- ChoreographerBridgette Caron Borzillo, Cazo Dance Theatre
- Assistant DirectorJessica Sanders
- Sound MixerAidan Adair
- 1st AC / GripBo Allen
- Gaffer / GripStephen P. Davis
- BTS PhotographerLisette Perez
- BTS VideographerBrian Caron
- Produced byNuvine Visuals, for The Dance Experience AZ
- Sponsored byArcosanti
Produced by Nuvine Visuals. A watch link will go here when the film is placed online.
How it was made.
A written look book set the picture before the shoot, so every department was working toward the same frame.
Dark and moody
Shadows carry the frame. Silhouettes and moving shadows do the work that dialogue would do in another film.
Lens flares and shallow focus
Light is allowed into the lens, and shallow depth of field keeps the dancer separate from the desert behind.
The landscape
Cliff views and the architecture of Arcosanti, found on location scouts and mapped in shot diagrams for the hallway, globe, stage and corner.
Blankets and sheets
Fabric was used as a design element that the dancers and camera move with.
Prepared on paper
Proposal, look book, production schedule, shot diagrams, crew deal memos and signed talent releases, all done before the first day.
Festivals and awards.
Show Low Film Festival
Award Winner, Top 100 Screening
Show Low, Arizona. The festival's official laurel is on file.
Frames from the film.
OBSCURA
A short film set in a house, with soft light and a muted palette.
Have something to film?
Brand films, events, interviews, podcasts and aerial video — tell me what you have in mind.