Dance Party TV @ HPAC

THE IDEA

Part dance party, part time-capsule, part video art piece—Space Acres brings Dance Party TV to HPAC. Designed like a broadcast dance TV show from the 90’s, DPTV is a slice of the times showing people and their hot dance moves in all of their decked out glory.

THE EXPERIENCE

A DPTV Party Bus would meet dance ambassadors at a central location and bring them to HPAC where the set would be waiting for them. When they arrive, the dance floor is and feels like a live TV set. Funky set pieces and lights and screens define the dance area where dance party ambassadors in expressive outfits are dancing to music provided by a live dj and visuals provided by a live video artist (vj). While dance party ambassadors break out their moves, they are being shot and recorded in an S-VHS analog 3-camera shoot that is mixed live primarily by a video artist to create the out-of-sight video effects as the dance show happens. Dancers are also invited to use the video equipment to create the video art looks as the party happens! With that said, this would all probably take place over a few hours on a weekend afternoon.

THE VIDEO ART PIECE

After the party-happening dance party takes place, the footage with baked in effects is transformed into a finished video art piece which feels like a video tape found in one of grandma’s forgotten keepsake boxes. While the original DPTV was shot using an analog SVHS system, an alternative video system might be in the cards if I can determine whether a similar look/feel can be achieved with it. Music rights will keep the final video art piece from being published on all platforms, but we still think it’s worth making as a piece of work, and we can screen it in person once it’s made. Meanwhile, photos can be more easily shared to the public and on online platforms to describe the experience.

WHO WE NEED TO RUN THIS THING

Party People / Dance Party Ambassadors - We’d send out an invite to the community asking for dance ambassadors to be a part of the show—open to all ages as long as they are willing (signed releases) to be videotaped/photographed. Everyone can give themselves monikers for the video credits.
DJ - to create the amazing music scape —we know some folks
VJ (Live video artist) - to create the otherworldly video art ambiance — we know some folks
Video/Photo Crew - While everyone at DPTV is invited to hop on the cameras and video mixer, a core team will be needed to set up, run, and breakdown the show. I’m imagining a 10 person crew including Director, Stage Manager, Video Mixer, Technical Director, Video Engineer, Sound Engineer, Photographer, and 3 PAs. I’d be able to enlist the help of some of my high school students.
Set Maker
Catering - snacks, booze

VIBE/TONE

Local-run TV show taken over by “creative types.”
Welcoming, joyful, retro, funky, stylish, down and dirty, family-friendly.