Stay tuned…

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To celebrate Nadira’s retirement and maintain our legacy, we’re opening up the Belly Dance Geek® catalog with “pay what you want” pricing and granting limited permission for classroom use.  

We’re still evaluating whether this course can be offered as a fully DIY release, so check back here or subscribe to receive updates from our “pay what you want” store.

Make Your First Belly Dance Video

A step-by-step road map to making your first instructional DVD.

 

 

Making a video can jump-start your dance career.

A video isn’t just a source of income – it’s your calling card in the belly dance world.

A video establishes you as an expert in the eyes of other dancers, workshop sponsors, and potential students.

 

But making a video is a big job.

 

        It’s a lot of work.

        There are a lot of skills you have to learn.

        And there’s not a lot of help out there.

 

Your DVD

Imagine holding your DVD in your hand.

You can always pay a professional production company to make your DVD for you, but that costs as much as a used car!
It could be years before your recoup your investment.
 

That’s why I created Make Your First Belly Dance Video

Make Your First Belly Dance Video is an online course that will take you step-by-step through the entire process of making your video, affordably.

It really is start-to-finish. You don’t even need an idea to get started; we’ll cover that too. And when you’re done, you’ll have your DVD in your hand, and listed on Amazon.
 
 

Here’s what you’ll accomplish:

 

Video Production Process Steps

Module 1: What You Need and How to Get It (January)

You’ll learn exactly what’s involved in making a video, including:

  • An overview of the video production process
  • The 6 things you need to make a video
  • The cheapest ways to get them. (And what to do if the cheapest option isn’t available.)
  • How to estimate your costs.

You’ll also start practicing your on-camera skills, so that when your shoot date arrives, you’ll be comfortable and natural on camera. (Not a “deer in the headlights”.)

 

Module 2: How to Make the Video Your Audience Needs (February)

In this module, you’ll develop an idea for a video that will sell.

You will:

  • Learn 3 ways to generate ideas (that will actually sell).
  • Discover what your viewers need and want.
  • Find out what you have to offer – even in a saturated video market.

 

Module 3: How to Teach When You’re Not There (March)

In this module, you’ll turn your idea into a script that effectively teaches your material on video.

You’ll:

  • Turn your idea into a ready-to-shoot script.
  • Make sure that your script reaches your objectives (not teaching hip circles in an advanced video)
  • How to test your script – before you invest time and energy in making your video.

 

Module 4: How to Get Footage (April)

Now that your script is ready, it’s time to start shooting!

You’ll learn how to:

  • Prepare for your shoot
  • Communicate with your crew (or work without one)
  • Avoid costly mistakes on the set

 

Catch-Up Time (May)

We’re going to take a break from new training in May. I’m going to be traveling, and you may need extra time to finish filming. But the course forum will be open while I’m away, so you do any catch-up you need, and get help from your classmates.

(Note: there’s no charge for this month. If you’re on the monthly payment plan, you will not have a May payment.)

 

Module 5: The Editing Room (June)

Next, you’ll turn your raw footage into a clear instructional video.

This includes:

  • The only 5 editing skills you need
  • Step-by-step video tutorials to show you how
  • How to make your program look polished and professional

 

Module 6: Hold Your DVD in Your Hand (July)

Next, we’ll turn your program into a physical DVD that’s ready to sell.

You’ll:

  • Create chapters and menus that make it easy to use (with video tutorials)
  • Design the packaging
  • Get your DVDs professionally manufactured (without investing a lot of money)
  • List your DVD on Amazon

 

Module 7: Sales & Marketing (August)
Marketing + Sales + Shipping = Income

This is the part where you make money from your DVD.

You’ve got your video in your hand. Now it’s time to sell it!

In this module, you’ll:

  • Create an enticing trailer
  • Generate buzz with a pre-sale
  • Get your video reviewed
  • Set up a simple ordering & shipping process (post office trips optional!)

(Note: Marketing is not an after-thought. Once you’ve got the hang of video production process, I recommend that you start your marketing pretty early on. But for your first project, we’re going to save it for last, so you don’t get overwhelmed.)
 

When September comes, you’ll have your DVD in your hand, listed on Amazon, and maybe even on dancer’s holiday wishlists.

 

How it Works

 

Make Your First Belly Dance Video is a step-by-step online course.

Each month, you’ll receive:
 

Video
Video Lessons.

These will teach you the information and concepts you need to know to make your video. Some modules will also have video tutorials to walk you through technical steps, like editing your video, or setting it up for sale on Amazon.

 

audio icon
Audio recordings and transcripts.

Prefer to listen on the go? Or would you rather read your lessons? The lessons will also be provided as MP3 audio and PDF files, so you can learn your way.

(Note: the technical tutorials will only be available on video, since you really need to see these steps in action.)

 

Homework icon
Worksheets, quizzes, and checklists.

These will take you through the entire process step-by-step. There’s nothing else you need to do. When you’ve completed these, you’ll have your DVD in your hand.

 
 

Premium Bonuses

If you sign up for the premium package, you’ll also receive:
 

resource guide
Resource Guides

When I made my first video, I spent a lot of time looking for stuff: music sources, stock photos, DVD manufacturers. I’ve assembled a handy guide, so you won’t need to retrace my steps.

 

timeline
Video production timeline

During this course, I’m going to guide you through making your first video, step-by-step. But this isn’t going to be your only video. Once you make one, you’re going to want more. (And your viewers will too.)

So I’m including a complete timeline of all the steps you need to complete to make your future videos, and when you need to do it.

 

private forum
Private Forum

You’ll also be invited to a private forum just for this class. This is a safe, confidential space where you can meet your fellow students, ask questions, and get support and accountability. You can do the course on your own if you prefer, but having a community at your back can help keep you from giving up when you get frustrated or scared.

 
 

Logistics

What’s the time commitment?

Making a video is a big project, so you will have to invest a significant amount of time and effort. There’s no way around that, unless you want to pay someone thousands of dollars to make it for you. (And even then, there’s a lot you’ll have to do yourself.)

However, I’m going to take you through this process slowly. We’re going to take eight months to do what I’ve done in as little as eight weeks.

So you will have to take consistent action, but you won’t have to pull any all-nighters.
(I’ve done that, and I don’t recommend it!)
 

Delicious Pauses by Rosa Noreen
“Nadira’s guidance was invaluable to me when I made my first DVD.”

After her presentation, I felt like I had a map of previously unknown territory.

She presented the various options in ways that demystified them and lifted my paralysis.

I felt like I knew where to start, which is the hardest step of all.

Thank you, Nadira!

Rosa Noreen

Creator of Delicious Pauses: Negative Space in Movement*

(Note from Nadira: The presentation Rosa mentioned was the first draft of Module 1 of this program.)


 

FAQ:

 

Do I have to take all 8 modules?

Nope! If you sign up for the monthly payment plan, you can pick and choose just the modules you need.

If you’re already a whiz at video editing, you can suspend your membership for the month of June.

Or if you just want to put your pre-existing workshop on DVD, you can skip idea development in February.
(Although you might want to take it anyway – that module can help you refine your idea and tailor it for a video audience.)

 

Do I need any special equipment?

You’ll need a computer, and video editing software. The software used in the tutorials comes free with most computers, so you probably won’t need to buy it. (I’ll include tutorials for both Mac and PC.)

You’ll also need access to a camera, lighting, and sound equipment. In Module 1, you’ll learn how to get equipment at very low cost through a community resource, but if that’s not available to you, you may need to rent equipment. (I’ll tell you about that in Module 1 too.)
 

How much will it cost to make my DVD?

How much the video costs will depend on your needs, the resources available to you, and how much work you’re willing to do yourself (vs. pay someone else to do).

A production company would charge you $5,000-$10,000 to produce a video for you.

Using the method I’m going to teach you, I made my videos for about $100 each up-front. Yours will probably cost a few hundred dollars, so you’d only need to sell 15-20 copies to recoup your costs.

(I go into costs in a lot more detail in Module 1.)
 

I’m going on vacation during the class – will I fall behind?

Don’t worry about it! It’s 100% okay to take a break for vacations (or any other reason), then just pick up where you left off.
 

What levels is this appropriate for?

This program is for professionals, but you don’t need to be a “big name” dancer. If you’re qualified to teach beginners, you’re qualified to make a video.

(If you’re not qualified to teach yet, I’m not going to bar you from the course, but I’d encourage you to make a non-professional project, like a video podcast, instead of a professional instructional video. I did that myself when I was straddling the student/professional line, and it’s a great way to earn your video chops and get your name out there in the meantime.)
 

What styles is this appropriate for?

This course is 100% style-neutral. Everything you learn will be appropriate for cabaret, tribal, folkloric, and fusion styles. You could even use it to make a non-belly dance DVD. (But all the examples will be from the belly dance world.)
 

I’ve never worked with video before. Can I still take the course?

You don’t need any previous experience with video production to take this course. We are going to start from the ground up.

However, this course isn’t appropriate for people who are very uncomfortable with computers. You don’t need to be a computer whiz – I’ll show you everything you need to do, step-by-step, in the tutorials. But you will edit, author, and design your DVD on the computer.

If the idea of learning a new task on the computer makes you break out in a cold sweat, the DIY method is probably not for you.
 

I have made a video before. Will I get anything out of this course?

That depends on how involved you were in the production process. If you paid a production company to make your video, quite a lot of this will be new to you. If it was a DIY project, than you may be familiar with a lot of what I cover, although you’ll probably learn some best practices and shortcuts.
 

Sign Up Now

 

What’s Included:
Basic Package
Premium Package
Video Lessons

Audio and transcripts

Worksheets, checklists, and quizzes.

Resource Guides.
(worth $30)

Video Production Timeline
(worth $30)

Private Forum
(worth $75)

  $168 189
 
We’re still evaluating whether this course can be offered as a fully DIY release, so check back here or subscribe to receive updates from our “pay what you want” store.
Get Updates

 

* Items marked with an asterisk(*) are affiliate links, meaning I will get a small commission if you use them to make a purchase.