Preparing for the Aradia Fitness Calgary Feature Video Shoot

Thanks for following our journey as we reflect on our recent experiences with Kira and Evgeny. This week we get to share all the excitement in planning the feature video we filmed and then premiered on October 1, 2019. 

(If you’re joining us now, and wanting to catch up on the full story, check out part 2 on why we wanted Kira and Evgeny as guest instructors.)

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In thinking back, I remember the feeling of being on cloud nine when we received confirmation of the approved visas for Kira Noire and Evgeny Greshilov (from Immigration Canada)! It didn’t take long for reality to sink in that I had to get serious about planning and executing the Aradia Fitness Calgary video shoot. Although Evgeny was prepared to bring over all the required equipment to shoot the video, I still had to come up with the inspiration and overall plan. 

The Purpose. Ultimately, my goals for producing the feature video were to: 

1. Share with our followers how truly amazing our team is.
2. Make our current students feel proud to be a part of the Aradia Fitness Calgary community.
3. Encourage men and women to try pole and aerial as well as to join our family. 

This required careful thought, creative inspiration, and a well thought out plan to work!

The Music. My first step was to listen to music. Although it helps get my creativity to flow, finding music that speaks to me is difficult. Picking the right music for the video was especially challenging because copyrights and licensing requirements limited my options. I easily listened to over 150 songs, one that would be inspiring, but with softer sections complemented by edgy dynamics. I wanted the music to motivate people to feel strong and confident, while also having a bit of a sexy feel to it.

Finding the right song helped me to answer the question, “What defines Aradia Fitness Calgary and what do we stand for?”. I tried to bring the answer to life in our video; inclusiveness, community, family, professionalism, encouragement, knowledge through experience and training, and (most importantly) that we love sharing our passion with others. 

The Preparation. Planning what to showcase in the video was the next step. I envisioned a mixture of beginner to advanced combos and tricks to highlight what new and existing students could experience with us. In preparation for the video shoot, planned during Evgeny’s visit, we organized a practice the Monday night prior. We then drafted a list of moves and combos for Kira and Evgeny to review when they arrived. 

Arriving on Wednesday, Evgeny asked to see the studio as soon as possible, so he could have a better idea of what he was working with. There was a moment in the studio when he looked at me and said, “I’m going to climb the truss and video your team from the top.” Our truss for our aerial equipment stands at eighteen feet – and since we are conscious about safety – I told him I would get Monika (our resident climber and rigger) to bring in her climbing gear. He looked at me like I had two heads! 🙂

I continued to brainstorm ideas with Kira and Evgeny over Wednesday and Thursday. We were able to come up with a final draft (even with Ari, the puppy, interrupting and demanding Evgeny’s attention). We had confidence in the plan, and we were prepared to adapt as the shoot progressed. 

The Video Shoot. Friday arrived, and it was GO time! Evgeny and Kira were unbelievable. Evgeny was able to shoot 78 takes in less than four hours, a testament to their talents. Kira was always ready with adjustments and ideas to change up a section and Evgeny had us repeat takes until the shots and angles met his vision.

I cannot explain how genuinely thankful I am that we had this once in a lifetime experience. We were so incredibly lucky to shoot our feature video with the guidance of two of the best pole athletes in the world!

Demetra