Rolling in Nature Dance Film Workshop 2026
Description
Dive into the world of dance filmmaking this upcoming April with a 4-day intensive workshop! Designed for serious learners from collegiate to professional levels, this unique program offers you the opportunity to learn from some of the most renowned artists in the field while exploring the great natural environment surrounding Mirramu Creative Arts Centre!
This intensive workshop covers every aspect of dance filmmaking, including:
• Choreography for the Camera: Gain insights on creating movements and
blockings that translate beautifully to the screen.
• Storyboarding: Learn how to plan your film’s narrative structure effectively.
• Production Techniques: Hands-on experience with camera work, lighting
basics, and production management.
• Post-Production: Introduction to editing techniques, basic color grading,
and fundamental sound design to finalize your film.
Who Should Participate?
This workshop is ideal for dancers, choreographers, filmmakers, and anyone eager to delve into the art of dance film. If you’re ready to elevate your skills and immerse yourself in an artistic experience, this workshop is for you!
Participation Options - You can choose to participate in the first 2 days only or the full 4 days. You need to be available for full days. The filming of dance films will be on Monday and Tuesday. Those only enrolling for 2 days will not be involved in these sessions
Lineup
Grace Peng
Grace Peng is the Artistic Director of the Dancology Dance Company and Co- Founder of Dancescreen Collective Taiwan. She holds a Master's degree in Choreography from the National Taipei University for the Arts and has a successful dance career with Taiwan Neoclassical Dance Company. Grace focuses on creating innovative works that blend dance and film, frequently touring internationally with her company. Her award-winning films, including "Wanderer," have been showcased at prestigious festivals, while her collaborative projects, such as "Contours" with Elizabeth Dalman and Sue Healey, highlight her commitment to exploring diverse formats. Grace is dedicated to promoting dance filmmaking through workshops and has initiated numerous projects across Taiwan, making her an invaluable instructor for participants looking to advance their skills in dance film.
William Lu
William Lü is a dance filmmaker and co-founder of Dancescreen Collective Taiwan. He first began dance training under Cyrus Parker-Jeannette at Chapman University. Lü has received multiple accolades, including the Lester Horton Awards, and has performed with renowned companies such as Backhausdance, Lonneke van Leth, and Het Internationaal Danstheater. He returned to filmmaking in 2012, creating award-winning dance shorts like "Partita for One" and "STILL," which have been screened at international festivals such as Busan International Short Film Festival and Cinedans. Since moving to Taipei in 2016, he co-founded Crazy Family Productions, producing commercials, short films, and educational programs for cultural institutions such as the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts.
FAQs
- How do you get to Mirramu Creative Arts Centre?
The easiest way to get to Mirramu is to drive. There is space for parking at Mirramu either for the day or the whole 4 days as needed. Mirramu is located on the banks of Lake George (Weereewa) about 45 mins north of Canberra. Google maps has a pin you can use to navigate. Lake Rd is a dirt road and you will need to drive 9km along it to reach Mirramu. There are kangaroos and other wildlife so we ask participants to travel with care.
There is no public transport option directly to Mirramu but....
Train - You can catch the train from Canberra or Sydney to Bungendore and we can arrange transport from Bungendore train station. Services are limited. Please check schedule via this link https://transportnsw.info/regional-travel
For Interstate and International participants - Please contact us at least 5 days prior to your arrival to make transport plans. The Centre is 45 mins from the airport so we will only be able to make 1 trip to the airport in a day. This means we need to co-ordinate with other participants so that we can be efficient in airport transfers. We cannot do airport transfers on the days the workshop is scheduled. Please plan to arrive before the workshop and leave the day after the workshop. You wil need to purchase additional accommodation unless we can organise car pooling for your trips to the airport. We will try to be as accommodating as possible and ask for your understanding in this process.
For local participants If you do not have a car you can contact event organisers who will make car pooling arrangements with other participants to get you to Mirramu from Canberra and then home again each day. You may need to get yourself to a pick up location in Canberra for car pooling.
- Can I stay extra nights at Mirramu?
If you are coming from interstate or travelling internationally you can stay at Mirramu for extra time.
Each extra nights accommodation costs $85. This price does not include dinner or breakfast.
It is an extra $30 if you would like to have dinner and breakfast included in your extra accommodation days. (There are no restraunts closeby so you would need to bring food with you if you are not including breakfast and dinner in your extra accommodation nights)
If you wish to stay extra nights please contact event organisers ASAP so we can nut out details and organise to pay extra accommodation via a different method.
- What is the accommodation like?
About Accommodation
Mirramu consists of 2 beautiful mudbrick houses surrounded by approximately 10 acres of grounds, on the hill overlooking Weereewa (Lake George). The top building has the shared kitchen, dining and living space while the bottom building has the bedrooms and bathrooms all connected by an undercover atrium. All accommodation at Mirramu is in shared rooms with 3-4 people in a room depending on numbers. You will need to bring a towel but sheets and bedding are provided. There are 2 bathrooms that are also shared. We only have space for up to 8 to stay at Mirramu for this workshop so make sure you book early.
Follow this link to see a short video showcasing Mirramu's accommodatioin and studio https://youtu.be/BozkBhRiXO0
- Catering at Mirramu
About Catering
This event is fully catered with simple healthy food.
If you have favourite snacks please feel free to bring them for your own consumption.
We will ask everyone to fill out a registration form that will include dietary requirements. This will need to be filled out 3 days prior to the event.
We need to know well in advance if there are any serious allergies so we can make a kitchen use plan and appropriate menu for the weekend.
- What do I bring to the workshops?
Clothing
The weather will have already turned a little cool so make sure you have warm clothes, especially for the mornings and evenings.
Shoes for walking in and possibly dancing in for your film. If you would like to use the lake for your film you will need shoes that can get wet as we recommend wearing shoes into the water.
For the workshop you will need comfortable clothing for moving both indoors and outside. Think about how much skin you would like to contact the surfaces you find in nature. :)
Bring any possible costume items for your creation.
NB Bring enough clothes for the full weekend as there are not washing facilities available.
Technology
Camera or smartphone with at least 2 lense settings (ideally 3: wide angle, medium, telephoto)
Tripod (any size)
Any extra filming equipment gadgets, you would like to bring along.
We recommend bringing a personal computer such as a tablet or laptop with editing software you are familiar with.
You will need a notebook and pen for storyboarding and note taking.
A picnic rug or yoga mat you can use outside might also be useful for you.
Accommodation
Mirramu will provide bedding and a bath towel but you might want to bring an extra beach towel or spare towel incase you choose to do some work in the water.
Food
Meals are included in the workshop but if you have any favourite breakfast or snack foods bring them with you because Mirramu is not close to any shops.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity