I filmed a beginner/intermediate Hip Hop class taught by special guest Marlee Hightower at The Hideout Dance Studio in Denver, CO.

The goal was to capture the fun, energy, and personality of Marlee’s teaching style while showcasing the students’ experience in a real class environment.

This video became a highlight piece for the studio’s social media and a strong representation of the class culture.

ROLE: Cinematographer, Editor, Creative Director

CLIENT: The Hideout Dance Studio

INSTRUCTOR: Marlee Hightower

LOCATION: Denver, Colorado

YEAR: 2026

MARLEE HIGHTOWER — HIP HOP CLASS

    • Capture the energy and personality of Marlee’s teaching

    • Highlight the choreography and class experience

    • Showcase the students’ growth and confidence

    • Create a visually engaging promo for social media

    • Document the vibe of a real, in‑studio class

  • Marlee’s teaching style is high‑energy, musical, and personality‑driven. My goal was to capture the full experience of being in her class — the choreography, the vibe, the interactions, and the moments that make her classes memorable.

    Key elements I focused on:

    • Marlee’s instruction — her personality, clarity, and musicality

    • Choreography moments — clean angles, dynamic movement shots

    • Group sections — showing the class energy and community

    • Individual rounds — highlighting dancers’ confidence and style

    • Close‑ups — facial expressions, details, and emotional moments

    • Studio environment — lighting, mirrors, and atmosphere

    • Rhythm‑based editing — matching Marlee’s musicality

    • Vertical cuts — optimized for Instagram and TikTok

    The goal was to create a class video that felt alive, fun, and true to the experience of learning from Marlee.

  • PRE‑PRODUCTION

    • Choreography review

    • Camera movement plan

    • Lighting adjustments for studio environment

    PRODUCTION

    • Wide shots for group choreography

    • Close‑ups for detail and personality

    • Tracking shots for movement flow

    • Instructor‑student interaction coverage

    • Multiple takes for clean angles

    POST‑PRODUCTION

    • Rhythm‑based editing

    • Clean color grade for studio lighting

    • Sound design + music sync

    • Vertical social media cutdowns

  • Social Media Posts:

    • 3.9K views on Instagram (Reel #1)

    • 266 likes, 10 comments, 11 reposts, 7 shares, 18 saves

    • 1.1K views on YouTube Shorts (Reel #1)

    • 1.4K views on Instagram (Carousel Post)

    • 74 likes, 5 comments, 4 reposts, 3 shares, 3 saves

    • 25 profile visits from the carousel post

    • Strong engagement from students and the community

    • Increased visibility for The Hideout’s Hip Hop program

    • 1 full class recap video

    • 2 vertical social media cuts

    • 1 landscape carousel (3‑video post)

    • Color‑graded master

    • Thumbnail assets

LET’S WORK