REVIEWS ON THIS PAGE: Face It; Classical Persian Dance Level 1; 1001 Shimmies;
Tantalising Taqsim Technique; Classic Cabaret Floorwork; Spins and Turns;

Total playing time : Approx 120 mins. DVD/VHS NTSC FORMAT © Meleah 1995

Face It - Make up Techniques for the Bellydancer Meleah is a professional makeup artist, performer and dancer based in San Diego California. Her personal website can be found at www.meleah.com, where you can find details of her dance classes, performances, and her work as a makeup artist. The video has a good standard production quality, picture, sound and overall editing. Along with the video, you also receive an accompanying booklet, which contains an overview of each topic covered in the video, together with helpful illustrations to help you identify the shape of your features, how to contour, the makeup placement used in various effects on the eyes etc. I found the booklet very useful in itself, and it also contains extra tips and information not covered on the main video. I found some of these tips such as blush placement and information on eye shapes etc invaluable for everyday makeup, as well as for the performance look. Both the booklet, and the video are divided into various sections: Introduction; Tools of The Trade; Beautiful Brows; Cheek to Cheek; Luscious Lips; The Eyes Have It. The booklet also contains some extra appendices: Makeup and Lighting; The 10 Most Common Makeup Errors; Makeup Kit Basics; Make It Last; Quality Conscious. and a product catalogue of Meleah's cosmetic line, and order forms. Performance makeup is an area that many dancers can find confusing, or even neglect to think about completely. The video begins with several short clips of Meleah dancing live in a restaurant, while we hear a introductory voiceover from Meleah. The editing in this section is a little bit strange, but by the time Meleah goes onto the main teaching section of the video, this has been resolved and the editing is great and very smooth throughout the rest of the video. When using this video, I found that the video and the booklet went hand in hand with each other. Throughout the video, Meleah is a very professional presenter and teacher, and gives *clear*, detailed explanations which builds on and expands greatly upon the basic information in the booklet. Meleah demonstrates each technique on models with skin colouring ranging from fair skinned, fair to medium, and medium-dark. In the first section, "Tools of the Trade", Meleah discusses the importance of using a good set of brushes. She has a complete set of brushes and tools in front of her, and talks about each one in turn; how and why to use each brush; as well as the importance of holding them to applying cosmetics correctly. As she does this, the camera closes in on each brush, so you can identify the type of brush you'll need. She also covers cleaning, and caring for, your brushes. In the second section "A Firm Foundation", Meleah talks us through the correct way to apply foundation. In this part, she demonstrates on several models with various skin colouring and types. As she applies foundation to each model, Meleah gives lots of information on how to choose the right colour and type of foundation for your skin type, and how to use it in the right way to get a flawless finish. I also really like how Meleah uses models of various ages, skin type, and facial features; this really highlighted the information in the book on eye and lip types especially. Meleah also tells us about using translucent powder to set the foundation, and the best way to apply it for keeping perspiration at bay. In "Cheek to Cheek", Meleah explains clearly how to work out where to place the blush on your own face; how to avoid it looking blotchy, how to use contouring, and applying blusher and contour for night time performances and for stage lighting. The next section is "Luscious Lips"; again many of the techniques here can be used in your everyday makeup as well as for performance. Meleah gives lots of helpful advice here and as we see her applying lipstick to models with varying lip shapes (thin, medium-full, full), she demonstrates how to make the most of and enhance each particular lip shape, how to correctly apply lip liner and lipstick, and tricks of the trade in making your lipstick last longer. The end section of the teaching part of the video is "The Eyes Have It" which is devoted to creating different styles of eye makeup designed especially for performance and different types of stage environment. This is a fantastic detailed section where Meleah excellently demonstrates how to create different eye make looks, what colours to use, how to apply the makeup correctly etc..again various models are used in creating the different looks (which are also described in the booklet), There is also a tutorial on applying eyelashes and individual lashes correctly, and helpful tips on using mascara. The video doesn't end there though, there is some extra bonus sections: one where we see Meleah applying her own makeup in a mirror - again, as throughout the video, the camerawork is excellent and it's possible to clearly see everything she does. As Meleah applies her makeup step by step, she talks us through how and why she is applying it. This section provides a useful review of all the techniques outlined in the video so far, and helps reinforce the correct use of makeup. I particularly liked the "before, and after" section - we see shots of the models with no makeup, then a shot showing the effects Meleah has created with makeup - she does one half of the fact, and the transformations area really fantastic and show how it possible to really make the most of your features for the stage. In the last but one section, we see another shot of Meleah dancing live. She literally takes us behind the scenes of her restaurant venue to talk to us about how to keep makeup in place during an evening of performance - Meleah carefully explains how perspiration affects makeup and demonstrates how to dry off without ruining the remaining makeup and details how to reapply your makeup between shows to stay looking fresh. I found this section excellent as Meleah has literally just come off stage and so we see how Meleah's techniques work in a "live" situation. The last section is "products" - as a dancer and cosmetic artist, Meleah has developed her own specialist range of cosmetic products, both for her own clients, and specifically for performance. She talks us through the products that she sells, and explains how and why they are used In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed the content on the video - many of the makeup tips and techniques I found useful for improving my own everyday makeup, as well as creating makeup looks for the stage. I found both the video, and the accompanying booklet absolutely invaluable for creating stunning stage makeup. The camera work is very clear and shows closeup's of the makeup being applied, and Meleah presents this video extremely professionally. Meleah also has a great e-mail newsletter that I recommend you subscribe to, which gives both extra tips on makeup and skin care, as well as passing information about the latest in colours for the season. Very highly recommended and a must for every dancer! *Note* - "Face It" is now available on DVD. You will be ordering direct from Meleah, (not the Raqs Sharqi website).

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Total playing time : Approx 30 mins. NTSC FORMAT © Shahrzad Khorsandi

Classical Persian Dance Level 1 Shahrzad Khorsandi was born in Tehran, Iran and immigrated to the U.S. in 1980. Shahrzad is a professional dancer and teacher based in Richmond, California, USA. Her website can be found at http://www.sdadance.org. This video has been produced professionally, and so has excellent sound and picture quality, as well as a high standard of camera work. This instructional video is aimed at dancers who are completely new to Persian dance. The back cover has a list of the moves taught on the video. The music used on this video is titled "Eshreh" from the CD "Beraqs" produced by Pars Video. Shahrazd teaches wearing a bright blue all in one leotard with a knee length Persian style skirt. The background is completely black and I didn't have any problem with this - there is adequate lighting and, for the most part, the camera angle is full body shot and it is easy to see what is being demonstrated, and the black background eliminates any distractions. Shahrzad's movements are clearly visible at all times. Shahrzad herself is an absolutely beautiful professional dancer with flawless technique, and her standard of teaching reflects this. The video uses the "voice over" format; as Shahrzad demonstrates the movements, we also hear her voice over talking us through the technique. The voice over has been excellently done - throughout the video, Shahrzad explains the movements clearly, giving helpful tips, using visualisations where appropriate to help the student "get the move". The steps are broken down well and what I liked about this video is the clarity of the teaching. Shahrzad has a friendly voice and is a clear, confident presenter of material. Her explanations and breakdowns are very easy to understand. A lot of time, thought, and effort has gone into the production of this video. The teaching material has been put together in a logical fashion. Shahrzad first teaches us the basic important rules of Persian dance - how the arms and hands fit into the dance, and how to position and hold them correctly. The types of movements taught in this video are hand movements, arm movements, travelling steps, foot patterns and turns. Each movement is taught in a separate mini section. Shahrzad first tells us the name of the move, and the translated meaning, before going on to teach it. Where appropriate, Shahrzad also explains how the movement fits in with the music, as well as how to vary the movement with level changes and travelling/turning with the move to create several different looks. For the more complex movements, such as travelling steps that are combined arms and hands, Shahrzad breaks down the footwork first, before teaching the full movement. After every three mini-segments (movements), Shahrzad reviews what's just been taught to music, giving the student practice time to performa the moves together in sequence. The movements taught on this video are: Abshar; Negah, Del Roba, Nama, Seh Gaam, Parvaz, Jonbesh, Arezoo, Peechak, Yuresh, Shokufeh. After all the movements have been covered, there is then another review section where the student gets the chance to practice all the moves in sequence with Shahrzad. The penultimate section of the video covers learning a simple, short choreography using the movements we've already learned. The choreography is taught in several small segments, and after practising each section, Shahrzad goes on to the next part of the choreography, then the whole thing is practiced from the top, making the choreography easy to learn and remember. Then the entire routine is performed to the music, and as she dances, the movements and choreography sequence are called out to help the student remember "what comes next". The last part of the video shows a costumed performance of the choreography by three of Shahrzad's students. A little of the camera work is too artistic here, and the camera zooms in on a particular dancers torso or arms occasionally, which I found a little distracting. This is my only criticism of the video - the rest of the camera work, teaching etc is of an excellent standard. Highly recommended! To order contact Shahrzad for details. You will be ordering direct from Shahrzad, (not the Raqs Sharqi website).

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Total playing time : Approx 30 mins. © Oriental Fantasy 1999 PAL FORMAT

1001 Shimmies (Germany) This video is taught in the English language. BEATA CIFUENTES started dancing at the tender age of 6. After realising that something was missing in her life she dropped her studies in Medicine and enrolled in a School for theatrical dance in Berlin. She opened her studio for Oriental Dance, the first one of its kind in Berlin. Beata and her husband Horacio Cifuentes together formed "Oriental Fantasy", and put on theatrical productions every other year, with new music, choreographies and costumes. Beata and Horacio's website can be found at www.oriental-fantasy.com. This video has excellent sound, lighting, editing and picture quality. It was filmed in a studio setting using a front camera angle. In this video, Beata is joined by a group of student dancers just behind her, following her Beata has beautiful dance technique, timing, posture and grace, as well as superb control and precise isolation skills. As a teacher, Beata communicates very well and in a professional, clear manner. In this video, Beata wears a cream coloured leotard with dark dance tights, which together with the red beaded hip belt she wears makes an excellent contrast against the dark background and light coloured flooring. Her choice of brightly coloured beaded belt really emphasise the movement and shows off the hipwork very clearly. All movements on this video are taught using appropriate tabla rhythms playing in the background; this has been recorded at just the right level, and there are not any problems hearing Beata over the sound of the tabla. The CD used in this video is "Oriental Fantasy volume 4 - Drums for Training" which is available from Beata and Horacio's website. The video is divided into several main teaching sections: the basic shimmy, 3/4 shimmy (Egyptian walk), the Hagalla, and the Soheir Zaki. In each section, Beata first breaks down the basic movement slowly, and gradually builds up to full speed and technique, giving you plenty of time to practice the movement and get it right. The basic shimmy section consists of three parts; variations on the basic shimmy, isolations, and on half-toe (ball of foot). To begin with, Beata starts by demonstrating the correct posture used in oriental dance, and the technique required to correctly perform an Egyptian (knee-driven) shimmy and how to vary and control the speed of your shimmy. In the isolation section, Beata teaches a good range of shimmy variations achieved by layering the shimmy over other movements, including bodywaves, headslides, camels, ribcage circles and shoulder rolls to give your hip shimmies that extra sparkle and the "wow" factor". In the "half-toe" subsection, Beata teaches some variations of movement created by altering the basic leg positions and using the ball of the foot to add even more variety to the Egyptian hip shimmy. The next main section is the 3/4 shimmy (Egyptian walk). Beata first of all teaches an exercise designed to help you learn the correct technique for this shimmy. Again the movement is broken down wonderfully and the pace built up gradually so you can get the movement right. In this section, Beata also demonstrates the move high on the balls of the feet as a level variation, and the movement combined with a forward/back step. Although this move is taught on the spot, while breaking down the move, Beata does recommend you lift each foot as you practice, ensuring that you'll be able to travel with this shimmy with ease. The next section teaches the Hagalla shimmy. For this more intricate step, Beata clearly explains the different components, and the movement is broken down and taught in sections with plenty of practice time before the whole step comes together. Beata teaches you how to travel side to side and forwards, as well as with flat feet and on the balls of the feet. There is also an interesting variation on this step, the 3/4 Hagalla. The last shimmy Beata teaches is a shimmy that is layered over the famous Egyptian dancer Suhier Zaki's legendary hip movement. The basic movement is taught first, before the shimmy is added to the step. Beata again gives some good advice and spends time explaining how to position your body to perform the movement correctly and so that you keep your hips isolated. Beata shares some very helpful and useful tips regarding foot placement and achieving good isolation, the importance of body alignment and weight placement on this video. I really liked the fact that the movements were broken down so excellently. The material here is suitable for advanced beginners, and intermediates upwards, and there are lots of ideas for making your shimmies shine! Highly recommended! You will be ordering direct from Oriental Fantasy, (not the Raqs Sharqi website).

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