Behind the Scenes: Filming Sleeping Beauty with Naples Ballet at Artis–Naples

Earlier this season, I had the opportunity to film a beautiful performance of Sleeping Beauty by Naples Ballet at the iconic Artis–Naples. As a videographer and editor based in Southwest Florida, I always enjoy capturing the artistry and precision of live productions — and this one was no exception.

For this shoot, I wanted to give a little behind-the-scenes look into my setup and workflow. I used two Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras: the 4K for wide angles and the 6K Pro for dynamic close-ups. The 4K was paired with a Lumix 18–35mm lens, mounted high on a tripod and connected to a small monitor for better framing. For the 6K Pro, I used a Canon 75–300mm to get detailed, expressive close-ups of the dancers.

Audio is always crucial in performance recordings, so I took a clean feed directly from the venue’s mixer into both cameras and captured the room ambiance with a Zoom H4 recorder. For timecode syncing, I used the Rode Wireless PRO system, which kept everything locked without drift — as long as I didn’t power down the cameras.

Both cameras were AC powered for reliability, and I used a Core SWX Powerbase to run my external monitor. After setting up the wide shot, I primarily operated the close-up cam, keeping an eye on the overall setup as the performance unfolded.

It was an inspiring production, and I hope this behind-the-scenes look gives you a sense of what goes into capturing the magic of live dance on video.

Thanks for watching, and stay tuned for more from behind the lens!