Black King – A Dance Video from Nanaimo, BC
In this blog, I’m excited to take you behind the scenes of “Black King” and break down what makes this dance video special. This film captures just how cinematic and emotionally powerful your studio’s story can be when creative marketing and storytelling come together on screen. Enjoy!
The Dance Video Collection: Redefining Dance Through Film
If you’re new here, the Dance Video Collection (DVC) is one of the biggest storytelling projects I’ve ever tackled. Over the span of several years, I produced, directed, choreographed, and wrote more than 30 short dance videos — each one featuring competitive dance pieces originally created for the stage.
But when I knew a DVC season was coming, I built each competition piece with an eye toward cinema. I didn’t just want to document great dancing; I wanted to translate it into visual stories that could be remembered forever.
These dance video projects ran in four waves: 2010-2011, 2012-2013, 2014-2015, and finally 2016-2017. The first three cycles featured ten films, shot over just eight weekends each. The last season was different. Only three soloists made the final cut. Anwar Ali was one of them.
These films weren’t just fun side projects. For dancers, it was a chance to star in their own film. For parents, it meant getting to be on set and part of the process. And for studios? It elevated their brand in ways that most dance studio marketing efforts could only hope to achieve.
Film productions normally cost tens of thousands to millions. But I made sure these dance video projects were lean and accessible, so families could experience the magic of filmmaking without the Hollywood price tag.
👉 If you enjoyed this look at Black King, you might also like The Making of Chi and Forrest Gump Jr — two more BC dance video reflections that dive behind the scenes of our creative process.
Anwar Ali’s Journey from Studio to Screen
I first started teaching at Vibe Dance Studios in 2008. Anwar was among the early students at Vibe who really connected with my classes. He signed up for every class he was eligible for and danced four solos with me over the years.
He was also the lead in my first-ever stage production, “Neverland” — a dance musical set entirely to the music of Michael Jackson.
Fast forward to today, and Anwar is a working actor in the Vancouver film industry and a respected street dancer in the community. He teaches, wins battles, and continues to push himself creatively.
“Black King” would be our last dance video project together. And we made it count.
Your Dancers Deserve a Dance Video Like This!
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How We Filmed Black King
We shot “Black King” over three days.
Day 1 was a one-take scene filmed live during Vibe’s 2017 year-end recital. I got on stage before the performance, explained what we were doing, and the dancers and audience came together to help us get the shot in one go.
Day 2 was the most packed: we shot the mountaintop opening and closing scenes, a rooftop dance with the Lost Boyz, and a forest scene with the Gooniez. Everything was shot out of order to stay efficient.
Day 3 included the basketball court, school hallway, and studio scenes.
Cuyler Frink handled cinematography, gaffing, and grip, while Wyldie Maxwell took care of visual effects and editing. They brought the story to life.
The Final Screening That Brought Us All Together
Because the 2018 DVC year featured only three soloists (“Black King,” “Roses,” and “Baby Harley”), I decided to host a mega-screening: all 33 dance videos shown together in one unforgettable night.
We packed the VIU Theatre with over 300 people. Families, dancers, and supporters from across the years came to celebrate.
We screened the new films between older dance videos, reminding everyone of how much love and energy we poured into these projects. It ended with a standing ovation. It was the perfect sendoff.
Final Reflection
Looking back, “Black King” represents everything a Marketing Movez-produced dance video stands for: trust, storytelling, creativity, and impact.
It was only possible because of Bette and Anwar’s willingness to be vulnerable and honest. And because of the years we had spent building something real together. I’m proud of this work. I hope they are too.
Today, Anwar is out there carving his own path. Acting, dancing, and sharing his gifts. That’s the power of dance. That’s the magic of film. And that’s the promise of what a dance video can be for your studio, too.
Interested in Your Own Dance Video? If you’re a studio director, parent, or dancer and want to know how your story could be turned into a cinematic experience, reach out. Dance studio marketing doesn’t have to be basic. We can create something that will last a lifetime.
Let’s make magic.
Black King Trivia
- “Black King” was originally supposed to be a cowboy western called “Legend of the Last Lost Boy.”
- Anwar Ali holds the record for most DVC appearances, appearing in or cameoing in 11 of the 33 films.
- It’s the only DVC Project that features original lyrics and music.
- Capitalized subtitles throughout the film reference Anwar’s dance history and crews: B.O.C., the Gooniez, Lost Boyz, and more.
- The school scene was shot at Anwar’s real elementary school, where he was once bullied. Filming there was healing.
- The on-stage dance scene was filmed live at the 2017 Vibe recital in one take.
- Anwar’s supportive elementary school teacher, Kelly Barnum, appears in the hallway scene.
- The studio scene includes Funkanometry (Jacksun Fryer and Carlow Rush), who later became Canada’s Got Talent runners-up.
- The project used a drone for select shots — a first for any DVC film.
- “Black King” was meant to be a heartfelt goodbye to the Vibe Dance Studios community, who helped make all this possible.
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