Dance On Fire at Upperland Studio — Shaqueel Lawrence & Crew

When choreographer Shaqueel Lawrence (@shaaqdaddy) and his crew walked into Upperland Studio in Richmond, BC, they had a clear vision: create a dance performance video that felt like stepping into a furnace of light and energy. The result, Dance On Fire, is a showcase of what happens when world-class movement meets cutting-edge virtual production technology. This case study breaks down how the project came together, from creative brief to final export, and what other dance teams can learn from the process.

The Creative Brief: Movement Meets Fire

Shaqueel came to us with a concept rooted in intensity. The choreography was aggressive, rhythmic, and built around sharp isolations and synchronized group work. He wanted backgrounds that matched that energy: flames, deep reds, molten textures, and shifting heat-haze effects. Traditional location shooting would have required practical fire effects (expensive, dangerous, and heavily permitted) or hours of post-production compositing.

With our LED wall studio, the entire fire world was built digitally and displayed in real time on our 7-metre by 4-metre curved screen. The dancers performed inside the environment rather than in front of a green screen, which made a massive difference in both the final look and the performance energy.

Why LED Walls Are Transformative for Dance Video Production

Dance videos have unique production requirements that make LED wall studios especially powerful. Unlike narrative filmmaking where actors hit marks and deliver dialogue, dance is fluid, fast, and fills the entire frame. Here is why the LED wall at Upperland Studio changed the game for this shoot:

• Reactive lighting on moving bodies: The LED wall does not just serve as a backdrop. It functions as the primary light source, casting realistic coloured light that wraps around the dancers as they move. When the background shifted from deep crimson to bright orange flame bursts, the light on the dancers’ skin and costumes shifted in perfect sync. This creates a look that would take hours to replicate in post.
• Performers see their world: On a green screen stage, dancers perform in a void. They cannot see the environment they are supposed to be reacting to. On an LED wall, they are literally inside the world. For Shaqueel’s crew, being surrounded by flames and heat visuals elevated their intensity. Multiple crew members commented that the wall made their performances more authentic.
• Instant scene changes: The choreography had three distinct sections, each requiring a different visual mood. On location, this would mean three separate setups or three different venues. On our LED wall, the crew switched environments in under five minutes each time.
• No motion blur artifacts: Unlike green screen compositing, which can struggle with fast-moving limbs and hair, in-camera LED wall capture handles motion naturally. There is no keying required, which means no fringing or edge artifacts on spinning bodies and flying braids.

Production Process: From Pre-Vis to Final Take

The production followed a streamlined workflow designed to maximize shooting time and minimize downtime:

• Pre-visualization (one week before): Shaqueel shared his music tracks and rough choreography videos. Our team used AI-driven pre-visualization tools to design three distinct Unreal Engine environments: a ground-level fire field, an abstract ember tunnel, and a molten-glow atmospheric wash. These were reviewed and approved over video call before shoot day.
• Load-in and tech check (1 hour): The crew arrived and we calibrated the LED wall brightness and colour temperature to match the camera settings. Director of photography @carlo.decena worked with our studio tech to dial in exposure and white balance for the first environment.
• Shooting block one (2 hours): The fire field environment. Group choreography with all seven dancers. Multiple takes from wide, medium, and close-up angles. The LED wall’s consistent lighting meant the DP could work quickly without relighting between setups.
• Environment swap and shooting block two (2 hours): The ember tunnel. Tighter formations, solo features for individual dancers. Haze was added to the stage to create depth and atmosphere, with the LED wall light diffusing beautifully through the particles.
• Final block (1.5 hours): The atmospheric glow wash. Slower, more expressive movement. Portrait-style shots of each dancer for social media cutdowns and promotional stills.

Lighting Setup: Letting the Wall Do the Work

One of the most underrated advantages of LED wall production is the reduction in traditional lighting setup. For Dance On Fire, the lighting approach was intentionally minimal:

• Primary light source: The LED wall itself. At 7 metres wide and 4 metres tall, the wall cast a massive, soft, wrap-around light that naturally illuminated the dancers from the front and sides.
• Supplemental backlight: A single overhead LED panel provided subtle rim lighting to separate the dancers from the background and add definition to silhouettes during faster movements.
• Haze machine: A professional hazer created a thin atmospheric layer that caught the LED wall’s light beautifully, adding volumetric depth to the frame without obscuring the dancers.
• No floor lights or side fills: Because the wall wraps 180 degrees around the stage, there was no need for additional fill lights. This kept the floor completely clear for the dancers, which is critical for choreography that uses the full stage.

This minimal lighting setup meant less gear to rent, less time spent on setup and adjustments, and more time for the dancers to actually dance. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on LED wall studios versus traditional film sets.

Results and Deliverables

The total shoot lasted approximately 6.5 hours including load-in and wrap. The team walked away with:

• One full-length vertical performance video (optimized for YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and TikTok)
• Individual dancer feature clips for personal social media use
• Behind-the-scenes content captured on a secondary camera
• High-resolution production stills pulled from the 4K footage

The final video has been published on YouTube and across the crew’s social channels. The in-camera look required minimal colour grading in post, and because all visual effects were captured live, the edit turnaround was significantly faster than a traditional green screen composite would have been.

Tips for Planning Your Own Dance Video on an LED Wall

Based on what worked exceptionally well for Shaqueel and his team, here are actionable tips for any dance crew considering an LED wall shoot:

• Rehearse with reference imagery: Practice your choreography while watching playback of your planned backgrounds on a monitor. This helps dancers calibrate their energy to the environment before arriving at the studio.
• Plan wardrobe for contrast: Dark costumes can disappear against dark backgrounds. Make sure your wardrobe provides visual separation from your LED environments. Shaqueel’s team wore a mix of light and dark pieces that popped against the warm fire tones.
• Keep the floor clear: Avoid floor props, cables, and tape marks that could trip dancers mid-routine. Our studio floor is clean and level, ideal for dance work.
• Use haze intentionally: A thin layer of haze adds cinematic depth without obscuring movement. Too much haze catches too much LED light and can wash out the image. Our studio tech team can help you find the right balance.
• Schedule breaks for dancers: High-energy choreography is physically demanding. Build 10-minute breaks into your schedule every 45 minutes. Use break time for environment swaps so no shooting time is wasted.

For a complete walkthrough of LED wall music video production, see our music video production guide.

Credits

Choreographer / Creative Director: @shaaqdaddy (Shaqueel Lawrence)

Dancers: @kennethparadilla, @chase.carrera, @phillipespinosa, @jessicagiancola, @ruby.j0hnson, @kyanneeeeeee, @youneyterefe

Director of Photography: @carlo.decena
Studio: @upperlandstudioproduction (Upperland Studio, Richmond BC)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to shoot a dance video at Upperland Studio?

LED wall studio time starts at $99 per hour with a two-hour minimum. A typical dance video session runs four to eight hours depending on the number of environments and complexity of choreography. Our pricing guide has full details on packages and what is included.

Can we play our own music through the studio speakers during the shoot?

Yes. Our studio is equipped with a sound system that can play your tracks at performance volume so your dancers can perform to the actual music. We recommend bringing your audio on a USB drive or streaming device for seamless playback.

Do we need to bring our own camera crew?

You can bring your own DP and camera team, or we can connect you with experienced local cinematographers who have shot on our LED wall before. Either way, our studio technician is always on-site to manage the LED wall, environment loading, and technical coordination.

How many dancers can comfortably perform on the LED wall stage?

The shooting area in front of our LED wall comfortably accommodates groups of up to 8 to 10 dancers for choreographed routines. Shaqueel’s crew of seven had ample room for formations, floor work, and individual features. For larger groups, we can adjust staging and camera positions to maximize the usable space.

Ready to Create Your Dance Video?

Whether you are a choreographer with a full crew or a solo dancer building your portfolio, Upperland Studio gives you the tools to create visually stunning dance content without the cost and complexity of multi-location shoots. Our LED wall, professional lighting, and experienced studio team are here to bring your vision to life.

Book your session today at upperlandstudio.com or call 604-723-4239 / 778-668-3566. Upperland Studio is located at 238-13880 Wireless Way, Richmond, BC V6V 0A3.