We use the latest Broadcast/Professional cameras from Panasonic, Sony, and Canon. We always have a back-up camera ready to go in seconds.

Co-founder Andy Kershenblatt has personally filmed over 900 recitals; Co-owner Lissette Kershenblatt has videotaped about 150 performances and counting. All our associate videographers have at least ten years of professional filming experience. Many own their own video production company and understand the client always comes first.

Absolutely. All our recital videos, including our popular Awesome Options™ can be viewed on our website. In respect to our current dance studios, we do not offer full-length recital performances for viewing.

ExtraStep Films was born in NJ, and thanks to the kind referrals from other studios, they’ve grown to serve dance communities across the entire country. ExtraStep Films is now a national video production company with dance studios we proudly service in 25 states!

Co-owners Andy and Lissette travel nationwide to film recitals—they’re that passionate about capturing these special moments. When they’re unavailable to travel, they have dedicated, experienced and professional videographers in every state. ExtraStep strongly believes in hiring videographers in your local area.

Here’s how it works: Our trusted videographers film your recital and we handle all post-production editing and distributing the deliverables. Then you and your families can enjoy a beautifully crafted video to cherish forever!

When filming dance recitals, the stage lighting is typically very bright, requiring us to lower the camera exposure to ensure the best image quality. For darker performances, our cameras are equipped to adapt to any lighting conditions and we will adjust manually. However, if a piece is performed under intentionally dim lighting, such as an all-black number, the footage will reflect the creator’s artistic vision and maintain the intended mood.

We record the entire performance to ensure that no moments are missed. During the editing process, we carefully refine the footage by removing transitions like blackouts between numbers, raffle drawings, and announcements such as house rules addressed to the live audience. Our goal is to deliver a polished, seamless video that is enjoyable to watch and flows naturally from start to finish.

Our goal is to capture the recital as authentically as possible while ensuring the final video showcases the best moments. If something unexpected happens during the performance, we typically keep filming to maintain continuity. However, during the editing process, we can review and adjust as needed, such as removing or minimizing certain moments, depending on your preferences.

We always strive to deliver a polished, professional final product that reflects the artistry and effort of your performers.

We typically film with one camera and keep the shot just wide enough to see all performers on stage. If you want the occasional close-up of the younger dancers, please let us know in advance so we will know to film that way.

In addition, we’re excited to announce an upcoming package featuring 3 or 4 DSLR cinematic cameras capturing your performance in stunning

detail. Our team will operate a professional live switch during the event, seamlessly transitioning between camera angles in real-time. This approach delivers a polished, dynamic final product that’s ready within days—no post-production delays!

The result? A video that looks and feels like a live TV broadcast. Keep an eye out for this option debuting for Nutcracker season 2025!

Our team will arrive at least one hour prior to the scheduled curtain time. In many cases, either we or our associates will arrive even earlier to ensure ample preparation time.

Yes, we will meet with your on-site sound tech to get the best possible audio feed from the soundboard; then we test our cameras for focus and exposure settings.

Yes, we will, thank you. Please ensure a roped-off section is reserved for up to three videographers, along with their cameras and tripods. This space is essential for smooth operations and to prevent disruptions.

We can’t stress enough how often audience members seated too close have accidentally tripped over taped-down cables or unplugged our power source. While we understand the importance of selling seats, providing a safe and dedicated workspace is crucial to delivering the highest-quality video for you and your families. Thank you for helping us create a seamless experience!

Online download links or flash drives will be ready between 3 and 6 weeks after the performance(s). For performances held in May, turnaround time is typically one to two weeks.

You can choose from two media delivery options: Online links that can be downloaded and/or shared easily; or flash drives. Regardless of which option is chosen, the dance studio will get two flash drives of every show. We no longer off DVDs.

Yes, our Promo Film option is perfect for showcasing your studio on your website, or any social media platform.

During the challenging years of 2020 and 2021, we introduced a no-fee rescheduling policy to accommodate the uncertainties of the pandemic—and we’ve proudly continued that policy ever since. This means you can change your event date as many times as needed, at no additional cost. We believe in flexibility and making the process as stress-free as possible for you.

Yes, we will send you a reservation form to fill out. A deposit of between $300 and $500 is required to hold your date. The deposit amount is based on the number of shows and is credited toward your final balance, which is due when the editing process is complete.

Andy and Lissette are available via cell phone 7 days a week. You will always have the contact information for your videographer(s). Texts, e-mails and phone calls are quickly and happily returned. You may send communications through smoke signals if desired. 🙂