At JV Studios, we strive to capture the true essence of our client’s passion through the art of film. Each of our projects aims at reaching the highest possible standards of production. In the past, we have worked with clients who share this love for excellence. Excellence for some is just a superlative, but for Dominique Dawes, founder of Dominique Dawes Gymnastics and Ninja Academy (DDGNA), it is a way of life.
Going for Gold
Dominique Dawes is a world-renowned gymnast and was a contributing member of the “Magnificent Seven,” who won gold in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Suffice it to say, she knows how to win, and she expects the best. JV Studios was up to the task of filming her business and telling the story of her lifelong passion; a passion that aims to introduce people, of all ages, to the sport of gymnastics. Dominique came to us not wanting to showcase her own accomplishments but rather the accomplishments of the people she works with daily. She wanted to showcase the various coaches, trainers, and staff that all play a role at DDGNA.
Sticking the Landing
The challenge of this video was to balance the awe-inspiring story of an Olympic gold medalist with the down-to-earth nature of her heartfelt business. We did this by taking several different storylines and combining them into one cohesive narrative. It was a narrative that highlighted the accomplishments of the past with the possibilities for the future. Each video had two primary goals: to capture the passion of the people impacted by DDGNA and the electric movement within the facility. Every shot was specifically framed to highlight the brightness of the space and the dynamic abilities of the various athletes.
These shots were a balancing act because it was very tempting to overemphasize the gymnastic routines. To counteract this temptation, we shot several interviews that provided a deeper human dimension; the interviews shine because they help the average viewer see themselves as a future participant at DDGNA. A cultural stereotype of gymnastics is that it is intimidating and only for the fittest individuals. To counteract this view, we showcased not only the athletes but also the various other movement programs that DDGNA offers. From Ninja to kids camps, we highlighted the fun atmosphere that Dawes has cultivated. Smiling faces and laughing kids helped us to “stick the landing.”
Our Experience: Working with the Best
Working with an Olympic Gold Medalist can be intimidating. To be honest, we knew that our A-game was required for this project. We are deeply honored that Dominique chose JV Studios to represent her business and communicate her creative vision. We hold ourselves to the highest standards so that we can bring to life our client’s ideas and inspirations. The end result of this project was a deeply impactful commercial — not only for Dominique’s business — but for the community as a whole.
When you watch a gymnastics routine, you become enraptured by the memorizing movements. A great gymnastics routine looks, in a way–effortless. Similarly, a great video has both an emotional impact and a natural flow. Thanks to our team of experts, we were able to provide a final product that mirrors the memorizing attributes of a gold-medal performance.
Looking Forward
Thank you again to Dominique for allowing us to partner with her in this creative project. It is not every day that you get to work with a living legend. Each project is unique and provides plenty of learning opportunities. We learned that passion and excellence can create truly remarkable results. For Dominique, those results changed the course of gymnastics history. For JV Studios, those results led to a timeless creative project that will have a long-lasting impact.
