Huntin' Wabbits — On Set with Hopskotch Dance Crew

Eric Peters
18 hours ago
2 min read

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg6TupBm-is

————— Production Journal / Dance Film

Hopskotch

Dance Crew

Part I — Huntin' Wabbits

LOCATION Swish Studios, Winnipeg

DIRECTOR Skye Spence

DIRXECP RROLE Support Camera / Co-Direction / Lighting

DATE 2026

10

Years of Hopskotch

2026

Year Released

YWG

Swish Studios, Winnipeg

When Skye Spence reached out about jumping in on the Hopskotch Dance Crew anniversary film, I didn't hesitate. Huntin' Wabbits is a celebratory film marking Hopskotch's 10-year milestone — and being asked to contribute, even in a support capacity, was an opportunity I was glad to show up for.

We shot at Swish Studios in Winnipeg. My role on the day covered support camera, co-direction, and bringing in the lighting package. The creative brief leaned dark and dramatic, so there was no room for flat, safe setups — every light placement had to serve the mood.

"Ten years of movement deserves more than a highlight reel — it deserves a film."

Skye led the vision and direction — I came in to support on a second camera, contribute on the creative direction side where needed, and handle the lighting design. The Aputure 300X served as the primary key — punchy enough to cut through the dark, controllable enough to sculpt. The Neewer RGB tubes layered in colour and depth, giving certain moments a moodier, more textured look that played well against the choreography.

On camera, we ran a Sony alongside the BMPCC 6K — two systems that together gave us the flexibility to move fast while still pulling cinematic images. The BMPCC's colour science and latitude especially shone in the lower-light sequences where the lighting was doing the heavy lifting.

The Kit

Camera 01

BMPCC 6K

Blackmagic's workhorse. Exceptional latitude in dark setups, rich colour science that holds detail in the shadows.

Camera 02

Sony

Speed and versatility. Allowed us to adapt quickly to the energy of the performance without losing image quality.

Lighting 01

Aputure 300X

Primary key light. Bi-colour, high output, and precise enough to sculpt dramatic form across a wide studio floor.

Lighting 02

Neewer RGB Tubes

Colour and depth. Used to add dimension and atmosphere — turning flat space into something that felt alive and intentional.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/2e3db9_32e3e9ab0ded460499d4d389b55c98b4/720p/mp4/file.mp4

On the Collaboration

This project was a reminder of what's possible when creative people show up for each other. Hopskotch has built something real over ten years — a community rooted in craft, discipline, and culture. Being asked to contribute to the visual record of that legacy isn't something I take lightly.

Collaborating with Skye on the cinematography side pushed the work further than either of us could've gotten alone. That's what good creative partnerships do.

Credits

Cinematography @skyespnce

Support Camera / Co-Direction / Lighting @dirxecp

Direction Skye Spence

Choreography Katrina McQuade

Music J. Cole

Dancers @babotea @elestee @sarahhxnter @_.m.i.k.a.y.l.a_ @desaraedawn @malkevichanna @molly_smyth @bremarkie @ellie.natoza @monique_muiro_ @corisamson.95 @terriabrey111 @faethemuse @lixiang1021__

Studio Swish Studios, Winnipeg

Production DIRXECP