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Give in to the algo rhythm: How Insta dancers are thinking on their feet
Viral moves, hook steps, even fakers. Insta has changed how dance evolves. See how these creators stay on their toes
On the ’gram, we’re all just one viral Reel away from fame. On the ’gram, moonwalks, shuffles and grand jetés look doable. On the ’gram, the algorithm tap-dances from one trend to the next. On the ’gram, group dances often get cropped out of the vertical frame.
Three choreographers talk about what being on the ’gram really means for those dancing and those watching.
Aarushi Vikram, 28, Delhi@AarushiVikram23
Everything is about content creation, so obviously, dance is too. Vikram’s Insta features moves for beginners and experienced folks. It’s more strategy than self-expression, she says. “You have to market yourself in a saturated field. Dancers need to think as content creators do: What’s viral right now? What’s going to get people dancing? What viral step can you incorporate in your choreography?”
Short-form content plays better on mobile screens. So she’s tweaked her web choreography to be quicker, with moves people can pause and replicate. Hook steps have been around forever. But new generations discover classic ones and try to follow suit. So, it’s a mix of old and new genres.
“Insta has given creators more agency,” Vikram notes. “We no longer have to struggle to build a network or a tribe.” But don’t believe everything you see. Some dancers cleverly edit moves, showcasing routines that are impossible to follow in real life. “There’s also pressure to post the most perfect version of yourself. And that is not something that you can do on a stage or in a live performance.”
The genres most likely to go viral are hip-hop, Afro, and dancehall, rather than forms that require formal training. “We’re at a point where genres kind of bleed into one another too,” Vikram says.
Does training matter more than one killer step? “It depends on the approach. A killer step by someone trained will look different from the same step done by someone just having a good time . Either way, if you want to do more than that, you need to train,” she says.
But being cool still matters. “If you believe some choreography looks good and can pick it up, it is a confidence booster.”
Hana aka Archana Kujur, 25, Delhi@Afro.Hana
Hana, is part of an all-girl Afro Caribbean group, Irie Dance Crew, and has been dancing since 2019. There are so many one-hit wonders online, that the scene is full of viral sensations hoping to hold on to fame, she says. A professional dancer’s work can sometimes get lost in the mix. A good way to stand out is to “bring different cultures together via dance,” she says.
For performers, a social-media feed is the best portfolio of all. Dancers carefully curate every clip so it appeals to both an idly scrolling viewer, as well as a talent scout. “People today check how consistent you are,” Hana says. And production quality is crucial. A dancer doesn’t only think about the steps today, but also the costumes, lighting, venue and background. But tutorials barely fit the 60- to 90-second Reel length. “So, you end up posting multiple videos, or post just the highlights. It drives up costs and it’s hard to be consistent.”
But above all, dancers who’ve honed their skills on a big stage, and hoped to make it to the big screen are realising that all eyes are now on the vertical frame of the smartphone. “We have to keep it all compact, and edit well so the transitions looks smooth,” Hana says. “There’s a reason most Reels have smaller movements.” There’s only that much wiggle room. It means there are more opportunities for a dancer to film solo.
Over the coming months, Hana says Afrobeats will be on everyone’s feeds, thanks to songs such as Calm Down by Rema ft. Selena Gomez. “Apart from K-Pop with BTS and Blackpink of course.”
Akshay Murarka, 31, Mumbai @Akshay.Murarka
Murarka, co-founder of AnD Choreography, trained in jazz, contemporary, ballet and hip-hop, and has been dancing for 15 years. On Instagram, “everyone wants something that looks good and is easy. The easier is appears, the more viral you will go,” he says. “A lot of students attend dance classes only so that they can post their videos on Instagram.”
It means, for dancers, the focus has shrunk from a whole routine, to a set of moves, to one single viral step – to catch everyone’s attention quickly. “Honestly, the viral step in Tauba Tauba is not easy at all,” he points out. “It became popular precisely because it was challenging and so many people took on that challenge.”
But despite the mash-ups and the exotic costumes, there’s no real fusion of genres happening on social media, Murarka says. Dance can only evolve from a good foundation. “To learn a classical style, be it kathak or ballet, requires years of training,” he says. “A dancer may add a tap-dance move or a mudra into a routine, but it’s hardly a substitute for learning the dance and its background properly.”
In India, a mix of Bollywood and hip-hop remains popular. And Reels have power that ticketed concerts don’t. “It makes you connect with each individual viewing the video, since their focus is solely on you. It’s more relatable than a movie.”
From HT Brunch, December 21, 2024
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