When people think of Zumba, they usually imagine high-energy dancing, infectious music, and smiles all around. But behind the scenes of an event like Zin Academy – Zumba’s annual global gathering – there’s an entirely different kind of choreography happening: cameras rolling, footage backing up, edits flying out within hours.
We were lucky enough to be the team capturing the magic last year, and what a whirlwind it was.
The Brief: Capture Everything, Fast
It started with a simple premise: Zumba wanted not just a highlight reel, but a full suite of content, delivered practically in real time. That meant:
- A main event video
- Multiple choreography-focused edits
- Social media clips
- Vox pops and interviews
- Special footage with celebrity guests
And all of that needed to be shot, edited, and in some cases published within 24 hours.
No pressure.
A Global Gathering in an Unexpected Place
The event itself was held in a low-key industrial estate, nothing flashy from the outside. But turn one corner, and bam: a wall of taxis, buses, and hundreds of people dressed in fluorescent gear ready to dance. Zumba fans had travelled from all over the world. There was hugging, laughing, and what felt like a giant reunion before the sun had even fully risen.
The vibe was electric. And our job? Catch every moment of it.
Home Base Upgrade
Compared to last year, when we were editing on a literal flight case behind the stage, we were living the dream. This year, we had a dedicated media room overlooking the main floor, complete with a shared balcony (which we shared, casually, with special guest Ashley Roberts).
That separation gave us a moment of peace between the chaos of the shoot and the intensity of editing. It also allowed for impromptu celebrity interactions, like when Beto Perez, the founder of Zumba himself, dropped into the room to sit next to our editor mid-cut.
Imagine editing a video about Tony the Tiger while he’s literally sitting next to you. Yeah, it was like that.
The Setup: 3 Cameras, Zero Downtime
To stay agile, we rolled with a three-camera setup:
- Sony FX30 on a gimbal for wide, floaty crowd shots
- FX3 with a 70-200mm lens for intimate, tighter coverage
- FX9 with shoulder rig and boom mic for interviews and ambient sound
This allowed us to jump between locations, styles, and formats without having to constantly re-rig gear, a massive timesaver in an environment where every second counted.
Flexibility Is Everything
If there was one recurring theme of the day, it was adaptability.
Plans changed on the fly. Performers improvised. Celebrities popped in and out. One moment, we were capturing choreography; the next, we were sprinting down a staircase because someone had decided to stage a spontaneous group dance in the middle of the crowd.
You can’t storyboard that kind of magic. You just have to be ready when it happens.
Capturing Key Moments
There were a few standout highlights we knew we had to get. One of them? A dramatic walk-to-stage sequence with Ashley Roberts. We only had her for an hour, so timing was everything. We waited outside her dressing room, camera ready, prepped to nail a single smooth take without any reshoots.
Another favourite was a performer who jumped off the stage mid-set, rallying the crowd into a giant circle. It wasn’t planned, but it ended up being one of the most visually striking shots of the day. We knew instantly: this was a showreel moment.
Final Thoughts: Lessons from the Edit Bay
Working on a same-day edit like this teaches you a few things fast:
- Pre-plan, but don’t over-script.
- Trust your instincts.
- Have gear ready to roll at all times.
- Keep communication flowing.
- And most of all, stay flexible.
It’s not always glamorous. It’s long days, heavy backpacks, and editing with subwoofer bass vibrating up through your feet. But it’s also laughter, hugs, sweat, and moments you’ll never forget.
By the time we wrapped, we’d delivered every edit on time and captured the heart of an event that means so much to so many people. And honestly, we’re already looking forward to the next one.
Listen on Spotify or watch the full episode below on YouTube