Blog Archives

Oct 19 2014

Interview with Amanda Whipple — Professional Dancer

Amanda Whipple is a 24-year old model residing in San Francisco, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

I’m a Bay Area, California Native dancing my way through this crazy thing called life. Being an artist has been a struggle, but I consider it a blessing to follow my passion. When I started dancing, I was just 3 years old, and I have never wanted to stop. After getting my BA in Dance, I started focusing on teaching, choreographing and performing.

When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?

Opportunities to model found me through my qualities as a dancer. Photographers were intrigued with working specifically with a trained ballerina. Majority of my shoots and videos are all dance related, so I love the fact that I can fuse dancing and modeling together.

What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?

This past year has really brought me to a place in my life, where everything is right where it needs to be, and I’m so grateful. I just finished filming a new show airing this Fall and I stay busy teaching and modeling. In the next couple years, I want to travel worldwide to teach and perform. Ultimately, I plan on starting my own company and a studio that provides education in all forms of dance and health.

How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?

90% of my modeling has something to do with movement. I choose projects based on their relevance to dance. I’m definitely not limited to dance projects, and I love shooting for events that benefit charitable causes. If I’m approached with an amazing theme or idea I’m all for it! I prefer performance jobs, but I take on pretty much anything that comes my way, either print, runway, commercials, films, and more.

Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.

So far, I’ve only had positive experiences when it comes to modeling. I’m pretty selective when it comes to who I’m working with, so I think that has a lot to do with it.

Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?

There’s been a few instances during a shoot, when a pedestrian walks up and asks to take a picture with you, or is interested in where they can see the photos and video. It gives you that boost of confidence as a model, that you’re actually saying something through your work.

Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.

I’m in the studio dancing abut 5 days a week. The other 2 days I’m at the gym either strength training or taking a yoga class. As most people know, nutrition is key to a dancer’s career. To me, it’s not about how many pounds you weigh, it’s about how you feel. I’m a Vegetarian, so I’m always aware of what I’m feeding my body. I typically eat veggies, fruits, and fish for protein. Oh yeah, and coffee, lots of it.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

I used to choreograph and write songs when I was little. I would teach the neighbor kids and then set up a talent show for the whole complex to watch us perform.

Would you change anything about yourself?

Everyone has their flaws, and yes I’ve had thoughts about what I would change about myself. I’ve always wanted to be taller, but at the same time I love the fact that I’m petite. I am who I am, and at the end of the day I wouldn’t change a thing.

What superpower do you wish you had? Why?

Teleporting! In my busy and hectic life, I would love to avoid traffic in any way possible, not to mention, you could literally travel anywhere, anytime…freakin’ awesome.

Visit Amanda Whipple’s website for more photos and information

Jan 30 2014

What happens when you cross gymnastics and basketball?

This video from Inspiri Productions features world-class European gymnasts performing creative and elaborate routines before a live audience. Male and female gymnasts mix traditional gymnastics disciplines such as floor, bars, and vault together with rhythmic disciplines and even basketball dunking and dance. Strength, balance, speed and yes, even drama, combine to produce an incredibly entertaining show. This beautiful high-definition video, shot with Canon and GoPro cameras, is mixed with the up-beat and appropriate Cash Cash song “Kiss the Sky.” It’s a fast-paced and action-packed three minute video that will have you on the edge of your seat and clapping your hands.

+ Who: Inspiri Productions is a public relations, photo and video studio company that produces simply spectacular videos. They have produced several viral videos and even been featured on Good Morning America in the United States. Their Youtube videos, primarily sports related, have hundreds of thousands of views. This video features world class gymnasts from Germany, Russia, Ukraine, France, Belgium and Hungary. Many of the gymnasts featured have performed for Cirque du Soleil, and some of them were world champions in their gymnastic discipline. The amazing basketball dunks in this video were performed by the Hungarian stunt team Lords of Gravity. Lords of Gravity perform all over Europe.
+ Where: This video was shot in Germany and France in December of 2013 before live studio audiences. The gymnasts performed in an open, indoor arena with the space necessary to perform their amazing routines. They used typical gymnastics equipment such as bars, mats and trampolines as well as basketball goals. The entertaining show has been performed all over the region to the delight of those lucky enough to see it live. For the rest of us, we luckily have this wonderfully shot high definition video.
+ What: The video beings with two female gymnasts on the uneven bars. At (0:08) we go to a male gymnast doing a tumbling routine. Then (0:12), a female gymnast dressed as a referee performs on the trampoline. It transitions quickly between two male gymnasts on a see-saw (0:18) into a dunk from a trampoline (0:19). Then there is another tumbling routing (0:20) and two male gymnasts performing a floor routine with giant hoops (0:23). Several women gymnasts perform a rhythmic floor routine (0:28) and then several male gymnasts perform an acrobatic floor routine (0:30). The Lords of Gravity take the floor at (0:35) for basketball dunks. The female trampoliner returns at (0:42) and at (0:48) we return to the see-saw team. A dancer hits the floor at (0:50) and then we return for several more acrobatic and tumbling routines. At (1:03) we see a new dancer, doing a break-inspired routine. More of the see-saw team, the Lords of Gravity and tumbling follow in quick succession. At (1:16) a male gymnast works the parallel bars. Immediately after we see more of the giant hoops and then more tumbling at (1:21). The Lords of Gravity perform more elaborate dunking at (1:25). Hoops, rhythmic floor routine, dancing, dunking, trampolining, team floor work and team tumbling follows. The video is rounded out by more of the same. The performers get face time and at (2:23) and then take bows.