Commission a Work
Dance can help you tell a story, bring a space to life, build community, or facilitate social interaction in a unique and engaging way - the possibilities are endless! Let me guide you through the creative process.
My process
Curiosity
Your role will be to bring curiosity and an idea. My role will be to find the intersection with dance and how to bring the project to life. We will work together over one or two visioning sessions to explore the possibilities.
Planning + Scope
As we explore the possibilities of the what the project will be - a performance, film, commercial, flash mob - we will discuss the timeline and budget. I will then write up a contract and we’ll finalize details.
Delivery
This is where your project comes to life and possibly takes on a life of it’s own!
project samples and inspiration!
“We Need a Bridge”
FUNDRAISING + STORYTELLING
My role: Creative Director + Film Editor
This is a community fundraising project I led while Executive Director of Dance Wire. It tells the story of the Portland dance community's need for a financial bridge to make it to the other side of the pandemic.
The creation process was 6 very busy weeks from idea to launch. It featured 80 Portland dancers and was shot in 45 minutes with no rehearsal or advanced preparation other than email communication. Working with the videographer during the editing process was a critical part of telling the story.
“Parkinsons Expression”
SOCIAL IMPACT + STORYTELLING
My Role: Performance + Choreographic Director
This is a performance that expresses the relationship between Parkinson's Disease and the human body using dance, spoken word, music and motion graphics as the vehicle for expression.
This was originally a live performance created by Heart and Hustle Productions for the "Shake it til we Make It" Gala hosted by the Brian Grant Foundation. It received such a powerful and positive response that Director Rashad Floyd decided to turn it into a film as well.
“Let’s Get it Started”
CORPORATE FLASH MOB
My role: Choreographer
This one was a small feat! The Audigy Group team in Portland called me in to choreograph a flash mob for an annual audiology conference they host in Las Vegas. I taught the local team in person, then made a video for them to distribute through their internal communications network for employees across the country to learn. They surprised the other groups attending the conference with this fun dance! Dancing starts at around 40 seconds and there is a fun moment around the end at 3:45.
Music selection by Audigy Group
“Circles”
Community Building
My role: Creative Director + Film Co-Editor
As Executive Director of Dance Wire, I was always trying to find ways to gather, connect, and uplift the dance community. This was a simple project about celebrating the diversity of dance in Portland and highlighting some of the brilliant talent creating work in our city!
"Seasoned Professional... And so gracious. Watching Emily Running work, I experienced her enveloping passion. There is no corner of Choreography, Dance, Stage, that Emily does not OWN. From building relationships to crossing every T in the business/logistics end, to the Show itself, Emily leaves no detail to chance. Her preparation is tireless. She can do it ALL."
— Barry Yee, Striven Media