Each mode has its advantages and disadvantages: Both modes involve self-study with the instructional video and audio materials. In addition, the students can subscribe to the webcasts of our classes in KK Nagar and watch these online.
The real-time videoconferencing sessions offer the immediate interaction between the teacher and the student, just as in a physical classroom. Both the guru and the students have to be engaged simultaneously even if they are in different time zones. The efficiency of the videoconferencing sessions depends on the quality of the video and the Internet connection. It is still very expensive to set up a high-quality videoconferencing facility.
Study materials
The students are expected to contribute a certain amount for the instructional videos covering the necessary topics and items.
Each student receives the DVD videoswith the complete items (shot at 2 angles and 1 close-up, at different speeds) that they are going to learn, and the accompanying audio CDs for home practice. The basic video materials sent to the students only represent a particular dancer's interpretation and his/her individual performing sub-style (this is why you can optionally subscribe to our webcasts to watch how different students in our school perform the same item). Obviously, you will not be expected to reproduce an exact copy of such performances. The choreography may be modified according to the student's abilities. For example, the sancharis in a varnam are normally done in very different ways by each student.
Study process
In the video conferencing sessions the students will receive the immediate comments, get their errors corrected, get the answers to their questions and explainations of the details.
The number of students in case of group classes must not exceed 4.
The minimum course duration is 4 months, with a minimum commitment of 1 hour's videoconferencing session per week.
The one-to-one or group videoconferencing sessions can normally be scheduled at any time except for these reserved slots:
16.30 GMT to 00.30 GMT (night time in Chennai)
11.30 GMT to 14.30 GMT on most weekdays
08.30 GMT to 13.30 GMT on Saturdays
03.30 GMT to 07.30 GMT on Sundays
The number of total seats/slots available is limited, which is reflected in the fees. Please contact us to check if a particular time slot is available before applying and making the payment. In case of regular classes, as soon as the student's payment has been confirmed, the time slot is reserved for the student. For the arangetram, certificate or diploma courses, we need to see your video before your slot can be reserved.
In case of the graded certificate courses and diploma courses the students will be required to spend a minimum of 2 weeks in Chennai prior to the examinations at SDN.
Technical requisites
The minimum acceptable resolution for online Bharatanatyam classes is the standard definition (SD) of 640x480 (or 480p). As you can see from the graph below, you need at least 1 Mbps to get a good picture with a standard definition (480p). At this resolution, you only need to install the software that would be compatible with your camera.
Whether you buy a Logitech QuickCam Pro, use your old DV camcorder, or a get a high-end PTZ or something else is up to you. For example, for the 480p video, the mid-range PVC2300 needs 2.3 Mbps, which will give much crisper image with CIVS-IPC-VF55 lens than the Logitech which will work somehow even with 768 Kbps. Remember, without a close-up, any stationary SD camera may not let us see the small and fast movements (fingers, eyes, lips, etc) clearly.
If you don't want to have us or someone else pan and zoom your camera to capture your dancing close-ups sometimes, you can get acamera capable of streaming high-definition (1920 x 1080 pixels at 30 fps, progressive scan) video in MPEG-4 (H.264). High definition is mandatory for group classes.
There are various hardware and software HD video conferencing solutions. Some software makers promise "natural, full-motion video up to 2Mbps @ 30fps @ H.264 @ 1080p"(to compress which you will need a PC with a Core 2 Quad class, 2.66 GHz, unless your camera has an internal MPEG-4 compressor), which may be obtained through HDMI capture boards. While 2 Mbps may be enough for a "talking head" video, it will take at least twice that much to transmit a HD video of any fast dancing, as you can see from the graph below. If you would rather have a ready-made, simple to operate and stable hardware HD system, you can of course buy a Polycom HDX 8006, which is available starting at US$17,499.
If you have an ADSL connection, your upstream speed will typically be just a quarter of your downloading speed.
The camera has to be placed in a well-lit room sufficiently large for dance practice.
For example, in case of one-to-one classes, the dancer should have a space of at least 3x4 metres.
The distance between the camera and the dancer should be sufficient to provide a full-height view of the dancer.
Feesand payments
The minimum video conferencing sessions fees are: USD $40 per hour for 480p/ up to 2.5 Mbps USD $50 per hour for 720p/ up to 4 Mbps USD $60 per hour for 1080p/ up to 8 Mbps
In case of group classes, please contact us to discuss the fees, as we strive to make the online tuition affordable for as many students as possible.
In case of the professional-level dancers who want to receive an in-depth feedback, the minimum fees may be much higher than the above rates
The tuition fees are payable in advance, with a deadline of 60 calendar days before the commencement of the course.
The students have to pre-pay the fees for a minimum tuition period of 3 months.
The student records his/her dance practice and sends this video along with his/her questions over the Internet to us.
The teacher reviews it and sends the video feedback over the Internet to the student within 12 hours - option A
within 24 hours - option B
within 48 hours - option C
The advantages of this alternative mode are as follows:
the schedule offers much more flexibility for both the student and the teacher, who may be in different time zones, and many more students can be accommodated in this way
both the student and the teacher have more time to analyze the student's practice session and provide a more in-depth feedback, which may include, for example, other students' demonstrations of the corrections of the errors found in the video, etc.
the costs are much lower than in case of the videoconferencing sessions
Technical requisites
any standard definition digital video camera
a broadband Internet connection
Fees and payments
The minimum fees in the alternative (offline) mode are: option A: USD $22 per hour of the student's video option B: USD $18 per hour of the student's video option C: USD $15 per hour of the student's video
In case of group classes, please contact us to discuss the fees, as we strive to make the online tuition affordable for as many students as possible.
In case of the professional-level dancers who want to receive an in-depth feedback, the minimum fees may be much higher than the above rates
Starting from September 2009, both the online and offline students can be given an option to watch the webcasts of our regular classes at the intermediate and advanced levels. Please contact us for more details.
