Bellydance Superstars: Killer Drillz with Zoe Jakes

It's not really that a hard DVD to follow. It's not too bad for a beginner, better for an intermediate, or better. However, there are a number of mistakes (which can confuse you) in the editing and camera angles, and lighting. The scenes can be confusing with angles, and cuts from 1 to another. But, the over-all class teaching section is very close to an actual Zoe class. The whole thing seems to have been shot in a hurry. The performance part doesn't do Zoe any justice. The angle on a close up of her face makes her false eyelashes look crooked, the lighting, and angling of the cameras make her appear aged, or with face jowls. Doesn't seem to be the best cameras or lenses either, and make her beautiful custom-made costume appear dull, and junk-like, or dull, dusty, or dirty & dingy... makes her make-up look like pasty, or like thick paint, or her neck look old and creased or sinewy-like as an old rock-star MAN texture, and not like a lady. What were they thinking? How could they do Zoe so wrong like this? Didn't they know to do a screen test? (Obviously, I guess not.) What's good about this DVD is the type of shimmy & hip work focus, which utilizes a bent leg for better lines, and smaller, yet muscular movements, which are different than your plain old every day shimmy DVD, and you get the unique shoulder work from Zoe's workshops if you were to attend them. Also, you get to see Zoe's funny, quirky, stand-up-comedian-like personality, which she is really like in her workshops. There are some parts of the warm-ups that I like, other parts, not so crazy about. Over-all, I think Zoe's thoughts, concepts, teachings are just fine, but the production quality isn't quite up to par with Zoe. (Poor Zoe.) They just didn't quite capture it, or deliver it very well. However, I still use the DVD despite the flaws.

This is a great DVD for someone who knows how to do the movements and wants to drill at home to make them more defined. I broke a sweat and my arms hurt the next day - this is good! Zoe is super clear and she makes this a fun work out. You don't feel like you are watching a work out video as much as maybe taking an online class. Her attitude is informal but still informative. Production quality is not great but as long as you can see everything clearly - which you can - who cares. She does break down the movements but if I did not know how to do what she is explaining -I am not sure I would get it very easily. Long story short is, that I personally believe if you want to really learn to dance you are not going to learn it from any video. These should be used as supplemental to a class. Still, if you are looking for a clearer instructional DVD that teaches a choreo - then go for her other DVD and not this one. However if you are looking to practice at home for sharper movements... you should purchase this DVD. :) I also like Unmata's DVD, Rachel Brices DVDs, and Sera Solstice's DVDs.

I thought Zoe Jakes did a great job with this dvd. Even though there are a few times where it gets a bit confusing; she's very informative with the material. It's a great dvd, some may disagree due to editing but I honestly didn't find anything wrong with it. It's a great dvd to touch up on certain moves that may be troublesome and better yet learn new tricks to make moves a lot more easier to execute. I give it 4 stars because it isn't the best dvd neither is it the worst. It's a really good dvd, I would recommend it to anyone who'd like to do nothing but drills that break a sweat. However for beginners it maybe a bit hard to follow. It's still a good dvd.

First I'd like to say that this DVD is a ALL REGIONS format (and not a "zone 1" as mentioned here) so bellydance fiends from everywhere outside the USA can enjoy it : ) I'm European and I had hesitated before buying it because of that, that would have been a shame. Second, I'm an (hardly) intermediate level dancer and I feel like that DVD is really aimed for me. When you're just beyond basics and you'd REALLY like to take it to the next level (they say it on all DVD but it's not always deserved) it's 93 minutes of pure joy ! You get to rehearse the basics but you also get to learn tricky variations and evnetually LAYERING, the holy grail of my dance quest : ) So I would recommend this item to any dancer around 2/3 years of practice looking for a clean and sophisticated style. My point of view.

Warm Upから、彼女独特の動きをお勉強出来ます。 彼女の教え方はとても丁寧なのですが、 しゃべりすぎな感が。。。 個人的には、必要なポイントだけ説明してもらい、 動きで見せてもらった方がいいと思うのですが、。。。 彼女のレクチャーは練習意欲を萎えさせますわ。(＾＾; 今回は彼女のパフォーマンスが一つ収録されているので、 振付の素材として、割り切っての購入〜☆

I really liked the relaxed, casual style of the DVD....shes does repeat.."the next thing we're going to do is this, and the next thing we're going to do is that"....but if you can tune that out it has excellent "drillz". Really a good practice to make your movements sharp. The voice is not dubbed over so its accurate with the movement, which tends to happen on some of these instructional DVD's....Its worth the $$.....I"m not disappointed in my purchase.

I liked what Zoe had to offer in way of exercise & skill to learn moves. the pace was good to enable you keep up. I also liked the working with her troup