Slow TV: Pointe Shoe Preparation | English National Ballet

[@brittanycarriger]

This was so special. Thank you for sharing with us!

[@crazyamericanredhead]

Beautifully done! Also, a trick or two I may try that I have never heard of in a very many years( will not say because I am old 😉) of finding the perfect pointe shoe hack. A huge thumbs up to the film and production crew. As I said, in my opinion this is exquisitely done. My husband owns a small production company company and I had him watch this for a few reasons. For one, the previously stated quality. Another, is that we got married after I retired and looks at me as if I have gone off the rails when I am preparing new shoes. I’m not sure if he is accustom to it now or decides to be a model husband and cleans the house while I do. Thank you for this gift.

[@OctaApe]

Special how? ...

[@missygee531]

@@OctaApe evidently you're not a dancer?? But maybe you took note of the serenity and sweet peacefulness of her environment. Often time, the arts can bring that about. Perhaps you have something you enjoy that goes deep to your core? :)

[@OctaApe]

@@missygee531 Yes indeed, shooting people on an online video game.

[@2Hearts3]

"Ballerina" -- part artist, part seamstress, part technician, part athlete, part physical therapist, part mime = totally beautiful ✨💐

[@Ms.Opinionated]

It is amazing that they get custom shoes and yet she still has to do all this work.

[@sarahlewis7829]

Love the fact the ballerina puts all the stickers on her sewing kit case, from a height it looked just like a patterned one until you see what she is doing close up.

[@englishnationalballet]

Well spotted!

[@Jennifervz5jl]

Love that she does that she put all her old stickers on her sewing kit case

[@shayekisitu]

This could easily be considered ballet ASMR.💕👌🏻☺️

[@WoodSageSeaSalt]

I am surprised that there isn’t really one yet that focuses heavily on Ballet aspects.

[@janet_m777]

So meditative and therapeutic to watch. Zen. 🧘🏻‍♀️

[@TheBrookelizabeth21]

That is crazy that she only goes through 48 pairs a year-that’s less than a pair a week!! Some other professional ballet dancers have said they go through a pair every three days😯

[@englishnationalballet]

Hi Brooke! This is an average for the year - there are weeks where we are on holidays, or rehearsing and performing contemporary pieces that don't require pointe shoes. But during Swan Lake for example, our ballerinas will go through lots of pointe shoes. :)

[@callabeth258]

Brooke my thoughts exactly!

[@billyt8868]

oh you saw that video too? 🙄

[@lys_ballerina]

i’ve heard that some go through 6 pairs a week!!! that’s insane! i am still young and my parents pay for my pointe shoes, but they would not be happy if i went through 6 a week!! 😂😂😂

[@crazyamericanredhead]

That was my first thought. As a teacher and coach that is not en pointe all day, I still go through at least a pair a week. It does depend a great deal on the of year, variations chosen for the season and many classes I teach myself.

[@Camilla0775]

You don’t often get this in real time! Amazing sounds, super relaxing 😌

[@englishnationalballet]

😊 thank you

[@_PURAVIDA]

Fascinating to learn how this is done. I’m a professional chef and this process reminds me of how I had to learn how to sharpen and care for my knives. Depends on the metal, use, function, age etc. Thanks for posting.

[@TheCLouiseA]

This is some serious Asmr going on in this video 😍

[@melissasullivan5899]

Amen!

[@sunnymoon369]

Yes!!!! Love the no music or talking ☺️

[@Lana-rw5qm]

This is the best of preparing pointe shoes videos! Give us more slow tv plz

[@hantubee]

I watch this every night while falling asleep it's very calming and prepares my brain for the many hours of dance the next day! I dance pre professionally so its very helpful to fall asleep with the right calm mindset

[@Killmannequin1]

Until that lawnmower comes in an wrecks the whole vibe 😅😅 😩

[@jffpviana]

These series of videos is genius. Bravo to the creators.

[@englishnationalballet]

Thank you so much! We're glad you like them!

[@cw5451]

So much dedication to her dancing - - from all the hours of practicing to all the time preparing her shoes. It’s definitely a labor of love.

[@Jennifervz5jl]

Amazing .. so much work goes into her preparation of her Ballet 🩰 Shoe. I had no idea how much work it takes just to break in a pair of new Point shoes I also was having a bad anxiety attack earlier and couldn’t sleep so I was scrolling You Tube for something interesting .. and this video not only relaxed me but making me sleepy . I practice Adult Ballet. I was taking classes at Canada’s National Ballet School .. now I. Take some classes online . Stay safe everyone. Thank you for posting this interesting Video

[@daisy-fu9lc]

I like how they have a picture of the Queen hanging by their door haha, not many people do that these days. Also, this is so therapeutic - thank you!

[@missygee531]

Oh how we love our pointe shoes! Even at my age they are still all over the house. I don't think we ever tire of looking at them. Thank you for this wonderful video. It brought back many sweet memories! 🎀

[@katiefulton9456]

This video is so special and inspirational: it’s almost a relaxing “sew along with” video + the most ideal but REAL ambiance. This concept, is touching, truly. I would love to see more of these art films, etc. especially considering how often we sew & how little time our shoes last. (Not to mention how differently we all prepare our shoes!) ☺️🩰 As a fellow ballet dancer, just trying to keep my mind occupied from missing dance so much. I miss it so much it pains me...or shall I say the lack of daily strain “pain”- pains me.) ENB: thank you for all you’ve done to give back to dancers across the world. I hope my small contributions have helped here & there; as I’m able. Anyway: this unique insight & artistic video: I think many more great balletic videos could derive from such (pointe,etc.) I adore the close-up macro-shots. I love the small things, despite my knowing of it’s tediousness: it’s a meditation as well, truly. This is all very, very real- (only my apartment isn’t nearly as tidy or tastefully sprinkled with such demure, yet truly classy decor- another point of inspiration!) Thank you, ENB: For all you do. 👏 Stay well. Much love to you Tamara & Co. 💫 I love you all. ❤️

[@angaeltartarrose6484]

..immensely soothing & calming to watch.

[@terrilandry8753]

I watch this to fall asleep...so peaceful

[@kt2906]

We love this video so much, thank you!!!!❤

[@2002cc]

I love this, I've been looking for this kind of video everywhere. I just recently got my first pair of pointe shoes so this was really great to watch! Thank you!

[@englishnationalballet]

Glad we could help! We hope you enjoy learning to dance in pointe shoes!

[@rachelgilders130]

Amazing - the absolute lengths we will go to achieve our own personal and absolute perfection in our art. To push and stretch ourselves, after all how much can each of us achieve if we only pushed a little harder. Beautiful! 💕

[@jacklondoner4579]

What a wonderful film. Thank you.

[@teaganlee4219]

This was exactly what I was looking for, great short film!

[@shadowbaby4312]

I want more of these

[@englishnationalballet]

Have you watched our Slow TV of Making a Tutu? kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2rVdamsgdmrlas

[@catepilarr]

This is a beautifully made video!

[@phyllojoe5346]

Love this! The darning on her point shoe looks a bit like frosting

[@becmckinlay5073]

Thank you for this and the tutu video, really enjoyable. It's been over 40 years since I last slid one pointe into the other and neatly wrapped the ribbons around: the ending was parfait and made me smile. As did remembering the how differently everyone did their pointes and yay for illegal lambs wool as in my teacher forbade it..meh my feet, my decision 😁. I sincerely hope you do more like this. Ps, don't miss pointes but oh the tutus even the scratchy pancakes ❤

[@Rackethead]

LOVE THIS!!!!! Learned a lot too!!!

[@englishnationalballet]

Thank you! :)

[@margaritamanzano8403]

Amazing job, everything it was detailed, step by step ty so much. I have 1 question, where do you buy the sissor? It just looks very stuning😊 ❤

[@IdaIgnis]

I love this so much. Thanks for sharing!

[@englishnationalballet]

You are so welcome!

[@bonniefranklin6652]

Beautiful.

[@englishnationalballet]

Thank you!

[@Foundingmother1]

Love This! Soooooo..... 😌 Relaxing, Thank you for posting 👍

[@annak29]

Perfect, gorgeous brand new points shoes: "Right! So excited, can't wait to get started!" Ballerina: Sets about to ad-construct and augment straight away during morning tea. Literally even the shoes suffer for this art 🤪😰💗💗💗

[@MsNeal2023]

I always wondered if there were a specific way to actually make them so the dancer wouldn't have to prepare them so intensely and so often. This was very satisfying to watch though.

[@SteppingStonevlogs]

The feet of one dancer is inherently different to the next, and so the dance themselves must adapt their shoe to fit each foot exactly right, like handmade gloves :)

[@bean3571]

@@SteppingStonevlogs but how to know how a dancer should prepare theirs? Where to gain such knowledge? How to know if your pointe shoes would be scoffed at?

[@marykay8587]

@@bean3571 a dancer dances in soft slippers for the first few years then when they switch to point they figure it out on the way and seek guidance from more professionals

[@ivyarianrhod]

@@bean3571 they learn by wearing the shoes without any alterations when first learning pointe. Based on the shoe brand/style, the dancer’s specific feet (bunions, where the arch “breaks,” any weaknesses, etc.), and the ballet/role they’ll be dancing (lots of balancing can require darning around the tip, lots of jumps require banging the bottom of the box to quiet the landings, etc.), and other factors. Their methods of preparation will probably change over time, with trial and error, as their needs/feet/shoe brands or styles change.

[@stoker1931jane]

She is very precise in her execution of her handy work👌🏻. I've seen ballerinas take a far messier approach to their pointe shoes.

[@jamesgrainger2550]

step 1: make a cup of tea (important that you use milk otherwise the shoes will become unwearable)

[@nancytestani1470]

So cool..

[@tommywiseauconfit]

I like how her feet are pointed even when sitting down

[@deannewasleske6230]

This is fabulous! I would like to know how she gets the shoe to be so well balanced. I darn my shoes and they won't stand up by themselves. Such talent. Thank you!

[@callabeth258]

Deanne Wasleske my thoughts on this would be the darning method but also how flat the platform is to begin with it looks like those blochs she has have a good wide flat platform to begin with

[@christabcook]

@@callabeth258 I found Bloch to have a wide platform for balancing when I was at near pro level (near, lol, I performed, taught, but that still can be 'near' professional!).

[@bonniefranklin6097]

Brava.

[@mayajrj]

@English National Ballet I've just come across this oh dear. It reminds me of doing this to my pointe ballet shoes, many moons ago in the 60's. I started Ballet when I was 11 and allowed on pointe at @13/14 years old. excruciating at first, bloody toes, (meant you were working properly and hard) but the joy of being on pointe. I was advised I shouldn't carry on dancing (ballet) or even teach after getting Ruth French as my last examiner because I had what used to be called a 'sway back' / She also said I'd have a lot of trouble with my back when I go rinto my 20's. I was devastated at 18.However Ruth French was right. :( A lovely video to watch and I wasn't told about the tea!

[@bridgwll]

The truth is hard to hear. I am glad someone told you.

[@adrianadiaz6140]

Excelente 👌

[@joebloggs619]

Oh, so to darn the pointes, first you do a back stitch the a blanket stitch over the top of the backstitch. Got it now! I always thought it was just the blanket stitching, no backstitch first...Thank you for this.

[@cara_h_4]

It depends on the person. I've seen people just do two layers of blanket stitches

[@meiraloraduncan8953]

What is the purpose of the white yarn? I would think a cotton yarn would help them not to slip as an acrylic yarn is more slippery material.

[@afridiabbay7325]

Where do you get them from or how do you make them if you want to make them by yourself can you I don’t understand a square bit in the front

[@PneumaNoose]

Can’t you have them made with all the stuff cut inside already? So you don’t have to rip them apart?

[@bridgwll]

No

[@amari7057]

I never sewed (darned?) my points. We melted our satin with a flame. If she goes through 3+ shoes per day, how does she possibly have time with this system?

[@gabbylopez8613]

I'm just really curious; what's the yarn for? Does it make the shoes quieter, or does it help them fit better and move across the stage better?

[@akongrachman4159]

It helps to create a firmer grip on the floor 😊

[@ivyarianrhod]

Not a firmer grip. It helps to feel the platform (tip) of the box when balancing. Some dancers with very flexible arches need the darning on the front side of the platform to keep from going over the shoe. Some dancers also darn across the whole platform to quiet the sound on stage.

[@SewTexas]

I wanted to be ballerina when I was little but parents could not afford lessons. I had no idea the pointe shoes were such an issue, the preparation, the sewing, fitting, and they don't last--unbelievable! With technology being so hight tech seems like a shoe for ballet could be produced. And after all the time ballerina does spend so much time preparing the shoe, her feet are not always protected.

[@ivyarianrhod]

There is one brand of shoes (Gaynor Minden) made from newer materials (like plastic) that doesn’t require breaking in, but they don’t work for every dancer/type of foot. They do last longer, but are also more expensive. Also, many/most companies provide the shoes, and I don’t know any that provide Gaynor Minden.

[@teijaflink2226]

Not sure why but in the end of this film I just suddenly expected her to go mad, after she has finishen one the tjoussnds of pairs of shoes. Beautiful and artistic film though, showing this part of being a ballet dancer.

[@emmanuelle4439]

This is very insightful as there is quite a considerable amount of work to undertake before wearing this beautiful pair of Ballet shoes. I was quite horrified when she started pulling out parts of the insole of the shoes 😱 and removed what looked like a small metal attachment... I was wondering why manufacturers of ballet shoes did not make shoes matching these specifications...surely most ballerinas tear, cut, sew and pull out bits as a preparation of their shoes. Also, 48 pairs of shoes per year is a phenomenal amount of dancing shoes!! This must be extremely costly too...

[@melissaverdoni845]

70$ per pair of shoes at least it can go up to 125$

[@billyt8868]

one would think maybe pointe shoes should be made a bit differently? i know everyone has their own methods but a lot of those methods are all fixing the same things.

[@Estertje93]

The placement of the ribbons and elastics, and even the thickness of the darning comes down to the millimeter. Though every dancer has ribbons on, they need to be attached just so, to match the dancer's foot. The 3/4 shanking is something many pointe shoe manufacturers will do for you, if requested. It is a personal preference.

[@melissaverdoni845]

@@Estertje93 i would hope so,,, i get the ribbons , the placement has to be just so , but why she doesn't get 3/4 shanks she she is a pro dancer astounds me LOLL but nice vid :)

[@Nightclaw42]

I understand some of it depends on the show they're doing. For example in The Nutcracker, the Arabian dance requires a softer shoe as the movement is more fluid and isn't as en'pointe and for the Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy it requires a stiffer shoe as they are en'pointe a lot more and need the support. Add to that the different sizes of peoples feet, how much support they need, what toes are bigger differs on dancers, and so on, it's not really logical to customize every shoe beforehand. It makes more logistical sense to make a "general shoe" that easier to for the dancer to customize to what they need than to have the manufacturer try do do it for every single dancer for every different shoe they need for a show. As for the 3/4 shank thing she might have tried it and didn't like how the shoemaker did it or the shoemaker she prefers doesn't offer that. Since all the shoes are handmade (meaning they are not made on a factory line automatically, but by people using the machines ) dancers will get attached to a particular shoemaker as their preference and try to stay with that one as it's a known element. So switching is pain if your shoemaker retires and you have to get used to another makers way of making the shoe. So while she can request the 3/4 shank she may not as it may affect how her shoe is made. I remember a dancer saying if the shoe isn't right, it feels like they have someone else's feet on. So better to keep the same process and change as little as possible to keep your performances consistent and only change something of you have no choice, such as your preferred shoe maker retires, or maybe an injury requires you to change how you alter the shoe.

[@fishcakez]

@@Nightclaw42 perfectly explained.

[@meiraloraduncan8953]

Most professional ballet dancers do get custom made shoes, that said they still have to alter them to suit their individual needs, likes, and to correct issues with their feet as different shoes can correct various problems each dancer may have. Plus injuries can affect their feet and they may need different support and cushioning at the toe. This is why a professional fitter is a must. The owner of The Pointe Shop has a channel and shows how different shoes can really affect the dancers feet and performance.

[@marciaguedes609]

por que nao fazem assim na fabrica?

[@natbug1865]

My preparation for class Sow ribbon and elastic Break in Done I also go threw em in a month and a half and I don’t dance full time I just kill em easily

[@swarovske]

Why she is sewing the top of her shoes?

[@entewurzel2109]

soooooo practically....you don't need anything of the shoe :D you modify everything you can bend ot breake :D but it is cool to watch and the result is stunning while dancing :)

[@HarleyQuinnLuvr]

Me: I wanna be a ballerina! Teacher: Take this wood shop class....You're gonna need it for pointe shoes..... 14 years later.......I would still break in the whole shoe before putting it on my feet. Only then is it comfy.... lol

[@jendesimone9053]

Are her shoes not custom made for her? I’m asking because she cuts out part of the shank. It was my understanding that dancers in professional companies often get their shoes custom made by a particular maker. There are stories of ballerinas retiring when their cobbler retired.

[@englishnationalballet]

Hi Jen! Some ballerinas have custom made shoes, while others, like Amber, use stock ones. Even with custom shoes, they will add their own bits and tweak the shoes to make them perfect and get the fit and support needed. :)

[@Kyler9999]

I see so many dancers cutting out the shank. Freed offers a 3/4th shank so you don't have to do this anymore.

[@Kyler9999]

@@marissadeconing458 Oh of course. I've known of a lot of young dancers just going and trying the shoes of everyone in the company in their size until they find a company or a maker that works for them. Everyone should find the thing that works for them. If it was easy to find generic pointe shoes then those laughable Nike ones would be what everyone wears.

[@varianbond]

Micheal Hayes wait hold up I’m sorry - N i k e makes pointe shoes? And ppl actually buy them?? 🤡

[@Kyler9999]

@@varianbond They called them Archangels. Knowing how much pointe shoes cost they tried to get into that market and sent shoes to all the major companies. The dancers laughed at them and sen them back. Nike lost their shirt on it so they pivoted and are slinging them as some sort of yoga anti-slip toe wraps now.

[@christabcook]

I SO wanted Freed's to work for me! I love the color and shape of them!! These days I wear Grishko. Early on I wore Ulanova/Vaganova by Grishko, then @pre-pro I loved Repetto! These days (28yrs later) I wear Gaynor/Grishko, and sometimes Capezio. Repetto only worked for me when I was at my highest level...it's odd to me now because they seem so bulky..I didn't use toe pads, still use lambs wool FTW! I love hearing about dancers' pointe shoe stories

[@varianbond]

Micheal Hayes Oh my god I’m w h e e z i n g

[@astrothsknot]

if the shoes are hand made, to the dancer's specs, why do they need all that extra fiddling? (genuine question)

[@june4174]

its too painful otherwise. it’s like when u buy new shoes and u need to break them in. they just speed up the process. and the stitching on the top of the shoe helps with grip and balance. All just depends on the dancers needs.

[@edw8889]

Why don’t they do some of this when shoes are made?

[@zohrebrown]

rituals. You don't get someone else to do them for you, just in case they aren't done right.

[@sophiemilner7377]

Did she really just pour the milk into her tea with the tea bag still in. I don’t know how to react to that.

[@Blue-me8vm]

what, i do that all the time lol

[@callabeth258]

I do it too because I'm inpatient but also because I'm a leave the teabag in kind of girl!

[@catherinevalli6830]

i mix the milk with the teabag instead of dirtying a spoon. i don't waste my life doing dishes.

[@stoker1931jane]

Dear Sophie Miller, the great thing is....you don't HAVE TO react to it✌🏻. Isn't that something?! 😉😁

[@captainhoratiobungleiii7147]

I nearly turned the video off straight away. You people who do that are mingers!

[@turkgod1]

Was a very interesting video to watch, i enjoyed it a lot. but are we not going to talk about her adding milk to the tea witht he bag still in ???

[@АрргафоноваІрі]

👍❤

[@joebloggs619]

When you buy a pair of nice brand spanking new pretty pink satin pointe shoes at such a high cost on a shoestring artist's budget and then spend what little precious leisure time you do have left after so much work dancing etc and proceed to wreck them. Just so you can wear them for one big performance, then sign them and consign them to the recycling bin.... And repeat the whole painful exercise... But interesting all the same. I nowknow how tocorrectlymeasure the length of the ribbons and stop the ends fraying with that simple match trick which is also useful for other easily frayable synthetic fabrics. And I didn't know about the inner ribbon/tape behind the outer ribbons. Must be for added security or to stop friction or to stop satin ribbons wearing out...

[@sarahbronstein2480]

With the camera angles and lack of any background music it feels like I’m watching something from National Geographic lol

[@ladygareca1332]

💪👍

[@Victoria_5]

Asmr ✝️❤️

[@valentinaheredia9391]

Quien eres una perfeccionista de Sap atilas

[@JrsBoatRocker]

Why did it bother me that she used white yarn instead of a baby pink shade 😭

[@stoker1931jane]

Even her sewing tread isn't even matching baby pink. With the distance to the audience her color choices will blur into one✌🏻. She is very precise in her execution of her handy work. I've seen ballerinas take a far messier approach to their pointeshoes.

[@oriananicole1046]

Once she puts rosin or pancakes her shoes they will turn a matte white colour and the darning wont be that noticeable

[@kcojco]

Thimble

[@kathymyers7279]

I respect this like mad (that is alot of work and part of the elite artistry) but I never liked the look of darned shoes . I know, I KNOW!

[@lollylula6399]

💯

[@Blue-me8vm]

23:26 omg she got a mr bean apartment

[@p51mustang_]

ブランケットステッチかー

[@maisaraannuar5274]

There’s a lot of blue books on the shelve

[@krystalannawilliams2653]

?

[@acutee2]

I will totally be watching this but isn't this the same thing Joy Womack (formally of Boston Ballet and the Bolshoi) did last week? Maybe it was inspiration or copying is the sincerest form of flattery. Still going to watch it.

[@Sunshine-zm1fx]

Making a video about preparing pointe shoes is hardly unique. I've seen many, many over the years. No one is copying anyone - it's a common theme at this point. No need for snarkiness.

[@freni3021]

seen both - Joy Womack's was a nice 'how to' vid where she talks in a blog. This is a beautiful, considered film, stunningly shot with natural sound and space to really absorb what's going on. I know which one I prefer

[@Ferzita05]

You can ask your shoe maker to remove that nail and cut the shank for you, it will save you a few minutes

[@patsydf]

Milk in before taking bag out? sacrilege.

[@agr1323]

The darning looks like a lot 😅

[@lokidoki410]

Why can't they just order them that way in the first place

[@haroulovia]

It can't be predarned. Each dancer know their feet better than anyone. It's also a way of bonding with the shoe. A pointe shoe is not a regular shoe, you don't just walk, you dance in it. It's completely different.

[@pineapplekelsey5951]

Because they'd have to make a million different kinds of shoes. Every dancer does a mix of these preparations and some don't do any. As a dancer myself, I enjoy the process anyways.

[@smyffmawzz]

That's what i thought . It's a ring of thread surrounding the pointe at the end of the shoe ! What's so hard about that .? . As for " knowing their feet " ( no, me neither !) lol

[@melissaverdoni845]

@@smyffmawzz not everyone does it that way, the ribbons not everyone has the same feet , they are not placed the same. for US it seems no biggy but for pro dancers it is a huge deal

[@twolessba1087]

got bored 3 mins in