Film Collaborations

(2020) Commissioned by the American Dance Festival and created in collaboration with director Jen Guy Metcalf, A Brief Interruption is a satirical dance film that captures the quirks and chaos of a Zoom meeting—each character performed by the creators themselves. Developed during the 2020 cancellation of ADF’s summer intensive and performance season, this piece was part of The World is Our Stage: 60-Second Video Dance Challenge, a virtual festival spotlighting 20 hand-selected North Carolina choreographers. Through humor and creativity, A Brief Interruption engages audiences by reflecting on the shared experience of remote connection during social distancing, while showcasing the resilience and innovation of local artists. The film has been screened internationally, continuing to inspire and entertain in challenging times.

(2018) Surveillance is a collaborative screendance project between Renay Aumiller and longtime collaborator Jen Guy Metcalf, blending site-specific improvisation with expert dance film editing. The film captures movement performed under the watchful eye of a surveillance camera—portraying a voyeuristic glimpse of private moments when the dancer believes no one is watching. Set in the tunnel beneath railroad tracks on Elon University’s campus, Surveillance explores themes of observation, privacy, and vulnerability through intimate and evocative movement. Since its premiere in Boone, NC, the film has been showcased at national and international festivals, including presentations in Sweden, Serbia, and Toronto.

(2020) Mutterings was created in response to a special prompt from the artistic director of the North Carolina Dance Festival, inviting artists to craft a 1-minute dance film inspired by five selected images from past festival performances. This project celebrated the festival’s 30th anniversary by reflecting on its rich artistic history through new creative expression. The film was featured on the festival’s online platform, garnering over 500 views, and highlighted in Episode 5 of In Process: N.C. Dance Festival Podcast, where Renay shared her experiences and passion for dance.