How do dancers become choreographers? What goes into choreography for film and TV? Who casts the dancers?
This week’s guest on Hometown to Hollywood, Paul Becker, answers all these questions and more in one of my most inspiring and fascinating interviews ever.
Paul is a Hollywood choreographer and director, and his credits are incredible: he’s worked closely with everyone from Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, The Muppets, Michael Bublé, Ciara, and has even directed and created for Kanye West. In the musical theatre world he’s staged numbers for Broadway legends like Ben Vereen, Kristin Chenoweth and Neil Patrick Harris.
Paul has choreographed over 200 film and TV projects, like “Twilight”, “Mirror Mirror” “Sucker Punch” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid 1-3”, & he is currently the series choreographer for “A Series of Unfortunate Evens”(Netflix), “Once Upon a Time”(ABC), CW's hit show "Riverdale,"and Deadpool 2.
Paul recently was nominated for the World Choreography Award for his work with his mentor, director Kenny Ortega, as his choreography partner for Disney Channel's mega hit musical Descendants.
Paul talks about training, what the work of a TV and film choreographer really entails, gives advice for dancers, actors who dance, dancers who act, and choreographers, as well as sharing some extremely inspiring stories and wisdom. Don’t miss this—even if you have two left feet!
Some of my favorite quotes from our conversation:
• “I took 3 classes a night, training like an athlete.”
• “Out of 1,000 dancers, there’s usually 15 guys.”
• “Opportunities for guys in dance are greater, but they need the drive.”
• “You have to make things happen for yourself.”
• “There’s always a way to achieve your outcome.”
• “You can see it in someone’s eyes when they’re hungry for it.”
• “Being easy to work with is huge.”
• “I was rock bottom when I met Kenny Ortega.”
• “Stay positive and be nice to everyone.”
• “It’s the job of a choreographer to be a ‘dance-writer’.”
• “I like to create scenes diverse in ethnicity and all different types.”
• “Study filmmaking and acting if you want to choreograph for film and TV.”
• “Be able to use Excel, create budgets, and pitch if you want to choreograph for film and TV.”
• “You hold the key to your future.”
You can follow Paul and his work HERE:
Website: https://www.beckercreations.com/
Masterclass: https://www.pbmasterclass.com/
Twitter: @ThePaulBecker
Instagram: @ThePaulBecker1
Breaking Brooklyn
EP 112: Krisha Bullock, Casting Director
EP 111: Diane Christiansen, Master Acting Teacher
EP 110: Haydn Jones, Commercial Talent Agent
EP 109: Harriet Greenspan, Hollywood Casting Director
EP 108: Diane Burroughs, TV Writer, Showrunner
EP 107: Lisa London, Casting Director
EP 106: Jet Jurgensmeyer, Entertainer
EP 105: Judy Kain, Acting Teacher
EP 104: Scott Sedita, Master Acting Teacher
EP 103: Cindy Osbrink, Youth Talent Agent, Founder & CEO of Osbrink Agency
EP 102: Toni Long, Entertainment Lawyer
EP 101: Abby Johnson, Talent Manager
Encore: Sarah Jeffery (Episode 5)
EP 100: Kristin Chenoweth: Emmy & Tony Award Winning Actress & Singer
EP 99: Fatmata Kamara, CAA Theatrical Agent
EP 98: Sara Isaacson, Casting Director
EP 97: Actor's Dialect Coach, Scott Alan Moffitt
EP 96: Cozi Zuehlsdorff: Actress, Singer, Writer
EP95: Taylor Bright, Talent Manager
EP 94: Kevin Mock, Producer, Editor, Director
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