On a rather blazingly hot Saturday morning, on the broad outdoor plaza that fronts the North Hollywood headquarters of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, a terrific threesome of ‘industry’ dancer/choreographers gave back, generously, to their art form.
Derek Hough, Tabitha and Napoleon Dumo (@Nappytabs), all Emmy Award-winning choreographers, advocated for the art of dance-on-camera by appearing, at the invitation of the Television Academy, in a new video geared at strengthening the status of choreographers at the Academy.
And baby made four … London Dumo, son of NappyTabs, 1.5 years old, also made an appearance at the shoot. But the wise youngster chose to pass his time not schvitzing in the hot sun (filming, like his parents), but parked in a shady corner, in his stroller, contentedly scrolling on his IPad.
The video, now under production by ATAS pros, strongly encourages qualified choreographers to join the Academy as members. In return, they’ll enjoy a slate of benefits, key among which: the eventual creation of a “peer group” for choreographers, a necessary vehicle by which dance experts can influence the vetting, nomination, and final voting for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography.
The talented artists romped through a prepared script, then improvised wittily under the watchful eyes of the savvy dance professionals who instigated the membership campaign: choreographers Christian Perry and Michael Rooney and dance super-agent Julie McDonald.
Like this? Read more:
- Choreography award moves to primetime Emmy broadcast
- This story also published at Emmys.com, as part of their member news!
My first screenplay!
Thanks, Debra, for getting the word out. And for writing our script!
This is a long overdue move by the ATAS and choreographers. Unlike Broadway, Hollywood has never been able to bring dancers and choreographers together as a true “community.” Film and TV choreographers remain without a union, residuals and even assurance of credit. Derek, Napoleon and Tabitha are the new breed of talented, smart and networking dance makers. Hopefully this will be the change to bring choreographers – and the remarkable creative input they have to filmed media – into the spotlight.