For the first time, the choreographer of Michael Jackson, Madonna, Björk and many others reveals stage stories through his extraordinary journey.
Vincent Paterson began his professional dancing career late in life. It would take an exceptional turn when he became one of the lead dancers in Michael Jackson's Beat It music video. Through hard work, he rises to the rank of choreographer and director for the world's greatest singers, but also for cinema and musical comedy.
He tells with humility the fascinating universe of film sets, the rehearsal sessions where he had to orchestrate and synchronize dozens of dancers, life backstage where it is sometimes necessary to manage a few whims of the stars, his successes and his disappointments. It is a dive into the heart of the world of dance.
Arvustused
Vincents work is always imaginative and exciting, from his choreography for pop stars to his direction of a production of Evita I saw in Vienna, for which he found heart
and nuance in the characters I hadnt seen before. I look forward to his
sharing some of his secrets in this book.
Stephen Schwartz, composer of Wicked, Pippin, and Godspell
The collaborations between Vincent Paterson and Michael Jackson and Madonna
are groundbreaking.
Toni Basil, choreographer and performer (Mickey!)
The impressive history of Vincent Patersons work and collaboration
with iconic artists is phenomenal and will last forever.
Barbara Mandrell
Vincents depth as a director created an inspiring adventure
on the creation of the opera, Manon.
Anna Netrebko, Opera Diva
Vincent Patersons ingenious style of dance captivated millions of people.
Paula Abdul
[ The Way You Make Me Feel] surely is the best video ever made.
Steven Spielberg
I look at your work and think how wonderful it is
and how much you have given me and the picture (The Birdcage).
Mike Nichols
You are so talented and its always a pleasure to collaborate with you.
Madonna, The Blond Ambition Tour
| Introduction |
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9 | (2) |
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Chapter 1 Having No Talent and Too Old to Dance |
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11 | (16) |
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Chapter 2 The Boy Most Like Jesus Comes to Hollywood |
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27 | (19) |
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Chapter 3 M(adonna) is for Muse |
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46 | (16) |
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Chapter 4 Let's Get Physical |
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62 | (11) |
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Chapter 5 Shirley, Diana, and Hal Oh, My! |
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73 | (21) |
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Chapter 6 The Electric Socket of Creativity |
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94 | (6) |
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100 | (21) |
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Chapter 8 When Instinct Grabs You by the Throat |
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121 | (8) |
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Chapter 9 Choreographers Still Don't Get Oscars |
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129 | (12) |
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Chapter 10 A Danish, an Eskimo Pie, and Buttons for Lunch |
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141 | (25) |
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Chapter 10 1/2 One Hundred Cameras. Really |
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166 | (7) |
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Chapter 11 From Russia with Love |
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173 | (13) |
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Chapter 12 Come to the Cabaret |
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186 | (13) |
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199 | (28) |
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Chapter 14 Gurus and Guiding Lights |
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227 | (11) |
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Chapter 15 Entrances and Exits |
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238 | (5) |
| Timeline |
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243 | (2) |
| Acknowledgments |
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245 | |
Vincent Paterson is a world-renowned director and choreographer in film, theatre, Broadway, concert tours, opera, television, music videos and commercials. His iconic works include Michael Jacksons Smooth Criminal and the famous lean as well as Madonnas Blond Ambition Tour. He directed the opera Manon with Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon, Cirque de Soleils VIVA! ELVIS and Berlin's first original production of CABARETthe longest running play in Berlin's history. Film choreographies include The Birdcage, Dancer in the Dark, Evita and Hook. He resides in California with his husband, Rene Lamontagne.
