Sandip Soparrkar, who teaches Latin American and Ballroom Dance styles has choreographed for films like Kites, Zubeida, Tum, Kyon Ho Gaya Na, 1857 - The Rising, The Myth and Holiday. He's currently seen with choreographer director Farah Khan on the Zee TV dance reality show for kids called Dance India Dance Li'l Masters. Here are his tips to becoming a choreographer:
1. Learn any one dance form completely. There's no point becoming a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none. If you learn a particular style of dance thoroughly, you create a strong base for yourself. Touching upon other styles as and when needed enhances your knowledge. Specialising is very essential. 2.
Understand the song you're choreographing, thoroughly. As a part of that, you must tap its mood, beats and the attitude. Without understanding this, you cannot set up a great performance.
3. Set the dance with an assistant first and pay attention to the moves. You'll know which steps work and which don't. You'll also know which steps can make an artiste uncomfortable on the dance floor. Essentially, steps should be set keeping the performing artiste in mind. By looking at your assistant, if you feel that the artiste will find a certain set of moves difficult, change them, immediately.
{{/usCountry}}3. Set the dance with an assistant first and pay attention to the moves. You'll know which steps work and which don't. You'll also know which steps can make an artiste uncomfortable on the dance floor. Essentially, steps should be set keeping the performing artiste in mind. By looking at your assistant, if you feel that the artiste will find a certain set of moves difficult, change them, immediately.
{{/usCountry}}4. Be true to your art and your work. Don't play dirty with others. Treat your teammates and co-workers really well because if they are happy, they will also be dedicated and will help you come up with better creations than your competitors.
5. Once you have succeeded by following the above mantras, try not to let the success trickle into your head. That's when the fall begins. Remember, a dancer grooves on the ground and not with his feet in the air.