Thread: Choreography commission and rates?

What is the going rate for choreography these days?

Do you charge per hour of work put into it or per minute of music?

Do you also charge to teach the choreography to the party that requested it?

One of my friends mentioned that a troupe she was in paid another dancer to create a choreography. I knew people did this sort of thing but I personally never thought of paying someone to create one for me.

Is this a rather common practice in the belly dance world?

Personally - I have never had a request for this in bellydance but I do have my structure broken down into different parts.

If they want to me teach them one of my choreographies, I charge them a per hour rate. Basically like a mini workshop.

If they want to me customize something, I charge by the hour to create and then teach though I am not completely strict about this one.

I would not go crazy on hours. I think it all depends on the music and what the client wants. Once I listen to it, I can usually provide an estimate for the time it will take to make up a choreography.

Hope that helps...

oh - also...

If they use my choreography, they must give me credit...

I was curious about this, too.

Boy, I wish I were in demand enough as a choreographer to know the answers!

I charge by the minute of music to create the choreography, then charge private or semi-private rates to teach it (depending on whether it's an individual or a troupe), plus coaching before performance. That's for a dance that I create for a group or individual, with the understanding that I may teach the same choreography to someone else, but will try to avoid conflicts and duplication. For exclusive choreographies, I charge more.

For existing choreographies, I just charge my regular teaching fees.

Have no clue about this, but you might also want to consider copyright when you set your prices (if it matters to you, that is). I believe if someone pays you to create something for them, it's considered "work for hire" and they would retain the copyright on the piece, not you.

My rates are different depending on whether or not the dancer or group wants an existing choreography, or a new choreography exclusive to their group. The former is a really a workshop or private lesson with the prep work built into the hourly teaching rate, so I'll stick with the latter (making exclusive choreography) in my answers here.

I charge a set rate per minute of music. I then charge my regular private lesson rate to teach it. The dancer or troupe retains exclusive rights to use the choreography and troupes can teach it to subsequent members. They do not have permission to teach it in a workshop or classroom setting. I receive credit for the choreography whenever possible (written programs, announcements), but will never use or teach it with another group, including my own.

I have a contract so everyone is clear on the parameters, require a deposit upfront, and it is all pretty straightforward. Oh, I also offer a follow up (if the troupe wants to provide me with a video of them performing the choreography, I will critique, tweak, or comment on it). There are a few other things I can offer (music/lyric interpretations, finger cymbal patterns, song or musician context & background, music editing) that sometimes apply, and sometimes don't.

Anna, I can't say if this is a common practice in the belly dance world, but creating choreography has been a fairly consistent part of my business; in fact, I already have two choreographies commissioned for 2009! In general, I am approached by troupes to create individual choreographies (soloists I work with most often want coaching for their own work, or technique and specific stylization with choreography as a tool for better dancing rather than having a new performance piece). I love the chance to work with other troupes, and to be a small part of what they 'say' through dance! It has been a true honor to make dances for the women and men I have worked with.

My former Instructor did this for a troupe but I'm not sure what she charged. I just know she was hired to create a choreography for them.

There is another dancer I know that also does this and she charges 100.00 for each completed minute of choreography. So if its a three and half minute song it would be $350.00

I charge anywhere from $350 - 2000 for my choreography services (more info here Buy classes)

When inquiring about choreography services for myself from other instructors I have encountered anything from $20 per hour to learn the choreography (not charging for anything else than learning time) to $2000 (including choreography, copy of music, instruction, costume sketches, lighting score, private tutoring).

It's a pretty common practice to get anything from advice on choreographies to purchasing full choreographies as far as I know. Most of my private students purchase full choreographies or consultations.

Of course there is a clause including details about teaching rights, modification rights etc.

I have anything from students that purchase choreographies as a tool to learn how to apply the technique and combinations to music - to students that are professional performers and instructors looking to evolve their dancing. Choreographer disclosure requirements are a given with basic level choreographies. Choreographer disclosure requirements for intermediate, advanced and master level choreographies are discussed and set individually with each student.....

...so, reality is, the DaVid-ites may be taking over the world, without people even knowing it LOL eeehm jk. No, seriously. Kinda.


DaVid

Loved this thread! Super helpful! :)