Thread: What do you charge for creation of choreography?

I've had "Creation of choreography--inquire for rates" on my website for years, but no one has contacted me about it until now! I was in another state at the time, so my thoughts on rates now for my region is very different. The person is looking for a very beginner 2-minute solo that they're performing in a few weeks.

How do you all go about setting rates for this? I'm inclined to do a flat rate per minute + at least 1 private lesson (which would prob involve studio rental) to review and learn the piece. I'm in NYC, for rates reference.

Also, how do you work out copyright, etc for these sorts of things? Do you give them full permissions as long as they credit? Permission to perform but not teach? Is this an additional fee?

In that situation, I've usually steered them towards a series of private lessons in which I help them create a choreography. (Help them map the song, explore movement ideas, structure it, add interest, polish & practice it.) For that, I charge my regular private lesson rates, but I do all the work during the lesson. (I'll think about it on my own time, but not try out ideas, etc.)

It's a better learning experience for the student, and they are technically the creator, so they don't have to worry about copyright and licensing.


If they really did want a finished choreography handed to them, I'd go with your plan of a flat rate (based on the length of the song) plus a private lesson or two to teach it to them. I'd give them a written handout with basic choreography notes.

Under that scenario, their license would:
- allow them to perform it
- allow them to have their performance videotaped for a non-commercial release (recital or workshop video)
- require credit where practical (i.e., shows with an MC or program, in the recital DVD credits)
- allow me to sell the choreography to others as well

I'd charge extra if they wanted to teach it (in class or for troupe use), perform it on a commercial DVD, have exclusive use rights, or if they wanted me to make a video of the choreography for them to practice with.


As for fees, that's tricky. Do you have a good sense of how long that would take you to make?

I've only created choreography for my troupe, which I don't charge for. But here are some prior threads to help give some ideas:
Choreography-commission-and-rates
How-much-to-charge-to-create-choreography
How-much-to-commission-a-choreography
Is-there-a-quot-going-rate-quot-for-creating-choreographies

Thank you both for the threads and the ideas, particularly what the license includes. I think I've got a good little rate sheet written up now!

I've recently come up with the same questions :) totally helps :)