|
JAMIE KING ANSWERS 10 QUESTIONS
1. How old were you when you began dancing?
From the first moment I can remember, I was always dancing, maybe from the time I could walk. In fact, I can't remember a point in my life where I could say, okay, here is where I began dancing. Nope. Whenever I heard music, I danced. That's just who I was and who I still am.
2. What inspired you to become a choreographer?
To me, there is nothing more life affirming than dance. I started as a kid in my living room in the small town of Verona, Wisconsin, dancing to videos on MTV. My inspiration? Debbie Allen, who starred in the hit television show Fame. I first learned about dance from watching that show, and she defined for me everything a choreographer is and should be. Growing up, plenty of people told me that I couldn't succeed. But I refused to believe them. I overcame their negativity by realizing that I could be who I wanted to be if I just stayed focused and believed in myself. My inner determination helped, but dance itself also helped. I first realized dance was a sport when I saw Gene Kelly dance. He was such a visionary, such an athletic dancer. Every time I watched him dance in anything-a show, a movie, any presentation he's ever done-I've been amazed at the sheer athleticism he brings to dance, the way he was able to mix masculinity and dance, art and athleticism. His influence is part of what's shaped me into the kind of dancer, choreographer, and director I am today.
3. You have become more than just a choreographer, how did you make the transition into a director and tell us a little bit about what that entails?
Prince was a huge influence in my life. I used to dress up like him when I was young! He was my teacher. He taught me how to match music and movement and make them one. He taught me about staging, lighting, and editing. Among the many things I love about him are his attention to detail and his perfectionism, not to mention how he's an innovator. Prince gave me my break, first as a dancer, next as a choreographer and then as his creative director for three years. Madonna saw me perform with him and next thing you know, she was calling me directly on my cell phone, asking me to work with her. I couldn't believe Madonna herself was on the line, and I jumped at the chance to work with her. That was over ten years ago, and I have been collaborating with her as director of her Drowned World, Re-Invention and record breaking Confessions world tours. I also directed her hit music video SORRY. As a director, I am responsible for everything creative - the style and scope of the show, the set design, lighting design, wardrobe, hiring of dancers and supervising choreography. I run the set, and perfect the show so my clients have the best creative environment to step into. It's no different than directing a Broadway musical, or a feature film. It's the best job in the world.
4. You have worked with numerous celebrities, who has been your favorite celebrity to work with and who do you want to work with that you haven't yet?
I don't have favortites - like I'd ever tell if I did! Every superstar that I work with has his or her own unique capabilities and personality. To get to the top of this business, you have to be special. I celebrate individuality and uniqueness. That's where true artistry comes from. As for artists I want to work with ... Robbie Williams would be fun fun fun, and Usher and Chris Brown are truly great performers. I'm moving towards directing feature films and Broadway productions, which I'm very excited about experiencing.
5. How do you prepare for major projects like the Celine Dion, Spice Girls Reunion Tour or the Kanye West Tour?
No surprises. EVERYTHING is done in pre-production. I bring in my best teams on each tour, and we workshop everything to perfection and then I bring in my superstars and fine tune their performances. Like a great chef, you must gather all the right ingredients before you start cooking or else you end up with crap.
6. These are three very different shows (Celine Dion, Spice Girls Reunion Tour and Kanye West) happening simultaneously, is it common to work on three large tours at the same time?
In 2006, I had the pleasure of directing Madonna's Confessions Tour, Christina Aguilera's Back to Basics Tour and Ricky Martin's Black and White Tour - back to back. It's quite unusual to do multiple projects at the same time, but I work well under pressure and enjoy the challenge.
7. Do you have very different ideas for each tour or do you find that some of the concepts overlap?
My artists' musical creations and personal lives provide for a tremendous amount of creative inspiration for their tours. I try to design their performances based on who they are, what they believe in and their personal life experiences. I try to create original works for each of them. I'm not interested in repeating my work - in fact, newness is essential.
8. What has been your most challenging tour to direct in your career?
Madonna's Confessions Tour was a mammoth undertaking. A forty million dollar production -- two aircraft, five buses, eighteen cars, twenty four trucks, twenty eight perfomers, one hundred and six crew, six hundred costumes, four stages, one million dollar disco ball, sixty cities on four continents, 1.2 million tickets sold ... the biggest female artist tour in history. Ever. Talking about a challenge!
9. You have a book and DVD titled "Rock Your Body," can you tell me a little bit about the goal behind it?
A lot of people have been asking me why I wrote Rock Your Body and created the Rock Your Body dance fitness DVD - especially during a year in which I was also directing Madonna's Confessions world tour as well as her hit music video "Sorry," Rain's world tour, Christina Aguilera's world tour, Mariah Carey and Shakira's live performances on the MTV Video Music Awards broadcast, and then directing Ricky Martin's world tour! Not to mention my ongoing work with as creator of the Nike Rockstar Workout, (taught in gyms worldwide)! I decided to openly share my gift of dance with the world and to infect people everywhere with the spirit of dance-no matter what their body type, background, or history. I feel like I was given this amazing gift of dance and movement and expression. Now I want to pass that gift on to others. My job is to teach people how to express themselves through dance. And I don't care if you're a rock star or a lawyer-I want to inspire you. There's another reason I've written the book, however, one that plays into my own reasons for doing the work I do: to make you happy. I know, I know...that sounds kind of cheesy. But the reality is that dancing, whether you're doing it yourself or watching others, just makes you feel good. Listen to the music, watch the movement, and before you know it your own foot starts tapping to the beat, a grin breaks out on your face, and your body begins moving on its own. To me, there is nothing more life affirming than dance. Be sure to check it out at http://jamiekingofficial.com
10. You are a very well respected and admired director/choreographer what do you want to people to know about you?
Nothing is better than a good mystery, right?
Home |
Actors/Models |
Art |
Books |
Dining
Film & Video |
Food & Wine |
Health & Fitness
MediaWatch |
Money and Business |
Music |
Profiles
Professional Services |
Sports |
Style & Fashion
Technology |
Theatre |
Travel & Leisure
Copyright © 1995 - 2008 inmag.com
inmag.com (on line) and in Magazine (in print)
are published by in! communications, Inc.
www.inmag.com
|
Advertiser Info
Subscription Form
Contact Us
|
