Choreographers

Career Description: Create and teach dance. May direct and stage presentations.

Industry: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media

Other Job Titles for Choreographers:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Direct rehearsals to instruct dancers in how to use dance steps, and in techniques to achieve desired effects.
• Read and study story lines and musical scores to determine how to translate ideas and moods into dance movements.
• Design dances for individual dancers, dance companies, musical theatre, opera, fashion shows, film, television productions and special events, and for dancers ranging from beginners to professionals.
• Choose the music, sound effects, or spoken narrative to accompany a dance.
• Advise dancers on how to stand and move properly, teaching correct dance techniques to help prevent injuries.
• Coordinate production music with music directors.
• Audition performers for one or more dance parts.
• Direct and stage dance presentations for various forms of entertainment.
• Develop ideas for creating dances, keeping notes and sketches to record influences.
• Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain high levels of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness.
• Teach students, dancers, and other performers about rhythm and interpretive movement.
• Assess students' dancing abilities to determine where improvement or change is needed.
• Experiment with different types of dancers, steps, dances, and placements, testing ideas informally to get feedback from dancers.
• Seek influences from other art forms such as theatre, the visual arts, and architecture.
• Design sets, lighting, costumes, and other artistic elements of productions, in collaboration with cast members.
• Record dance movements and their technical aspects, using a technical understanding of the patterns and formations of choreography.
• Re-stage traditional dances and works in dance companies' repertoires, developing new interpretations.
• Manage dance schools, or assist in their management.
• Reload camera magazines with fresh raw film stock.
• Read and analyze work orders and specifications to determine locations of subject material, work procedures, sequences of operations, and machine setups.
• Prepare reports outlining past and future programs, including content.
• Discuss production requirements with clients.
• Produce educational and training films and videotapes by performing activities such as selecting equipment and preparing scripts.
• Conduct training sessions on selection, use, and design of audiovisual materials and on operation of presentation equipment.
• Organize and maintain compliance, license, and warranty information related to audio and video facilities.
• Develop manuals, texts, workbooks, or related materials for use in conjunction with production materials or for training.
• Perform narration of productions, or present announcements.

Emerging Tasks

• Assemble studio sets, and select and arrange cameras, film stock, audio, and lighting equipment to be used during filming.
• Design graphics for studio productions.
• Direct studio productions.
• Edit video for broadcast productions, including non-linear editing.
• Set up and perform live shots for broadcast.
• Set-up and operate electric news gathering (ENG) microwave vehicles to gather and edit raw footage on location to send to television affiliates for broadcast.
• Stay current with new technologies in the field (e.g., by reading trade magazines).
• Test, clean, maintain, and repair broadcast equipment, including testing microphones, to ensure proper working condition.
• Write new scripts for broadcasts.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• audition performers
• choreograph dance
• convey moods or emotions through music
• create art from ideas
• direct camera operators
• direct talent
• evaluate talent or individual
• express creativity through music, dance, or acting
• rehearse cast to develop performance
• study story line or music to devise dance movements
• tell stories through musical, visual, or dramatic arts
• organize commercial artistic or design projects
• read specifications
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• review assembled film or video tape on monitor
• use measuring devices in professional photography
• operate remote broadcast equipment
• operate sound-reproducing or recording equipment
• operate special visual effects equipment
• operate video recorders
• prepare reports
• read blueprints
• read schematics
• read technical drawings
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• replace electronic components
• schedule activities, classes, or events
• solder electrical or electronic connections or components
• test electrical/electronic wiring, equipment, systems or fixtures
• test electronic or electrical circuit connections
• understand detailed electronic design specifications
• understand service or repair manuals
• understand technical information for electronic repair work
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use film production techniques
• use hand or power tools
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use precision tools in electronics repair
• use soldering equipment
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• use computer graphics design software
• use creativity in graphics
• use graphic arts techniques
• use knowledge of multi-media technology
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use public speaking techniques
• use stage lighting controls or instruments

Overall Experience
A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education
Most of these occupations require a four - year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Examples
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, human resource managers, computer programmers, teachers, chemists, and police detectives.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$17.11
• Average annual wage (2007) - $35,580.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 2.44%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 498
• Employment (2006): 20,429

• Actors
• Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Motion Picture
• Costume Attendants
• Dancers
• Directors- Stage, Motion Pictures, Television, and Radio
• Etchers and Engravers
• Film and Video Editors
• Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
• Photographers
• Set and Exhibit Designers