A Choreographer's Creative Process in Real Time | Wayne McGregor | TED Talks

We all use our body on a daily basis, and yet few of us think about our physicality the way Wayne McGregor does. He demonstrates how a choreographer communicates ideas to an audience, working with two dancers to build phrases of dance, live and unscripted, on the TEDGlobal stage.
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[@desireerull6282]

People who are saying that this doesn't "fit" Ted talks then you obviously don't know what Ted talks are for. Ted talks are about spreading ideas, to take you out of the bubble you are living in, and this idea is worth sharing.

[@monicamomney8756]

well said

[@jonmichaelwood6473]

Did you just put me in a bubble? 😮 j/k

[@hectorjain5678]

This is incredible. The speed at which the dancers pick up his choreography is absolutely insane. I did not even know that this was possible. Bravo

[@zaneterry864]

Wow, it's incredible to watch his creative process, and how quickly the dancer pic it up

[@jennraine]

It's definitely improvised on the dancer's part. That's what professionals do. It's incredible to watch them flow together.

[@anahansen8909]

I love that moment when choreographers say "Okay nice and slow" and count off the exact same tempo as previous haha. Love this talk though.

[@lemondrizzlecake7766]

Ahah true!! Although "slow" in dance is more of a state of mind than actual speed, as in "don't rush through the movements", or let them breathe.

[@melissaongaccount]

i think it is possible for non-dancers to appreciate this video. you just have to be open-minded. many professional dancers or professional trained dancers will acknowledge that wayne mcgregor is one of the most respected choreographers of the 21st century. i had the opportunity to work with him and in my opinion, the fact that he's 'weird' or 'strange' proves he has the courage and intelligence to step outside the boundaries created by past choreographers.

[@daffo595]

i think people should think about where he is coming from. he is a choreographer. a dancer. and what a dancer does is to express a sort of vision through movement. its the best way for them to get their point across and that is what he is doing. he is truly brilliant and you don't know because you have not experienced and watched any of his works before. the detail he puts into them is amazing so please YOU stop being pretentious and be more open-minded please. as for the people arguing that this is not ted, ted is a place for anyone to come and share ideas and this is a choreographer sharing his idea though physical motion. if you cannot understand that at least try to respect a creator's idea.

[@PiWiVlogs]

I don't think you can appreciate this if you can't choreograph, dance, or even just enjoy dancing or music as a whole. As a dancer, this video shows a really good concept of how a dancer's mind works and how we can turn simple actions into dance moves. A deeper insight of how we see the world and how we can interpret song lyrics into dance moves. If you're not open to learning new things then don't finish watching the video, simple and easy.

[@veliborcakic]

Wow! I am yet to meet a person that does not enjoy any sort of music or movement even. And dance is movement; movement is dance. Music is vibration. Vibration is movement (of particles). It's all connected. So, to utter such words, one must be ignorant and lacking in terms of empathy and understanding and general worldview. And you, dear sir, call yourself a dancer?

[@zrinklaz]

@@veliborcakic Excellent!!!!! Absolutely true.

[@eleishatamiyaj.8470]

Dance. One of the greatest gifts given to mankind.

[@Jasmyne444]

Agreed!!

[@cpiii6265]

He's a genius. And those dance are RIDICULOUS! Talk about fast learners!

[@MrCrazyCiaran]

This is the creative process all dancers and choreographers go through so no its not a new concept but its good that hes showing that all choreographers, even if theyre just a student like me, need to do a lot of thinking in order to create a truly meaningful piece. It doesnt just 'come to you' like a dream, but once you start thinking and improvising you get a snowball effect of ideas and phrases and eventually you get a whole piece. Its really good that hes doing this talk, not because hes an 'innovator' but because not many people realise that dance and choreography require different ways of thinking and a whole host of thought processes.

[@doctorsarcasm.]

I'm amazed that they remembered the movements they had just done and seen once. I'm not a dancer but I can see that they have talent.

[@factopolis7752]

Satose skill. They have skill, this is something they learned and gained after hours of practice and discipline, it was not given to them at birth mystically, respect the amount of work they put in and don't brush it off as just a talent that they woke up with

[@doctorsarcasm.]

akeem anderson Are you on your period?

[@factopolis7752]

Satose no, that not due till next month, looking to rainbow kiss again?

[@doctorsarcasm.]

akeem anderson Way to turn my compliment to someone into bullshit, I guess I was right bout that period. It's okay.

[@factopolis7752]

Satose it's become apparent that you don't know the difference between talent and skill, probably should go read about a book there friend

[@MattHaleUK]

"bay tut tut ah tut tut ay tut ah tut ay bum ah tut tut" Did you get that?

[@TRENDINGALERTTT]

Matt Hale shockingly I understood completely....

[@amberora9642]

Education can get you a job, imagination can take you anywhere.☺

[@PiWiVlogs]

The main idea of the video wasn't the dancing (physical movement), but it was the deeper understanding of how dancers speak through their actions and exert actions after observing only for a second. This understanding can then be applied to a myriad of areas, since all areas (presumably) involve us processing fast decisions which may even allow us to use a bigger portion of brain, thus ultimately pushing the society a bar higher than where we stand in the present time.

[@factopolis7752]

I aspired to be a director/writer and after seeing some dances it opened my eyes to how much movement can be used to enhance word or even portray words by themselves and watching you just made me more enthused to the concept of movement in my directing

[@RCHLionRagBaby]

This is the choreographer of Lotus Flower video by Radiohead. Pure Art.

[@dleddy14]

I just watched this (Lotus Flower) for the first time based on your rec. I liked it.

[@onwun4292]

And Ingenue by Atoms For Peace

[@anatheninjagirl]

I was wondering ...

[@jcb6407]

I just saw after Reading this comment and I'm really glad I saw it. It really is Brilliant stuff, thank u for mentioning it. 😊

[@ywamer88]

I am astonished at how quickly these dancers remembered the moves. Incredible.

[@mothman.industries]

I didn't really like their dancing, but hell, I can't complain about being shown a few new ways to think. This is actually really similar to how I already solve problems, but hearing someone explain it lets me know more about what I'm actually doing and how I can do it better. These methods can apply to much more than dance, people.

[@MrJaiLeeworthy]

Wayne McGregor is, by the way, one of the best modern choreographers there are. He's not some nobody!

[@seadawg93]

I'm confused about the negative posts here. I don't dance myself, but I thought this was a very interesting insight into a creative process and expression. I find that very interesting.

[@eriqhenrimadsen7992]

Absolutely brilliant. His ability to communicate the technical aspects of thinking with the underlying passions which drive the process, is unique and motivating. A very gifted creative indeed. I watched the video because I have an interest in becoming a choreographer ( I'm 52 btw)...and I will most definitely make that a reality.

[@dawnbaker1970]

I'm also fascinated by choreography, especially the smooth perpetual movement possible in figure skating.

[@meyloose1013]

This is amazing. Having danced most of my life, but hating the limelight and moved into choreography for that reason, this is just so good.

[@TravisHeinze]

This helps me understand a lot of the moves people use while dancing around a bonfire. They have to dodge the smoke, embers and flames in a rhythm. Performing all these weird moves with objects in mind lend a new perspective for me about why dancers are motivated to perform.

[@JeremiahLawrenceTV]

This is truly a great talk. He's explaining what dance is for him, explaining his way, his moves. As a dancer I can only applaud for the performance he did. Truly well explained and showed !

[@zofiago6767]

I absolutly fell in love with that! I'm impressed with their dance skills, and that he decided to talk about how he creates the choreography. Thank you for that! All the best wishes!

[@doxinero]

interesting. at first I was put off, I paused it and then came back to the video shortly after. I think what intrigued me was this innovative style of dance, freely expressing yourself. I'm glad I took a second look at this video and finished it. I'm not into dancing persay but I am into expressing yourself through what you love to do. This guy doesn't care what you think of him, and neither do the dancers, they've reached a height in life that allows them to focus on the positive and enjoy life

[@Chaka73]

I have never seen dancers pick up choreography that fast,.. and retain it!! Hard to believe in fact....

[@Mason-Aksamit]

The concept of dancing in the space of a letter is so clever. It gives you structure and also allows for freedom of expression. Brilliant man! And very talented dancers! I’ll be using this method in my next film.

[@serissewilletts5478]

The fact I have to watch this because I can’t have dance lessons at school because of the virus 😂🤦🏽‍♀️

[@MissJacqui_]

LMBOOO I FEEL YOU

[@madisonscamman4404]

Mee tooo😂😂

[@indierasolei991]

same here

[@monahanna5294]

same

[@jomamawholuke]

Same.

[@BeingMarieT]

This is excellent, the way we use our bodies, space, communication through movement; form of expression, so important to our creative being. Being a former dancer, now contemporary visual artist, and mental health advocate; I can relate and I believe there needs to be more integration and acceptance of movement. There are too many preconceived notions and narrow minded perspectives. This is a perfect platform to bring awareness and thought.

[@monicanatasha6318]

This is the first time I watched how a choreography was made and it really open my mind about how any simple thing can be made into various of creative movements. Thank you McGregor and the dancers!

[@aaliyahsmith8785]

Let me put some persppective out for yall. This is called kinesthetic intelligence. These dancers have it. When u practice creativity you execute it. Creativity can be learned. Its called perspective. When you get multiple perspectives you get different info and can have a versatile foundation to pull from and arrange He had ideas and they had ideas that they had explored here and also have BEEN exploring. yes they will pick up this choreo fast because they are using real images to remember movement in the body. This can be learned if you dedicate yourself to being creative and having images as a sources like he uses. They are not in their head dancing and thinking too much about itn . They are using their senses to do this. They just move and repeat it until they make a phrase. This is improvisation where u do movement and then repeat it to complete a sequence of movement.. This takes time to get in tune with and ppl do not value this. This is an intelligence just like any other type of intelligences that society values more.

[@glenbartholomew1058]

Next time I get stuck on a project, perhaps I will incorporate some dance into it. There was another TED Talk in which a physicist used dance to explain his PhD. (Dance Your PhD).

[@Ighart]

i think his creative thoughts are amazingly complex, i'm not a dancer nor a choreographer. specially love "misbehave more often and more beautifully"

[@Anicetta]

Beyond the undoubted talent, I find that McGregor is a disarming beauty !!!

[@anatheninjagirl]

Im so glad I watched this, this is a completely new method for me this is genius and it’s amazing how these dancers can capture information

[@ollie4276]

I'm not a professional, im still learning, butvuve worked with a couple dance teachers/choreographers, and i will never get tired of listening to the different noises they make while we dance. My current teacher likes to say "woosh" "weeee" and "waaah" alot.

[@DanniShani716]

The creative process is one of the best parts of this art! Great memories

[@davidkonevky7372]

It's almost frightening how the dancers figure what to do and how to do it instantly

[@ellajenke802]

To understand dance, you have to be open-minded and willing to exercise your brain as much as the dancers are exercising their bodies. Dance is about self expression and losing yourself in the focus of something. Wayne McGregor has an unusual ability to set dancers free and make them fearless towards looking into movement with depth.

[@marissaa74]

Beautifully unusual and he followed his own words. By having this not-very-well-thought-out TED talk which touched my soul, he misbehaved very beautifully and has inspired me to do that more often!

[@raquelduverger8270]

He is an absolute genius, his work always makes me feel so much

[@krow449]

This is truly a personification of the mindworks of choreography! I love this!

[@tarayt6002]

Love it! Such an amazing smart way of choreographing instead of the boring same old same old Simon says do this choreography. :)

[@psyberflight]

i recommend watching till the end with an open mind, you might just find a thumbs up for the concept.

[@thisisianroe]

One of the single best videos to ever bless it's electronical fragments of visual information on to KZbin. Wayne McGregor... genius.

[@rebeccabalzanibarrow]

These.Dancers.Are.Amazing. The End.

[@liammangthomas6805]

I've been having a hard time to choreo nowadays I've been in a choreo blocked for so long due to my creativity has been drained out, you don't know how much this video helped bring back my creativity again

[@agnetelundvaldfisker1382]

Some of the dancers from Company Wayne McGregor came and teached us for a project. We got teached in a pretty similiar way. It was amazing. And hard:)

[@physicalnoiz499]

This is a genius you are witnessing. Dance in its purest form

[@sob5520]

14:40 everyone in the audience is smiling in amazement! :D astonishing

[@sarahbjorndahl5687]

Love this! Wayne McGregor is amazing!

Wayne é um grande coreógrafo! Adoro seus trabalhos.

[@lietz13]

Being "art" does not make a work free from criticism. It should encourage it.

[@jennraine]

as long as it is constructive, then yes!

[@lemondrizzlecake7766]

Yeah, but if the criticism is "I don't get it", like the bottom line of most of the negative comments here, then it's not the artist's problem...

[@NormanVsNorman]

This is awesome! I wish i could accomplish at least half of these everyday... And i'm not talking about the dance moves, but the creative process... The misbehave. I'm inspired now.

[@cige7671]

Very skilled dancers. I loved this so much

[@karla_moran]

Lovely and interesting TED talk! Thank you!! 💕And I loved the end too: make a dance for yourself, or at least misbehave more beautifully, and more often. I’ll do it!! 🤗💃🏾

[@HammHetfield]

This is really close to the process you follow when building something new. A concept, ideas to achieve it, and you try all the ways, all the possibilities... Then the second part is when he watches his dancers follow the same process. They both have a different approach to the problem and he looks at them. Then he's simply using al these building blocks they created during their "researches" to make the final piece. 2/3

[@davidcattin7006]

Loved seeing the thought process leading to possibilities for generating choreography!

[@SabrinaLee]

when you don't understand art, it means art is working.

[@BetteBlaze13]

❤️

[@GalwayZTI]

This is very interesting way of teaching and understanding choreography - thank you :-) And the dancers are fanstastic.

[@ScarboroughFair68]

I very much enjoyed his explanation of the process

[@user-vg1we3ek9i]

ScarboroughFair68

[@strategysprints]

Misbehave more beautifully more often!

[@des5634]

The dancers are so smart. The ultimate improv.

[@getdownlo]

that was fascinating and stunning to watch! creativity and the capacity of the human body and mind combined... wonderful.

[@JustJobeMY]

It started out a bit bizarre and even goofy, but ended great! I really enjoyed that dive into his mind!

[@mmedefarge]

That's great to hear. I work with people with disabilities, we use some neuro-muscular stuff & Tai Chi but I can see how dancing could really help at the higher levels of ability.

[@aimezmoi13]

This is cool b/c he takes us through a thinking process. Thinking is not always organized and "cool" guys, so let's just enjoy and learn from this creative piece

[@Eddie303]

This guy is superb. and TED is fantastic as usual.

[@shhhh6174]

I LOVE Wayne. Chroma is a masterpiece. Id love to work with him. His counting language is hilarious. Every dance teacher/choreographer has one 😂 i had a teacher that had a stick specifically for banging the counts out on the floor even though we always had live music🤣

[@jermyc1035]

Excelente su método, y muy buenos bailarines

[@matthewjay660]

This was so good: visual & performing arts.

[@Ossim]

Brilliance embedded so deep i completely missed it.

[@ChoxTheMuse]

a brilliant discovery of creative movement. His sounds are so much more interesting than 5-6-7-8

[@pgchakerian]

This was incredible; it made me think about my body in an entirely different way. I'm somewhat disconcerted to see that the top comments for this video are negative. Maybe you're already a professional dancer and you learned another method. Or maybe you don't like to appreciate the creative processes at work behind art. Even if this didn't speak to you, nothing is requiring you to go out of your way to be rude about it. You could try offering some constructive criticism.

[@jennraine]

The negative comments were most likely from people who don't dance or don't think of the body as a way to tell a story. Some people just don't get it.

[@Joshelynm]

love this

[@Nxyphoenix]

This is amazing , superb !

[@Angela-ou5wb]

Fascinating. I'm not a dancer but I've always wondered how choreographers come up with moves. This was very interesting.

[@TheIlanahead]

Wow. Magnificent!

[@SankalpGarud]

One of the most creative and insightful videos at TED. The likes to dislikes ratio is totally misleading... :(

[@nathanjburrows-NjB]

Completely Amazing!

[@PatricioDiStabile]

This is a masterpiece

[@illiteratespoon]

those dancers are incredible! They had to do so many random things so fast and they made it looked good 0_0

[@XxDollarBill]

that was fascinating. and refreshing

[@hueyahumana]

Impressive . Thank you .

[@sefon123123]

assuming they had to memorize everything as he went along, I am impressed by their ability to remeber everything

[@doctorbhanu]

amazing.

[@jerseyltd]

I AMMM BLOWN AWAYYYYY

[@lailamnelson]

this was amazing

[@t3tsuyaguy1]

I love it. This guy would be a blast to hang out with. :)

[@marcellebrooks6616]

he’s brilliant

[@intiago]

I thought this was dumb until I tried what he did. I tried "describing" something with my body. Try it and be amazed at how intune with their bodies they are and how little you know your own body.

[@DanseusePassionne]

thank you. So true.

[@guitarplayer1293]

holy crap, that was incredible!

[@Kishgofu]

this was so interesting to watch.

[@matbroomfield]

Holy crap those two have good memories!

[@Skyelement84K]

So good...

[@melissaongaccount]

right. well i wasn't trying to start up an argument or debate, hence why i said many dancers not 'all.' that's the nice thing about dance. all artists have their own perspectives, and that's why it's forever-evolving.

[@TheUnknownAlly]

Why do you say that? Idk, it may be that I'm new to dancing as I've only been dancing for about 2 months. But truth is, I've been learning from underground dancers in my community, and I've seen many choreographs and I've never seen anything like what this guys teaches. I saw that he's choreographed Thom Yorke's dances with I found so unorthodox, but still very interesting. I've learned things and ways of thinking no other dancer has taught me so at least for me it was beneficial.

[@jennraine]

It's like flavors of ice cream....we won't like them all. I thought it was interesting to see his particular process.

[@LabelMeInfinity]

I liked it .... Well done...