We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Claire Ross a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Claire, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I created an LLC titled “Credit the Creator.” It’s a space dedicated to celebrating and recognizing choreographers within the film & television industry. A choreographer’s work often goes unnoticed in these spaces. Some of the most memorable moments in cinema come from the mind of a choreographer. Despite the significant historical impact choreography has had on the film & television industry; choreographers are often uncredited for their work; they are labeled as “Other Crew” on IMDb; they are frequently missing or misplaced on the call sheet; and face many other challenges that their colleagues don’t. “Credit the Creator” aims to bring awareness to the value of the choreographer for the screen.
Claire, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’ve always had an interest in the collaboration of dance and film. I’ve been a dancer since I was 2 years old, and my twin sister pursued a career in film. In college, I wrote an essay about how the film industry has impacted the dance industry. However, I concluded with the opposite thought process. Since the beginning of the film industry, dance has continued to shape some of cinema’s most memorable and influential moments. The screen choreographers behind this often go unrecognized for their contributions. It’s become my mission to find various ways in which we can celebrate screen choreographers’ important work. I’ve found that the most effective way is to educate those on the value of a choreographer’s contributions.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
There is a large research gap when it comes to choreography for the camera. Furthermore, many books that have been published do not exist online. That being said, it can be difficult to find resources. The book that opened doors for me is titled “Film Choreographers and Dance Directors” by Larry Billman. Billman dedicated his life to documenting the legacy of choreographers. The book not only includes a breakdown of dance on film by the decade but also an index of 300+ pages with biographies of screen choreographers and lists of their choreographic work. This book has introduced me to many unsung heroes of the craft. It has also anchored my mission to continue documenting the work of choreographers and their influence in the film industry.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My ultimate goal is to give choreographers a space to be recognized for their contributions to the film industry. I’d love to see the Oscars celebrating their achievement.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @creditthecreator
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creditthecreator
- Other: Here’s a link to my thesis that started it all – https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/honorscollege_theses/286/#:~:text=By%20assessing%20the%20film%20choreographer%27s,and%20the%20general%20lack%20of
Image Credits
Babylon BTS – Emily Joe Headshot – Lindsay Rosenberg Dance Photo (turtleneck) – James Jin Set BTS 1 – Rachel Obering Set BTS 2 – Emma Wetzel