This is the dance that was cut from the film. It was too modern dance.  Bill Lee the composer of the music I thought did a wonderful job with it.  This was a difficult work as there was not much time to shoot it. Perhaps a half a day and we ran into some complications along the way.  

Hinton Battle was originally supposed to do it but decided not to. I'll tell you why in my memoirs not here.  They both are beautiful dancers. Though the choreography seems dated to me you can still see and feel that these two artist are on their game. Robin Tasha Ford is at her finest and Greg Burge could do anything. 

In retrospect I think I should have made it more metaphoric. Giving it more meaning to the whole. It just came out of nowhere. It was my first film. No excuses. Thank you Spike.

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Okay Everyone- This is serious Throwback Thursdays.  This is deep from inside the Otis Archives. I cant believe that I have saved everything. What can I say. This is Debbie Allen and Norman Nixon dancing full out in the park.  I believe if i remember correctly that she was pregnant at the time and very much in love. Good for them.  I also think they still are. How special. 

Please feel free to leave comment here . Would love to hear from you. Know your out there. Your thoughts.

I was in Omaha Nebraska and decided that we needed to look at a pop song differently . I had these wonderful young ladies of all different types in front of me and we all liked Maroon 5. I knew that they all had a story to tell so we just started singing it down .  This is what transpired.   Not bad for a first day of rehearsal. Wish I had the final performance.they were wonderful.  

It has been good these past months to work in television. It's what I really know how to do. The cast is very talented and the day is hard but good. I don't think they know what I really do but that is okay I am happy to be there to share my talents and to make the day go well.

Sonie the young girl on the show is really talented and I think she is going to be a big star when she gets a little older. She can really dance and act. I am impressed.  At first I thought the cast a little stand offish but I think it s because they don't know me and they have such a hard day and long hours.  No time to frat with a crazy looking old black man.  All in all it is a good show and the cast and crew and producer really know how to do it.

It moves extremely fast. So far I have choreographed swing to ballet to Tango.  I have to say that I have had some tango training though I am no tango expert. One of the actors Juan Pablo who had some tango training helped me through it.  Very nice man.

Dave one of the actors sent a iphone video to my daughter. She went nuts.  (See below)

Coral Hawthorne (Line Producer) and Leslie Jackson-Houston (UPM) are two people that I have known forever. It was great to see them there after so many years. They looked whole and in their own skin.   I crossed path with several cameramen and crew that I knew. That was great. Old home week. We reminisced, took pictures and laughed a lot.

The dancers that I cast in one of the episodes were outstanding, professional and lots of fun. Can not wait to work with them again. The food is good on set . Here's to catering. The costume people are amazing and it is aplace I am familiar with.  I worked with the head costume person in Head Of The Class.

I had the opportunity to work with a first time director. He had no idea that I have directed dozens of these shows but I put my ego aside and decided simply to help him as much as I can.  It was good. He was gracious and kind but I think that was his good upbringing.  I liked him a lot and wish him the best. 

Kimmie is the best actor/comedian that I have ever worked with and  I have worked with a lot of them.  She so gets it and is unafraid. A physical comedian who is not afraid to get her hands dirty.  A true Lucille Ball. You will see this in the episode we did called The Nutcracker.

Television is hard, fast and immediate. I don't think you always have to bring all of your skills to it but you always have to hit the mark that is needed.

I got invited to the wrap party. Though I had only been there a short time it made me feel a part of the team. Very special   Unfortunately I could not be there.  Party on. 

The episodes start airing in December. Mine are "Doggy Daddy Days" and "The Nutcracker". Please tune and see for yourself. Let me know what you think  I hope they do well.

If you have any questions about shooting and choreographing television . Leave me a message I'll be happy to answer.