Scandal: Plagiarism

Matthew Neff | Mar 25, 2008 | there are 3 comments

As creative artists, choreographers are always inspiring other choreographers and artists. Choreography consists of creating phrases of movement and developing those phrases into a planned situation that is given a rhythmic meter. Styles are always changing. We look to the past and what is happening around us to create a personal style that reflects an individuals viewpoint.

Having an individual viewpoint is key to developing a vocabulary of movement and creating unique visual experiences. To copy someone's viewpoint is to pay the person a genuine compliment-- often an unintended compliment. To copy the choreographer's exact phrases and pass them off as original is just simply a slap in the face.

The following blog is my experience and a wake up call to all choreographers.

Every week I spend countless hours trying to find music to teach and choreograph to. Track after track. Album after album. It is part of my job and has never been something I hate doing. If you live in NYC you might seen me at a music store bouncing from listening station to listening station. Once I hear a song and I see an image moving in my head I know that this will be the song I use. Once the track is picked my next step is sitting down and writing out all the 8 counts on a sheet of paper in a straight vertical line going down the paper. After the music is counted out I go back and notate all the accents in the music as well as miscellaneous moments that spark my interest next to the corresponding 8 count on the page. Once I have the layout of the song drawn to paper I then sit and listen, listen, listen and listen some more. I tend to pick sections of the songs that are the lead in to the bridge or some crescendo. The final and most time consuming step is making up the combo. I sit and sketch shapes, write out phrases, dance around in my tiny apartment knocking over stuff, and create a combo that is challenging.

In one paragraph I have listed the method I use for creating movement. All the time it takes me to make up a combo fits into one short tiny paragraph. I have spent years trying different methods and by a process of elimination my method is the best way my brain responds to choreographing.

I teach it, tweak the spots that aren't working and start the process all over again. I take my class combos and use them in my choreography. I re-teach the phrases that are my own creation and watch a fully constructed piece appear before my eyes. It's quite a remarkable thing to sit back in the audience during a show and watch everyone's reactions to the work. I laugh at spots people like because I can remember turning in my living room and breaking my toe on the T.V. stand. (Yes, NYC apts are too small to dance in) The dancers I work with are always professional and have always treated my work with respect. I have never thought twice about someone stealing a phrase of my work. I have had friends ask to use my stuff and I say it's cool. I will even go so far as to drop by their rehearsals and help them. This is usually for school projects or if they need to make a reel for an audition. I am always there for my friends.

Recently, I was asked to check out a video on Youtube for an entry into a prestigious ballet competition. A friend had choreographed it. I also have choreographed an entry for the finals of this competition in NYC. Being the curious dude I am I watched it. I watched in horror. I watched it again and again and again. I watched a considerable chunk of a phrase I choreographed set on this girl I had never worked with. I watched a dance that was listed as being choreographed by someone else containing my work. The phrase in the dance that I had choreographed over 2 years ago was in this video VERBATIM. This person was paid to steal my work. To make matters worse the phrase was taught so poorly the poor girl looks like an idiot doing the movement.

Legally, I can't sue. Copyright laws are vague about phrases of choreography. Plagiarism in the dance world is all too common. It's disgusting and someone needs to be held accountable. To the creeps and wannabees that have to copy other people's work I say this: How does it feel? How does it feel to know that as an "artistic" person you can't even be creative? Find a new career. That's what all these idiots in this industry need to do. Truth be told that if you go to auditions and you can't get hired then you shouldn't be in a studio teaching either. Teachers and choreographers draw from their past experiences as well as their creative viewpoint. Stealing is not going to get you ahead in this world.

So what can I do? I can be professional and that's just what I have done. I have cut my ties with this jerk. He is no longer allowed in my class or any studio I am choreographing in. I have also written a letter to the studio owner of the girl requesting my phrase be removed from her dance. I gave more than enough proof that the phrase is in fact stolen and if she shows up at the ballet competition with my material in her dance I will be talking to the people in charge about this. I have also made several phone calls to industry people that have contact with this person making them aware of the situation. Every single person that has seen the two videos side by side has been appalled by his actions. I have written letters to studios in this city that respect my work and have asked them not to ever hire him in the future. I have received several phone calls from the offender and I don't care to pick up the phone. I don't think there is any excuse for pulling this kind of stunt when you are being paid to create an original work.

Some have said well this happens to Mia Michaels, Wade Robson, and other well known industry people. Yes it's true that people are constantly stealing their choreography. It's just as bad when it happens to them. Here is the difference though. Fox Network is not paying me thousands to choreograph a dance that is going on TV. My work is not being showcased in major venues yet. People that see my choreography know it's mine. So what happens to me when my work is stolen and then people see my work after and think I stole it? The result is Matthew Neff having to defend Matthew Neff. It's a waste of time and should never need to happen in the first place.

Can you tell I am beyond livid? A trust has been broken and sadly I don't think I will ever be able to work on a project without having the fear in my head that someone might steal something. It's like a boyfriend cheating on you. You can forgive but you will never forget.

Please respect the choreographers you work with. Respect their vision. Respect their time. Respect them as a human beings. Respect them as a friend. Don't steal. Can I make it any clearer?