--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I started off as a choreographer, I…" description: "\"When I started off as a choreographer, I had to do songs, which I may have wanted to do differently, but directors had their own inputs to give. But no..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/442/remo-d-souza-13223_dance_when-i-started-off-as-a-choreographer-i_1854083.jpg" --- # When I started off as a choreographer, I had to do songs… ![“When I started off as a choreographer, I had to do songs, which I may have wanted to do differently, but directors had their own inputs to give. But now, I take liberty to decide my own dance steps as well.” quote by Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/442/remo-d-souza-13223_dance_when-i-started-off-as-a-choreographer-i_1854083.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/442/remo-d-souza-13223_dance_when-i-started-off-as-a-choreographer-i_1854083.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/442/remo-d-souza-13223_dance_when-i-started-off-as-a-choreographer-i_1854083.jpg) > “When I started off as a choreographer, I had to do songs, which I may have wanted to do differently, but directors had their own inputs to give. But now, I take liberty to decide my own dance steps as well.” [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early in his career, he followed directors’ visions, but later gained creative freedom to design his own choreography. **In simple terms:** He moved from following directions to leading his own artistic choices. Key Takeaway Embrace creative independence. Themes creativity artistic freedom growth Mood empowered reflective Type inspirational personal When to use this quote - Stage productions - personal projects - teaching dance - film choreography Key Concepts Choreography authorial control collaboration Questions to Reflect On - How did gaining autonomy change your artistic voice? - What risks come with self‑directed work? A Different Perspective Creative freedom may clash with commercial expectations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choreographer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choreographer/) [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Dance steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance-steps/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) ## Related quotes > [Like a film, dance steps or sequences are creative works. If a script can have a copyright, and so can songs, why can't dance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remo-d-souza/like-a-film-dance-steps-or-sequences-are-creative-works-if-a-script/) [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) > [I didn't start out my directorial career with a dance film, as I knew people thought a choreographer will easily make a dance film.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remo-d-souza/i-didn-t-start-out-my-directorial-career-with-a-dance-film-as-i-knew/) [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) > [Even after choreographing some big numbers, I didn't qualify as the top choreographer. You need to have godfathers and big people to support you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remo-d-souza/even-after-choreographing-some-big-numbers-i-didn-t-qualify-as-the/) [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) > [It is now, after doing TV shows and so much work, that people have accepted me as a great choreographer. So I had to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remo-d-souza/it-is-now-after-doing-tv-shows-and-so-much-work-that-people-have/) [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) > [Place and displacement have always been central for me. A type of insecurity goes with that: you are always following the cues, like learning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-messud/place-and-displacement-have-always-been-central-for-me-a-type-of/) [Claire Messud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-messud/) > [“It was only later that I realised that I had experienced extended close contact with another human without feeling uncomfortable. I attributed it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graeme-simsion/it-was-only-later-that-i-realised-that-i-had-experienced-extended/) [Graeme Simsion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graeme-simsion/) > [An image, a dance step, a song may function from time to time as entertainment, but the root and full practice of the arts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-london/an-image-a-dance-step-a-song-may-function-from-time-to-time-as/) [Peter London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-london/) > [I am a professional dancer, so picking up dance steps was like brushing my teeth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hazel-keech/i-am-a-professional-dancer-so-picking-up-dance-steps-was-like/) [Hazel Keech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hazel-keech/) > [When I was 25, I was in a show called 'Bajour,' and I was going to leave the show because I couldn't breathe. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-sorvino/when-i-was-25-i-was-in-a-show-called-bajour-and-i-was-going-to-leave/) [Paul Sorvino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-sorvino/) > [A good dancer is one who listens to the musicWe dance the music not the steps. Anyone who aspires to dance never thinks about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-gavito/a-good-dancer-is-one-who-listens-to-the-musicwe-dance-the-music-not/) [Carlos Gavito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-gavito/) > [“In the talcum on the floor around him he could see the imprints of his mother's feet. She had moved from side to side,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-g-ballard-3/in-the-talcum-on-the-floor-around-him-he-could-see-the-imprints-of/) J G Ballard > [I enjoy getting an artist at the beginning stages, and then I'm able to pull out something that is so pure and actually create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurieann-gibson/i-enjoy-getting-an-artist-at-the-beginning-stages-and-then-i-m-able/) [Laurieann Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurieann-gibson/) > [An author accepting language's invitation to dance steps onto the floor of his her sensibility-charged consciousness and begins to move instinctively--even if with much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aberjhani/an-author-accepting-language-s-invitation-to-dance-steps-onto-the/) [Aberjhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aberjhani/) > [Mother had taught me dance steps from the time I was 3, and we were always singing and dancing around the kitchen table.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-heatherton/mother-had-taught-me-dance-steps-from-the-time-i-was-3-and-we-were/) [Joey Heatherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-heatherton/) > [“Learning a dance is not about imitating the dance steps perfectly. But it's about creating your own style using the dance steps that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michiyo-yamashita/learning-a-dance-is-not-about-imitating-the-dance-steps-perfectly-but/) [Michiyo Yamashita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michiyo-yamashita/) ## More by Remo D'Souza > [I never compromise with my work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remo-d-souza/i-never-compromise-with-my-work/) [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) > [I had two good films: 'ABCD2' and 'Bajirao Mastani.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remo-d-souza/i-had-two-good-films-abcd2-and-bajirao-mastani/) [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) > [Ballet is one form which I really want Indians to practice it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remo-d-souza/ballet-is-one-form-which-i-really-want-indians-to-practice-it/) [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) > [I have worked with Salman a lot of times and have choreographed him earlier also. He doesn't do rehearsals; he never comes for that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remo-d-souza/i-have-worked-with-salman-a-lot-of-times-and-have-choreographed-him/) [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) > [Youngsters are selecting dance as a profession and are aiming for an aspiring career in the field of dance. I am happy to see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remo-d-souza/youngsters-are-selecting-dance-as-a-profession-and-are-aiming-for-an/) [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) > [I am glad I tried something different with 'A Flying Jatt'. I will be okay even if I failed with this film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remo-d-souza/i-am-glad-i-tried-something-different-with-a-flying-jatt-i-will-be/) [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) > [Choreography is something that I am always going to take up, and it will be on the forefront.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remo-d-souza/choreography-is-something-that-i-am-always-going-to-take-up-and-it/) [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) > [It's not necessary that every film that I direct will have dance in it. I would love to explore different areas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remo-d-souza/it-s-not-necessary-that-every-film-that-i-direct-will-have-dance-in/) [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) > [If you have won a national award, it means you have done something great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remo-d-souza/if-you-have-won-a-national-award-it-means-you-have-done-something/) [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) > [I want to see movies that explore different forms and new styles of dance, and also those that revive the old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remo-d-souza/i-want-to-see-movies-that-explore-different-forms-and-new-styles-of/) [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) > [I was 14-15 when I first saw Michael Jackson dance, and I thought, 'How can he move like that?' I started following him. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remo-d-souza/i-was-14-15-when-i-first-saw-michael-jackson-dance-and-i-thought-how/) [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) > [I am happy. I have won many awards, but it is the national award that I was waiting for. This means everything to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remo-d-souza/i-am-happy-i-have-won-many-awards-but-it-is-the-national-award-that-i/) [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) > [Apart from Michael Jackson, the only man I look upto and admire his dancing skills is Prabhudheva.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remo-d-souza/apart-from-michael-jackson-the-only-man-i-look-upto-and-admire-his/) [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) > [As far as I'm concerned, dance is a passion for me. I don't do homework and go to the sets. I believe in being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remo-d-souza/as-far-as-i-m-concerned-dance-is-a-passion-for-me-i-don-t-do-homework/) [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) > [Like a film, dance steps or sequences are creative works. If a script can have a copyright, and so can songs, why can't dance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remo-d-souza/like-a-film-dance-steps-or-sequences-are-creative-works-if-a-script/) [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) [Explore all 51 Remo D'Souza quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) ## More Choreographer quotes > [I worked a lot in Chicago's theater scene as a fight choreographer. And so I do have a lot of experience in stage combat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-offerman/i-worked-a-lot-in-chicago-s-theater-scene-as-a-fight-choreographer/) [Nick Offerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-offerman/) > [I'm not a good choreographer: I can't remember what I put down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-o-connor/i-m-not-a-good-choreographer-i-can-t-remember-what-i-put-down/) [Donald O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-o-connor/) > [“O wayfarer! Yearn finds quench, not in meadows, seashores or altitude of mountain peaks; but when being and dance are one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shah-asad-rizvi/o-wayfarer-yearn-finds-quench-not-in-meadows-seashores-or-altitude-of/) [Shah Asad Rizvi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shah-asad-rizvi/) > [“If movements were a spark every dancer would desire to light up in flames.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shah-asad-rizvi/if-movements-were-a-spark-every-dancer-would-desire-to-light-up-in/) [Shah Asad Rizvi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shah-asad-rizvi/) > [“Burdened no more is soul for whom life flows through dance like breath.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shah-asad-rizvi/burdened-no-more-is-soul-for-whom-life-flows-through-dance-like-breath/) [Shah Asad Rizvi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shah-asad-rizvi/) > [It's called the Ailey American Dance Theatre, not the Alvin Ailey African-American Dance Theatre. One thing also that Alvin wanted people to recognize, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/it-s-called-the-ailey-american-dance-theatre-not-the-alvin-ailey/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [“Dance as the narration of a magical story; that recites on lips, illuminates imaginations and embraces the most sacred depths of souls.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shah-asad-rizvi/dance-as-the-narration-of-a-magical-story-that-recites-on-lips/) [Shah Asad Rizvi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shah-asad-rizvi/) > [Dancing was always part of my culture growing up in Barbados. When I shot my 1st video I worked really hard with my choreographer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rihanna/dancing-was-always-part-of-my-culture-growing-up-in-barbados-when-i/) [Rihanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rihanna/) > [“One will sooner or later discover they are the choreographer of this dance we call life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-tevy/one-will-sooner-or-later-discover-they-are-the-choreographer-of-this/) Dawn Tevy > [In Hong Kong, particularly, we craft this art for decades. The action choreographer actually is the action director. He takes over and he choreographs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/in-hong-kong-particularly-we-craft-this-art-for-decades-the-action/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [“Through synergy of intellect, artistry and grace came into existence the blessing of a dancer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shah-asad-rizvi/through-synergy-of-intellect-artistry-and-grace-came-into-existence/) [Shah Asad Rizvi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shah-asad-rizvi/) > [Till now, I've not had the chance to dance in my films, but in 'Tej I Love You,' I have to dance. I know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anupama-parameswaran/till-now-i-ve-not-had-the-chance-to-dance-in-my-films-but-in-tej-i/) [Anupama Parameswaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anupama-parameswaran/) > [“Dance resides within us all. Some find it when joy conquers sorrow, others express it through celebration of movements; and then there are those...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shah-asad-rizvi/dance-resides-within-us-all-some-find-it-when-joy-conquers-sorrow/) [Shah Asad Rizvi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shah-asad-rizvi/) > [You know when this guy explains the essence of dance to his students he isn’t faking it. But it’s when the choreographer-dancer’s takes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subhash-k-jha/you-know-when-this-guy-explains-the-essence-of-dance-to-his-students/) Subhash K. Jha > [I was a choreographer in the '80s and I was doing these videos. I did an Extreme video, which was really weird having them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-shankman/i-was-a-choreographer-in-the-80s-and-i-was-doing-these-videos-i-did/) [Adam Shankman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-shankman/) [Browse all 124 Choreographer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choreographer/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I started off as a choreographer, I had to do songs, which I may have wanted to do differently, but directors had their own inputs to give. 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