Icons and Instincts - by Vincent Paterson (Hardcover)

About the Book

"For the first time, the choreographer of Michael Jackson, Madonna, Bjèork and many others reveals stage stories through his extraordinary journey. Vincent Paterson began his professional dancing career late in life. It would take an exceptional turn when he became one of the lead dancers in Michael Jackson's Beat It music video. Through hard work, he rises to the rank of choreographer and director for the world's greatest singers, but also for cinema and musical comedy. He tells with humility the fascinating universe of film sets, the rehearsal sessions where you have to orchestrate and synchronize dozens of dancers, life backstage where it is sometimes necessary to manage a few whims of the stars, his successes, but also his disappointments. It is a dive into the heart of the world of dance"--

Book Synopsis

For the first time, the choreographer of Michael Jackson, Madonna, Björk and many others reveals stage stories through his extraordinary journey.

Vincent Paterson began his professional dancing career late in life. It would take an exceptional turn when he became one of the lead dancers in Michael Jackson's Beat It music video. Through hard work, he rises to the rank of choreographer and director for the world's greatest singers, but also for cinema and musical comedy.

He tells with humility the fascinating universe of film sets, the rehearsal sessions where he had to orchestrate and synchronize dozens of dancers, life backstage where it is sometimes necessary to manage a few whims of the stars, his successes and his disappointments. It is a dive into the heart of the world of dance.

Review Quotes

"Vincent's work is always imaginative and exciting, from his choreography for pop stars to his direction of a production of Evita I saw in Vienna, for which he found heart

and nuance in the characters I hadn't seen before. I look forward to his

sharing some of his 'secrets' in this book."

--Stephen Schwartz, composer of Wicked, Pippin, and Godspell

"The collaborations between Vincent Paterson and Michael Jackson and Madonna

are groundbreaking."

--Toni Basil, choreographer and performer ("Mickey!")

"The impressive history of Vincent Paterson's work and collaboration

with iconic artists is phenomenal and will last forever."

--Barbara Mandrell

"Vincent's depth as a director created an inspiring adventure

on the creation of the opera, Manon."

--Anna Netrebko, Opera Diva

"Vincent Paterson's ingenious style of dance captivated millions of people."

--Paula Abdul

"[The Way You Make Me Feel] surely is the best video ever made."

--Steven Spielberg

"I look at your work and think how wonderful it is

and how much you have given me and the picture (The Birdcage)."

--Mike Nichols

"You are so talented and it's always a pleasure to collaborate with you."

--Madonna, The Blond Ambition Tour

About the Author

Amy Tofte was awarded the prestigious Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2015. She has been a regular contributor to the award-winning LA STAGE Times with more than 100 feature articles profiling Emmy winners, Oscar- and Pulitzer-nominated writers as well as nationally recognized theater artists. Tofte's critically-acclaimed stage plays have been produced throughout the U.S., the U.K., Australia and at the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival. She lives in Los Angeles.