Benoit Richaud: A Choreographer's Mind (MK Blades Documentary)

Sylvia · Aug 25, 2019

Benoit Richaud: A Choreographer´s Mind - MK Blades Documentary

A former World Junior competitor, Benoit Richaud has quickly ascended to the upper echelon of figure skating through his choreography and artistic vision. He...

www.youtube.com

Premiered Aug 23, 2019 [25 mins.]
A former World Junior competitor, Benoit Richaud has quickly ascended to the upper echelon of figure skating through his choreography and artistic vision. He brings a modern perspective to the sport as he continues to navigate through skating and life. This documentary was produced by MK Blades and Sven Vee. We set out to show who Benoit is as a person; what makes him tick and what drives him forward. Hopefully this documentary will allow you a greater insight into "A Choreographer's Mind."

aftershocks · Aug 26, 2019

I was particularly struck by Richaud's description of the city where he comes from (Avignon), and about his joy and wonder in being a father. In addition, his sense of freedom in being a choreographer, and how he describes a clean sheet of ice as being like a piece of paper that he writes on, discards or saves, and then he moves on to a new, clean sheet of ice to begin again. It's interesting how Richaud discusses improvising and needing to feel something in particular skaters, which is the only way he can work, and so he doesn't work with anyone he doesn't have any feeling for. Is it all muscle memory then? How can Richaud even remember exact details and gestures for every skater's program without some kind of documentation?

It was revealing to hear Richaud's description of seeing his choreography for skaters becoming shells of what he had originally created, which prompted him to work with the skaters he choreographs for throughout the season. I didn't know the details of how Richaud first became involved in choreographing after seeing Deniss Vasiljevs and asking to choreograph for him. The description of how tough figure skating is for these young athletes also resonates very deeply, because I've often thought the same way about the difficulties skaters face in trying to carve out a career in this impossible sport.

The shots of Richaud working with Daniel Grassl and with Bradie Tennell are quite beautiful and evocative.

BittyBug · Aug 26, 2019

Thanks @Sylvia for the link to this profile. Richaud is definitely on another plane but I could readily relate to his comments ice being a source of complete freedom.

It was interesting to hear his comments about his creative process, his need to follow his instinct rather than analyze, and his need to establish a connection with a skater in order to be able to create for them. That makes his pairing with Bradie Tennell seem even more unlikely because she seems like more of an analytical person, yet their partnership has clearly been fruitful.

cholla · Aug 27, 2019

I have no idea how this guy does, he seems to work 24/7. And when he isn't on the ice, he's flying somewhere to the other side of the globe. He must not need much sleep ! At some of his camps this summer he was on the ice at 5.00 a.m., then out biking or swimming then back on ice until late night. Kudos for the frantic schedule. And he is always so calm and nice to everyone. He really is a great guy.

Sylvia · Sep 10, 2020

Bumping up this thread over one year later (last year's documentary is still worth watching, IMO) to share this blog interview by Mikhail Lopatin ("a musicologist from Russia who really likes figure skating") with Benoit Richaud that was published on Sept. 3, 2020:

«I like to remain mysterious»: Interview with Benoit Richaud

See my previous interviews: with David Wilson and Sandra Bezic. Benoit Richaud has recently risen to become one of the most fascinating and popular choreographers in the figure skating world, as we…

skating-to-music.blog

Russian version:

www.sports.ru

Sylvia · Dec 9, 2020

Article by Ed Knowles (Dec. 9, 2020):

Benoit Richaud talks figure skating choreography, Beijing 2022, and music selection

French choreographer for Bradie Tennell, Kihira Rika, and more reveals secrets behind the performance in new podcast interview with Olympic Channel

www.olympicchannel.com

Richaud's thoughts re. choreographing online for this season:

The interesting thing is that [online] works. It's not what I love. It is not the best. But, in the situation we are living, this is the best because there is no other solution.
The choreographer, has a special place with a skater. We are there, but not all the time, and I will say in a way that we are giving them a little bit freshness here [and there]. We work five times during the season, six times, maybe more. We create with the skater, something a little bit different. And so I think for the skaters, [we] miss that.
But, in a way, I [have also] never [been] so connected to my skaters. And now I'm seeing most of my skaters online every day. When we need to fix something now we do it. And I think we didn't realise in the past.

Link to listen to Benoit Richaud's Olympic Channel podcast episode: https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/podcast/detail/podcast-benoit-richaud/

Sylvia · Apr 17, 2021

IFS interview article by Tatjana Flade (originally published in the IFS March/April 2021 issue & online on April 10):

Benoît Richaud - A Creative Force – International Figure Skating

French choreographer Benoît Richaud has earned the respect of figure skaters and fans for his innovative and original approach to his craft.

www.ifsmagazine.com

Sylvia · Apr 30, 2021

Benoit Richaud made a trip to the NYC/NJ area last week to teach Edge & Choregraphy Classes for skaters of all ages.

Based on his photos (https://www.instagram.com/p/CORKURwpQDf/), he has choreographed programs for Bradie Tennell, Calalang/Johnson and Lindsay Thorngren (for the first time).

bladesofgorey · Apr 30, 2021

Sylvia said:
Benoit Richaud made a trip to the NYC/NJ area last week to teach Edge & Choregraphy Classes for skaters of all ages.

Based on his photos (https://www.instagram.com/p/CORKURwpQDf/), he has choreographed programs for Bradie Tennell, Calalang/Johnson and Lindsay Thorngren (for the first time).

That's great news, imo he's the perfect choreographer for Lindsay. Can't wait to see what he's designed.

Benoit Richaud: A Choreographer's Mind (MK Blades Documentary)

Sylvia

TBD