Kyle Hanagami & Apple Usher in a New Era of Dance Choreography with AI-Powered Tools
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – January 28, 2026 – In a development poised to reshape the landscape of dance and digital content creation, choreographer Kyle Hanagami, known for his work with BLACKPINK, Jennifer Lopez, and the upcoming Disney Zootopia stage adaptation, has revealed how Apple’s latest innovations are fundamentally changing his creative process. The news, breaking today alongside the launch of Apple Creator Studio, highlights the power of AI and intuitive software in unlocking new artistic possibilities. This is a major win for creators looking to streamline workflows and elevate their vision – a story archyde.com is following closely for its implications on the future of digital artistry.
From Pre-Med to Pioneering Choreographer: A Journey Fueled by Innovation
Hanagami’s path to becoming a sought-after choreographer wasn’t conventional. Initially a pre-med student at UC Berkeley, a fateful organic chemistry class led him to discover his passion for dance. His early days involved makeshift rehearsals – practicing outdoors with a boombox and using building windows as mirrors. This scrappy beginning underscores a core theme in his career: resourcefulness and a willingness to embrace new tools. That spirit of innovation continued when a student filmed his early dance classes, sparking an unexpected online following and prompting him to document his work.
Final Cut Pro: The Catalyst for a Creative Brand
The turning point came with his adoption of Final Cut Pro in 2009. “Final Cut Pro allowed me to think beyond what I see on camera,” Hanagami explains. He credits the professional-grade software with providing the creative control and production skills necessary to transform his art into a recognizable brand. For years, he’s been an early adopter, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with digital editing. This isn’t just about technical proficiency; it’s about a fundamental shift in how choreography is conceived and experienced.
AI-Powered Editing: Saving Time, Amplifying Vision
Today’s launch of Apple Creator Studio introduces features designed to further empower creators like Hanagami. Specifically, the new AI-powered tools within Final Cut Pro are proving to be game-changers. Magnetic Masking drastically reduces the time-consuming process of rotoscoping, while Smart Compliance simplifies editing for various social media platforms. But perhaps the most impactful addition is beat detection, now available in Final Cut Pro via Logic Pro.
“When I need to loop a track for my lesson videos, I can do the alignment much faster using beat detection; This saves me from having to manually review waveforms and make incremental adjustments,” Hanagami shared. This seemingly small improvement translates to significant time savings, allowing him to focus on the artistry of his work. He even used his iPhone to scout locations and angles for the film Nasty Teens, demonstrating the power of accessible, high-quality filmmaking tools.
The Apple Ecosystem: A Seamless Creative Workflow
Hanagami’s reliance on Apple extends beyond Final Cut Pro. He utilizes the entire ecosystem – from sketching ideas on iPad to filming with iPhone and sharing content across platforms. This integrated approach streamlines his workflow and ensures consistency across all projects. The reliability of these tools is paramount, he emphasizes, stating that it’s “as important as that of the teams I work with.” This highlights a growing trend among creative professionals: the need for a dependable and interconnected toolkit.
Beyond the Tools: A New Perspective on Choreography
Hanagami’s story isn’t just about the technology; it’s about how technology unlocks new creative possibilities. He believes that understanding the capabilities of hardware and software allows artists to “think bigger” and move beyond static perspectives. The ability to experiment with Live Multicam using Final Cut Camera and Final Cut Pro for iPad, as he does in his members-only YouTube tutorials, exemplifies this shift. This is a powerful message for aspiring choreographers and digital artists: embrace the tools available to you and explore the uncharted territory of creative expression.
The convergence of artistic vision and cutting-edge technology, as exemplified by Kyle Hanagami’s work and Apple’s latest innovations, signals a thrilling new chapter for the world of dance and digital content creation. As tools become more accessible and intuitive, we can expect to see even more groundbreaking work emerge, blurring the lines between art, technology, and entertainment. Stay tuned to archyde.com for continued coverage of this evolving landscape and the creators shaping its future.
