‘Born This Way’ Director Explains Reason for Filming in NYC

When Lady Gaga and her crew were getting ready to film the video for 'Born This Way,' they had only place in mind for the location of the shoot. Lady Gaga's creative director told MTV that she filmed her 'Born This Way' video in New York City because they wanted to take the shoot back to where she and Gaga began their careers.

"This was the place that we started," says Laurieann Gibson, who provided the choreography for 'Born This Way,' while Nick Gibson directed. "This was the place that birthed her. This was the place that birthed my dance. New York just has something so real about birthing something specific."

Gaga and Laurieann rehearsed the elaborate choreography at Alvin Ailey Studio, where Gibson studied dance. They moved to Brooklyn to film the seven-minute video over two freezing days, while making sure to keep the shoot hidden from a lone paparazzo who lingered around outside.

Gibson takes credit for providing Gaga with the video's concept of a new race of people. "I woke up one night and I called her and said, 'I got it! We have to birth a new race.... a race that can't hate or judge,'" Gibson explains.

The 'Born This Way' video has already racked up more than seven million views on Gaga's official YouTube page. The song is now in its second week atop the singles chart.