Audio and Technicolor in Video

Last class was a fascinating look at the early history of audio being used in video. I enjoyed the satirical look from "Singing in the Rain"of how difficult transitioning to sound was for silent film makers. I had never thoroughly thought about the way sound is synced with images, and what a complex process it is.  It was fun watching the scene from Psycho, and all the different sounds that went along with it. If it had been silent, the scene wouldn't have been nearly as frightening or dramatic as it was.

Before that class, I had absolutely no idea what a process making film color was. Three rolls of film are used and put through different chemicals to make them red, green, and blue respectively. The films are then placed on top of each other and BAM there's full color. Technicolor was a multi billion dollar industry that today has been replaced with digital filming. Some examples of early technicolor use include Singin' in the Rain, Joan of Arc, and Fantasia.

The Great Train Robbery

"The Great Train Robbery" from 1903 is yet another great example of early silent films. As with "A Trip to the Moon", early special effects were fascinating attributes. I loved how an explosion near the beginning was colored orange, possibly to make it more realistic but to me it just seemed to make it surreal. It was also interesting to watch the actors interact with dummies, like when one of the robbers through a man who was obviously just a dummy off of the train. The dramatic way that guy just died was great. This video was just one more cool look at silent films of the early 20th century.

Napoleon Silent Movie

Napoleon was a silent film from 1927 directed by Abel Gance. The camera work was revered for being much more smooth than most films at the time. Hand-held cameras were used and extensive close-ups were featured. The story revolves around a young Napoleon, following him to his rise to power.

It is widely considered one of the greatest and most innovative films of the silent era. It has been screened all over the world since 1927, and still is today:

Trailer for a screening of Napoleon

This movie set the precedent for many silent films to come.

Trip to the Moon

"A Trip to the Moon" was an interesting look at early cinematography. It was fascinating to see what early "special effects" entailed, like how the smoke explosion was physically small but knocked down all five of them due to the implied effect. It had a surrealist vibe, and many small details were amusing to me. For example, the fact that they all had umbrellas on the moon and even used them as weapons. I also liked the way the camera got closer to the moon as they were traveling towards it, rather than the other way around. It was good that this video had commentary, otherwise I'm not quite sure I would have known what was going on. Overall, this was an interesting video to portray early films.

Stage Door Blog Excerpts

First of all, as a person who has been involved in stage crew for the past three years (from set design to lighting), talking about the technical aspect of theater is something I quite enjoy. Here are the videos that caught my attention:

Neil Patrick Harris: What If Life Were More Like Theater from the  2012 Tony Awards

Here we see almost every well-known technical theater trick used in just 5 minutes. Lighting and sound cues, cables, on-stage costume changes, the works. 

Peter Pan: I'm Flying

The obvious technology influencing this scene is the cable work. Without the cables being worked by some lucky stage hand, this song wouldn't be anywhere near as interesting or believable.

Guys and Dolls: Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat

The contributing technology in this scene includes lighting and the stage backgrounds.

Anything Goes: Blow, Gabriel, Blow

The lighting work is significant to this scene. The lights are dimmed, and the spotlight is focused on only her top half. Also, the costumes contribute to the upbeat and flashy number.

Annie Get Your Gun: There's No Business Like Show Business!

The extravagant lighting and orchestra onstage adds to the high caliber of this performance.

Evita: A New Argentina

The use of technology greatly enhanced this scene from Evita. Stage pyrotechnics are always fun. Also, the descending backdrops contribute to the visual political message.

Cabaret: Willkommen

The technology that is seen in the opening scene of Cabaret influences the mood of the entire production. The artificially lit background, the musicians on stage, and even the seating of the viewers enhanced the experience.

Technology is arguably as important to a production as any performance aspect. One cannot exist without the other. With time, these technologies will become more advanced, and theater will only grow.

Watching Carmen

I'm currently watching Carmen for the essay we're writing, and here is what runs through my mind while doing so:

• I never knew how many popular songs came from this Opera
• French guy writes opera that takes place in Spain and they all speak french.
• I enjoyed this part when Hey Arnold did it
• Are children common in Opera?
• boobs.
• Jose has mommy issues an Micaela is doing nothing to help with them. That kiss was way too seductive to be delivered from his mother...
• That was a very intense kiss on the forehead
• I really like that Carmen just charged into a mob of 30 girls with nothing but her fists
• Whoa they're actually not singing. I thought that wasn't a thing in opera?
• It's like how girls nowadays cry their way out of traffic tickets
• boobs boobs boobs
• They acknowledge that she's singing? Isn't that sort of breaking the 4th wall?
• legs
• Goddamn it Jose
• HA was the chair supposed to break?
• Somewhere, mere feet from the stage, there are a group of stage crew members having a collective panic attack because they need to find a new chair.
• Yet another song I didn't know was from Carmen!
• These people really throw around the word love...
• I am pretty surprised by the amount of talking.
• That doesn't look like a comfortable way to sing
• After all this singing there's no way he's not late for that retreat.
• He is sobbing into a flower. I'm not finding very much respect for this character.
• She's not a very understanding woman.
• How I love epic end-of-act finales
• Where has Micaela been?
• But WHAT are they smuggling? I suppose it isn't relevant to the plot, but curiosity...
• I love these costumes. Simple, unlike the eccentric style that has come to be associated with Opera. But still lovely and beautiful.
• Is it weird the way Micaela uses Jose's mom to get to Jose, or is it just me?
• Jose just got really fucking creepy.
• Also he looks like a hot mess.
• I RECOGNIZE THIS ONE TOO
• Jose has really let himself go
• Why do children like bullfighting so much? I think it's a pretty upsetting sport, at any age.
• This is the best Carmen has looked the entire time.
• Goddamn it she's finally happy and honest and she's about to die.
• There are people blaring pop music next door. Don't they know I'm busy becoming less of an uncultured swine?
• I will forever regret not seeing this when the tour came to Philly last year.
• He's really not getting the message here.
• NO MEANS NO GODDAMN IT this is really creeping me out.
• How many times does she have to say it?
• This is the part where you run Carmen.
• runrunrun
• So many opportunities to get away. But then I guess this wouldn't be a tragedy.
• I wonder if there is a new ring for every day, or if some stage crew member has to find it each night.
• And now there's necrophilia.
• Italian women plays Spanish woman who speaks French. Just another day in Europe?
• That was fun! Now, essay time...

History of the Jazz Age

The Jazz Age was about more than just jazz.
It was a period for the cultural expansion of music, dance, fashion, and lifestyle, taking place during the 1920's. It was most prevalent in the US.

Jazz music was created by African Americans, but was widely accepted among middle class white Americans. Radio greatly helped jazz spread into the mainstream, and jazz clubs were popular locations for hearing this music live. Dances such as the Charleston went along with it. Famous jazz musicians of the time include Loius Armstrong, Billie Holliday, and Ella Fitzgerald.

Fashion took a high and scandalous turn, particularly for women, during this decade. Women went from full-covering dresses to shorter skirts, dropped waists, and more playful styles. Many dresses included fringe or beads. The women's suffrage movement was a large factor in this newfound independent way of dress. Men's fashion was classy and stylized, with various hat and suit styles commonly worn.

The 1920's was a time of prohibition, and Speakeasies were anything but scarce. These establishments of illicit alcohol, dancing, and general shenanigans were frequented by many and enjoyed by all. The mafia payed off police officers so they could keep these bars running.

The jazz age, which was a time of great cultural progression, came to a screeching halt when the Great Depression hit. It remains a significant point in history that improved our country and culture.

Madame Butterfly Animation

The Madama Butterfly animation was interesting and appropriately disturbing. Although it wasn't very long, it summarized the most key and dramatic parts of the opera. In order to have more of an idea of what exactly I was watching, I researched the plot a bit before finishing the video. I'm glad I did, because if not I would have been mostly clueless to the strange representation of suicide in the final moments of the video. It was interesting what parts of the opera the animator put the most focus on. The three main parts of the video were focussed on the American and Madame Butterfly making love, Madame Butterfly waiting for her American, and her suicide. It is difficult to condense an entire opera down to 10 minutes, but I think Pjotr Sapegin did so eloquently.

Week 1

The lesson that intrigued me the most from last week was about the Castrati. It's mind-boggling to think that there is a whole subculture of opera singers that do not exist today. There are no true recordings, there is no way to completely recreate the sound (though the BBC method was quite fascinating), and there is no way to ever see one of these singers in the flesh.
While watching the documentary, I found myself wondering: who's decision was an individual's castration? Was it the consent of the young boy? Was it his parents? Or was it a voice mentor, who knew when a boy was destined for greatness? Was this "gift" considered a blessing or a curse to the individual? What were the psychological impacts? If the Castrati were still around today, what would society's view of them be?
It is understandable why the practice was stopped, but it would be wonderful to hear a Castrato in person. Alas, it is not possible, and we can only settle for high-tech BBC mixing methods. The Castrati are an interesting part of Opera history that should not be forgotten.