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Post by Dave25 on Mar 11, 2016 19:53:51 GMT
I think the Les Mis film is too literal because it is basically a 1 take theatre performance on a pavement with people singing in eachothers face. Film needs much more than that, elaborate cinematography and editing.
The big mistake they made is that "toning it down" would be the solution. The truth is, it makes it weird and funny. Like I said, Hugh Jackman spoke 4 words and then vibrated for 10 seconds on 1 word. He completely disconnected the acting from the singing.
Especially with music and sung material, it is all about thoughts being sung, a triumph of the fantasy. "Last night of the world" filmed in an empty dark concrete room in a 1 take shot live singing in eachothers face for 4 minutes is not going to work. It needs over the top fantasy and very extensive cinematography. We want to see what is going on in their minds. Singing is per definition not realistic so you need to go all the way or not sing at all. "raw and real" lies in other things with this material.
Edit: About the casting, I think Chris needs to be a very strong natural singer, maybe Aaron Tveit or Jeremy Jordan. I think the only roles that can go to a celebrity name are Ellen or John. Maybe Lady Gaga as Ellen.
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Post by mrcurry on Mar 11, 2016 19:59:36 GMT
Miss Saigon needs some grit and realism to to help get past the over the topness of it all. Hopefully they will cut back a bit on the sung through stuff too and add some spoken lines No, absolutely not (sorry). Surely, musicals are meant to be 'over the top'. And why on earth does it need spoken lines ? It manages fine without them. The song `The Movie in my Mind` is meant to be about her dream, not a horror movie or nightmare. There is enough of that later on. It could be shot in the Philippines (for the cast) and Vietnam (Vietnam has the most amazing scenery). |
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Post by Dave25 on Mar 11, 2016 20:07:18 GMT
Exactly, absolutely not. I HATE the constant switching between the acting and singing in the les Mis film. Sometimes even multiple times in 1 sentence. 1 word spoken and the next word vibrating.
Movie in my mind could be a wonderful scene, with a turning camera, a tear coming out of her eye when the refrain starts, zooming in on it, edited scenes of a perfect life of Gigi living in the USA, baking an apple pie, having a picknick with her family, when we hear the song as a perfect voice over, until her part ends and we see the horrible reality of her being in the nightclub again. Just some thoughts.
The music can be used in many different ways, we don't always have to see the person mouthing to the sung thoughts. We can see anything with the right cinematography.
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Post by Pennywise57 on Mar 12, 2016 13:21:40 GMT
Unrelated to the movie but I've just found this and think it's one of the most bizarre, yet somehow brilliant takes on the song I've heard. It really shouldn't work, but It does!!
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Post by danb on Mar 12, 2016 13:29:17 GMT
Unrelated to the movie but I've just found this and think it's one of the most bizarre, yet somehow brilliant takes on the song I've heard. It really shouldn't work, but It does!! This is genius isn't it. Half of me wishes that Tim was born in another era so that his brilliance would be appreciated and the other half of me wants everyone else to catch up and appreciate the quality of both his vocals and his writing. I hope his Don weeks in 'Kinky Boots' remind the powers that be of his potential (especially when it comes to casting 'School of Rock'.). |
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Post by Pennywise57 on Mar 12, 2016 15:52:51 GMT
Unrelated to the movie but I've just found this and think it's one of the most bizarre, yet somehow brilliant takes on the song I've heard. It really shouldn't work, but It does!! This is genius isn't it. Half of me wishes that Tim was born in another era so that his brilliance would be appreciated and the other half of me wants everyone else to catch up and appreciate the quality of both his vocals and his writing. I hope his Don weeks in 'Kinky Boots' remind the powers that be of his potential (especially when it comes to casting 'School of Rock'.). You're so right. He'd be perfect for School of Rock!! |
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Post by Dave25 on Mar 17, 2016 12:16:55 GMT
Any casting ideas for the film version? Here are some people I think could be suitable (trying to find people who are actually good singers AND actors and the unavoidable mandatory "names", although I think quality should win from names anytime, but I understand that will never happen, so I included names too).
Engineer - Jon Jon Briones/ BD Wong
Kim - Tanya Manalang, she is a truly outstanding actress.
Chris - Aaron Tveit/Jeremy Jordan
Ellen - Amy Adams would be perfect for the role, type and acting wise/Another interesting choice could be Lady Gaga. She has a better singing voice for the material and she could make of Ellen an interesting counterpart in the love triangle.
John - No idea. This is a role that could go to a name. For example a great singing black popstar. Any names?
Thuy - No idea
Gigi - Nicole Scherzinger/Rachelle Ann Go
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Post by tf on Mar 27, 2016 7:47:30 GMT
It was indeed filmed. Alistair and Rachelle Ann were brought back. I'm a little late to this party. In this March 20 report, Rachelle talked a bit about going back to film Miss Saigon for a DVD release. She is quoted, “The week before I flew back to Manila (the last week of January), we shot Miss Saigon for DVD and cinema release. So I was Gigi during the day, then Fantine at night!” |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2016 9:04:41 GMT
Any casting ideas for the film version? Here are some people I think could be suitable (trying to find people who are actually good singers AND actors and the unavoidable mandatory "names", although I think quality should win from names anytime, but I understand that will never happen, so I included names too). Engineer - Jon Jon Briones/ BD Wong Kim - Tanya Manalang, she is a truly outstanding actress. Chris - Aaron Tveit/Jeremy Jordan Ellen - Amy Adams would be perfect for the role, type and acting wise/Another interesting choice could be Lady Gaga. She has a better singing voice for the material and she could make of Ellen an interesting counterpart in the love triangle. John - No idea. This is a role that could go to a name. For example a great singing black popstar. Any names? Thuy - No idea Gigi - Nicole Scherzinger/Rachelle Ann Go There is no way they won't get some big names for this, the revival underperformed so there is no way they will risk a movie without a-list names. Which is even more difficult considering there arnt really any vietnamese/Asian hollywood names While both possibly too old now jake Gylenhaal or justin timberlake would be good for chris. Zac efron in the right role is a good actor (see the paperboy) and it could be a good challenge for him. John and ellen would probably be names. The Engineer could be a potential oscar worthy role but I can't think of a name that would be suited Definitely not aaron twait who has no screen presence based on grease and les mis. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2016 9:45:07 GMT
Ken Jeong would be a great choice for The Engineer.
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Post by Dave25 on Mar 28, 2016 12:18:39 GMT
Just some ideas:
Tanya Manalang (Kim)
B.D Wong (Engineer):
Nicole Scherzinger (Gigi):
Lady Gaga (Ellen):
Jeremy Jordan (Chris):
Are there any great black young (pop) singers and actors for John?
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Post by HereForTheatre on Mar 28, 2016 12:26:11 GMT
You don't need a star for every character. It will get by on just a few. Probably Chris, John and Ellen.
Jeremy Jordan would be brilliant as Chris but maybe they would want to go for a bigger name.
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Post by ali973 on Mar 28, 2016 13:56:03 GMT
I like the idea of Nicole as Gigi. I think Lady Gaga is a bit too edgy for Ellen, who is plain cookie cutter as they come. I would rather "save" Gaga for a Broadway revival of Funny Girl  |
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Post by theatre-turtle on Mar 28, 2016 13:59:20 GMT
Taylor swift for Ellen?
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Post by Dave25 on Mar 28, 2016 22:16:12 GMT
Jeremy Jordan would be brilliant as Chris but maybe they would want to go for a bigger name. I think it kind of benefits the story if Chris and Kim are a bit more "unknown" but very talented singers and actors. |
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Post by Dave25 on Mar 28, 2016 22:21:13 GMT
I like the idea of Nicole as Gigi. I think Lady Gaga is a bit too edgy for Ellen, who is plain cookie cutter as they come. I would rather "save" Gaga for a Broadway revival of Funny Girl I see your point, but I think she has it in her, she has some kind of a soft, compassionate and sound side that she doesn't show often. The styling could help too, make her very tidy, old fashioned, in a dress and curly hair, etc. I also think she has the dramatic depth for it. She could surprise us. Type-wise I think Amy Adams would be a perfect fit for the role too, but to be honest, I would like to see better singers. Only then it will feel natural. |
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Post by theatre-turtle on Mar 28, 2016 22:23:22 GMT
I read quite an interesting plot hole on another website recently. If the Engineer is half French, why didn't he just pursue French citizenship through legal means (birthright) rather than attempting to get into the USA - this possible route isn't acknowledged in the play at all.
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Mar 29, 2016 12:23:00 GMT
He presumably has no proof that he's half-French, either.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2016 14:49:11 GMT
I read quite an interesting plot hole on another website recently. If the Engineer is half French, why didn't he just pursue French citizenship through legal means (birthright) rather than attempting to get into the USA - this possible route isn't acknowledged in the play at all. Because he wouldn't be able to sing 'The American Dream' then. 'The French Dream' just doesn't scan. |
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Post by ali973 on Mar 29, 2016 16:31:41 GMT
Does Simon Bowman have a solo version of Last Night of the World? I'm on ATG on hold and there is a cheesy solo version of the song and I think it's Mr. Bowman. Needless to say and per the lyrics, it's "a crazy sound!"
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Post by Dave25 on Apr 2, 2016 12:08:37 GMT
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Post by ali973 on Apr 2, 2016 13:12:34 GMT
Dude, they will never do the same 80s version. Impossible to mount these days with these costs. The Broadway edition will be based on the recent London version. The film, if there is one, will be its own thing obviously.
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Post by danielwhit on Apr 2, 2016 13:40:19 GMT
I wouldn't be surprised if the Broadway version is the same physical set as the West End was (considering it's several years old and it may be easier to build a second set designed to tour).
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Post by ali973 on Apr 2, 2016 14:28:44 GMT
Isn't the Broadway version credited for the same team that did the same revival? Naturally it would be the same set and direction. I was never under the impression that the upcoming Broadway transfer would be any different than the recent West End version, which will tour. It's a natural progression to have this version tour, open in the US, then tour the US and open in as many locations as possible. We've seen it happen with Les Miz successfully, it only makes sense for Mackintosh to duplicate the same model by opening the same version across the world with the same team while they are still making money out of it.
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Post by tf on Apr 3, 2016 2:34:12 GMT
About the sets for the upcoming Broadway transfer, I had read this, though with a grain of salt given the Daily Mail's reputation. "Mackintosh explained that he’s waiting to sort out a Broadway transfer for Miss Saigon, currently running at the venue. He said he intends to take the sets being used in London to New York; otherwise, the move would be too expensive." |
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