TVTechnology: NBC’s live broadcast of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic “The Sound of Music” last month did more than garner high ratings. It also served as a testament to the challenges involved in elaborate live stage productions—a type of program little seen on national television over the past 50 years.
3 comments:
I had some beef with the broadcast, although I tried to be rational. First off, I thought casting Carry Underwood was merely a marketing ploy. She was clearly not suited for the role. It's not her fault, but I feel like when the casting people and directors were making decisions, they figured having a big name on the screen would very much increase viewership, which it probably did. It also probably decreased the number of people who watched the thing until the end. The other thing I couldn't stand was the costuming. Who looked at those costumes and said "Ahh yes, that's what I wanted." The scene in the hall with the staircase was a prime example (https://www.google.com/search?q=sound+of+music+live&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=vXPkUu7mNtWksQSf2oH4BQ&ved=0CAsQ_AUoAw&biw=1366&bih=643#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=n30OBtJi2VmbQM%253A%3BCrS_Mudj7pq9fM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.trbimg.com%252Fimg-52a21a55%252Fturbine%252Fla-et-scenes-from-the-sound-of-music-live-pict-005%252F600%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.latimes.com%252Fentertainment%252Fla-et-scenes-from-the-sound-of-music-live-pictures%252C0%252C2510266.photogallery%3B600%3B400). The costumes blended in so much with the set, I couldn't see who was where! I also am not a big fan of the show itself, and thus I had no emotional connection with the "special-ness" of the first live production in 50 years thing.
I like how this article really goes deep into how the production came to be and goes behind the scenes with all of the technical and design people. Usually when Ive seen articles about this performance, its either criticizing carrie underwoods acting or is extolling the production for its innovation. The way this article discusses the details of the production is really interesting. Like the challenges of just having so many fully wired cameras. I also think its cool how they really had a pretty thorough integration of broadway type equipment and more traditional film and television equipment to form such a collaborative piece.
Wow! I knew a live broadcast of a stage show would be an interesting challenge, but had no idea so much would go into it. I really like how the article talks about the different technical aspects of making this show run. It is not something I would've thought about had I just watched the broadcast (I unfortunately did not have a chance to see it).
Post a Comment