And now for something completely different

[Petr Dvorak]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luRmM1J1sfg

hmy:

 

[Brandon Fraley]

good lord, can we please get over this????

lol sry to jump all over your thread, but it just seems like this is all over the internet, is officially my grandmothers favorite clip ever, was on cable news last night, and NPAR even did a story about it!

Ok, specifically about the clip. 2 things bother me. First, I hate how it's edited. At least with American Idol, it FEELS like it's live, and the viewer is experiencing an authentic event (even if its not), but this, with the slow mo and cut aways, feel very manipulative.

Secondly, why does this performance inspire the an instant standing O from the crowed, and tears from the judges? I'm in no way knocking the singer, she's great, but why were these people so convinced that she was going to be horrible? So horrible, in fact, that within the FIRST BAR of singing the crowd explodes! They're so shocked that she can sing well.

This video seems to being praised as triumphant and beautiful, but it seems more of a horrible indictment of the audience and producers of this show.

I dunno, the clip and the phenomenon that has followed just bugs me for some reason. I wish the singer well, however, and hope she records and sells a shitload of records.

 

[Petr Dvorak]

I agree, editing and timing here is manipulative and is usually used when TV want to create some hype where isn't. In this case they should get rid of it.

 

[Harry Lipnick]

Secondly, why does this performance inspire the an instant standing O from the crowed, and tears from the judges? I'm in no way knocking the singer, she's great, but why were these people so convinced that she was going to be horrible? So horrible, in fact, that within the FIRST BAR of singing the crowd explodes! They're so shocked that she can sing well.

I realize this clip has made the rounds...duly noted. But this question I don't understand. Maybe you've never been in a room with a truly amazing singer singing a plainly beautiful piece of music. Expectations don't factor into it. An amazing voice, like her's, can, indeed, floor a crowd in just one bar. Hearing something like that, especially live, it's magical, really. Not to jump on you or anything, just bein honest about down right incredible vocal talents.
Peace,

-Harry

 

[Brandon Fraley]

Expectations don't factor into it.

Of course they do. I imagine that when any number of other very talented singers have performed that same song, they did not get nearly the same response, and I'll assume that this woman's performance was not head and shoulders above those other performers.

And also like I mentioned, the way that the piece is edited, makes me question the authenticity of the whole event. I'm of course pretty damn confident that that's actually how it went down, but subliminally, the clip is telling me not to trust it, and that it's been manufacture from something else.

And no worries, just a friendly discussion

EDIT: BTW, love the handle! :thumbsup:

 

[Craig Ryan]

Well you just have to consider that the judges and crowd have presumably seen many poor performance along the way ( I mean come on, it's Simon Fing Cowell), probably many that weren't even aired.

Also I'd imagine most of the audience in attendance simply went to see the bad ones...which of course autmatically sets up bad expectations.

So when a gem like Boyle comes out, and totally unexpectedly knocks their socks off with a difficult piece of music, it can be quite an experience.

Its very similar to Paul Potts performance of Nessun Droma. A very highly regarded piece of Opera that he NAILED. It was quite unbelievable.

 

[Harry Lipnick]

Of course they do. I imagine that when any number of other very talented singers have performed that same song, they did not get nearly the same response, and I'll assume that this woman's performance was not head and shoulders above those other performers.

And also like I mentioned, the way that the piece is edited, makes me question the authenticity of the whole event. I'm of course pretty damn confident that that's actually how it went down, but subliminally, the clip is telling me not to trust it, and that it's been manufacture from something else.

And no worries, just a friendly discussion

EDIT: BTW, love the handle! :thumbsup:

Yeah man, I see what you're sayin. I guess it's just having grown up around theater, there's something - and here I go using that word again - about live performance.

It's something that's lost in film, which I think, actually you've picked out in the editing of this show. It is the double edged sword of film, that (generally speaking) it derives it's incredible power to affect an audience through a necessary artifice. And that, of course, is not to knock film at all. If I didn't absolutely love filmmaking, I wouldn't be doing it. Anyway, this has actually made me think on a Friday evening, so cheers for that :beer:
Peace,

-Harry

 

[Eric S.]

good lord, can we please get over this????

I understand how quickly pop phenomena can annoy those to whom it doesn't appeal. Still, we're all media producers here. This is a piece of media that has elicited strong reaction from the public. It certainly deserves our examination.

Ok, specifically about the clip. 2 things bother me. First, I hate how it's edited. At least with American Idol, it FEELS like it's live, and the viewer is experiencing an authentic event (even if its not), but this, with the slow mo and cut aways, feel very manipulative.

Isn't the very purpose of an edit to manipulate, transcending time and space? Isn't that the point of storytelling, to weave a spell over the audience? Just because this story doesn't connect with you doesn't mean you can't appreciate the effect it has had on other people.

Secondly, why does this performance inspire the an instant standing O from the crowed, and tears from the judges?

Why? I think if you had to choose one reason it's this: many people can identify with being underestimated and wanting to succeed. Not only is it an integral part of the "hero's arc" it's also a building block of the human condition. The quiet, reluctant hero. The magical fairy disguised as a beggar. The toad prince. This archetype carries a powerful impact for many people, perhaps all people given the right context. I don't understand it completely, but it might be a useful question to further explore. Why is this archetype so powerful?

I'm in no way knocking the singer, she's great, but why were these people so convinced that she was going to be horrible? So horrible, in fact, that within the FIRST BAR of singing the crowd explodes! They're so shocked that she can sing well.

This video seems to being praised as triumphant and beautiful, but it seems more of a horrible indictment of the audience and producers of this show

Why were they convinced? They went to an open audition to mostly laugh at people and Simon Cowell's derisive comments. This boosts their own confidence. There were so many elements of Susan's appearance that could prime stereotypes: the wild, disheveled hair, plump figure, mannerisms, etc. These existed without alteration, but were certainly enhanced by the edit.

It's triumphant, to me, for this reason: how often will people admit that they were wrong? How often will they confront their own human frailties and challenges? Further, how often can they confront these issues and also feel positive, as well?

I dunno, the clip and the phenomenon that has followed just bugs me for some reason. I wish the singer well, however, and hope she records and sells a shitload of records.

Boy do I ever understand this sentiment. There have been many cultural phenomena and highly lucrative enterprises that simply haven't worked for me. However, as media producers, I think it behooves us to take a step back, recognize our emotional reaction, and then analyze the hell out of it and the media product so that we can understand what's going on. Then, we can hopefully improve our own craft.

I hope the friendly spirit of my post is being conveyed. I deal with other film students in my classes frequently and many times these students will have a set range of likes / dislikes. Cool. Unfortunately, they basically refuse to analyze successful material if it doesn't appeal to their tastes. Further, they ridicule this material and conquently degrade others' enjoyment of it. Part of me wants them to stay this way, so that I improve faster than they do, but another part of me wishes that they would embrace a more academic, objective approach to art.

Eric

 

[Danish P.V.]

Oh...a second "surprising discovery" of talent (what was the first guy`s name? that huge guy who sang Puccini`s Nessun Dorma?) - good luck for the old lady, but not really "amazing" as people waited for the circus to present a new "freak" (not meant as an insult but figuratively) they can praise.

Here in Germany a man who was partially disabled through a car accident made it, he played harmonica...now he disappeared again. The follow ups were a gay, HIV positive man (who was a really good singer, btw) an arabic guy whose only talent was to circle around endlessly (sum kinda tradition) and a former circus artist who had an accident and tries to make a living as a singer...
These producers exploit these people`s tragedies, never would they concentrate on their raw talents, as the show`s title would imply.

 

[Craig Ryan]

I deal with other film students in my classes frequently and many times these students will have a set range of likes / dislikes. Cool. Unfortunately, they basically refuse to analyze successful material if it doesn't appeal to their tastes. Further, they ridicule this material and conquently degrade others' enjoyment of it. Part of me wants them to stay this way, so that I improve faster than they do, but another part of me wishes that they would embrace a more academic, objective approach to art.

Eric

Very well said! I know exactly the type of film student mindset you're referring to here, and I'm glad you have articulated so well what I've been thinking about for so long now. GREAT post all around Eric.

 

[Brandon Fraley]

insightful analysis, eric, good stuff Personally, i still stand by my original thoughts (credible or not) as they related to my own emotional response to the clip. One point I'll make is that while we as filmmakers mold and shape our assets to create a desired effect, the goal is to ultimately create an authentic experience. What I was trying to point out was that the clip did not feel authentic to me, which disturbed me on some subliminal level. It felt manipulated to "get me" to feel a certain way. While it's true all cinema is manipulation in one since, it's usually not intended to feel as such.

All that said, I understand my criticism don't matter in the slightest Your explanation of your appreciation sounds certainly valid, and I'm sure that's the way many others feel about it. but like i said... i bugs me

EDIT: While my opening statement was indeed meant to be provocative, she was on tv no less than 3 different times today, along with clips from the show!

 

[Brandon Fraley]

I hope the friendly spirit of my post is being conveyed. I deal with other film students in my classes frequently and many times these students will have a set range of likes / dislikes. Cool. Unfortunately, they basically refuse to analyze successful material if it doesn't appeal to their tastes. Further, they ridicule this material and conquently degrade others' enjoyment of it. Part of me wants them to stay this way, so that I improve faster than they do, but another part of me wishes that they would embrace a more academic, objective approach to art.

Eric

like Craig, I too appreciate this commentary :thumbsup:

 

[Liam Hall]

I saw this on the news. Given all that is going on in the world at the moment I hardly think, "Woman with bad hair has great voice" is a worthy news story for CNN to rave about.

Now, if Simon Cowell stood up and apologized to the nation for almost singlehandedly destroying the music industry and for employing PR guru Max Clifford to dupe the public into believing he's a hot blooded womanizer when those of us who worked with him in the 90s know the truth is somewhat different, that would indeed be newsworthy

 

[Jay A. Kelley]

Well I for one cried like a baby when I saw it... And it still gets me.. I loved it.

Jay

 

[Jeff Coatney]

Very well done, Eric.

 

[Tom Lowe]

I for another got a little lift from watching the vid. People like to see underdogs win -- ie "Rocky."

I wonder, though, if there is literally any kind of correlation between beauty and singing ability?

In a Darwinian sense, you might figure that there is a correlation between beauty and intelligence, for example, since intelligence gains power for men, and with power men get more attractive females, so in turn they produce more intelligent and beautiful offspring. I dunno. Just a wild thought.

Most of the females I have encountered who have amazing voices are also really beautiful and feminine. But that's just a personal anecdote. I don't have any data to back that up.

 

[Kevin Wild]

Wow, I like this post. For a bit, I thought I was the only one that saw the clip and thought "What's the big deal? She's got a nice voice." It took about 2 seconds of all the media coverage to realize that they were all shocked that there are still talented performers out there who aren't also beauty queens. It's very sad that the music business & audiences have gotten so used to the requirement of beauty to go along with the talent.

Now, don't get me started on supermodel journalists/reporters...

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Finally got to understand all the fuss of this lady on the TV monitors at the gym (no audio), I don't watch TV so I had no idea about her.

Must say my eyes are in tears after watching!!

One thing I must say is that I like every one on the show, was almost filling sorry for her, and what a surprise was I in for, as well as every one there.

This is to show once more that you absolutely never know, you just never know.

Thanks for posting.

ciao

 

[Christian Edwards]

Most of the females I have encountered who have amazing voices are also really beautiful and feminine. But that's just a personal anecdote. I don't have any data to back that up.

Mabey they're just the ones youve payed attention to :tt1:

Thanks Eric most profound :thumbsup: