HAIRSPRAY Questions answered here! (inevitable Spoilers)- Page 16

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 1:01pm

WhenURScrap...to answer your question.

For lots of reasons, all musicals are filmed with the actors lip-synching to their own recordings which were done prior to filming.

After all rehearsals are completed (especially of musical numbers), the actors go into a studio and record their 'vocals' for the musical numbers. Since they already know the choreography and what's what during the number, it helps their performance when they are recording their tracks. They will act and perform to their pre-recorded playback track when filming.

For lots of technical reasons, this filming using pre-recorded playback tracks are crucial -- it not only keeps the performance identical, but it helps when editing the music with the film since numerous camera angles are done and most musical numbers take several days to film. Also, it's virtually impossible to record 'live' controlled audio 'on location' outdoors due to the normal elements. Inside a controlled soundstage is easier, but you're once again talking about multi-camera angles.

Let's not bring up the subject of dancing AND singing and trying to keep your same performance level take after take after take after take.

DREAMGIRLS did use 2 'live' recorded sequences in the film, though. Anika's "...and Lorrell loves Jimmy" bit and Jennifer Hudson's "...this time Effie White's gonna win". They were done on soundstages, so it was possible to do that for just those few seconds. The rest of the film, of course, was shot using playback recordings -- yes, even Eddie Murphy's numbers.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 2:25pm

Marc, you do know what a huge fan of your work I am ! I know that you probably can't answer my question, but I have searched everywhere to no avail !
I've been waiting for CATCH ME IF YOU CAN since it was announced. I haven't heard a single note of it, but I am sure I am going to ADORE it, since you and Scott are involved.
So, is there even a tiny little chance, that I'll be able to see the show, when I visit NYC in April 2008 ???

Posted: 8/4/07 at 3:14pm

Just a little aside, but to the person who asked, if you want "I Know Where I've Been" in 'Queen Latifah's key,' you just need to get the original sheet music as the key is exactly the same.

[turquoisefish]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 3:20pm

"According to my online friend from the UK, they showed the scene with Little Inez auditioning in MBC."

No they didn't, well not at my cinema at least.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 8:34pm

Oh. Well, someone told me that.

[DramaQueen700]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 9:29pm

Mateo, the theater was full for the 10:00 Pm show I saw with my friends. And this was in La so the theaters are a pretty decent size.

[mateo]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 9:31pm

good to hear!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 9:34pm

I went to see it again this afternoon, and noticed that in the credits Joey Pizzi's name was spelled Joey Pizza. Not sure if that was intentional.

[fishergirl819]

Posted: 8/5/07 at 12:20am

Mateo, where on earth is that RIDICULOUSLY attractive picture of Zac in your avatar from?!

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 8/5/07 at 12:22am

Well, I saw that pic on Zac-E.com Mateo might have gotten it somewhere diff.

[mateo]

Posted: 8/5/07 at 12:25am

its in vanity fair.


i got it from zefron.com

[fishergirl819]

Posted: 8/5/07 at 12:26am

Fabulous, I will head over there now to check it out, lol. That is one amazing picture of him. He looks his best, IMO, with the hair brushed off his face like that.

[WhenURScrap]

Posted: 8/5/07 at 12:04pm

Zac Efron was amazing!

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 8/5/07 at 1:27pm

Dottie, I noticed the "Pizza" spelling too! I knew I couldn't just be seeing things.

[wiggum2]

Posted: 8/5/07 at 9:23pm

Marc, you f*cking rock! I loved the movie( and I didn't even think I was gonna like it) and you're great answering all these questions!

[mtyellowcrayon]

Posted: 8/7/07 at 2:10am

This was just the kind of musical that needed to be turned into a movie to get more people interested in musicals. In Toronto I am among an elite (okay not so elite but definitely hyper enthusiastic) group of music theater junkies so we have all naturally seen Hairspray the musical before (or were very sad to have missed it when it was in Toronto) and have seen the movie musical at least twice. In fact last week we went to an early showing together with the hopes to sing-a-long/dance-a-long if there was no one else there, you'll be happy to know that there were many more people that showed up, so we are going to have to go and check out the official sing-a-long version (I wonder if people will mind dancing too seeing as my kid sister already knows all the dances from only 3 viewings). But back to my original tangent (my mind wanders in the early hours of the morning) at the location I work only like two of my co-workers are remotely interested in musicals but almost everyone has now seen it, once they were able to put done their Harry potter, and it is now not a rare occurrence for me to hear one of them singing a line or two from it (though I wish they didn't make so many weird key changes). The musical movie industry has been waiting for a show like this for a long time cuz it we'll help reinvigorate that stream of film production (the other major motion picture musicals of late have been less accessible to people who are not either already musical junkies or love serious movies). Like you I never thought I'd live to see musicals become popular in Hollywood again, but I have been dreaming about it since I was 5 knew the entire recording of Les Miz (though oddly enough I had no idea who sang which song, I though young Cosette grew up into Eponine cuz On My Own talks about imaginary things). So me and my friends will see it at least 4 more times in theaters likely and you know just like in live productions it get better every time cuz you can notice more things and are not so overwhelmed by the glitter. Okay now that the praising of your awesome work is done (I will never understand why the show didn't do well in Toronto) it's time to ask the all-important questions. As a film production major I know that they sometimes now make the DVD commentary while shooting the film in order to save time, was this the case with Hairspray assuming of course that there will be a commentary? Also, since it is such a large cast and creative team do you know if there will be multiple commentaries (like say the kids, the adults and the creative team) so that people are not stepping all over each others toes and it will appeal to a wider range of commentary listeners? Now I completely understand cutting the Von Tussles part in You Can't Stop the Beat for consistency in character but every time I see the movie I'm saddened by the absence of "Come on, you von tussles Go on, shake your fanny muscles," I know that wasn't a question but it had to be said (it was like my keyboard and fingers were possessed). Final question what do you think is the best part about working on a movie musical over a stage musical and vice versa?

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 8/7/07 at 4:28am

I just finished directing a musical at my local community theatre, and for a cast party, I convinced my cast to go see Hairspray. None of them really knew anything about it (this is a rural community...not that that is a good excuse) but they LOVED it! I mean absolutely LOVED it! EVERYONE was like "when are we going to do this one?!" (we have a small community, but some very talented people in it). I am like that too, actually, can't WAIT for it to be available for us, it is such a fun and exciting musical!

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 8/7/07 at 9:56am

My question is, how do you as a composer make a song like You Can't Stop The Beat so infectious?

I dunno. But thank you.

When I get in the car and listen to it I am just bouncing up and down (literally) and just keep repeating it. What makes me do that?

Red Bull?

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 8/7/07 at 9:58am

So have they asked you and Scott (they better!), or have you already recorded a commentary for the long long away DVD?

Nope, they never asked, and it's all finished I understand. Nice, huh?

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 8/7/07 at 10:00am

I know that the solos from "Welcome to the 60's" are Shayna, Kamilah, and Terita; And then you just recently said that Shayna was singing the "I Know Where I've Been" back-up solo. Did they also sing "New Girl in Town"?

yessiree!

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 8/7/07 at 10:03am

what are the steps in getting the music in the film? Is it pre-recorded? Are the actors lipsyncing to the music during filming? Are they actually singing with background music as you are filming and then during final editing, put in the pre-recorded music? I would love to know how this works.

BroFo123 answered this rather well

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 8/7/07 at 10:05am

is there even a tiny little chance, that I'll be able to see the [Catch Me If You Can], when I visit NYC in April 2008 ???

Nope, a little longer then that. It will be next season, hopefully right after summer...knock wood

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 8/7/07 at 10:11am

mtyellowcrayon, step away from the coffee pot! Good gracious!!

Oh, and there is a little thing people adore around the world and it's called a NEW PARAGRAPH!! Check it out, it's gonna help you become even more popular!

Now, after pulling my eyeballs out of their sockets while trying to read your post, I came across a question that (I think) hasn't already been asked.

what do you think is the best part about working on a movie musical over a stage musical and vice versa?

The orchestrating and recording of those orchestrations.

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 8/7/07 at 10:12am

Anakela--you're not alone in liking the show more. I've seen the movie twice--my daughter is obsessed, has two of the dolls and saw it for the third time yesterday--but the kind of non-stop energy of the stage show is pretty hard to completely recreate, although I thought several individual numbers in the movie kicked major butt.

Hi Marc--scared and thrilled to be here. On the sing-along thread you wondered if theatres were advertising the fact that two different versions were playing. Mine (Crossgates in Albany) did--there was a notice at the box office and both the marquee and the individual theatre were clearly marked. The turnout for the 12:45 pm showing Saturday was small (14 people) and only my daughter even attempted to sing.

Oh--and my ex wife wants to thank you for creating a "Hairspray" monster...

Updated On: 8/7/07 at 10:12 AM

[shardasmal]

Posted: 8/7/07 at 10:31am

Hi Marc

First of all: Congratilations of the great box office and reviews! and sorry in any of these questions have been done yet!

-After the nice reviews and box office of the movie, can this suppose a start of a new collaboration with Adam Shankman, doing other adaptations of existing musicals and/or new comedies and/or any kind of movies...???

-You said there is a possibility for a de-luxe releasing of the soundtrack. If it happens, could it include the score???

-Have you seen the spanish version of the musical performed by Amorevo Group at Madrid (Spain)???

-Can you tell us something about your other musical proyects as Bob the Musical and Slammer? (score and songs? or only songs?)???

-Will Billy Crystal finally direct a new movie??? (and you score it?)???

-You have finished recording The Bucket List. Have you and Scott written any SONG for this movie?

-Is there any chance to score the next Rob Reiner proyect WHISKEY RIVER??

-As many Hollywood artists will love to work with Pedro Almodovar. Would you like to work with him??

-Would you like to score a sci-fi, heroe movie(from comic) or a thriller??? any possibilities???

-Will you ever release a compilation cd? Could be a double cd with: -Movie scores (CD1): a selection of nice main themes from your scores - Songs (CD2), this could include movie songs and vocal versions of some nice main themes for movies.. or something like this.. just a crazy idea!

-Adapting Steven Spielberg´s Catch Me if You Can to Broadway can open doors for you and Scott to do interesting things for him?

-Another rare question. I think that your style scoring could be great for a Woody Allen comedy. For example: that european/jewish/jazzy sound of My Giant could have done great in a Woody Allen movie. Would you like to work with him?

-Do you like his movie Everyone says I love You?



ok, Marc, i stop doing this stupid questions.. Thanks again, you and Scott are my heroes!!!

All the best!



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Updated On: 8/7/07 at 10:31 AM