HAIRSPRAY Questions answered here! (inevitable Spoilers)- Page 3

[friedrichVT]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 12:43am

Just want to let you know I truly feel this to be one of the finest movie adaptions of a broadway musical. Shankman truly captured the magic of the stage and the Waters "wrong-ness" from the original... The teacher's lounge section of "I can Hear the bells" had me reeling.
Thank you for letting it unapologetically and unabashedly be a MUSICAL. No silly concepts to rationalize charaters breaking into song,etc. Adam was intelligent enough to trust the material AND the audiences and left it alone.
Humanizing Edna was also a heartbreaking thrill. Kudos to Travolta, I didnt think He had THAT performance in him.
Congratulations! I hope the directors of some of the more recent musical debacles pay a visit and see how it's supposed to be done. Continued success!

Updated On: 7/21/07 at 12:43 AM

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 1:13am

Marc, thank you so much! One of the best parts in the movie was how it was "realistic". That was what Baltimore looked liked, and if you don't like the way it looked (mostly talking to the critic from The NewYorker), I just don't give a damn!

"Where can I get a copy of the Turnblad's wedding photo that is shown in the film? It is hilarious!"

Yes, please!

If this is too hard of a question, please don't answer: What is your favorite new number in the film? I love the new songs, they fit perfectly in.

Another thing I loved in this movie is how almost everyone in the movie really has a character and you can see it conveyed on screen.

John Travolta blew me away! He had the most hilarious lines. This goes for Amanda too, she was fantastic! I could tell everyonein the film (directors, crew, cast, Scott and you) gave it 110%

I think this film will appeal to a much wider audience than most people may think. Seriously, everyone loves it.

So, thank you again and I hope I will someday have the chance to meet you!

[Chitty Flies]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 3:09am

Marc,

Incredible movie--I had a grin on my face almost the entire movie. I took two buddies tonight, who were not crazy about seeing it. Imagine my surprise when they enjoyed it as much as me, and we listened to the soundtrack during the car ride home.

Question: why was the movie not filmed in Baltimore?

Peace and Love,

Chitty Flies

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 7:54am

My question is slightly stupid but why did New Line decide to release the film in the UK at the same time as the US as the stage production isn't opening till October.

Ever since CHICAGO, producers are no longer scared of movies and stage productions happening at once, in fact, it seems to build business for the stage. New Line certainly wasn't going to wait to release it in the UK until after the stage production opens. It's actually opening all around the world almost at the same time. That's a helluva lot of HAIRSPRAY!

Is this (the movie being made, released, etc) the most fun you've ever had? It surely seems like it!

was this the most fun I ever had? Well, read what I wrote for Broadway.com!


link to Broadway.com article Updated On: 7/22/07 at 07:54 AM

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 7:55am

Unfortunately, I wasn't AT the filming so I got no answer for that one

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 8:02am

As for a question (I feel almost obliged to ask one), when you're writing, do you usually work on the music or lyrics first? I know that there is no "right or wrong" answer, but I'm just curious how you specifically work. Also, do you work on your tunes at or away from the piano?

How do we write a song?

Scott and I talk about what the gist of the song should be. We try to come up with a title. At the same time, I try to come up with the rhythm.

Once we have our title/main phrase and a basic groove, I usually then start to write a dummy version, meaning the music is (hopefully) right, but the lyrics are a combination of good, close and complete gibberish. Once I have that basic foundation, we sit together and start to really go at the lyrics. Lyric writing is incredibly specific and a puzzle, a great challenge and completely soul satisfying (that is, if you don't give up!). And we aren't always at the piano once we are just into writing the lyrics...I remember writing some of the lyrics for WELCOME TO THE 60's sitting on the beach in Laguna! Aaahhhhhh

How did you guys get Queen Latifah. She was fabulous!

---Latifah? She did CHICAGO with our producers and BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE with our director, so she signed on before she actually saw the show or a finished script!






Updated On: 7/22/07 at 08:02 AM

[Testing1232]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 8:06am

Marc,

Were you as impressed with Bynes' voice as we are !!!??

What were your initial thoughts when you heard her?

She sounds great !!!

[CDuffy5062]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 8:10am

Marc, first many many thanks for a fabulous show and fabulous movie.

Any chance the song/music changes will find their way into the London production of Hairspray?

Apologies in advance if you've answered this already, but why was "Momma I'm A Big Girl Now" cut from the movie? It was, I suspect, a sentimental favorite because I saw the show on Broadway with my daughters (who both adored it BTW)who were 11 and 13 at the time and feeling, if not exactly quite yet being, all grown up :)

Hope you are now well on your way to your second zillion!

Carol

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 8:13am

Where can I get a copy of the Turnblad's wedding photo that is shown in the film? It is hilarious!

Yes, that wedding photo is hysterical. No, you can't have it!

I would like to know though, how much trouble did you have getting this movie produced? Would you mind giving us some details about shopping this around Hollywood and the response it got?

As far as getting the movie produced, we were lucky that two Hollywood heavyweights really wanted to make it. A man named Joe Roth (whose company REVOLUTION PICTURES went on to make "RENT" after they didn't get "HAIRSPRAY") and also a gentlemen named Steven Spielberg, who really wanted to direct it.

New Line had the rights to match any other movie studios offer (since New Line made the original film) so, once Joe Roth made us a beautiful offer, New Line stepped forward to match it and make the film. They could not make a deal with Spielberg, and so the musical chairs began for the job of director, and at the end of the day, we were lucky enough to sign up Adam Shankman, who (aving nothing to do with his hiring) is one of mine and Scott's best friends!
Updated On: 7/22/07 at 08:13 AM

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 8:18am

Where will you say the movie musical genre will be in about ten years from now? Will there be more Broadway adaptations or more original ones? how do you feel about "unconventional" movie musicals like ONCE and DANCER IN THE DARK?

there are CLEARLY a lot of movies now being made of musicals, and it so exciting. I honestly didn't think this would happen again (in MY lifetime!)

as far as "conventional" or "unconventional", I am reminded of a quote I once read in a bio of Oscar Hammerstein. I can't remember if HE said it or someone said it to him, but it's a great motto:

"If you want to be "different", just be good. That will be "different" enough!"

Updated On: 7/22/07 at 08:18 AM

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 8:21am

Whats next for Nikki and Elijah

I hope the chance to use their amazing talents for as many years and projects as possible! They are both CRAZY talented!

I know this will be difficult, since I'm sure it's kinda like asking you to choose your favorite child: which song do you think was your favorite in the movie? I mean in terms of the whole package: arrangement, performance by the individual, editing/cinematography, etc? .

There is NO way to choose a favorite. Every number has special things about it that thrill me to no end.

did Inez *really* get a landslide of votes, or was Corny being a sneaky little devil and making up the winner? Either way works for me, I'm just suspicious. I usually am when a phenomenally talented and handsome man is involved.

I believe "Inez" won fair and square!

And when you mention the phenomenally handsome man, I assume you are speaking of me, right???


Updated On: 7/22/07 at 08:21 AM

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 8:24am

why was the movie not filmed in Baltimore?


The movie was not filmed in Baltimore because they do not have any huge soundstages, and for musical, that is a deal breaker!

The opening shot is an actual helicopter shot of Baltimore, although it is digitally enhanced to bring it back to the way it looked in the early 60's
Updated On: 7/22/07 at 08:24 AM

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 8:31am

Were you as impressed with Bynes' voice as we are !!!?? What were your initial thoughts when you heard her?

When I heard they wanted to cast Amanda Bynes, I was a snobby ass and thought "Oh Lord, she probably can't sing". And then they showed me her audition tape (yes, she auditioned) and there she was, singing great and making me feel like a jerk for assuming she wouldn't be able to! She is the GREATEST girl also, by the way!
Updated On: 7/22/07 at 08:31 AM

[Testing1232]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 8:34am

Thanks for the reply !! I thought she was PERFECT as Penny.... and wow.... she really CAN sing !!! Not to mention, absolutely beautiful, and the "greatest girl" too??!!!

Love her even more now !!!

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 8:56am

Apologies in advance if you've answered this already, but why was "Momma I'm A Big Girl Now" cut from the movie?

First thing is, filming a musical is WILDLY expensive. We simply didn't have the TRANSFORMER type budget to just do everything.

And we had to cut about an hour from the show. That was a given. A good movie should not be 2 and a half hours, like what the Broadway show is (with the intermission). We knew we didn't need a song to perk up the audience from intermission, and that is really what THE BIG DOLLHOUSE's function is in the show. So that song (and scene) went bye bye.

(If there HAD been a scene inside the women's jail, I suggested filming an Ann-Margeret type actress singing and dancing "THE BIG DOLLHOUSE" as if it was from a slinky, chessy Ann-Margeret female JAILHOUSE ROCK type movie of the day, and have the Prison Matron watching it on T.V., but we never got that far)

Anyway, about MAMA...we (the audience) already know from the scenes that proceeded it what the girls situations are, the song doesn't REALLY further the story. That being said, it was still a heartbreaking suggestion to cut it (New Line was in shock!). And then, as we continued to talk it over, Adam brought up two very interesting points. One, that the cross-cutting between the three girls (actually many teenage girls and mothers all across Baltimore) would be just too close to "The Telephone Hour", the iconic number form "BYE BYE BIRDIE".

And, (and here's what I thought was the strongest argument) Adam felt FOR A MOVIE, it would be bad story-telling to feel that Velma & Amber are so much like Edna & Tracy. Onstage you can get away with it somehow, but to show the villains in an empathetic way SO close to the beginning of the story just seemed, wrong for clean story-telling. Better to keep the antagonists evil, and not make them share similar emotions as the protagonists.

And so, we cut it. But we ALWAYS said to ourselves, let's record it for the CD.

So, while driving to town from the beach one day during the orchestration period of post-production, I was thinking "I guess we need to start calling the actresses to sing MAMA" and then it hit me like a bolt from the blue: There is ANOTHER trio of girls associated with HAIRSPRAY that would be a FABULOUS addition to the CD, joining all the different "families" of HAIRSPRAY.

I pulled over to Email Ricki and Marissa from my Treo, to see if they would be interested and got back two big "YES's!" soon after.

When I spread the news around of this idea to all the producers, executives and the director, NOT ONE PERSON involved said "No!" or "Why?" or "I don't know..." it was "YES" all around! That was a first!!!

And that's the story of what became of "MAMA, I'M A BIG GIRL NOW".

Updated On: 7/22/07 at 08:56 AM

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 9:05am

Ok my partner and i are going to watch it again today (hes the one i mentioned who hates musicals but is loving Hairspray wooh wooh).

I have to say i was gutted when i first heard that Mamma had been taken out but i didn't really miss it in the film as the scene is already established so you don't really need that song there.

Have you found out how well the film is doing at the Box Office yet Marc. XXXxx

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 9:31am

Concerning the opening scene of "Good Morning Baltimore" right before John Water's cameo, are two of the three ladies Kirstie Alley and who looks to be Julie Halston? I had to do a double take but even after that I looked on imdb.com and still couldn't find the answer.

[Hairspray Mother]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 9:45am

Hi Marc:

In just a few words, you are amazing!!! My daughter and I (one of the Tracy Broadway tour standby alumni) saw the movie last night. Perhaps my only complaint, was that it was hard to hear the music above all the preteen girls in the theater sighing over Zac. I really am getting old.

I loved each and every character and found it fun to look for each of you in your cameos. As much as I love Harvey and a few of the others I have seen portray him, I also enjoyed John's take on the role. Nikki is simply adorable and talented as is everyone else.

I guess I did have one small question, however. In the Broadway production, Penny really is sort of an ugly duckling goofy kind of gal who blossoms into a beauty once she and Seaweed pair together. Was it too hard to portray Amanda as the former?

By the way, if I see the movie as often as I saw the tour and the Broadway show...I am going to be poor!

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 10:13am

right before John Water's cameo, are two of the three ladies Kirstie Alley and who looks to be Julie Halston? I had to do a double take

no, the actresses on the street are Toronto based. Wonderful faces.

In the Broadway production, Penny really is sort of an ugly duckling goofy kind of gal who blossoms into a beauty once she and Seaweed pair together. Was it too hard to portray Amanda as the former?

It's clear that Adam and his team didn't go for quite as nerdy approach to Penny. She is sweetly innocent and supportive. I LOVE the look Amanda gives Nikki on the very last section of "I CAN HEAR THE BELLS" (when you score a movie, you become very familiar with every single frame). As Tracy says her final "Listen!" to Penny, Amanda gives her a look and a smile that seems to say "huh? um, oh, ok, if you hear it, I am gonna support you, absolutely no problem!"

Updated On: 7/22/07 at 10:13 AM

[nztheatreluva]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 10:49am

I don't really have a question, I just wanted to tell you how amazing I think the movie is-i can't wait to go back again, I've never come out of a movie singing and dancing in the theatre and not caring if anyone looked at me strangely!

[antonijan]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 11:01am

Just wanted to let you know that we enjoyed the movie in it's entirety specially the brilliant dynamics of the casts from the newcomer Nikki to veterans Travolta and Pfeifer!

Congratulations!

It may be too soon but.....just curious what's your next project? :P
Updated On: 7/21/07 at 11:01 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 11:31am

Marc,

*peeking in but not reading yet*

I'm off to see the "finished product" this morning at my local bijou. I can't wait! The company I work for has been finishing some of the trailers and tv spots, and we've had various versions of the movie in our vault for quite some time. I've been tempted for months now, but decided I would rather wait (since I didn't HAVE to view it for what I do). I'm so glad I did, because now I get to be a "regular audience member" and just sit back and enjoy the ride.

I'll be back to pour over this thread, and I think it's really wonderful of you to open up a discussion like this.

You da man.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 12:05pm

Marc.

Love, love, loved the movie.

Question- In the lyrics to I CAN HEAR THE BELLS in the CD booklet, it has Penny's dialouge listed, but it's not heard.

Was that listed to let you know she says those lines or were they recorded then taken out?

[mateo]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 12:17pm

Question.

Link was to sing a song on the 'Miss Teenage Hairspray Pageant' (By the way, can I just say how cute is Zac's lil southern accent when he says "pageant" and throughout the rest of the movie if you listen for it.)

Anyway- Link was to sing for the agents (you) SO, my question is- what would Link have sung? and can you give us the chorus?

Updated On: 7/21/07 at 12:17 PM

[Dancin Thru Life]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 12:56pm

MARC - YOU ROCK!

Thanx so much for your talent and your willingness to take time out to help us love the film even more! It truly is a movie where you can sit through the entire thing with a huge smile on your face without even knowing it!

One quickie that noone else mentioned yet:

How did it come about that Jerry Stiller was in the new film but not as Wilbur? Was that a decision that was made at the start or did it just evolve into that scenario? You have to admit it would have pretty funny watching Jerry and John in the "Timeless" scene! HAHA!

CONGRATULATIONS on a great film!