#1
Posted: 12/12/06 at 8:46pm
At just a few minutes shy of 30 minutes, HBO: First Look's documentary of The Making of DREAMGIRLS is by far the quintessential documentary. As others have done, it's obvious the upcoming DVD will contain this documentary. After it was over, you actually feel like you've not only seen the entire film, but the DVD as well.
The behind-the-scenes footage is priceless and how they combined both the actual footage with the filming of the scene was sensational. Tons of actual scenes from the film are spread-out, and the way they had all the actors, via voice-over and on-screen interview basically map-out the entire film's plot (with apropo footage) was priceless.
Every aspect of the production is covered in full- from choreography, cinematography, set design, costume design to casting. Yes...Debra Zane talks AND we see footage of some of the ladies who auditioned for Effie (nope...no famous faces). The footage of Fatima's original videotaped audition of the "Steppin' to the Bad Side" and "Fake You Way to the Top" numbers were gems to witness. Yes...as Bill Condon referenced it, we saw a large chunk of Beyonce's audition song "Dreamgirls" (with it's solo piano accompaniment) as he spoke about it. Gems one can not describe.
And yes...they showcased the original Broadway production (showing some amazing never-before-seen color photos!), speaking to Loretta Devine and Hinton Battle. They basically said they only wanted to have just one original Dreams in the film. Loretta Devine was the lucky one.
Since this is from HBO, it will be airing repeatedly. If you don't have HBO you MUST have someone tape it for you.
Gonna have a light snack and then watching this fu*ker again. I was actually applauding long sections of this documentary.
The behind-the-scenes footage is priceless and how they combined both the actual footage with the filming of the scene was sensational. Tons of actual scenes from the film are spread-out, and the way they had all the actors, via voice-over and on-screen interview basically map-out the entire film's plot (with apropo footage) was priceless.
Every aspect of the production is covered in full- from choreography, cinematography, set design, costume design to casting. Yes...Debra Zane talks AND we see footage of some of the ladies who auditioned for Effie (nope...no famous faces). The footage of Fatima's original videotaped audition of the "Steppin' to the Bad Side" and "Fake You Way to the Top" numbers were gems to witness. Yes...as Bill Condon referenced it, we saw a large chunk of Beyonce's audition song "Dreamgirls" (with it's solo piano accompaniment) as he spoke about it. Gems one can not describe.
And yes...they showcased the original Broadway production (showing some amazing never-before-seen color photos!), speaking to Loretta Devine and Hinton Battle. They basically said they only wanted to have just one original Dreams in the film. Loretta Devine was the lucky one.
Since this is from HBO, it will be airing repeatedly. If you don't have HBO you MUST have someone tape it for you.
Gonna have a light snack and then watching this fu*ker again. I was actually applauding long sections of this documentary.
