Help Needed - Masters Degree in Musical Theatre

[Ferdinand]

Posted: 5/1/11 at 11:01am

Hi Everyone

I'm currently doing my Masters Degree in Musical Theatre and was hoping that you would be able to assist me in my research by answering some questions I have drawn up.

I have attached the questions down below if you would be so kind and have the time to answer.

I would be grateful if I could learn from your opinions and experience in the industry and apply them to my findings.

Could you also forward your CV and head shot to [e-mail]

If you know of anyone in the industry who has sound knowledge on my research topic please could you put us in contact? It would be great to learn from anyone I can - the more answers to my questions, the more weighted and thorough my findings will be during my research.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Blessings
Ferdinand

My research question:
WHAT TECHNIQUES AND PRINCIPLES THAT DEFINE THE STAGE MUSICAL SHOULD BE APPLIED TO THE MOVIE MUSICAL TO SUPPORT AND AUGMENT THE PRODUCTION PROCESS?

Interview Questions
What defines the stage musical?
What defines the movie musical?
What are the differences between stage and film?
What are the differences between the stage musical and movie musical?
What elements of the stage musical can be harmful/redundant to the production process of the film musical?
What elements from the stage musical can be applied and used in the production of the movie musical?
Do you agree that an original feature film concept or the adaptation of an existing stage musical to film should apply the elements and principles that define the classification of musical theatre? Why?
Can you name and identify the core elements and principles of musical theatre to be carried over to film?
How does one establish those elements which relate only to film and are core to the movie musical?
How should one approach the concept of the fourth wall, an element of theatre when creating a movie musical?
In theatre the actors are responsible for creating the action and on screen the camera is also used to create the action. How should choreography be approached when filming a dance sequence that includes a lot of movement by the actors?
The ‘suspension of disbelief’ is a common factor in both theatre and screen. Should there be a different approach in film than in theatre to create the ‘suspension of disbelief’? Why?
Why is it more difficult for a screen audience to accept the fact that actors would spontaneously burst into song and dance?
What obstacle/s in the filming process, need to be overcome to have the film audience accept actors expressing themselves through song and movement?
Stage lighting is a vastly different discipline to film lighting. When do you apply, if at all, this theatre style of lighting to the movie musical in the filming process?
What role does the camera play in enhancing the plot of the movie musical?
What role does ‘time’ play in film?
On stage all vocal performances are ‘live’. How does one bridge or adapt that component during the production of a movie musical, where sound recording of musical numbers comes into play?
How does one approach the narrative arc of the movie musical screenplay?
What cinematic techniques are on top of the list when producing a movie musical?
What is the function of ‘underscoring’ for the stage musical? How should this be approached when producing a film musical?
What would the effect be on the end result of the movie musical if the application of these key principles of musical theatre, is neglected?