#1
Posted: 12/15/13 at 8:42pm
Hey all--just saw the L5Y movie screening in NYC and will happily answer your questions about it. Fire away
LAST FIVE YEARS Movie Q&A---Ask Away!
#2
Posted: 12/15/13 at 8:43pm
Can you just give us your general thoughts?
#3
Posted: 12/15/13 at 8:47pm
Yes, I'm putting together my thoughts now and will post later. Questions for now?
#4
Posted: 12/15/13 at 8:48pm
Did you feel the concept worked on screen?
How was Jeremy Jordan?
Did you notice any cameos?
How was Jeremy Jordan?
Did you notice any cameos?
#5
Posted: 12/15/13 at 8:48pm
Ditto! My only question would be, when is it getting wide release? Which I imagine you can't answer. So I'll take your general thoughts!
#6
Posted: 12/15/13 at 8:54pm
Jason Robert Brown has a cameo as the audition pianist.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#7
Posted: 12/15/13 at 8:54pm
At this point, the plan will be to finish editing the film and then shop it around to various studios and distributors. This film will never, ever get a wide release but the producers will hope for engagements in select cities etc.
Jeremy Jordan was phenomenal. Was totally engaging and has an absolutely stellar voice and presence. Anna was impressive at parts but both actors were limited by a rather static and unimaginative telling of this story. This is a piece that, when simply plopped on screen, drags and (aside from obvious emotionally powerful moments--who can help but feel something when watching a couple break up and fight and fall in love etc.) just doesn't work as a film. There are moments we see into the characters' minds and pop into a fantasy world (Shiksa Goddess) but other songs play out in reality of the world (including one very out of place and random ensemble dance number). Without taking big risks, it feels like a "Producers"-esque mounting of a play on screen. Not quite dark enough, not quite even enough, and not quite purposeful enough. It's such a compelling and powerful story on stage and perhaps it should have stayed there.
As for cameos--Sherie Renne Scott, Jason Robert Brown, Betsy Wolfe all appear on screen.
Jeremy Jordan was phenomenal. Was totally engaging and has an absolutely stellar voice and presence. Anna was impressive at parts but both actors were limited by a rather static and unimaginative telling of this story. This is a piece that, when simply plopped on screen, drags and (aside from obvious emotionally powerful moments--who can help but feel something when watching a couple break up and fight and fall in love etc.) just doesn't work as a film. There are moments we see into the characters' minds and pop into a fantasy world (Shiksa Goddess) but other songs play out in reality of the world (including one very out of place and random ensemble dance number). Without taking big risks, it feels like a "Producers"-esque mounting of a play on screen. Not quite dark enough, not quite even enough, and not quite purposeful enough. It's such a compelling and powerful story on stage and perhaps it should have stayed there.
As for cameos--Sherie Renne Scott, Jason Robert Brown, Betsy Wolfe all appear on screen.
#8
Posted: 12/15/13 at 8:56pm
I'd also like to add that this was a family and friends' screening--so beware raves and shills 
#10
Posted: 12/15/13 at 8:58pm
442namffug, there's no more editing left to finish. According to the movie's Twitter account, the screening tonight was the first one of the final version of the film. They're done with post-production. They could re-cut things based on test screenings once they find a distributor, but what they have now is the finished product.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Updated On: 12/15/13 at 08:58 PM
#11
Posted: 12/15/13 at 9:00pm
It is completely sung through. There is occasional dialogue throughout and I personally felt the film could have used more--something to differentiate it from the stage production and to make it feel cinematic and give it some voice and tone. And somethingwicked, they actually mentioned it is not a locked picture but you're right, not much will change between this and a final version. It is common for distributors and studios to make alterations when coming on board an independent project like this.
#13
Posted: 12/15/13 at 9:22pm
He sure does. Quite a few times! The sex scenes are pretty funny throughout. Lots of bra-on, movement-less sex.
#14
Posted: 12/15/13 at 9:25pm
Is Anne Kendrick whiny and nasally in this film? I think she is incredibly annoying in everything she does.
#15
Posted: 12/15/13 at 9:25pm
She was charming in select moments, but if that ^ is your general impression of her, you will not enjoy this.
#16
Posted: 12/15/13 at 9:26pm
How many people are in the cast? Is the cinematography nice?
#17
Posted: 12/15/13 at 9:30pm
Any word on a soundtrack release?
What was the estimated running time?
What was the estimated running time?
#18
Posted: 12/15/13 at 9:30pm
Anna and Jeremy are, as you'd expect, at the center of the film. There are many extras who fill out the cast but very few are audible or even visible for more than a few seconds. Ashley Spencer makes a few appearances as does the actress playing Jamie's agent/publisher etc.
The cinematography tries to compensate for the lack of movement and intensity in the direction. Unfortunately, it's too much and too little too late. Lots of tracking and steadicam shots that aim to bring us closer to action but when we get there, there's nothing to see. There were some clumsy camera moments too, which I imagine are left in to make the film seem "edgy" or rough around the edges. Again, cinemotagraphy alone cannot accomplish that.
The cinematography tries to compensate for the lack of movement and intensity in the direction. Unfortunately, it's too much and too little too late. Lots of tracking and steadicam shots that aim to bring us closer to action but when we get there, there's nothing to see. There were some clumsy camera moments too, which I imagine are left in to make the film seem "edgy" or rough around the edges. Again, cinemotagraphy alone cannot accomplish that.
#19
Posted: 12/15/13 at 9:32pm
I imagine Sh-K-Boom will release the album since they (through Sherie) are executive producers. As stated in previous posts, the film has been edited but now needs to sell to a distributor. That hasn't happened yet so there is no release date for the film or soundtrack.
#20
Posted: 12/15/13 at 9:33pm
Yeah, you can't ask for incredible cinematography with such a low budget. I'll skip it and remember my fond memories of Adam and Betsy. Thank you so much for answering my questions!
#21
Posted: 12/15/13 at 9:36pm
No problem! I do think low budgets can actually yield challenging and artistic results. The main issue here is that the show as written (and as conceived/directed here) does not translate on screen.
#22
Posted: 12/15/13 at 9:52pm
Wrapping this up in 10 mins unless there are any more questions....
#23
Posted: 12/15/13 at 10:12pm
Edit: N/m
If it's not too late: was the timeline hard to follow (if you didn't know the show already)?
If it's not too late: was the timeline hard to follow (if you didn't know the show already)?
Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!
Updated On: 12/15/13 at 10:12 PM
#24
Posted: 12/15/13 at 10:13pm
Who are Anna Kendrick & Jeremy Jordan singing to? Each other? The camera? Someone indistinct point off camera?
#25
Posted: 12/15/13 at 10:14pm
What is Sherie Rene Scott's cameo?
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
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