LAST FIVE YEARS Movie Q&A---Ask Away!

[442namffug]

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

[broadwaybabytn]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 8:43pm

Can you just give us your general thoughts?

[442namffug]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 8:47pm

Yes, I'm putting together my thoughts now and will post later. Questions for now?

[thebeautyis3]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 8:48pm

Did you feel the concept worked on screen?

How was Jeremy Jordan?

Did you notice any cameos?

[artisn'teasy]

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!

[CapnHook]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 8:54pm

Jason Robert Brown has a cameo as the audition pianist.

[442namffug]

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.

[442namffug]

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

[matttaylorr021]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 8:57pm

Is it completely sung through?

[somethingwicked]

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.

Updated On: 12/15/13 at 08:58 PM

[442namffug]

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.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 9:20pm

Does JJ appear bare chested?

[442namffug]

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.

[Sutton Ross]

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.

[442namffug]

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.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 9:26pm

How many people are in the cast? Is the cinematography nice?

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 9:30pm

Any word on a soundtrack release?

What was the estimated running time?

[442namffug]

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.

[442namffug]

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.

[Sutton Ross]

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!

[442namffug]

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.

[442namffug]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 9:52pm

Wrapping this up in 10 mins unless there are any more questions....

[SporkGoddess]

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)?

Updated On: 12/15/13 at 10:12 PM

[keb2]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 10:13pm

Who are Anna Kendrick & Jeremy Jordan singing to? Each other? The camera? Someone indistinct point off camera?

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 10:14pm

What is Sherie Rene Scott's cameo?