Lets Put This Whole Dreamgirls Business To Rest- Page 6

[silent]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 3:17am

At first, I was very resistant to Beyonce being in this movie but I think she'll do well.

After all this bickering back and forth, it's time for this movie to be made.

Christmas 2006!

Whooo!

[ellenoshalom]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 3:19am

Why Hudson over Fantasia, in your opinion? Cause clearly Fantasia had the buzz for a long time.

[silent]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 3:27am

I think Jenn said it best. They told her she was born to play this part.

And they're right.

As far as the comparisons to Jennifer Holliday, whoever was cast in the role was going to get compared to her regardless.

I look at it this way. Many people of this generation did not get to see "Dreamgirls" on Broadway.

For this film to be made with Fantasia's interpretation of the role would've been ridiculous.

"And I'm Telling You" is a song with fury and great passion. While acting is central to the role of Effie, it's still about the vocals first and foremost. I cannot picture Miss Barrino singing "I Am Changing" with as much passion as the song requires without her resorting to straight screaming cause she can't belt it out.


When I look at Fantasia, I don't see Effie White...at all.

Updated On: 11/17/05 at 03:27 AM

[ellenoshalom]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 3:27am

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan


Thank you ...for sharing this artist and music. Yes the soul is there!

[The Entertainer]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 7:56am

I am disappointed that Fantasia didn't get the role because I am a big supporter of her music. However, I am so excited that Jennifer has been given this unbelievable opportunity. When I look at Jennifer, I see Effie. She definitely can do this. I am so happy for her.
Updated On: 11/17/05 at 07:56 AM

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 9:41am

1) Jennifer has the vocals, for sure.

2) She connects to her music in a way few people do.

3) She has not proven her acting chops...but, remember Ms. Holliday was a god-awful actor. With the right director, anything is possible.

4) I think a big performance of AIATY can be done on film...it all depends on the camera work, and style of the film. The trick is to be consistent.

5) Fantasia totally has a gospel growl...it isn't healthy, but no gospel growl is (if it's done right). I prefer Jennifer Hudson's gospel sound to Fantasia's. And for those folks who try to reduce gospel music to only one type of sound: shame on you.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 9:48am

Toning it down and reining it in for the cameras does NOT mean giving a watered-down or less-than-stellar performance in the movie.

"And I'm Telling You..." should have the same emotional and electric impact on film as it did on Broadway. But you can't take a stage performance THAT BIG and just put it up "as is" on a screen 50 feet wide. It will look ludicrous and laughable and way over-exaggerated.

The trick is to do it right for the cameras (close-ups, etc.) and not for the back of the balcony at the Imperial Theatre.

Anyone who's worked in film knows this.

Updated On: 11/17/05 at 09:48 AM

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 10:42am

Well, as someone who has worked in film for the last 10 years, I can tell you that the idea that a stage performance can't be put on screen is ludicrous.

Shoot it right, and you can make ANYTHING work. BIG or SMALL. I mean, if Madonna can win awards for Evita, anything is possible.

The trick is (whether on stage or not) TRUTHFULNESS. If an actor is truthful to the moment and the style of the piece, then it works. Playing for the back of the house is the wrong way to think about it. Increasing the struggle is the right way to think about it. Truth reads on stage just as well as on camera -- all the camera does is determine the size of the house and how little you can get away with. For AIATY, this moment is extreme, and...if played subtly, it will fail so badly, it will be a disgrace to movie musicals. It HAS to be played for the raw gigantic emotion it deserves.

[Thetruth]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 11:17am

Silent, a lot of people outside broadway don't know Sheryl Lee played the role. Sheryl Lee has found other mainstream success that she's recognized for. Is she still going around singing "Dreamgirls" everywhere? Jennifer Holiday has owned the role in the original production and has played it numerous times since (last in ATL 2002). EVvvvvERYBODY knows Jennifer's version of AITY. Beyonce has some shoes to fill, but the heat is on Jennifer.

LOL. I'm not a "damn hater." I just weigh both sides. I was pro Beyonce for Deena. Pro Fantasia for Lorell. Despite popular belief, I was not Pro Fantasia for Effie (I was borderline there, but I didn't like the nastiness of folks bashing her). I was one the first to promote Jennifer Hudson for Effie. I'm a fan of hers and I voted for her on AI, but she's not perfect. I call 'em like I see 'em. She bugs her eyes out and can't dance (as last time I saw her LIVE). Don't get mad b/c I'm making sense.

With that said, congrats to Jennifer!

[jaso_n]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 11:25am

That's been my point for the longest time. Fantasia would make And I Am Telling You soulful and probably have you standing on your feet by the end of it, because she's sassy and soulful and all that. But Jennifer is on the other side of the diva coin -- the side that's been missing for so long in pop music. Big, soaring, raw vocals. THAT's what the song is about. Volume and tone play a part in it as well and I think Jennifer will bring that to the part. I hope she does.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/18/05 at 11:03am

The official announcement is in today's USA Today. They quote both Jennifer Hudson and Bill Condon who discusses why she was chosen.

He says: "Effie is a hugely complex role. She is at once exasperating and heartbreaking. Jennifer emerged as the person who captured both sides."

Makes sense to me!

EDIT: Talk about FAST. She found out she had the part on Saturday, and she's already in rehearsals in L.A. So... where's the confirmation of Lorell???

Bill also puts to rest the rumor that Denzel Washington directed Fantasia's audition video. "Denzel has never been near the movie, much less directed an audition tape," says Condon. He also talks about his discussion with Fantasia after casting Jennifer, and says he's a HUGE Fantasia fan. Fascinating stuff!


USA Today, Friday, November 18, 2005

Updated On: 11/18/05 at 11:03 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/18/05 at 11:21am

Bumpity bump.

A lot have posters here have been holding out for the confirmation. You have it now.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 11/18/05 at 11:27am

So, friends of mine inside the studio say it went down like this:

-Everyone on the creative team wanted Fantasia (except one person).
-Director threatens to walk unless Jennifer is cast.
-Heads of studio secretly dislike Fantasia's illiteracy.
-Jennifer gets the part.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/18/05 at 12:46pm

They didn't hire her because she's illiterate? Yet a publishing company hired her to write a book? That makes no sense. What does that have to do with performing a role?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/18/05 at 12:50pm

It was David Geffen who didn't want Fantasia. From all accounts, he was the one being difficult, not Condon. As I'm interpreting it, Condon decided it would just be easier to go with another performer then to make life a living hell in the DREAMGIRLS production room.

[ozone20]

Posted: 11/18/05 at 12:58pm

hmmm interesting.. yes i could see that as the scenario. David was tied into the original production as we all know and may not have wanted to sway toward a "new" sounds for Effie. Hudson certainly fits the mold of what we know the character to look and sound like for sure.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/18/05 at 1:08pm

Actually, Michael---Without going too far into inside info... this wasn't a case of Condon backing down. If anything he had to fight equally as hard for Jennifer Hudson in the part. Whether or not he actually laid his job on the line is the rumor and speculation from inside sources.

If he did, good for him. I'm glad to see artists fighting for the betterment of their projects. If not... then, it's just another "dramatic rumor" in a long growing line on this film.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/18/05 at 1:26pm

Best12, No I didn't mean Condon backing down, rather that Geffen apparently didn't want Fantasia and was not heading for quick approval for ANYONE in the role.

As I heard it, Hudson became an alternative choice because if Geffen persisted, the film literally would have been without an Effie when the cameras started rolling in January. Clearly Condon went to bat, but I think Hudson's casting was on some level a concession. And chances are Geffen is STILL not happy with the choice.

If I'm wrong, feel free to put me in my place


Updated On: 11/18/05 at 01:26 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/18/05 at 2:05pm

No need for "place-putting" here, Michael! Even people with access to the info involved aren't exactly flies on the walls of every conversation. Rumors can start 3 feet from the sources.

I do know that once Jennifer auditioned, she was Condon's first choice. It was almost a case of "oh, no, here we go again!" He knew she was the right girl for Effie. Whether or not there was drama involved in getting everyone on board to back her... that's the speculation part. But some say there was. Others say not. Regardless, if nothing else due to a time issue... she was approved very quickly because they've been in rehearsals for several days now.

[Rams4ever]

Posted: 11/18/05 at 9:53pm

I am extremely disappointed that Fantasia did not get the role of Effie White. But good luck to Jennifer Hudson...and she ought to do fine job with the role - vocally anyways.

[ellenoshalom]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 12:57am

Let the production begin and continue on.

[Virgo]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 10:54pm

Congratulations to Jennifer. Talk about coming out of no where.

For those of you who still continue to bash fantasia (even still after getting what you want). Remember this, she made it this far on her talent. Fantasia looks nothing like Effie, sounds nothing like Effie but her ORIGINAL protrayal of HER rendition of Effie is what got her so much buzz, and almost landed this role for her. So, before you name call remember that!

Jennifer Hudson is perfect for the role in looks, sound, etc. (plus so many of you wanted a larger size Effie, there you go). She is a dead ringer for Jennifer Holliday. Fantasia made it as far as she did because of her unique quality, not because she looks and sounds like previous Effie's --- we all would agree that she is nothing like any Effie anyplace so her audition was all Fantasia's talent, not a mere copy of a previous Effie.

Interesting that out of over 700 people who auditioned, the top two came from American Idol. They should pay American Idol big bucks for discovering Jennifer for them.

It would have been interesting if both girls had turned the part down. I guess the dreamgirls casting team would then have to wait for idol auditions to start in January 2006 to find a new Effie -- since it is clear they were not able to find talent outside of American idol.

[ellenoshalom]

Posted: 11/20/05 at 1:00am

^^^...being bitter is a sad state of mind.

[silent]

Posted: 11/20/05 at 6:13am

I will say this AGAIN for the 1,000th time. They did not wait 20 years to make this movie to include a "new" Effie. Many people have NOT seen the original Broadway production. I don't care what anyone says. Vocally, Fantasia cannot pull off "And I'm Telling You." She'd have no other choice but to sing it sassy because she doesn't have the power to bring out those notes that the song requires. Whitney Houston has sung this song many times in concert and on television and she didn't change the song around. And Whitney is known for her versatility.

Fantasia will land some other part and her fans can jump up and down and yell hurrah.

Now...onto the movie...