Re: "Rent: The Movie"

[Myron]

Posted: 7/26/05 at 12:24pm

I did research into the film of "Rent" and as a New Yorker, I am a bit annoyed that the film was shot in San Francisco. Wasn't New York good enough for the producers? Also, why was Frenchie Davis replaced in the film version? Did they consider her not svelte enough for the film? The producers of "Chicago" hired Queen Latifah for their film, so what is the problem exactly?

[ashley0139]

Posted: 7/26/05 at 12:26pm

They filmed some in New York. But lots of films film somewhere besides where they're shot. It's not unusual. As for Frenchie, well, she wasn't in the original cast so it's not like they "had" to ask her.

[apdarcey]

Posted: 7/26/05 at 12:33pm

plus, what are you talking about her role? she is the seasons of love soloist.. in the movie they are having collins and joanne do the two solos.

[Jon]

Posted: 7/26/05 at 12:35pm

They shot in San Francisco becasue the director lives there.

Also because the film is setin the late 1980's, and the East Village has been significantly "gentrified" (fixed up) since then, so there would be no real advantage to using the actual neighborhood as it now looks.

[apdarcey]

Posted: 7/26/05 at 12:39pm

even though they did use new york for all exterior shots... but they built a set for the indoor stuff, just like a stage show...

as jon said, though, the east village today is not set in the east village of 10 years ago.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/26/05 at 12:42pm

They shot exterior shots in New York, which included "I'll Cover You" and other sequences.

Frenchie Davis wasn't in the original Broadway cast. Wasn't she the soloist? There isn't a soloist in the film. The part was given to other characters.

[camerangel]

Posted: 7/26/05 at 12:48pm

The part that Frenchie is currently playing isn't even in the movie. At least not in the sense that it is stage production. Frenchie plays various ensemble roles and does the seasons of love solo which was given to Joanne in the movie. To which I might add that Tracy does an amazing job with.

And as someone else already pointed out Frenchie is not an original cast member. She's not even the 3rd or 4th person to play that role. Obviously they can't put every single cast alumn in the movie now can they?

[Aigoo]

Posted: 7/26/05 at 12:56pm

I think the principals are only OBC. The ensemble doesn't seem to be that way.

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 7/26/05 at 1:05pm

One of the reasons they couldn't film it all in NY is because it's a musical. There are tons of sound laws preventing them from being able to film the entire movie in the city on scheudule.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/26/05 at 1:08pm

There are a lot of rules about filming in New York City - it would've been hard to get around those, and still get everything right. I was in the "this sucks, I'm annoyed" camp for a long time, but whatever. What I've seen looks perfect, and you can't tell where it was shot either way.

I think there are a few RENT alumni in the ensemble, too.

Updated On: 7/26/05 at 01:08 PM