Universal's WICKED Films - News & Discussion Thread- Page 76

[darquegk]

Posted: 10/28/24 at 2:02pm

I wasn't sure to what extent the Cynthia Erivo thing had gone mainstream; I made a joke at Rocky Horror this weekend referencing it and it got a huge response from an audience whose demographic is NOT "theatre Twitter stans," so I guess it's permeating.

[Musical Master]

Posted: 10/28/24 at 3:10pm

TotallyEffed said: "One thing I’m so relieved about is how committed they were to casting SINGER singers. This soundtrack is going to be an instant classic."

Oh for sure. The soundtrack is going to sell like hotcakes in a similar way that the OBC cast recording also did, if not more so. Plus, that look into the live singing shows that they are putting a lot of effort into making sure the musical numbers sound really good despite being on set-sound. That's hard to do when a movie musical uses live singing instead of a pre-recorded track.

Looking at you Joker: Folie a Deux...

[Kad]

Posted: 10/28/24 at 3:19pm

Grande in particular sounds (and looks) fantastic- hopefully she will surprise those who've doubted her ability to pull this off.

Updated On: 10/28/24 at 03:19 PM

[HBP]

Posted: 10/28/24 at 4:04pm

I think Cynthia and Ariana both sound and look incredible.

I keep telling myself I won't watch newly released videos to avoid more spoilers, and then I watch them seven times in a row.

[sherie_worshipper]

Posted: 10/28/24 at 4:30pm

If you go back to my earlier posts on this thread when the director and leading ladies were announced, you will see that I was very skeptical about every choice that was made by the producers. Some of my posts were downright vicious. I wasn’t impressed by the In the Heights movie and I didn’t think Cynthia and Ariana would work as a pair, so I had to vent about it. Well, I’m happy to admit that I was absolutely wrong. May my earlier posts always remind me not to judge a project before it’s finished. The producers knew exactly what they were doing here. I was lucky enough to catch an early screening of the movie and, though I’m not allowed to say anything about it, I think Universal won’t mind if I say that this is an instant classic. One of the best movie musicals I’ve ever seen. A genuine miracle made with a lot of care by the best of the best. I can’t wait for Part Two!

[Janaenae]

Posted: 10/28/24 at 10:26pm

Hearing this from a skeptic, especially someone who didn't enjoy In the Heights, is honestly so promising. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I think we were all very concerned at the beginning to be fair, so I'm happy to see that those fears may not have been warranted. 

[ManOfLaMuncha]

Posted: 10/28/24 at 10:29pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak65rt5TzYI 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVl6xaWsE3k

Updated On: 10/28/24 at 10:29 PM

[Chowd95]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 12:30am

The majority of the people going to see this movie don't know who Cynthia Erivo is and those who do could really care less.  She looks like she's gonna nail Elphaba and that's all that matters

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 6:55am

Kristin Chenoweth Reacts to WICKED Film: 'It Is So Special'

[The Rural Juror]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 8:51am

Even though the "singing live" gimmick is a little eyeroll-worthy at this point, I am happy to see how much effort and love seems to have been put into this movie. This movie would absolutely not have worked without two dynamite vocalists in the lead roles, so thank goodness they are bringing it so hard. I don't think anyone should be shamed for doubting Ari's casting when it was first announced, given she gave the ultimate "go on girl give us nothing" performance in Hairspray Live. But she obviously took this very seriously and looks absolutely terrific! 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 9:22am

I don't think singing live iin a film s a 'gimmick.' Historically, things were pre-recorded because firstly, that is what the technology at the time allowed for, and secondly, many Hollywood adaptations of musicals have not featured actors who could handle the demands of live singing on a set.  The reason the actors are singing live in this case is clearly because they are performers used to singing live, and everyone involved thought singing live would translate into better on screen performances.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 9:40am

Singing Live gets a bad wrap because Tom Hooper doesn't know how to direct musicals, not because the idea is bad when you have capable performers doing it. Or when you have capable people doing it, but insist they do it badly and unpleasant to the ear.

[jlindsey865]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 10:25am

ManOfLaMuncha said: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak65rt5TzYI



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVl6xaWsE3k"

Most people have forgotten about this.  Why bring it back up?

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 12:24pm

TheatreFan4 said: "Singing Live gets a bad wrap because Tom Hooper doesn't know how to direct musicals, not because the idea is bad when you have capable performers doing it. Or when you have capable people doing it, but insist they do it badly and unpleasant to the ear."

I happen to be one of the biggest defenders of Tom Hooper's direction of Les Misérables. The musical itself is such an emotionally raw piece that it just wouldn't have made sense to have it shot further back or lip-synched. Cats however,....different story.

Updated On: 10/29/24 at 12:24 PM

[Janaenae]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 2:07pm

QueenAlice said: "I don't think singing live iin a film s a 'gimmick.' Historically, things were pre-recorded because firstly, that is what the technology at the time allowed for, and secondly, many Hollywood adaptations of musicals have not featured actors who could handle the demands of live singing on a set. The reason the actors are singing live in this case is clearly because they are performers used to singing live, and everyone involved thought singing live would translate into better on screen performances."

Thank you, everyone keeps saying it's just a repeat of Les Miserables or a gimmick and that Hollywood totally had the musical sound nailed down in the 1950s. But the 1950s and even back to the 2000s was very limited in what technology could do. The problem with Les Miserables wasn't just live singing. First, the actors weren't particularly great singers. Don't get me wrong, they were 'good', but not quite on the level of Cynthia/Ariana/Jonathan. There ain't no Russel Crowe here. Moreover, they were encouraged to 'speak-sing' rather than belt for 'realism'. Second, it was the technological techniques they used that made everything sound reedy and weak. Wicked's soundtrack doesn't have to worry about either of those things. 

 Also I think it's strange that some people are suddenly praising 'dubs' from singers in old films, given how criticized that's been. Are they mad that people who can actually do what the roll calls for have been hired? 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 2:33pm

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "TheatreFan4 said: "Singing Live gets a bad wrap because Tom Hooper doesn't know how to direct musicals, not because the idea is bad when you have capable performers doing it. Or when you have capable people doing it, but insist they do it badly and unpleasant to the ear."

I happen to be one of the biggest defenders of Tom Hooper's direction ofLes Misérables. The musical itselfis such an emotionally raw piece that it just wouldn't have made sense to have it shot further back or lip-synched. Cats however,....different story."

Well the musical is 40 god damn years and is a MUSICAL and should be pleasant to listen to, not a chore. That excuse didn't help Joker 2 and it ain't helping Les Miz. NEXT. 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 2:46pm

Dropping in to note that Hedwig and the Angry Inch had live singing in the film all the way back in 2001, to spectacular effect.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 3:01pm

TheatreFan4 said: "Well the musical is 40 god damn years and is a MUSICAL and should be pleasant to listen to, not a chore. That excuse didn't help Joker 2 and it ain't helping Les Miz. NEXT."

 

[joevitus]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 3:20pm

TotallyEffed said: "Dropping in to note that Hedwig and the AngryInch had live singing in the film all the way back in 2001, to spectacular effect."

Were all the songs performed live? I had assumed they were all performed to a playback on set. Thanks for the info.

[joevitus]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 3:28pm

Personally, I think live singing can work, but often does not. It's a difficult issue to parse because most of the movies that have attempted it have just not been good films, and prerecording wouldn't really have made them any better. But in filming a scene, the actor must play, and thus sing, their part over and over, freying their vocal cords as the day goes on. They can't hold back because any given take might ultimately be the one used. It's incredibly destructive (if you listen to Anne Hathaway's vocals in preparation for Les Mis, they are far superior to what you hear in the actual film because her voice wasn't worn raw by multiple takes).

On the other hand, lip-synching to a pre-recorded track creates an artificiality and distance between the sound and the performance that can make the whole thing mechanical. There are short-comings both ways, but ultimately, I think pre-recording is the better option, though maybe a blend of the two approaches--as Streisand utilized when she sang "My Man" in the film of Funny Girl--is the best choice.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 3:33pm

joevitus said: "Personally, I think live singing can work, but often does not. It's a difficult issue to parse because most of the movies that have attempted it have just not been good films, and prerecording wouldn't really have made them any better. But in filming a scene, the actor must play, and thus sing, their part over and over, freying their vocal cords as the day goes on. They can't hold back because any given take might ultimately be the one used. It's incredibly destructive (if you listen to Anne Hathaway's vocals in preparation for Les Mis, they are far superior to what you hear in the actual film because her voice wasn't worn raw by multiple takes)."

Apparently, she won an Oscar for no reason.

 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 3:39pm

joevitus said: "TotallyEffed said: "Dropping in to note that Hedwig and the AngryInch had live singing in the film all the way back in 2001, to spectacular effect."

Were all the songs performed live? I had assumed they were all performed to a playback on set. Thanks for the info."


The songs were sung live on set! I’m sure Wig in Box and the more complicated numbers that take place in a more fantastical setting needed some studio magic. But the numbers Hedwig is performing “live” with an audience in the film were performed on set.

Updated On: 10/29/24 at 03:39 PM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 5:47pm

Madonna sang “Lament” live in 1996’s EVITA and Barbra Streisand sang the first part of “My Man” live in 1968’s FUNNY GIRL (she lip-syncs to the pre-recording for the swelling 2nd part of the song). 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 6:13pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Madonna sang “Lament” live in 1996’s EVITA“


Sang is extremely generous.

[Janaenae]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 6:56pm

Social media review embargo lifts tomorrow. Now these reviews are usually all hype and little else, so I don't expect really constructive criticism. But it'll still be nice to hear more. 

I wonder when the actual review embargo will drop... that will be determinative than anything. If it lifts at least two weeks ahead of time, that's a very good sign. If it opens a week before or the week of... that's not good.