Depends on how many takes there are to choose from orchestrally, how locked the actual film is prior to October 10th (as far as the footage shot), and also how locked the final orchestrations are. I know they're doing "synthesized" versions of everything in advance to get approvals before they record the full orchestra, so that should help. But it still leaves no wiggle room.
People can spend months or even years recording music albums. It's a creative process, not just a technical one. This movie's soundtrack is an essential component to the film, it's not just swappable background music. You can't just edit in an alternate cue without it effecting everything around it. This 2.5 hour movie is being assembled quickly and shoved out the door. Very little (if any) time for second thoughts, for finessing, and zero time for re-recording music, if needed. They have to get it "right" and be happy with it the first time.
That's been my concern from the beginning. It's a "perfectionist's" worst nightmare.
EDIT: And to address your quote directly:
Is it totally unfeasible to think that since it's recorded live on set, they will basically have the whole move pieced together as it needs to be, and then just fill in the orchestra around the voices? The whole movie will not be pieced together after they finish shooting. They will have a bunch of "takes" at that point. Long shots, mediums, closeups, etc., all need to be edited together by the film's editor and the director (supervising) first, choosing just the right shots, the right pacing, etc. They have to lock everything down before the orchestra is recorded, because (for example), you can't "linger" on a person's face without the music being effected. You can't cut out an extra wide shot to help with the pacing without effecting the music. It all has to be decided in advance before an orchestra is recorded. After that, you're left with (really clever) sound and picture editors who will have to work around any potential finessing or substitution of "takes."
Most film directors will tell you that the "directing" of a movie really happens in the editing room. That's where they get to tell the story the way they want to from all the footage shot. With Les Mis, there are so many things that "lock" these directorial choices down and tie the director's hands.
The post-production process is extremely tricky on this film.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
Updated On: 8/25/12 at 10:33 AM
