Hi all! I am new here and I wanted to say hi and say welcome to Anthony!!!:)
Be yourself. I know that sounds cliche, but we all have seriously quirky things about us that may make us feel like an outsider or different, but those are the things to really celebrate. They're what make us unique.
~Idina Menzel
I just ran in to this thread (and BWW, for that matter)yesterday, and I wanted to read the whole thread before I posted, so forgive me if I feel like I already kind of know you. This place feels like a place I could have used back in high school...people with passions I share and opinions that are actually enjoyable to listen to.
I just want to say that it is nice to see Anthony back on the internet conversing with people who admire his brillant way of speaking his mind. I used to chat with you, Anthony, waaay back in the day (though I don't feel I was ever one of those who bothered you...I sure hope not, at least) and I always loved your way with words. Thanks for taking the time to let us in!
I know I have a million questions, so I'll have to get back soon. I really just wanted to say hi and introduce myself to everyone. I'm in my mid-twenties, and I teach 5th Grade outside of Washington, DC. I live and breathe for music, and I'm getting sad that it's been taking a back burner in my "old age." Starting out a career sucks, as many of you know! There's no time for much else...
I hope to be talking more with you all soon! Hope everyone's New Year was spectacular!!
~Nicole
(Funny, as I finish this post, I hear School Ties' opening credits playing...it's coming on TV. I have it on DVD, of course, but still...kinda cosmic....)
Have any other cast members besides you, Pascal, Dawson, Thoms and Heredia arrived for rehearsals too? And do you have any word on who's doing the cinematography, art direction and costume design?
Hey everyone! I just finished reading this whole topic (no small feat, I think my eyes fell out at some point XD) and I have to say that I am incredibly impressed. Not only by the fact that everyone seems so friendly and open to other people's opinions but by the fact that you (Anthony Rapp) took (and take) the time to post here ocasionally and give us an update on RENT. Thats pretty spectacular since I'm sure you're very busy but you still take the time to post here and share info and opinions and listen to our questions. I find that very admirable. And I openly admit I'm a huge RENT fan who got hooked off the soundtrack (I live in LA so i can't see the show) and I love to hear more info about it from someone who is so closely involved. And so in to the credit of this thread I do have a question. Will the movie include all the songs from the original cast recording? I've heard rumors that the producers cut some of the songs but I try to stay out of those because they arent usually true and they can get nasty. I really hope they don't cut songs out becuase they are all really spectacular. Anyways, thanks for taking the time to listen.
Best Wishes Mika
I wanted to get something that an "ex"-junkie like him would really appreciate and cherish....it's a brick of heroin shaped like a heart.
-Scrubs
Im new here I have been following this thread for awhile and just decided to join and talk to anthony. To introduce my self I am a acting major at The Theatre School, De Paul University here in Chicago. I am a huge rent fan and have seen the show a few times.
Like the so many distinguished people before me, I have spent the past, oh...4 hours? reading / skimming (not to offend any posters, but I am a beginner at this and it is a long thread...to me, at least) this thread. Although I am not an intense Rent-er, it was the first musical I ever listened to (in 8th grade in a empty classroom at lunch with a bunch of friends) and it opened up the world of theatre to me...which has been awesome, I must say. And so it will always hold a very special place in my heart.
Currently I am a senior in high school in the Bay Area, so when I heard that Rent was going to be filmed in SF I was overjoyed...ecstatic really. Rent the movie combines one of my favorite musicals with my favorite passion (filmmaking), so whats not to love!
To everybody posting...you guys have some damn funny stuff (along with the odd and confusing) on this! I am looking forward to delving deeper into these boards...and will probably only surface sometime around graduation in June. = )
To Anthony, first thank you so much for doing this! Others have said it before, and better, so I will leave the gratitude at that. One a different note...I am so happy to have Rent being filmed in SF (giving the filming history of the city a good boot to the present and hopeful future), but I am also very sad because I feel like I am sitting right next to something amazing but am unable to do anything to help or at least learn from it. Is there anyway I can help out? Are there any jobs that could POSSIBLY be done by a high schooler? (I know my chances are slim, however I also know it would hurt more to not even ask). Any oppertunities to do...anything invovled in the filmmaking process?
"(not to offend any posters, but I am a beginner at this and it is a long thread...to me, at least) this thread)"
If you think this is long you should read the ADAM PASCAL LOVE THREAD!
Anthony-So great to hear from you. The way that the tango is described in the screenplay makes it seem like one of the most creative scenes in the movie.
Make sure to give Adam a spork for all of us here at BWW.
David walked into the valley
With a stone clutched in his hand
He was only a boy
But he knew someone must take a stand
There will always be a valley
Always mountains one must scale
There will always be perilous waters
Which someone must sail
-Into the Fire
Scarlet Pimpernel
Thanks for all the good luck wishes, everyone. I'm feeling much refreshed now, after a good night's sleep (although I went to bed waaaay too early, and hence woke up very early, which is no way to try to get back on schedule).
Anyway, as to Evelyn's question:
"Have any other cast members besides you, Pascal, Dawson, Thoms and Heredia arrived for rehearsals too? And do you have any word on who's doing the cinematography, art direction and costume design?"
Jesse, Taye, and Idina joined the rest of the gang last week in NYC for a couple of days, while I was away. I was sorry to miss the opportunity to hang with them all again, but that opportunity will come next week. Unfortunately, it will only be for a couple of days that we'll all be together, since Jesse and Taye's tv commitments are keeping them busy throughout this whole process. But Idina will be out here for the duration, and Jesse and Taye will be here when they're needed.
As for the other members of the creative staff, they include: Production Designer -- Howard Cummings, whose most famous film is probably The Usual Suspects; Director of Photography -- Stephen Goldblatt, whose most recent work includes Closer and Angels in America; Editor -- Richard Pearson, who edited The Bourne Supremacy, among others; and Costume designer -- Aggie Rodgers, who's done a *ton* of films, including American Grafitti, The Color Purple, and many many others.
Apparently, Chris and the producers felt it was very important in their hiring of all of these positions that there was evident passion for and commitment to the spirit of the show and all that it stood for. Not bad criteria, if you ask me.
Excellent. Of course Aggie Rodgers' best-known costume design for film, besides The Color Purple, is her art deco work for BEETLE JUICE. If her costumes for the film are stylized like the ones in the stage production, then you can bet she'll be attracting the attention of the guild. Great news.
Stephen Goldblatt is perfect for this. He produced beautifully dark cinematography for the Batman films, The Cotton Club, The Deep End of the Ocean, and Angels in America. Batman Forever actually has a color scheme reminiscent of Rent on Broadway - very bold.
Do you know of any plans to incorporate a song into the film or end credits for award consideration? And have any major supporting players (like Steve, Alexi Darling and the parents, I would think) been hired yet?
Thanks for the info Anthony...also I was wondering after rehearsals are done and filming begins will the movie be filmed in sequence or what is the set order?
Thanks so much for replying questions I was thinking of asking before asked (further questions on the filmmakers as who the editor was, etc) :) !
(With the Phantom movie's editing (yes, it bothered me here and there and here again...) I was hoping there'd be a good editor on this project... I don't think the editing for The Bourne Supremacy bothered me that much ; ) if at all : ) )
I'm familiar with most if not all of the individuals mentioned 's work... if I remember most of it correctly, it all sounds like it'll go very well filmically...
And the criteria they were chosen by is most important and not bad *at all*.
You *should* be doing a project because you're heart's in it too, not just because it's another project to do or a source of income... this unfortunately doesn't always happen nowadays, but it sounds like thankfully here it is...
(thanks again.)
(Small Edit: I finally found time to freshen and search the backgrounds of the names I wasn't sure I completely recognized off hand as far as their filmographies and agree about Goldblatt and his cinematographic style, as well as Rodgers' costume design-- I also further that by adding Howard Cummings too has a very dark aura for the production design in many of his films that should be very appropriate for the film)
thaks for the update again! ALso it is nice to know that these amazing individuals have joined the production team. I am very excited now!
"At the opening night party, they had clowns on stilts, jugglers, a chocolate fountain, popcorn, hot dogs. [My son] looked at me like I had been holding back. Like, 'This is what you do?' I had to tell him, 'No, no, darling. Opening nights don't usually look like this.' It's usually a dark bar with a bottle of vodka." ?Chitty Chitty Bang Bang's Jan Maxwell
plus i proudly share the title of the shortest member over the age of 10 with wickedrentq!
I have a Question for Anthony: Since next year is going to be the ten year anniversary can we expect a special performance from the obc. If so that would be awesome, and if not what are you going to be doing after the filming of the movie. Are you going to stick with broadway, go on to do movies or just something with the band?
"Why do we play with fire?-Why do we run our fingers through the flame?"
Welcome back Anthony. And Welcome to the new board members. Enjoy yourselves.
Anthony,
I recently was priviledged to listen to Look Around. I just wanted to say that I enjoyed it immensely. I thought it was wonderful. So thank you for making it.
Enjoy rehearsals.
"The weight of this sad time we must obey, Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say. The oldest hath borne most; we that are young Shall never see so much, nor live so long"-Edgar in King Lear
"Apparently, Chris and the producers felt it was very important in their hiring of all of these positions that there was evident passion for and commitment to the spirit of the show and all that it stood for" Wow, Anthony, whn I read your posts I am always surprised at the level of commitment that everyone is putting into this film. Not becuase I expect you all to be a bunch of slackers :) I know you are very hard-working dedicated actors but I've seen one or two filmings and most of the people were just half-ass*ng it after about 2 hours. Also, I have a logistical question that just occured to me. How do you all get to Treasure Island everyday? I mean, you don't have a car that you drive across the bridge do you? Sorry, somewhat random question but I actually am curious. -FOCI
"I guess she is one very confident girl who feels if you see it, it shall be.
I hope she sees a room with a piano player and a bunch of scary middle-aged queens sitting behind a table, talking to each other as she auditions!!"
-Marc Shaiman on Kelly Osbourne in Hairspray
I'm very happy to hear that Chris and the producers of the movie are taking such care in hiring good people for the production staff as well as the cast. The people behind the camera are just as important as the people in front of it, its like Lord of the Rings....fabulous acting but where would they be without those amazing costumes and special effects? (Sorry, my school focuses alot on theatrical and cinematic arts so I'm kinda nuts about that kind of thing.) At first, when I heard they were making a movie version of RENT I was a little doubtful because it seems like whenever hollywood tries to get their hands on a musical and turn it into a film they just disney-ify it and make it a sing along. But the more I hear about it the more excited I am to see it. The chemistry between the cast both on and off stage/screen seems really genuine and amazing which leads me to a question. I know you see the other cast members for rehersals etc but do you stay in close contact with one another outside of work for the movie? I'd imagine you were all pretty close considering how long you all worked together on broadway. Thanks for keeping us updated Anthony, it's a pleasure to hear about everything going on. -Mika
I wanted to get something that an "ex"-junkie like him would really appreciate and cherish....it's a brick of heroin shaped like a heart.
-Scrubs
(In the appreciation mode: In addition I'd like to that you for your performance on the YAGMCB cd, which never fails to lighten the spirits with its classically childhood quality... Thanks for Rent's OBCr goes without saying, too...)
It had been asked before 'round here before about if/when you were to make another album, and you answered, so politely I won't ask...(it's well known you're busy with the Rent film until long from now... : - )...)
There's been a lot of talk about the rehearsals for La Vie Boheme and Tango: Maureen - both of which you lead. I just wondered whether staging/choreography for the other numbers have also begun, and if you could tell us anything about them? With most of the principals now on the set, I imagine they must be working on numbers such as Out Tonight, Another Day and Today 4 U (if those are still in the screenplay).
I read somewhere that the producers had cut alot of the songs or edited them down for various reasons. I understand that there has to be some cutting and editing for length reasons etc but I really hope they aren't dramatically changing anything. I read that there was talk about cutting out Over the Moon completely as well as Happy New Year etc. Does anyone know if this has fact behind it or if its just another fictional rumor? I really hope that its not true because, frankly, each of the songs really add something individual and specail to the overall story and it would be a real shame to see some of those songs be taken out.
I wanted to get something that an "ex"-junkie like him would really appreciate and cherish....it's a brick of heroin shaped like a heart.
-Scrubs
Well, jetlag continues to confound my system -- I went to sleep at 8:30 (!) and woke up at about 12:30 and am no longer sleepy. Oy.
To some questions:
"I was wondering after rehearsals are done and filming begins will the movie be filmed in sequence or what is the set order"
It's very difficult to ever shoot a film in order, for many logistical reasons, so it's incredibly rare for it to happen. In the case of A Beautiful Mind, we shot in relatively chronological order, mostly because Russell had to age throughout the story, but it was never *exactly* in order. As for Rent, the order has yet to be officially determined, because not all locations are set yet, nor are all scenes absolutely finalized yet.
"Since next year is going to be the ten year anniversary can we expect a special performance from the obc."
I think so, and I certainly hope so. I've heard a couple of exciting rumors as to what that might look like, but since they are just rumors I can't say more now. If the movie does well, (which I certainly think and hope it will) that should increase the likelihood of a big splashy event to mark the 10-year anniversary. We shall see... But no matter what, there should be something, and it should be exciting.
" If so that would be awesome, and if not what are you going to be doing after the filming of the movie. Are you going to stick with broadway, go on to do movies or just something with the band?"
Your guess is as good as mine. I would love to get the chance to do a show in NYC again, since I love to work at home, and onstage. But I love to work, period, so whatever good work presents itself to me, I'll take, if I'm fortunate enough to be in that position. As for my band, I'm really looking forward to getting to work with them when the film is done, writing new songs, playing some gigs, and hopefully getting the chance to record a new record.
(By the way, thanks to those of you who have had kind things to say about Look Around. As a huge music nut, I'm always very touched and flattered to hear that people take the time to listen to my stuff, and enjoy it.)
"How do you all get to Treasure Island everyday? I mean, you don't have a car that you drive across the bridge do you?"
Actually, we have all been supplied with rental cars, and we're staying right downtown, so it's an easy drive across the bridge to Treasure Island. We carpool when we're called at the same time.
"There's been a lot of talk about the rehearsals for La Vie Boheme and Tango: Maureen - both of which you lead. I just wondered whether staging/choreography for the other numbers have also begun, and if you could tell us anything about them? With most of the principals now on the set, I imagine they must be working on numbers such as Out Tonight, Another Day and Today 4 U (if those are still in the screenplay)."
I probably have talked more about LVB and the Tango because I'm in them, but there have been rehearsals for every musical number in the film. We have to rehearse them all now, and fully, because in a couple of weeks we'll be in the studio recording them, and we need to have good knowledge of what it will be like to sing them with the staging given to us, so the lipsynch will be as accurate as possible. Does that make sense?
And yes, Out Tonight, Another Day, and Today 4 U are all in the film. That's not going to change. I don't think the song list has altered at all from what I originally posted, except maybe Seasons of Love B. Seasons of Love A is still in it, but not B...
Take care --
Anthony
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