Welcome, Anthony Rapp!- Page 60

[JadedBenevolence]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 5:16am

Isn't is sad being up this late? Or is it this early? Just kidding. Hey Anthony, thanks for the update and stuff.

I have a question that's been burning my mind for some time now I really hope you'll answer it. Please?

What is up with the song Out, Out Damn Spot? I mean, where did you get the idea? What's it really about? I have to know. I love that song, and I have some idea of what it could be about, but I'd like to hear it from the man who wrote it. Please.

Also, is it still raining in SF? When I was out there all it did was rain. But our little trip to Treasure Island was fun. I remember that place when it was still a naval base. I remembered I used to go there for naval stuff when I was younger cuz of my dad. But I'm sure that doesn't matter.

Thanks, it'd mean a lot.

Updated On: 1/7/05 at 05:16 AM

[Whiteboy Spice]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 5:32am

It's not *sad* exactly, it's just a little frustrating, cause I need to be well rested at appropriate hours in order to have the necessary energy to rehearse. The other times I went to the other side of the world -- on trips to Japan and Australia -- it took a good *two weeks* to get regulated. I really hope that doesn't happen this time.

Anyway, about Out Out Damn Spot: if you read your liner notes, you'd notice I didn't write it at all; my friend and collaborator Joe Pisapia did. He's an enormously talented musician who was kind enough to open up his heart and mind to working with me on my music, and Spot was an old song of his that he thought would suit me well. When we were first starting to work together we did a little coffee house gig in Nashville, where he's from, and I performed that song, and it went over very well, and I enjoyed the hell out of singing it, so when it came time to do some recording, that song was on the list.

As for what it's about, it seems to me to be about a man struggling to make sense of his life, and beginning to come to terms with how much of a fraud he sometimes is. He's sort of in an existential crisis, which has led to some confusion, feelings of isolation, and the beginnings of revelation.

At least that's what I think. You'd have to ask Joe to get his perspective.

But at any rate, thanks for the kind words about the song.

Take care --

Anthony

[JadedBenevolence]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 5:44am

Thank you. I would have read the notes if I had the cd. I borrowed it from a friend. I've been trying for a while now to order it from Borders, but they were out of it in their warehouse and I can't order things off the internet due to lack of credit card. But thank you. I've been curious for a while now about that song. I really appreciate it.

And I didn't mean sad as in a bad thing. Believe me. After all, I'm still awake at this ungodly hour. But yeah, I understand that you need to get back on a normal schedule. I've been trying to do that for a while now.

But is it still raining in SF? I had to drive the I-5 in that rain for 8 hours and it was rather frightening. To and fro. But I had a great trip, and our little RENThead gathering went well.

Updated On: 1/7/05 at 05:44 AM

[Ad_Libbing]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 5:53am

Good morning to Anthony and everyone else who has to or chooses to be up at 5.46 a.m.

Anthony, I get the feeling that this is sort of personal, but what, in your opinion, is the best way to become a strong performer? You just seem to radiate confidence, something that my mother tells me that I lack, as I've never been a real extrovert. I'm really looking to better myself as an actor, and I thought that maybe you would have some good advice, considering who you are and what you do.

Thank you so muchfor taking the time to talk with everyone here and for giving me perfect cause to gush to my friends on how nice a person you are.

-Gen

[renthead2005z]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 7:14am

What would you want to do if you decided to go back to broadway? (Star in an obc production, or do you have your eye set on a certian role?)

[WhereAmIGoingTo]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 10:18am

Thanks for the amazing and informative update!

I have a rather odd question. You were born and/or grew up in Joliet, IL, didn't you?

And, about the soundtrack. I take it that, as with most but not all film soundtracks, you're recording the soundtrack before filming, correct?

[amasis]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 11:09am

The other times I went to the other side of the world -- on trips to Japan and Australia -- it took a good *two weeks* to get regulated. I really hope that doesn't happen this time.

They say it takes a day of adjustment for every hour of time difference. Good luck! Updated On: 1/7/05 at 11:09 AM

[Whiteboy Spice]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 11:12am

Morning --

Well, I managed to get a few more hours' worth of sleep, so that's good. Hope you all are getting your rest as well, what with all the late hours some of you seem to keep...

"Anthony, I get the feeling that this is sort of personal, but what, in your opinion, is the best way to become a strong performer?"

I think it's so important to have mentors and supporters who not only believe in you, but know how to tell you how to improve without being too critical. I started acting at such a young age (six) and always was privileged to have people take me under their wings -- directors, fellow actors, my mom. When I was older, I found an acting teacher that I loved, Sande Shurin, about whom I've posted before. But I always felt at home performing, even though I wouldn't say I'm the world's most extroverted person offstage. I hope that helps...

"What would you want to do if you decided to go back to broadway? (Star in an obc production, or do you have your eye set on a certian role?)"

Either, all of the above, etc. I'd *love* the opportunity to get to do more Shakespeare professionally, and in NYC. I'm just happy to get to work on projects that are exciting and inspiring and enriching, so whatever form that will take, who knows? I've only done one show in NYC in the last several years (Private Jokes, Public Places) and that's not nearly enough for my taste.

"I have a rather odd question. You were born and/or grew up in Joliet, IL, didn't you?"

I was born in Chicago, and lived in Joliet from about the time I was two. Why? Are you from there?

"And, about the soundtrack. I take it that, as with most but not all film soundtracks, you're recording the soundtrack before filming, correct?"

Correct. We have about four weeks slated to record our vocals, which is a luxurious eternity to me, and waaaaaaaaay more than we had for the OBCR or what I had for Look Around. Plenty of time to get it absolutely *right.* then the lipsynching begins! But actually, lipsynching is a somewhat misleading term, since we will be singing along with the recording, rather than purely lipsynching, as most drag queens do. That way, the effort of singing will show on our faces and in our bodies; otherwise the performance on film would seem empty, I would think.

Should all be fun, though.

Have a great day --

Anthony

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 11:17am

That's good to hear about the lip synching issue. I had figured you guys would go for the realistic approach and actually sing along to your tracks, but I was worried after seeing the Phantom film. Some of that just does *not* look like they are actually singing.

Have a great day!

[Dextrous Existence]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 11:33am

I agree. I'm glad Rent sounds like it's coming along. That is wonderful; thanks Anthony. Do you ever go to schools and colleges, on your time off, to give lectures to students? I think bringing in guest artists to give inspirational speeches are a great way to help the student body, in general. And it's a good way to get ones name out. Take care.

[Whiteboy Spice]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 11:37am

I do a lot of school visits when my schedule allows it, but that hasn't been the case for a while, since I've been working a lot in the past year and a half. It's one of my favorite things to do. Hopefully in the fall I'll get to go back to that.

[Dextrous Existence]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 12:03pm

Yeah, it's understandable with your busy schedule. But that is so exciting that you have the chance to do that. (And you have the enthusiasm to make it worth-while.) What are the subjects that you offer to talk about? (And do you usually add in a song or two to the lecture?) Thanks.

[WhereAmIGoingTo]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 12:27pm

Wow! Lots of great updates today! Cool, thanks.

"I was born in Chicago, and lived in Joliet from about the time I was two. Why? Are you from there?"

That's sooooooooo cool! I was also born in Chicago, and moved to a northern suburb in the 1st grade, so I've never actually lived in Joliet. I've visited it a lot, though, because my grandma lived there until this year. My mom (who is also a renthead, believe it or not) was born and raised in Joliet. AND, I saw Rent for the very first time in Joliet. So I've always thought it was really cool you were from there. :P What was that like, though, if you don't mind me asking? I mean wasn't hard, especially for someone wanting to get involved with theater?

GREAT news about the way you're recording the soundtrack/filming the movie. I don't really know anything, but that seems like the perfect way to do it. I would agree that the performance will have more energy/be more powerful if you guys are actually singing instead of just mouthing the words. I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE SOUNDTRACK! *is impatient*

Thanks so much for the update! Hope you get over the jetlag really soon!

Updated On: 1/8/05 at 12:27 PM

[Chloe]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 2:59pm

Hi, Anthony. It was great to read what you had to say about the recording process, how you will all be fully rehearsed in the staging before recording, and that you'll be singing along during the shoot. You probably didn't see it, but there was a thread about just this subject a little while ago, how if not done right, singing in a movie can seem so fake. (Unfortunately the new POTO film seems to be awakening this issue.) I'm still hoping that a number or two could be done live, but I know how problematic that is.

The other pitfall we discussed on that thread is the miking disparity - dialog on set is recorded comparatively distantly, while singing in a studio has a mike a few inches away. It can make transitions difficult. Not your department, obviously, just bringing it up because you seem interested in all aspects of the process.

[stacey717]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 4:19pm

This thread got so active for a bit!

Anyways, lipsyncing. Thanks TONS for mentioning the fact that one should sing along to the music--it does make it look believable...something to definitely remember to use...
Updated On: 1/8/05 at 04:19 PM

[stacey717]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 4:46pm

double post (oops) Updated On: 1/8/05 at 04:46 PM

[Ad_Libbing]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 4:52pm

Thanks for the advice, Anthony-- it really did help.

Have a great Friday evening, all.

And now-- Algebra. Joy of joys!

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 7:00pm

that's good anthony, nice to see you're getting some rest..you must be exhausted after all that performing..hope life's treating you well
ric

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 7:56pm

Anthony, thanx so much for the updates, I am so excited for the film

[Dreamcatcher]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 9:07pm

Thanks for the new updates, its great to come home from school every day and read them. I hope you get back to a normal sleep cycle soon. Even though it does mess with your internal clock, i was just wondering what its like to travel all over the world. Do you ever get tired of constantly having to fly to differnet places? Do you ever just wish you could stay home for a long period of time? A little off topic but just out of curiosity. Anyways, I can't wait to hear the soundtrack for the film. Everyone has been saying such good things about the CD Look Around that I just ordered it off Amazon.com to listen for myself. I've been looking for it for a while but couldn't find it but from the sound clips I've heard it sounds really amazing. Hope it gets here soon. Well thanks again for giving us updates.
Best Wishes
-Mika

[iheartmark]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 9:15pm

"Thanks for the new updates, its great to come home from school every day and read them." I totally agree. Even if I've had the worst day ever I can home and log on and listen to Look Around or RENT and read these great conversations- I just wish I was online while they were happening lol
Anthony- thanks for the great updates... Hi five for people with jetlag! It's totally worth it, though, isn't it? To feel cruddy for a while but you have an amazing trip! ^^ A bit off topic but hey... Anyway have fun in SF, good luck with everything

[mleshawn]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 9:18pm

Any update on the release date of the movie? Updated On: 1/7/05 at 09:18 PM

[Racetrack]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 11:03pm

Dreamcatcher since the holiday season is over for awhile it should get there pretty soon. Look Around truly is amazing. I like the Just Some Guy.

Anthony probably knows this better than any of us, but I'd heard on imdb.com(even though the info on there can't be trusted sometimes) that the release date was something like November 11 or around there.

So Tgif everybody.

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 11:12pm

omg, why so i always miss anthony's posts? lol, this means i have to be on BWW more than half the hours of my life

[renthead2005z]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 12:26am

Anthony: you should see about coming to maryland! It would be soo amazing to see you at our school! even though we aren't that special...haha(wishful thinking)

Updated On: 1/8/05 at 12:26 AM