From Stage to Screen - and back again!

Slight change of direction!!

I've previously focused on Stage productions (plays, musicals, shows) being adapted to the big screen. Now, I'm taking a look at things from the other side of the spectrum - adapting from film production to the Stage.

I recently stumbled across a post "From Stage to Screen and back again" and came to find that there are a few films (well, more than I was aware of) being converted to the big screen as we speak!

"While work begins on the Little Miss Sunshine musical, We Will Rock You prepares for the Hollywood treatment. But can they compete with Mamma Mia!?"

So the question here is will these films, when adapted to the stage, be as highly accepted as Mamma Mia the Musical has been?

The answer will more or less come down to the way the directors portray and communicate the performance.
The score (or songs and lyrics) will play a vital role in either successfully or unsuccessfully linking to the storyline of the film to create the musical.
Correct characterisation will also be a very important factor in leading the film to success.
I guess it will also help having a few million dollars under the production teams belt in order to cater for scenery, sets and location, film equipment, special effects, cast, crew, makeup, costumes, props... etc etc.

As I have said before, musicals are one of the most powerful forms of entertainment, exposing audiences to raw emotion and real time performance.
So fingers (and toes) crossed.... I loved the films and hope to say I will also love the stage productions just as much - if not more!

Satisfying Scripts

In her post titled Totally Scripted, Part One, Erica Robyns states that:

"As a reader, scripts can be very satisfying to read. Even as a standalone without having seen the film or with the intention of seeing it. The actual script is very visual as the purpose of a script is to show what the viewer sees, not what the director envisages. What is written in a script is exactly what is shown on the screen."
http://wordsoundvoice.blogspot.com/2009/09/script-in-time-saves-nine-part-one.html

I tend to agree!
Although scripts are not as enjoyable to read as it would be watching the story unfold in front of you, they really do challenge the reader, freeing their imagination and allowing them to create their own interpretation.

Scripts for plays, musicals, films, whilst different in production, all do the same thing - they set out how a story is to be produced. Which means in reading them, ALL the information is provided - you will find everything you need in the dialogue, song lyrics, sets, blocking, costuming, lighting and stage directions, setting the scene for the script reader and also the emotions they should be feeling.

Scripts are much easier to read than the typically lengthy novel, being minimally worded with simple, concise sentences and stage directions/instructions.

If you enjoy a challenging, alternative read, get your nose into a Stage Script and see where your imagination takes you.

CHICAGO - Razzle Dazzle Em'!

A story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery...












Caught your attention yet?

It's no suprise that Chicago continues to wow audiences all over the world. Chicago has everything that makes Broadway great - a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz, one show-stopping song after another; and the most astonishing dancing you've ever seen!

Music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, the musical is based on a 1926 play of the same name by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins who had been assigned to cover the 1924 trials of murderesses Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner for the Chicago Tribune. Annan is the model of the character Roxie , 23, who murdered Harry Kalstedt, who she claimed "tried to make love to her". Velma is based on Gaertner, a carberet singer, who police had found the body of Walter Law in her abandoned car. The lawyers of the 2 woman, William Scott Stewart and W. W. O'Brien, were models for a composite character in Chicago, Billy Flynn.

The original Broadway production opened in June 1975 at the 46th Street Theatre.

Chicago, so successful as a stage production, that an Academy Award-winning film version of the musical was released in 2002, starring Richard Gere, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellwegger. Another exteremely successful adaption.

Seen it? No - then do. Yes - then rekindle your love!
Chicago will not disappoint.

What did you prefer? Stage production or the film?

“Theatre is Life, Film is Art and TV is Furniture.”

A lovely little cultural blog!
Stage versus screen – which do you prefer?

Don’t get me wrong, I do have my selection of all time film favourites. However as a stage performer and having been involved in numerous musicals, plays and stage productions over the last 10 years, I feel that onstage performance, theatre, is much more rewarding not only as a performer, but also as an audience member.

It is true that movie and television audiences do not automatically bow down for Broadway royalty. Conversely, not every film heavyweight can earn respect onstage.

Screenplays, films, movies, however you care to label them, deal only with what an anticipated audience can see on a flat screen and hear from loudspeakers. Screen works are completely unlimited, and subject to endless amounts of editing, computerised enhancing and visual effects.

When it comes to entertainment, who doesn’t prefer live action??

Theatre, plays and musicals all deal with what an anticipated audience can see and hear on stage with LIVE actors. Any type of stage production tells its story in 'real time' in a living environment, which allows such an intense connection with the audience, as well as an exciting degree of spontaneity. As theatre is limited to the stage itself, performers must use exaggeration to clearly portray action and emotion to its live audience.

It is such a powerful and fascinating form of entertainment! Theatre can completely rely on the audience’s imagination to create and partake in its own “real world”.
No “Cut!”s or numerous scene takes. No time to re-take or edit scenes.

It’s interesting how with all the effort and excitement surrounding digital film and television and the ever evolving world of cinematography, nothing can quite compare to the raw thrill and beauty of live performance.