Audio and Color in Film

In the beginning of the twentieth century, the idea of a talking picture was unheard of. At first, sound was recording on a disk, and played in synchronization with the film. By 1929, most of Hollywood had completely converted to this method. Movies like Don Juan and the Jazz Singer made their debut during this time. As technology progressed, quieter cameras and microphones came into play, further perfecting film.

Becoming more and more tech savvy, film makers began to experiment with color. Technicolor was a popular color process developed in the 1920s, that made hand-coloring a thing of the past. Disney's animated Three Little Pigs (1933), and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (1937), as well as Gone With the Wind (1939) and the Wizard of Oz (1939) all featured Technicolor. 

Abel Gance

Abel Gance's 1927 film Napoleon extended above and beyond most films of this time, where practically every sequence featured some sort of new technology. Tryptic is utilized to obtain a panoramic effect, in which three screens are shown instead of just one.

Obscure camera angles were used in the making of the film as well, for an intense dramatic effect. Though it is a silent film, it is known to be shown to viewers above a live orchestra for enhancement purposes. 

The Great Train Robbery

This film is rather advanced for its time. To think that the beginning of the Industrial Revolution was just about one hundred years earlier is pretty incredible. From there, humans have continued to grow to be more and more innovative, and this film is proof. The director is able to tell an entire story without any dialogue at all. In just about twelve minutes, the audience is comprehensive of a great story line. In addition to this, there are some technological advancements evident as well. There are open fire gun shots, and detailed set designs that enthrall the audience. The last scene even further involves the audience when the actor completely breaks the fourth wall, and shoots at the audience. Viewers of this film  must have gone crazy after seeing it.

A Trip to the Moon

The fact that "A Trip to the Moon" is from 1902 is pretty impressive. This film is a part of history, as America's first science fiction film. Like all movies today, this one too has a plot-- with a beginning, middle, and end, all squeezed into twelve minutes. The film seems pretty typical of the early 1900s at first, but as it progresses the whimsical aspects totally peak through. It definitely makes sense that Melies was a magician in regards to some of the scenes. The film also has some animation which is pretty advanced for it's time. Each segment was a little more shocking towards the ending, and it even seemed a little trippy… I do wonder what kind of reaction emerged from the making of this movie.  

Technology in Broadway

The lighting for the set of Mary Poppins is amazing. The black and blue city skyline glares in the background as they stand on the rooftop. And of course, the incredible wire technology to make the silhouette of Mary Poppins appear while she floats over the city with her umbrella. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeaOH3TB22c&feature=share&list=PL86F0A07CAA44F9E6

The set of Peter Pan, starring Cathy Rigby, is filled with technology. Not only does Peter appear to be flying, but he is also doing all sorts of flips and twists midair. In addition to that, Tinkerbell's appearance at the end of the clip is also pretty cool. And finally, the lighting to make them appear as if they are actually traveling to Neverland is incredible. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkg2w5ZUIPg&feature=player_detailpage

Both the art and technology put into Avenue Q is so cool. I remember seeing this play back when I was in sixth grade and being so amazed. Despite the fact that it was probably way too explicit for my 12 year old ears, I enjoyed everything about it so much. The amount of work put into each set for the city feel, as well as the making of each puppet is unbelievable. Not to mention, the mix of arts involved. Here there is singing, dancing, acting, and puppets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr2xIjDX_tg&feature=player_detailpage

The set of Godspell also employs some pretty cool technology. I'm not too familiar with this play but it looks pretty interesting. There are a system of doors on the floor of the stage, which seem to hold water (that the character of Jesus actually walks on). Water also comes down from the ceiling. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL4aFn1DxGE&feature=player_embedded#! 

Jesus Christ Superstar seems like a great play. Towards the end of the clip, they show a huge crucifix lit  up, with Jesus hanging from it. The structure is actually raised above the audience for all to see. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL4aFn1DxGE&feature=player_embedded#!

This scene from A Chorus Line manipulates the background of the stage. At one point, the wall appears to be a giant mirror. This makes the stage looks larger than it actually is and give the audience to see the dancers from various angles. The wall eventually changes into a big design, and then again becomes a mirror.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5yYci9CwYA&feature=player_embedded#!

This scene from Wicked at the Tony Awards is remarkable. The progression of technology coincides with what is going on in the scene. Just when Elphaba is nervous and trembling, she is lifted above all and gains a whim of courage. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J72thWNW6PE&feature=player_embedded#

Jazz

Yesterday's class was craaazy interesting. So much culture packed into one lesson, i could actually feel myself becoming more and more excited throughout the class. The early 1900s were such a captivating time, with some new fad or fashion always rising. I wish i could have experienced it. 

Originating in the 1800s, African American slaves mixed European and African culture to create the beginning of what we now know as Jazz. Jazz became popularized the next century, and was what came to be a mix of blues, ragtime, and marching band music. By the 1920s African Americans began to travel to cities like Chicago, New Orleans,  and New York for better opportunities, and brought their smooth sound along with them. With prohibition in full swing at this time, rebellion rose. Speakeasies were extremely abundant; a place where people could go to escape reality by drinking, dancing, and hearing jazz. Americans embracing jazz, was a clear symbol of rebellion-- deviating from their parent's old fashion views.

The next decade, "big band swing" came fourth, becoming the most popular type of music for the next twenty years. It's sensational beat and swing allowed people to lose their inhibitions… avoid all the trouble that was going on around them, in the real world. Throughout the following years, Americans began to watch more TV, and have less fun dancing. Though jazz records were widely available in stores, people began to give their attention to the new rock and roll they were introduced to. Of course, jazz is a major symbol of the history of our country and will always be significant. Jazz really has revolutionized America in so many ways, and is still a popular type of music that always evokes good feelings. 

Madama Butterfly

Such a great film filled with so many different emotions. This is entirely different approach to recapitulate Giaccomo Puccini's original version of the opera, but it was extremely engrossing. Who is this woman, and what is the meaning of her synthetic body, in comparison to her lover's? As the video progressed it became clear that her lover and his new woman, were made to look like that to represent a sort of numbness. Her skin, not nearly as beautiful theirs', is symbolic of her humanity. She is natural. She feels and she hurts. She is destroyed by her lover's betrayal, meanwhile his smile seems to be permanent. He is careless in regards to her feelings. She loses her child, her soul, and as a result, her entire identity, causing her self-destruction. Ultimately, she is reborn, a new soul, like a butterfly fresh from it's cocoon. 

A few thoughts to catch up...

I have to say, exploring the hidden world of opera has definitely been interesting. We all become familiar with what opera is at an early age, but without any further education, do we really no what it is? Rarely do we ever truly learn about the art behind it. We are exposed to opera in so many areas, such as commercials and TV shows, without even realizing it. Though it's all around me, it still seems so foreign. Especially after learning so many new names and terminology regarding the art. Even the things that didn't seem so foreign to me, like Mozart's career, prove to extend so much deeper than my present knowledge. Turns out, this whole culture that I've been blind to, is packed with history and has made it's way into our culture today.
As far as our lesson on castration goes, the concept is extremely fascinating. I honestly did not even know that this was a technique used for vocal reasons. This method of course seems off-putting to our society today, but proves to have been pretty conventional in the 18th century. I can't help but wonder if the young singers actually wanted to be castrated for the sake of their voices, or just let it happen because it was encouraged? And, at such a young age did they even understand  the biology and purpose behind the procedure? Also, in addition to that… was it an honor to be a castrati, or just something common? Regardless, men like Farinelli and Moreschi have become the prime examples of successful castratis. As much as this topic seems to be packed with information, castration is really only a small segment of opera's culture.