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Cast in Other Roles


Sara2009

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On 2017-02-15 at 10:43 PM, vb68 said:

Interesting. It could really take Darren's career in a new dramatic direction, and there is at least a fair chance he's up for an Emmy if it hits.   

In RM's productions as in most others in TV, a number of worthy performances have been ignored while others are inexplicably rewarded (Lady Gaga comes to mind). One thing for sure, being part of such a production is an excellent way to get noticed further. It remains to be see if Cunanan will be only a fleeting presence in the events leading up to the murder, or if the stories of the two men will be told in parallel; considering this is RM and it's about "crime", I suspect the seamier side of the story will be strongly featured.  

I wonder if RM had him in mind for a while or if the deal was sealed when he saw him in Hedwig. I thought DC would parlay his impressive turn in that role into other musical theater productions, but there is still time for that. I am not thinking of works in the usual idea many people have of "typical" Broadways musicals i.e grand spectaculars à la Hammerstein-Rodgers-Webber-Hart-Kern-Comden-Green et al.; for decades now musicals (on Broadway or elsewhere) have come to encompass a wide variety of expressions, like Sondheim, the Falsettos series, Once, the David Bowie musical, Fun Home, The Drowsy Chaperone, etc. and he could fit into some of those categories.

 

On 2017-02-16 at 0:11 PM, fakeempress said:

Funny that his brother is much more of a Cunanan doppelganger while Darren is very white-passing. 

With DC as with Cunanan, depending on the lightning and the angles of a shot, their mixed heritage becomes more or less apparent.

 

On 2017-03-02 at 10:18 PM, fakeempress said:

Jokes aside, I am on record here that he'd be better served by the indie route, and his brother's band was actually good if that's any indication.

I agree with you and think that the consensus is indeed that he fits better in the indie slot than standard bubble-gum pop. They seem to be promoting this new EP mainly as a callback to techno music from the 90s. Is there such a niche as indie synth-pop?

 

And in other news, great news for AR and her Olivier award. Quite impressive.

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Don't know if there is a "consensus" on Darren's music fit and where exactly this consensus resides. However, one of the songs he & Chuck put out is straight up Miami Sound Machine, and I'd think twice before calling it "techno music."  In other news, there's been synth pop ever since Ultravox and Depeche Mode - indie, major label, self-release, you name it. 

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Wow! Congrats to Amber! And she looked beautiful to boot! I'm so excited for her!

Amber has been getting top accolades ever since the previews and consistently praised for her star turn. Such a well-deserved win.

Edited by fakeempress
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My conclusion that there is a consensus comes from comments I remember reading on this topic over the Web. I would add that on top of pursuing the indie market, portions of the American Song Book would also suit DC very well.

 

With digital drums, synthesisers, multiple tracks of the same instrument layered one over the other, and electronic processing, I have no qualms nor second (or third) thoughts about using the label "techno".

They are shooting a music video for that Computer Games single and it looks like they may be going for everything-but-the-kitchen-sink sillyness, perhaps again as an unapologetic callback to that era of music videos.

Yes, synths are used in many genres, including by contemporary classical composers. but that does not answer my soul-shattering existential question as to whether "indie synth-pop" is an established niche.  ;-)

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Well, IMO there is consensus that Amber Riley slays as a musical headliner and should get an album released

ASAP.   Is there a recording from the Westend show yet?  If not it should be coming soon, as well as a recording from the upcoming BW transfer....

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that does not answer my soul-shattering existential question as to whether "indie synth-pop" is an established niche.  ;-)t

The answer was and is: yes, only it's not niche.

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With digital drums, synthesisers, multiple tracks of the same instrument layered one over the other, and electronic processing, I have no qualms nor second (or third) thoughts about using the label "techno".

I'm sure one could use any label indiscriminately. But as it is, techno music (techno for short) is a variety of instrumental DJ EDM with very repetitive beats and heavy on technology. What Darren and Chuck do is pop, not EDM, regardless of all the synths in the world.

Edited by fakeempress
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The answer was and is: yes, only it's not niche.

Considering the wording of my initial transcendental question, I do not think that the answer could be both yes and no. One cannot argue one thing and also its exact opposite, unless we are discussing Schrödinger's cat. Or if one answers an entirely different question, like "are synths used in various forms of music", which seems to have happened here.

 

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I'm sure one could use any label indiscriminately. But as it is, techno music (techno for short) is a variety of instrumental DJ EDM with very repetitive beats and heavy on technology. What Darren and Chuck do is pop, not EDM, regardless of all the synths in the world.

It depends if the term in question is used as a general descriptor or for a specific category in a specialized classification.

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Add the New York Times Ben Brantley to the rave reviews of Amber Riley in "Dream Girls" in the West end.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/30/theater/review-a-souped-up-dreamgirls-roars-in-london.html?smid=tw-nyttheater

 

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"Ms. Riley exudes the casual, instinctive authority of one to the proscenium born. All she has to do is widen her eyes, purse her lips and then open her mouth to emit a radiant cascade of sound, and theatergoers are all but fainting in the aisles. Backup singer? You might as well call Tom Brady a bench warmer."

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No word on whether the Olivier-winning Riley would transfer with the production, which currently runs through October 21 in London.

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6 hours ago, tom87 said:
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No word on whether the Olivier-winning Riley would transfer with the production, which currently runs through October 21 in London.

Final casting confirmations may still be forthcoming, if only to leave an opportunity for several distinct media announcements to build up buzz and interest as the Broadway version's opening approaches. There may also be some contractual details still to be ironed out, for example how long each individual actor commits to this production; over a long run of a play or a musical, even the leads can change.

It would be quite the missed opportunity if she does not transfer as well, not only for her but also for the production who would not be able to capitalise on an award-winning performer in the cast (including her DWTS win which would probably be a definite draw for one segment of the potential audience).

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3 minutes ago, caracas1914 said:

I'd say the shocker/surprise would be if Amber doesn't transfer over with the production to BW.  Most West end hits bring over their star and you add that Amber is American...

The only way I think she won't go to Broadway is if for some reason she turns it down. I mean she has the talent, she has proven herself in the role, and she's well known for her role on Glee. No producer would turn down someone who practically guarantees success.

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2 hours ago, Florinaldo said:

 

It would be quite the missed opportunity if she does not transfer as well, not only for her but also for the production who would not be able to capitalise on an award-winning performer in the cast (including her DWTS win which would probably be a definite draw for one segment of the potential audience).

I don't think her DWTS win really means anything in terms of draw for Dreamgirls. I don't think winning DWTS stars really does much for a Star . Glee would have some draw but even that is dwindling as  which is why probably why Heather went out so early on DWTS.  I still think Amber will most likely move to Broadway but I think the main draw is Amber herself and how good she is in this. 

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32 minutes ago, shoregirl said:

I don't think her DWTS win really means anything in terms of draw for Dreamgirls. I don't think winning DWTS stars really does much for a Star . Glee would have some draw but even that is dwindling as  which is why probably why Heather went out so early on DWTS.  I still think Amber will most likely move to Broadway but I think the main draw is Amber herself and how good she is in this. 

Every butt you can park on a paying seat matters. This is a segmented market. There are the hardcore fans of Broadway musicals, probably the biggest portion, plus those who know the movie version, the tourists who just want to see a musical, and others who are familiar with at least part of the cast from previous projects; in this instance people who got to know AR through Glee, those for whom "Olivier award winner" will mean something, and others who discovered her only through the dance competition show, with some overlap between all of these.

Even if DWTS viewers make up let's say only 5 % of potential audience members, that's ticket buying people you do not want to miss out on because margins are sometimes very tight in musical theater. I am not predicting a major marketing push centered on it, but at least some mention.

I agree that it makes all the sense in the world to bring her over with the whole production, but they still have many months to go before the need to make a splashy official announcement.

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(edited)
On 2017-05-04 at 4:00 PM, tom87 said:

I think she will be asked and will do it at least for a limited time.

Performers can sign on a show for a limited duration (or even number of performances I believe), often with an option to renew. It gives them flexibility in case another project comes up or if they already have something in the works, as some shows and movies can take a few years to be eventually produced (or fail to do so).

Meanwhile another Glee alum, albeit a minor one, is scheduled to return to Broadway.

Edited by Florinaldo
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7 hours ago, Florinaldo said:

Performers can sign on a show for a limited duration (or even number of performances I believe), often with an option to renew. It gives them flexibility in case another project comes up or if they already have something in the works, as some shows and movies can take a few years to be eventually produced (or fail to do so).

 

I know I just do not see her doing it again on Bway for a year like she singed for the West End.    I see 6 months  but again would depend on when they do it.  I am sure there would be a break between the leaving the West end and starting up on Bway.

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‘The Mayor’ Comedy Gets ABC Series Order

ABC has kicked off the pickups of new series with nods to the hottest pilots from its sibling ABC Studios: comedy The Mayor, executive produced by Daveed Diggs and starring Lea Michele, dramas For the People, from Shondaland; The Crossing, starring Steve Zahn; and The Gospel of Kevin, toplined by Jason Ritter.

Here is info on ABC’s newly picked up series:

 

http://leamichele-news.tumblr.com/post/160566235413/the-mayor-comedy-gets-abc-series-order

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I mean most are still working, no-one is really a star except possibly Amber. The best of the rest are the lead on a racist CW show, a supporting role in a comedy with the dude from Hamilton, or a supporting role in a Freeform show as half of non-racist tumblrs favourite gay couple. 

The rest are a couple of jobbing actors, one left LA and went back to jobbing roles in NY, one stopped acting, one married a rock star, one gets bit parts on Ryan Murphy shows, one released some "music" one is one third of the worst  podcast I subjected my ears to, one is a dancer who couldn't even do well in Dancing with the Stars, one had a baby and wrote a tell all book, and one is awaiting trial on child porn charges. 

Its not exactly illustrious.

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Consistent television and stage work is nothing to sneeze at.  Those that have been fortunate to land those roles (Lea, Grant, Melissa, Harry on TV, and Amber and Matt on Broadway/West End) pretty awesome for them.  Plus, I mean what actor wouldn't love a Modern Family type deal...

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35 minutes ago, dizzyizzy01 said:

Consistent television and stage work is nothing to sneeze at.  Those that have been fortunate to land those roles (Lea, Grant, Melissa, Harry on TV, and Amber and Matt on Broadway/West End) pretty awesome for them.  Plus, I mean what actor wouldn't love a Modern Family type deal...

Indeed. There are so many performers who can't get any job for a long while, even after a run on a successful TV show, that for at least a good part of them (with notorious exceptions) to be getting a paycheck or royalties from various types of projects is certainly a good thing for each of them. In some cases, they make choices that take them away from acting or performing; CC for example seems to find the life of an author more in tune with his disposition than acting, for the present time at least (we'll see in the future). Others pursue a more diverse set of activities, depending on each person's character and what opportunities present to them.

There is no single standard to judge success; some former Glee cast members are less active and less visible than others or are involved in fewer types of projects, but it depends on many individual personal factors, which can change over time.

Which is one reason I do not share the negative incomplete breakdown AutisticSpoonie made two posts above. I don't think that even AR can be called a star yet, but she and most of the others seem to be doing well, according to their individual choices or opportunities.

As for the Mayor series being picked up, it is an achievement considering the number of pilots that never go past the initial stage each year or spend a very long time in development and fine-tuning hell. Of course, being picked up is never a guarantee of long life, as the number of cancelled new shows demonstrates each year.

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(edited)

I think they are stars by being in glee. 

But my original post said nothing about them being stars anyway, it was how people would act like they would never work again, period.

I have much more I could say with the unnecessary comparisons, but I'll leave it at that. 

Edited by tom87
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star  stär/ noun

3.  a famous  or exceptionally talented performance in the world of entertainer of sports.

Not sure how only one cast member fits this bill?   

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(edited)

Matt had a guest role on Greys Anatony this week playing the abusive ex of one of the regulars.

He has done well avoiding getting typecast and has played a good string of very non Will Schuester roles post Glee between this and roles on Younger and The Good Wife. These aren't star roles but if he keeps at it like this then eventually they might come. 

That's the biggest issue actors from long running hit shows seem to face, making producers see you beyond that one role.

Edited by Pink ranger
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On 5/12/2017 at 3:04 PM, tom87 said:

I remember how people said the glee cast would never do anything after glee.   Most are still getting work.

Well there are always *some* people who will voice a bleak negative future outlook, but I seemed to recall more (at least on this forum) discussions about who within the cast would fare better or be more successful  once Glee ended.  Fandoms being fandoms.

Even then some (myself included)  figured most of the cast would be able to continue in their careers professionally.  

With the obvious exception of Mark Salling, PostGlee, It's still far too early to make career pronouncements.

 A red hot zeitgeist TV show is an opportunity that only comes to a handful of (both) talented and lucky actors, so the cast in esscense has already beaten the odds.  

Ditto being cast in star-making stage roles such as Effie in "DreamGirls" ; so let me say IMO I doubt Amber is going to sign on for a limited run if the chances are her BW debut could be as successful as her West End turned out to be.  If the NTY reviewer gushing about her London performance is any indication, BW could be as big a triumph for Amber, knock on wood.

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9 hours ago, caracas1914 said:

Ditto being cast in star-making stage roles such as Effie in "DreamGirls" ; so let me say IMO I doubt Amber is going to sign on for a limited run if the chances are her BW debut could be as successful as her West End turned out to be.  If the NTY reviewer gushing about her London performance is any indication, BW could be as big a triumph for Amber, knock on wood.

All the more reason to only sign a 6 month contract if it is big she could get more  $ when the contract ends.   

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I have a weird comment to make. I've been watching The Good Fight and Criminal Minds and I can't work out whether Jane Lynch is a good actress or not. The Good Fight just felt like Sue Sylvester joined the FBI, she's different in Criminal Minds, but it just feels false, probably doesn't help her Criminal Minds role is disabled mimicry. 

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On 2017-05-13 at 7:52 PM, tom87 said:

I think they are stars by being in glee. 

But my original post said nothing about them being stars anyway, it was how people would act like they would never work again, period.

Such predictions are always a risky endeavour because there are so many unknowns. Like what network of contacts each has established over the years which might eventually lead to offers because they are known personally to people in the industry, what more or less informal discussions may have been going on privately regarding upcoming productions, what new project suddenly comes up serendipitously at the very moment they are available to take it up, etc.

There's also the fact that they may come up with unexpected ideas (like organizing a music festival or hosting a regular podcast) or that their interests may fluctuate or grow over months or years; furthermore, some who may not have been entirely comfortable with the trappings of being an actor (on TV or film) will instead concentrate on other activities for a while at least or even take a break from the industry.

It sometimes takes time for performers to find regular success and employment after a successful TV series. Take for example the casts of Seinfeld or Friends: several misses and just a few hits since the series ended. It looks like most of the former Glee cast are at least working in some way in the entertainment industry, and do not have to wait tables as the old cliché for unemployed actors goes. It may not always fit what some hardcore fans feel is the only thing that they would most like to see a well-liked performer do, but it is gainful employment for them and they may even enjoy doing it. Plus, assessing who has the best or worst potential for working again can easily be coloured by one's personal affinity with or antipathy towards the performer in question.

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I first saw Jane Lynch in "40-Year Old Virgin", and her "fuck-buddy" scene with Steve Carell was brilliant. But as I encountered her in various other movies and TV shows and finally Glee, I noticed that while she was world-class in sarcasm/satire/snark/cynicism, and I always laughed, that's all she ever did -- always in the same way, always with the same voice. 

There were no end of complaints about the over-use of Sue on Glee, particularly that she had long since become a one-dimensional, mustache-twirling, Wile E. Coyote. But that's not because the writers didn't try, and often. They gave her a sister and protege, both with Down syndrome, a funeral eulogy, a mother, a boyfriend, and multiple reconciliations with other characters. She just seems to be incapable of evoking normal human emotion. The one scene that highlighted this inability most clearly was when she came into the radio station to meet Rod for a big date, and caught him making out with his co-anchor. She should have been furious/humiliated/embarrassed/..., but there was nothing, so they dressed her in a zoot suit to at least get the laugh.

Something analogous happened with Megan Hilty on "Smash", a show that failed for many reasons, but I believe that one of them was that Hilty, as the star, couldn't get enough people to root for her because she couldn't do vulnerability. In one of the last episodes, she is playing Marilyn Monroe in a bedroom with JFK. After one or two failed attempts, in order to display the vulnerability the director of the show-within-the show wants, she suddenly, without prompting, drops her robe and goes full frontal for the audience. One show had to put a costume on Lynch, another show had to completely disrobe Hilty; the ultimate reasons were similar.  

Dorothy Parker famously said of Katharine Hepburn's performance in some play, "She runs the gamut of emotions from A to B." Hepburn was to get much deeper into the alphabet; Jane never has.

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On 2017-05-21 at 7:44 PM, Higgs said:

I first saw Jane Lynch in "40-Year Old Virgin", and her "fuck-buddy" scene with Steve Carell was brilliant. But as I encountered her in various other movies and TV shows and finally Glee, I noticed that while she was world-class in sarcasm/satire/snark/cynicism, and I always laughed, that's all she ever did -- always in the same way, always with the same voice. (...)

Your whole post neatly encapsulates what was the problem with JL and her character on Glee. Her performance was monotonic on just about every level; a one-liner delivery machine is amusing the first few times, but it gets tired very quickly.

An acting strategy which does not allow for the slightest variation in affect can work in the proper context but I don't think it ultimately did in the show, especially since the writers kept recycling her plot points: she was trying to destroy the glee club but no, she was secretly maneuvering for them to become better not only once, but at least twice; she hated Will, but no she was in fact his secret ally wishing for him to achieve more; she despised the kids, but no she repeatedly intervened to bring them together romantically or help them succeed in life; etc.

I watched Taboo recently and over the 8 episodes Tom Hardy (the lead no less) adopts the same approach for playing his character and delivering his lines, always on the same emotional note and in the same tone, but there it mostly worked, most notably because the plot was inventive and twists were varied and because the writing clearly defined the character.

On 2017-05-21 at 10:11 AM, AutisticSpoonie said:

I have a weird comment to make. I've been watching The Good Fight and Criminal Minds and I can't work out whether Jane Lynch is a good actress or not. The Good Fight just felt like Sue Sylvester joined the FBI, she's different in Criminal Minds, but it just feels false, probably doesn't help her Criminal Minds role is disabled mimicry. 

I haven't watched Criminal Minds in a very long time but I remember JL in earlier episodes playing the schizophrenic mother of one of the characters and she was good at it; perhaps her acting style was more appropriate to that type of role. I also remember JL as very droll in the movie Best in Show, but I do not know if her performance would have the same effect on me today.

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I'm surprised that the Broadway runs of Glee actors haven't been mentioned in the most recent posts as to their success: Matt as the lead in Finding Neverland through a financially successful run, Darren as the lead in Hedwig that was successful enough that he also led off the first two touring stops, and Jenna in Waitress. Laura & Samantha did get mentioned, though - I had forgotten about Laura's success!

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(edited)
7 hours ago, TheGourmez said:

I'm surprised that the Broadway runs of Glee actors haven't been mentioned in the most recent posts as to their success: Matt as the lead in Finding Neverland through a financially successful run, Darren as the lead in Hedwig that was successful enough that he also led off the first two touring stops, and Jenna in Waitress. Laura & Samantha did get mentioned, though - I had forgotten about Laura's success!

I recall that some of the Broadway appearances were indeed mentioned on this board, although perhaps not discussed in extenso, either in this thread or in the one dedicated to the specific actor. JU's turn in Waitress may be one exception.

Since the show has been off the air for a while now, perhaps people have gotten used to other sources for getting their news from. For example, no mention yet of CC's new assignment as writer/director for a TV movie from his LOS series, now well into the development phase from what I read.

Edited by Florinaldo
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On 4/22/2017 at 4:41 PM, Florinaldo said:

Considering the wording of my initial transcendental question, I do not think that the answer could be both yes and no. One cannot argue one thing and also its exact opposite, unless we are discussing Schrödinger's cat. Or if one answers an entirely different question, like "are synths used in various forms of music", which seems to have happened here.

 

It depends if the term in question is used as a general descriptor or for a specific category in a specialized classification.

This will fly in Ibiza fo sho.

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Per the Chris Colfer Land of Stories deal:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/chris-colfer-shawn-levy-tackling-land-stories-movie-fox-1013051?utm_source=twitter&utm_source=Direct

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Twentieth Century Fox and Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps are teaming with Chris Colfer to adapt the actor-turned-author’s best-selling fantasy series The Land of Stories for the big screen.


 

 

Kinda cool that a 27 year old is going to write/direct and produce a major studio movie for theatrical release. Wouldn't be surprised if Chris has an acting role in the movie too, he may have an "in".  : )

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With regards to the movie CC has been assigned to at Fox which I reported above, I mentioned that it is still "in development". Which means it could still be delayed or changes could be made, including cancellation. They felt confident enough to make the announcement, which is a good sign, but it would not be the first time a Hollywood production got derailed or go through major changes. CC must be well aware of that considering what happened with Noël, where an impressive leading cast had been announced. Since this one is from a major studio and not an indie production, there may be more certainty to this new project.

As for him being a youthful 27, people have to start at some point and many directors began their careers at an even earlier age; first-time directors are often assigned a technical assistant or an AD who is tasked with providing the technical expertise to help that person realising their vision or design, overall or for the trickier scenes.

 

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This will fly in Ibiza fo sho.

In such an exotic place, probably on the wings of Pegasus or unicorns. (There must be a "narrative" somewhere in there...)

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(edited)
On 6/29/2017 at 4:07 PM, Florinaldo said:

As for him being a youthful 27, people have to start at some point and many directors began their careers at an even earlier age; first-time directors are often assigned a technical assistant or an AD who is tasked with providing the technical expertise to help that person realising their vision or design, overall or for the trickier scenes.

Fuck, I guess some posters just can't handle someone getting a laudatory positive shout out. : )

Once again, I think it kinda cool that a 27 year old is going to write/direct and produce a major studio movie.

 

On another note, when is Jonathan Groff not adorable..?

Edited by caracas1914
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(edited)

That movie sounds like a clever twist on the original play, which has gone through several different adaptations ( I saw one involving only gay male characters, and I understand there have been other variations).

Also, there are two other Glee alums besides JU in this movie, although they appeared in relatively minor roles on the show.

 

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Fuck, I guess some posters just can't handle someone getting a laudatory positive shout out. : )

Strange, I fail to see where the incriminated post (or its predecessor in which I reported this new project for CC) expresses the sentiments described or how one can read into it such a message and intent. I mused about facts regarding how the industry works: some people do start young as directors, while others do not do so until their 30s or 40s. Being assigned technical support is only one common tool available for ensuring that engaging in such a new and challenging career is a success, at whatever age you start; I stated that Fox seem to be confident enough to make the announcement, so of course they will take all of the necessary means to make it successful, whatever the age of the fledgling director. No matter how much of a good news this is, its implementation will have to go through the usual real-world constraints; it is work, and hard work at that, and it will not happen without some effort or through magical thinking. Same for the scriptwriting phase.

By Jove, perhaps some posters can't handle the absence of quarrel and feel the need to make one up artificially.

Edited by Florinaldo
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