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red_satin_doll
"You're standing at the mouth of Hell. And it's about to open up." *
***
"I'm beyond tired. I'm beyond scared.
I'm standing on the mouth of Hell and it's going to swallow me whole. And it'll choke on me." **
* Joss Whedon
** Marti Noxon & Douglas Petrie
** Marti Noxon & Douglas Petrie
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Date: 2013-04-27 02:11 am (UTC)Me: "I don't know."
Which is to say, no apologies for "butting in", that's what we're all here for! And THANK you for jogging my memory, hon! It's weird that I couldn't remember that it was your journal that conversation was on, but I could remember the color of the page.
I can imagine being annoyed, if you're putting in all that work, singing and dancing. At least Michelle asked if she could mostly dance rather than sing - wise choice in her case - and she was able to contribute her own talents in a way that fit the episode and she could still be comfortable with it. but dancing - choreographed dancing - takes a LOT of work, and some of those moves with the puppets esp and being "flung about" require very precise timing. So kudos to her.
While we're on the subject - I always wondered in the scene where Buffy dances in front of Sweet (until she nearly burns to death) if that's all Sarah or another dancer in her place near the end (where's she's whirling madly and so fast you can barely see her face) as when they use a stunt double for a fight scene? I think it's all her?
no subject
Date: 2013-04-27 10:45 am (UTC)And I'm pretty sure I read that Sarah did all of her own dancing, although they may have brought a double in for stunt type stuff I suppose
And yeah with Alyson I just always felt like she could have done something more than just stand around all episode and sing like two lines of a song, it wasn't like Nicky had any experience with dancing or singing either but he still threw himself into it so I don't see why Alyson couldn't learn the choreography for ONE dance at least, even if just as Buffy's back-up dancer. But all we ever heard was that she didn't want to sing, no idea why she didn't take part in the dancing
no subject
Date: 2013-04-28 01:10 am (UTC)I'm from Michigan so unfortunately I don't have that excuse, it's just me!
Do you remember the scene from "A Fish Called Wanda" where John Cleese explains to Jaime Lee Curtis that the English are so terrified of being embarrassed or saying something that might be awkward etc (I'm paraphrasing, quite badly); he was saying that was an English trait but I identified with it a lot at the time. I think I'm getting bolder in person interactions as I get older, but not by much. And I can go the opposite extreme, saying something very appropriate or coming off wrong without realizing it. Finding a balance point is - a challenge.
Out of curiosity - do you live in the UK? I'd know this is I looked at your profile, wouldn't I?
it wasn't like Nicky had any experience with dancing or singing either but he still threw himself into it
IKR? And Emma was obviously a very good singer (her number in Selfless and then the sudden edit to Anya with a sword in her chest had me in tears), so she and NB could have come off as very unbalanced etc in their number together but - I don't know, it just works. Somehow they "meet in the middle" and it feels like they're having fun with it.
I think Barb was the one who commented/implied on your LJ that Aly was Joss' special snowflake basically, but I could be wrong about that. It's the only way I can see getting out of a substantial contribution to an episode where everyone else is working their asses off esp when they're not comfortable singing or dancing to begin with. I didn't know any of the backstage stuff when I watched the ep last year but I remember thinking it was strange at the time, esp given that the episode was about secrets being revealed and Willow had a HUGE secret. I can fanwank it, but still...
But all we ever heard was that she didn't want to sing, no idea why she didn't take part in the dancing
Reading this I had to giggle because it made me remember her scenes in Nightmares and Restless, being terrified of being onstage. I know Joss has incorporated parts of his actors' personalities into the writing of the characters, so this seems a good example - and something of a semi-private joke.
no subject
Date: 2013-04-28 10:16 am (UTC)And I definitely get the vibe that Aly is Joss's favourite, it was a bit much for him to gush over her having the hardest job of all when Amber is singing in a higher range than normal (something she has admitted struggling with and finding very hard) as well as getting the dance movies right, and literally all Alyson is doing is standing there and doesn't even have to join Amber in dancing a bit which seemed odd at the time. Yet there is Joss on the commentary gushing about how the hardest job is being the one who has to react to the other actress. Umm isn't that something that an actress is used to doing very day?? I wouldn't have thought it would have been that taxing! I'm not saying she didn't do a decent job but all she basically had to do was smile and look wowed by Tara
no subject
Date: 2013-04-30 05:41 pm (UTC)I'm not sure - lack of confidence? Because I can get really easily cowed or uncertain of myself (and I don't have the excuse that I'm an Englishwoman) in the face of strong opinions, although I have very strong opinions myself. Or maybe not so much strong opinions so much as a certain tone, if you know what I mean, or a style of expression that allows for no further discussion? I know I'm guilty of the same but then I'll back off in a hurry. And I'm a failure when it comes to things like parties or large gatherings; I stay quiet and am really a wallflower unless I have a "role" to play - giving a presentation or speech, whether for work, impromptu, in a theatrical production etc. I need that mask or I don't know what to say.
Umm isn't that something that an actress is used to doing very day?? I wouldn't have thought it would have been that taxing! I'm not saying she didn't do a decent job but all she basically had to do was smile and look wowed by Tara
Well yes that IS her job and she's been doing it for years, hasn't she? And she reacts to Buffy's reveal beautifully (I love her snarl at Sweet, "Get out") but - again nothing new. Joss' comments certainly come off as insulting. Did he say this on a recorded audio commentary or interview btw or just in print? (I'm actually trying to give Joss the benefit of the doubt? Alert the media). Because so much of what comes out of that man's mouth seems to be sarcastic or at least partially tongue-in-cheek but can be read either way or seems "straight" in print; text doesn't communicate tone. (Even with *ahem* the comics.) Is it possible there was some joking intention there, poking a bit of fun at Aly? I'm assuming others here have heard his comments (if recorded) and can enlighten me on that.