I'm always looking for ideas on how to make a film/classical concert more engaging and turned more into a show than a series of pieces of film pieces? I'm looking at ways of developing a concert into more of a show where the audience is entertained visually aswell as through the fabulous music of film. We're currently introducing video projection with this coming season of concerts and of course there's the option of dancers for the future. Any other suggestions? As a composer/musical director I'm not familiar with any theatrical staging options. Thanks.
Anything Goes : Ways to make a film musical concert engaging by Phil Mountford
Ways to make a film musical concert engaging
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Many thanks Lantie for your reply. Since I posted this question, my ensemble, Fordante, has performed using projection of both stills and moving images. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive so it's something I will continue to develop. I just wonder what other avenues there are still to explore as I don't have experience developing stage shows? Do you have any photos/videos of the Empire State Sinfonia using media and/or none musical artists?
Have you seen Spike Lee's filming of "Passing Strange?" Highly recommended.
No, but I will now, thanks.
But why? Part of the reason I go to a concert is to immerse myself in the music. I don't particularly wish to be visually engaged by the principle violinist's embonpointage, delightful though it may be. I'm not the slightest bit interested in the conductor's mad hair, the double-bassist's double chin or the crazed dashing about of the percussionist going from kettle-drum to snare in the space of a gnat's crotchet. And the dancing girls, divine though they undoubtedly are, are nonetheless superfluous. If I want all that extra stuff, if I want the music to be an element of the experience rather than the experience itself (in the cases where this is needed, perhaps the music is mediocre at best that it needs so shoring up), then I'll go to a show, a musical, an opera. If the music is stand-alone, it is meant to be enjoyed as is, and for the audience to be allowed the freedom to imagine the message portrayed by that music. Once you start adding visual elements, you are depriving them of that freedom. For some the price may be worth paying, but then you should allow them to choose between going to a purely auditory concert and a bells-and-whistles-and-pyrotechnics show.
I used to oversee the Roy Orbison estate. This is something we wanted to do with Roy's classic songs and integrate film footage or artwork, something extra to just listening to a concert. I hope you find the magic answer. I haven't seen it, but I know the Elvis estate had a traveling show with footage and his previous band who performed live. Might be some elements worth seeing in it. That was another idea we looked into for Roy's Black & White Night show.
The music we perform is either from film soundtracks or what I compose, which is also very 'filmic' in it's nature. Some of our music therefore I feel lends itself quite well to being accompanied by visuals. However, I'm learning from experience (and from audience feedback) that there is a fine line between creating a distraction and an enhancement. I do understand Andrew's view though that some listeners want to use their own imagination (which is why I've noticed people listening with their eyes shut in the past) so I guess we're not going to please everyone. However, equally when we're performing our own music, for example a piece called 'The Boy From The Ghetto', to an audience for the first time, there's something very powerful about including fading photos from the second world war of a Jewish boy growing up in the Krakow Ghettos just to help with the story telling. As a composer it's proving to be a very interesting concept to create and assemble video to work with the music. I'm used to working the other way around - that is creating music to enhance the film, being concious not to over power it. So currently I think the magic answer, atleast for the music we perform and with our audience, is to use a mix of photos, static imagery, video and lighting to compliment the music paying attention not to overshadow the real reason everyone is there, to listen to some beautiful music. Having said that, the great thing about having these 7+ shows in the next 6 months is that the show can continue to evolve, develop and hopefully improve the concert even more. As ever, though, I'm always interested to hear ideas and suggestions...
Just uploaded some photos using video projection (see my photos) of my group, Fordante, in concert.
Hi Phil, Your concept is interesting and a little research on locating DJ Spooky might yield an interested collaborator for you.
Hi AMPI, Thanks for the heads up - DJ Spooky looks like a very interesting and clever artist.
Talking of using video projection within a (crossover) classical concert, here's a video of my ensemble on stage at a recent concert. Audience feedback was great so it's definately the way I'm going to go for now... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q98x1E6QQc