Posted on 03/25/2008 5:58:52 AM PDT by silent_jonny
This is more about the studio/stage part
All three of us would agree that even knowing these studios look deceptively large on TV, it was far, far smaller than any of us anticipated. The stage was a good deal smaller, as well. You can’t help but look all around and sort of take everything! A group of students that had been in the “special group” were put right up front and center in “the pit” (the standing area right in front of the stage) as I’m sure they knew they’d get lots of oohing and ahhing and squealing from them with no prompting! Ha!
It’s definitely good camera work that makes the floor area, the distance between the stage and the table for the judges, and even the judge table to the back riser area, as big as they seem. It’s really only a few feet from the stage edge to the table where Paula, Simon, and Randy sit. Then there are about 5 rows for folding chairs, which is where the families, celebrities, and special guests mostly sit. In some ways, those are really NOT great seats unless you’re wanting camera face time. You’ve got the three and their big chairs on the raised platform in front of you, and ALL of the people standing in the pit (with arms and/or signs raised MUCH of the time). Truthfully, I think if you aren’t standing in the pit, it might be preferable to sit on the seats in the riser area so you can see the stage better!
We were on the floor area on Randy’s side of the table, maybe 8 feet away from the table. There were maybe two or three deep of people in front of us, so we were very close to the stage. Basically when you see Ryan in the clip on the floor with a close-up shot and he’s talking about downloading the shows and songs on iTunes (I think it was right before or after KL performed) that was where we were standing.
The stage is neat with the band up high. They have quite a large area up there, plus there are some other smaller areas that one or two can move closer to the stage in or additional people can be added. When David Cook sang there was another guitarist sitting up in one of those closer ‘perches’ up top. It was fun seeing the whole staging/production side of things and just seeing what it’s like compared to how it appears. The whole sliding ‘door’ thing which serves as the screen behind the performers (where the background and clips like the Dolly parts were playing) is where Ryan comes through as it starts, and it’s also used for bringing the piano out onto the stage, etc.
Can you elaborate on this (David Cook)- thanks!
HA! :)
You know when he's cut he's going to cry more than anyone.
;)
:-)
Several of the other women around me were saying it’s a shame he (MJ)is taken! LOL!
Oh, and speaking of guys and their status...with all the Ryan talk about who he’s into, he seemed VERY straight. And he is quite a spaz. His ‘handler’ has her hands full keeping him from getting way into the crowd just chatting with folks and saying hi during commercial breaks. He clearly loves what he does and loves people, and it’s fun seeing him interact with the contestants. He seems especially fond of KL!
Thanks so much for filling us in. It what a cool experience!
For the stage being smaller- IMO, it’s something about TV that makes theaters and arenas look huge. I can’t believe how big the United Center looks on TV compared to in person.
Now we have 8 people who can legitimately win this competition. Should be very interesting from here on in :)
Ugh...I should really proofread! That should read, "What a cool experience!" I don't know how that phantom "it" got in there.
Yes. And now that you mention it, Ramiele didn't look like she was crying all that much. Little drama queen.
Here’s what I said to our “group” doing our game...(I had gone person by person through the performances and our impressions of each contestant pre/post/during performances...they were also out on stage together before and after the ‘show’ part)
He was one of the few the group of us that was there had a complete consensus on impression wise, so that’s the ‘we’. Obviously some of this may be slightly out of context since you haven’t seen my earlier impressions, but it probably gives more of a complete picture to leave it in.
David Cook ~ When he first came out on stage pre-show, we all commented about his hair looking better (although we thought it was lack of product as opposed to a haircut as Paula apparently knew it to be) and the next thing we all noticed was that he had a certain air about him. Don’t get me wrong, we all think he’s a good performer and liked him, to varying degrees, coming in to the whole thing.
But he definitely carries himself in a way that gives the impression of feeling a little ‘too cool for school’ and as if he doesn’t really need this whole thing. That was true especially when the whole group was out there both at the start and the finish, but also during his time up there on stage before and after performing. It’s a good thing he’s been consistently strong, b/c the cockiness I commented on one week early on definitely is more apparent in person, and could really bite him in the butt if he wasn’t as consistent as he’s been.
We also all agreed David was certainly good, but when we discussed it all again several hours later, several comments were made that he was actually forgettable and we could remember fewer details about his performance and largely remembered his whole attitude.
ROFL!!!
Just catching up and you made LOL!
And I predict this freepathon will last until May :)
I didn't know what this was and I was too afraid to ask :)
It was VERY, VERY cool!
And it definitely is the TV perspective...it was SO odd even knowing that in advance that it’s really not that big (I think it’s 300 people max) and then seeing it, how surreal it seems...THEN going back home (two of us lived about 2.5 hours away from the taping, and one was about midway between, so we picked her up on the way) to the home of the midway person and her husband, we all sat and watched the show together. That was really the perfect way to do it so we could have the ‘full experience’ together!
Anyway, even knowing it in advance, then seeing it, it was STILL amazing how huge they manage to make it look, even having been there just hours earlier you think holy cow, that room isn’t THAT high to get that angle...the way they can zoom out is incredible. LOL. That’s why they get paid to do it, I suppose! Ha!
I HIGHLY recommend to anyone in the SoCal area that’s an Idol fan that you sign up for the tickets and go. It is SO worth the experience...especially if you go with other folks who follow it...just makes it even richer.
Unbeknownst to one of the people I brought with (prior to yesterday) she’s got a great connection, and so while we’re on the waiting list again (I signed back up after last night and they both did, as well) for tickets, the odds are good we’ll get to go again sooner thanks to this person...and I’ll leave it at that for now...but if it works how it sounds like it’s going to, the next time I should have some REAL interesting insight!
But really...going at all is great! This was an especially great point in the season to go (though we had no choice over the timing), where you feel like you know the folks, but there are also enough weeks left to really get to enjoy that you feel like you’ve got some new insight into the contestants and that you sort of know them a bit more. Plus, it really makes it easier to be genuinely happy for whomever ends up winning, as they are just more real to you after seeing them in this setting.
I have a lovely set of those, identical to the picture in fact. I use them to bake dessert souffles in, they are the perfect size. Can also be used to bake individual cobblers, puddings, cheesecakes, etc. Very pretty to serve in, too.
And if anyone wants to know how to sign up (and is in the general area) let me know and I’ll give you the link.
And if anyone does go and wants tips when you do go, I have that all laid out, as well. It definitely has me planning very differently for next time having gone this time! And I’d been to another reality show taping before so I did have some general idea.
Definitely a fun day...and I really needed it, so I feel especially blessed at the timing!
Ummm....let's tap the brake here.
Maybe 5. Jason, Kristi Lee, and Carly should be on cruise ships.
Thanks for the insight. What an awesome opportunity to go to the show!!
I think that there have been quite a few people who feel similiarly about David C. He definitely has shown signs of confidence which at times have bordered on smugness (as Simon accused him). Last night he seemed less so but I know he was sick.
I’ve enjoyed reading about your experience!
Thanks for the recap of Dolly’s song tonight - missed it but saw her conversing with Seacrest.
Dolly - what an absolute treasure.....
One of THE greatest country music talents of all....
But - Jesus and Gravity? I love Jesus - like Dolly does. But what was that song about?
Glad you enjoyed it :-) For once I had something to contribute here! Ha! (That’s where west coast usually is NOT an advantage! Hee, hee!)
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