As a huge fan of Les Miz (it was the show that Kacy and I went to see on our first date) I was already excited about the movie. After seeing the footage, I absolutely cannot wait to see it in a theater. And if you know me, I'm not usually a big fan of watching movies in a theater. (Who wants to pay $200 for tickets, stale popcorn and a shot glass size of soda?)
Yet even with this big name cast, the biggest thrill for me is how the movie was filmed and what makes it uniquely different from previous movie musicals.
This approach has not generally been done in movie musicals. The process usually involves the actors recording their vocals in a studio and then lip-syncing to the pre-recorded tracks during filming. With Hooper's decision to record everything live, the audience is watching the scene as the actor portrayed it when it was filmed. I think this creates a powerful sense of authenticity for both the actors and the audience.
What I love about this whole thing is that the creative team had a vision for what the movie should be. They were not going to let how "things have always been done" to get in the way of their creating the version of Les Miserables that they felt needed to be made.
Obviously we'll have to see what the end results are, but so far things look pretty good.
Now if having a vision, figuring out how to carry it out, and then just doing it can make a movie a blockbuster, just think what it can do for your life as well!
Are you excited for the movie?
And more importantly, are you excited about being the director and star of your life?