assorted digital AWESOMENESS
bea atienza, digital strategic planner, tv geek, theater fanatic, wanderlustr
Posts
This movie was so awesome that even my mom, who rarely comes with us to the movie house, saw it twice.
What I thought was pretty remarkable was how the story was so well-paced even if there are so many main characters to keep track of, the entire Avenger team of Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Thor, Black Widow and Hawkeye, plus Nick Fury, Phil and bad guy Loki.
In other ensemble films with so many backstories to establish (Valentine's Day, anyone?) character development usually suffers. But Avengers pulled it off without a hitch and the film was able to focus on the task at hand - a story of different super-personalities coming together to form a team.
This was executed flawlessly through good screenwriting in this film, but more importantly through careful content planning that was several years in the making.
Iron Man (2008) was the first Marvel film in this set (I mean those with characters that they included in this Avengers movie), with Nick Fury making a cameo at the end to ask Iron Man to consider "The Avengers Initiative".
Shortly after the release of Iron Man 2 in 2012 producers announced the entire Avengers cast, but it took two years to release the first film installment.
During that time producers were busy establishing the other team members - Black Widow had already made her debut in Iron Man 2, and in 2011 Captain America and Thor (along with Hawkeye) were launched in their own films. That left only Hulk to be introduced in Avengers, and the end-result was an awesome ensemble film.
Even if it isn't exactly the same as branding, there are good principles we can draw from this in terms of Content Planning: Some stories are best told from different points of view. It's ok to spread content in a non-linear fashion, and over different executions - and content can be crafted so that viewers enjoy even the "setup" bits.
Mostly, this shows how much it helps to have the end in mind - what story ultimately needs to be told and what is the best way to get there. To give us a clue how far ahead producers are planning, Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury contract is for nine films (not counting the first Iron Man), which means we've got five more to go!
Yesterday was a great day.
I've sort of fallen in brand love. That is, I handle a brand that I've come to really care for. It is an old brand that has started to feel a little clunky and truth be told, it has fallen on tough times. It is still a moneymaker for now, but little cracks are starting to show. They aren't so obvious yet, but if my loved brand doesn't think carefully about space, position and identity, the cracks will become holes and end up a leaking bucket.
I've had a gut feel for awhile about where I think this brand needs to go, what it needs to stand for to close the tiny cracks. People love this brand, I think, because of what it has meant to them over the years, not because of a clear identity that has been built over the years. But this brand still has equity and gravitas. And I've had a feeling that we could think this through for them and help its brand managers rediscover its potential.
As a digital "specialist" agency, however, we don't often get to present total brand points-of-view. Our job is usually amplification of executions that an ATL agency has already done. To be honest we don't often agree with their approach, but it has been slow going gaining credibility to show that we can think brand, too, and that we think differently. But digital planners need to be as proficient as traditional agency planners at brand-level matters, because brands come to life on digital, 24/7, in-depth, on-demand. Whether we ask them to or not, consumers become co-brand managers who comment, create and project brand identity. And brands that don't have a strong sense of self could end up getting lost.
Yesterday we finally got our shot to share a piece of our dream for this brand, a starting point to where we could take it. We delivered a think piece that was little over the ask, but our client bought in to it and reflected on the critical questions we raised. In the end they thanked us for one of the best takes and understandings of the brand that they'd ever heard.
I was so happy, proud and felt so validated to have gotten to share something that I think will really help this beloved brand. We'll have to wait and see where this piece of thinking brings our agency but yesterday was a good day, that reminded me of the important role planners play in the communication process.
We are engineers of space in mind, of vision and brand dreams, of relevance and clarity. We are architects of identity, principles, value and personality. We are designers of form and action. In terms of discipline nobody else can or cares to do what we do. And I love that I love to do this.
Yesterday was a great day.
This may never happen again.
As children my cousins and I built castles, houses and fortresses out of couch cushions. We played make-believe games like Office-Office, House-House and Doctor-Doctor (or a variation, Nurse-Nurse). We would put together props - secretary stations for Office, clean-up kits for House, doctor bags (complete with fake syringes) for Doctor/Nurse. I even put homemade library cards on our books when we wanted to play Library-Library. And it was always more fun to play the subordinate part - the maid instead of the house owner or the secretary instead of the boss, because you got to play with the tools. And whomever was the guest got to choose their part first, because that is what we were taught it meant to be a good host.
We used to spend hours playing board games. Each of our houses had, besides the usual Barbies, Cabbage Patch Kids and My Little Ponies, entire closets of board games. My family was especially into educational board games; some of our favorites were By Jove and Wildlife Adventure.
Even more popular than games at our house were books. My siblings and I grew up with the children's classics - Green Eggs & Ham, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, Stone Soup, Tikki Tikki Tembo, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Harold and the Purple Crayon, Goodnight Moon, and so many more. We eventually moved up to bigger-kid books, like The Berenstein Bears, then Cam Jansen and Nate the Great. We soon reached Nancy Drew and The Three Investigators. All hard copies.
We watched TV of course, but mom limited our viewing hours by putting our only set in their room. Episodes of our favorite TV shows like Jem and the Holograms were limited, so channels replayed season after season and we were happy to watch them over and over.
Movies were only available as rentals from our neighborhood shop. I remember running my finger up and down wooden shelves with slots perfectly sized for Betamax tapes, later resized for VHS tapes. Eventually the shelves turned into racks for huge laserdiscs slotted into cardboard covers housed in Yves Vincent-branded plastic wrappers. I still remember the smell and sound of plastic hitting plastic that the laserdiscs would make as we browsed through the available titles. It would be so hard to choose which one (or two, if dad was feeling generous) cartoon or movie we were going to take home. And because we had only a few discs at a time we would often watch Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, The King & I, The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Singin' in the Rain, Land Before Time, Back to the Future, Star Wars and Indiana Jones again and again, memorizing songs and dialogue.
The music I grew up listening to came on cassette tapes before we had CDs - Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Broadway musicals and Disney soundtracks. Dad would warn us not to fast-forward or rewind too much or else risk damaging the tape. But I learned how to compile my favorite tracks into blank cassettes, to avoid having to FF through individual albums.
Photos were taken in batches of 24 or 36, and we would watch how many pictures we were taking because we might run out of film. On family vacations abroad we made sure to pack extra rolls, but with my friends I was limited to my parents' extras. It took 3 days then eventually a few hours to get photos developed, and friends and relatives made copies via negatives.
I remember getting our first computer. I learned to type on a DOS-powered word processor (no selection, just arrow keys and backspace). Our very first game was Dig Dug. My mom sent me to computer classes during the summers that made me feel so advanced when we started using PCs in school. We saved our work on big floppy diskettes that we kept in boxes in our den. I remember when 3.5" discs came out, that I carried in individual hard, clear plastic cases in my uniform pocket, impressed by the 1.4MB capacity. In high school we hooked up to the web, with a connection that we had to reserve among family members because it used one of our phone lines. Around that time mIRC then ICQ became popular, which is when I learned to Alt-Tab because I wasn't allowed to chat. I remember the first batch of cellphones, all Nokia 5110s with LCD displays and the first phone game Snake, and the 3210 I got for my high school graduation.
By the time I was in college Internet research was a basic tool and laptops quickly became popular among students. Digital cameras were all the rage and soon mp3 players were must-haves.
Today I carry an four screens with me everywhere - work phone, personal phone, iPod, iPad. When I travel I also bring my Kindle and a camera, which adds two screens to the running total. Whether at home or at work I'm usually in front of a laptop. The members of our family all watch digital TV episodes and even my dad is slowly digitizing his CD collection. My brother is s gamer and my six-year-old niece is an iPad addict.
Our generation is in a unique position. We were born into an analog time, but the emergence of digital technology is woven into our adolescent and teenage years. While our parents and grandparents will always feel a level of discomfort with digital technology, and our children will feel completely at home with multiple screens and a barrage of content, we are the only group to straddle both worlds. We remember one but still stand a chance of feeling completely at home in the next.
We will be the last group who will appreciate the capabilities of technology vis-a-vis our analog experience - gigabytes of space versus the 1.4 MBs we were once afforded, wireless access over dial-up, app libraries instead of the one Snake game. But for the children and teens of today and tomorrow, these new paradigms will be basic expectations - screens everywhere, being always-on, information in real-time and at our fingertips.
Thinking...
Planners are designers. What design thinking?
Digital planners are information designers. Wayfinding thinking?
Digital thinking and actions are leaving the digital space.
Processing in time.
Part of the promise of digital technology is access to unforetold levels of data that can be used to make everything we do more efficient. Even sleep?
I don't think I have sleeping problems; that is, I don't usually wake up tired or feeling like I haven't gotten any shut-eye. But guess I can't be completely sure that I'm getting highest quality of sleep available. Today, just as easily as we can count our daily number of steps or take our blood pressure, we can gain access to information about our quality of sleep.
The Zeo Sleep Coach will monitor sleeping patterns so that we can find out how much quality sleep we've gotten - how much light sleep, deep sleep and REM. The coach asks questions about the number of hours slept, amounts of caffeine or tobacco consumed and other factors to give pointers on how to improve quality of sleep.
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Zeo seems to be doing for Sleep what Nike+ did for running, or Fiat EcoDrive did for fuel efficiency - a platform solution that gives us more information about daily activities to help us do them more effectively.
If given the opportunity (and an extra $200), I would try the Zeo out. It is a concrete solution to the promise of "The Quantified Self", the idea that knowing more about the everyday things we do can help us do them better.
But thinking about this seems to open up many questions. Do I want to sleep with a band on my head for the rest of my life? What if I want to sleep face down? What if Zeo tells me that what I thought was pretty good quality sleep is actually terrible quality - won't I feel too pressured to sleep properly? Or worse, what if all the changes I make don't end up giving me better quality of sleep? Does this end up a waste of money?
The Quantified Self concept itself raises questions. If we really want to quantify everything we do, who is going to do the counting? Will there be one master device to measure everything, or will it be a 1:1 thing - a measurement device each for sleeping, eating, sitting, standing, driving, typing, breathing, etc? In any case, who will process all of this data so that we can maximize it? Will a time arrive when there are no more uninformed decisions, when step, bite, snore or breath can be optimized?
It will be interesting to see how the promise of self-knowledge unfolds in actionable, concrete, operationable ways. And until we find a real solution, perhaps ignorance is bliss.
As far as consumer experience goes, brands with brick & mortar establishments have a huge advantage. Shaping a consumer experience is much easier when a brand has an entire space can do the talking: Jamba Juice is about easygoing health, Nespresso for serious coffee drinkers. Benefit is a fun make-up brand, Mac more glam. Besides marketing and packaging, a storefront is a way to immediately tell consumers what to expect from a brand. Is it homey and inviting? Minimalist and serious? Or is it for specialists?
When it comes to RTD beverages or drugstore cosmetics, all the branding happens on the packaging. Advertising sets the mood, but when touchpoints are across disparate spaces, it is more difficult to give consumers a feel of the experience we want attached to the brand. POS might help but these materials are dedicated more to functional messaging that seems to take precedence. Advertising may not hit everyone, and when there is only thirty seconds or 60-by-40 feet to tell a story, it is difficult to set the mood.
So especially for FMCG's who lack a physical place to spell out their brand feel and values, social media can play this role.
This was a crazy year.
As always, a learning year.
So much happened that it has been difficult to process as they happen.
But, good stuff.
We got lots of great ideas approved. And got clients to learn that good stuff takes quite some time to figure out, think up and produce. We brought one client into digital listening. One of my strategy ideas was featured at the Ad Congress. Even if I wasn't directly involved, I was proud to watch several of our works go viral. One of our fanpages hit a million fans.
This was an epic year, better than I've had in the six years I've been doing digital.
The work is not, is never, done. There is so much more to do, always so much more to learn. But a few things that became clear to me this year, that helped me navigate the crazy space that is digital:
Never think you've figured it out, but never stop trying to understand what is going on. Digital work is team work, and the best work that gets produced is by the people you work closest and most honestly with. Learn the old school to make sense of the new. Try everything with a mind set to Play. Bring new people into the fold but their real learning will be by doing. Always ask Why, Why Not, Who Cares, What Now. Tell people what to do. Try to see the bigger picture. Remember that nobody has figured it out, that we are writing the rules together, and/but while nobody has figured it out rules are meant to be broken.
With this in mind, and a new agenda for 2012, the new year sounds quite exciting.
Not that you can plan for every reaction, but the idea of direction, action, reaction. The dynamic flow of information.
I often wonder how I got here. Planning was a detour within advertising, one I never even thought of pursuing. When I took advertising in college talked mostly about Accounts and Creatives. Planning was never really discussed, and if it was it didn't make an impact on me.
I was assigned to a big project with working our head of Planning during my first month in advertising. During a cab rides back from a client's office, he told me he thought I had a "planning brain" and asked if I'd ever considered working in that group. The honest answer was no.
I was strictly on the digital path and nothing was going to derail me, certainly not a group called "Strategic Planning" that wasn't on my radar. I wonder what would have happened if I'd known what he was talking about and/or if I'd taken him seriously. That was almost five years ago. And now I'm here. How do things happen?
HEINEKEN LIGHT STRATEGY: “Rather than settling for constantly mediocre instances and routines, the campaign celebrates consumers and their 'occasionally perfect' experiences. While every occasion is not right for Heineken Light, the beer is a perfect fit for those situations that call for something a little more unique, special and upscale.” (via)
ADVERTISING
EXPERIENCE
Getting people to experience what we want our brands to stand for is most meaningful in the real world. But because of digital media we can now share activations and real-world goodness the whole world over.
Tadd Gadduang, who I follow and tweet regularly at @D8Tadd, is one of the top four finalists on So You Think You Can Dance (in case you aren't so familiar, here's my quick intro ). And he's Filipino!
He is awesome! On a show that gets dancers to stay fabulous even outside their comfort zones, he has somehow conquered almost every style thrown at him. Even if he is a B-boy (breaker), he is able to do so many styles brilliantly.
Similar to what I wrote for also-awesome-Pinoy Marko (yes the top two guys in the SYTYCD finale are Filipino!), I believe that it is only a matter of time before some brand brings this guy over as an endorser and I will be damned if it is not the agency I work for because I want to meet him! So people at that collaborative place were I work, please listen up.
See him in action & why he's awesome:
Tadd's Broadway by Spencer Liff
(with Melanie)
Tadd's Contepmorary by Travis Wall
(with Jordan)
Tadd's Hip-Hop by Nappytabs
(with Jordan)
Tadd's Contemporaryby Sonya Tayeh
(with Ellenore, who is also part Pinoy!)
Tadd's Viennese Waltzby Jean-Marc Genereux
(with Ellenore, who is also part Pinoy!)
Also, there's a forum dedicated to his abs ("The Official Keep Your Shirt Off, Tadd Fanclub"). Yes, he can dance, he's super cute and he's cut to death. He also loves the Philippines - at every elimination episode, Tadd has worn a Filipino shirt :)
Yes? Come on! He's cute, he's an awesome & passionate dancer and he's so genuine! TADD FOR BRAND AMBASSADOR!
(In case anybody from outside my agency reads this and brings him over, PLEASE Twitter me and let me meet him!!!!)
Anyone who follows me on Twitter will likely have seen my messages to @D8Marko. That is Marko Germar - a pure Pinoy who is vying for the top spot on reality show So You Think You Can Dance (in case you aren't so familiar, here's my quick intro).
Marko has been a frontrunner from the beginning. He and partner Melanie started the season with a Travis Wall contemporary routine. The judges gave the pair a standing ovation and the rest was history!
As much as I love this show, I usually save SYTYCD posts for my non-digital personal blog on Tumblr. But now I have a marketing-related issue so I'm only too happy to have an excuse to post something Marko- or SYTYCD-related on this blog!
I believe that it is only a matter of time before some brand brings this guy over as an endorser and I will be damned if it is not the agency I work for because I want to meet him! So people at that collaborative place were I work, please listen up.
See why he's awesome:
Marko's HipHop by Nappytabs
(with Melanie)
MY FAVORITE!
Marko's Jazz by Sonya Tayeh
(with Caitlynn)
Marko's Contemporary by Sonya Tayeh
(with Allison)
Not my favorite but his mom is so cute! And he made Gaga cry!
Marko's Samba by Jason Gilkison
(with Chelsie)
Marko's Contemporary by Travis Wall
(with Melanie)
Their first routine. The judges gave them a standing ovation!
Marko's Jazz by Ray Lapatan
(with Melanie)
Marko's Contemporary by Dee Caspary
(with Melanie)
My second favorite routine :)
Yes? Come on! He's cute, he's an awesome & passionate dancer and he's so genuine! And guess what - he couldn't afford to take dance classes all the time so he found videos on YouTube and learned off the internet! MARKO GERMAR FOR BRAND AMBASSADOR!
(In case anybody from outside my agency reads this and brings him over, PLEASE Twitter me and let me meet him!!!!)
So You Think You Can Dance is one of my favorite shows. Even if I have zero dance background (not counting my ballet classes as a kid), I love this show. Every (U.S.) summer, I rush home every Thursday night to watch the latest episode. I avoid Twitter on Friday mornings so that I won't see who was eliminated. I LOVE THIS SHOW.
For those of you who haven't had the immense pleasure yet of watching the show, So You Think You Can Dance, it is a reality show on the Fox network, sister to much more popular reality competition American Idol. While AI has infinitely more viewers and fans, SYTYCD is a far better show. The contestants train for years (whether in formal classes or hmm... on the streets? like if you're a hip-hop dancer?) and by the time they get on the show they are experts at their own style - contemporary, jazz, ballroom, Latin, Broadway, etc. The challenge every week is to be able to master a range of styles outside of their own. Contemporary dancers are asked to do hip-hop, hip-hop dancers are asked to do ballroom, and they all get weird styles like African jazz or Bollywood, and the point is to shine no matter what style.
The season starts with auditions all over the U.S. where dancers who make the cut get a ticket to Vegas. The judges have to feel that dancers are (a) awesome at their own style, and (b) have enough talent to possibly be awesome at other styles as well. The dancers all get flown to Vegas where they are tested in all the main styles (usually hip-hop, ballroom, Broadway and contemporary). The judges cut after each round and sometimes dancers are asked to "dance for your life" - when they've done badly at a certain style the judges are allowed to ask them to dance a solo in their own style to remind the judges of their potential and why they're still being considered. It's brutal!
The judges choose a Top 20 - ten boys and ten girls who are all partnered up. Partnership is key on the show - they always compete in pairs. The show has played with a lot of formulas regarding how people get mixed and matched but here's what usually happens: guys and girls get paired up and stick with their partners for the first five rounds. The remaining Top 10 are all switched around after that randomly with each other. SYTYCD tried one season (7) where they only got ten dancers at the start and they were randomly paired up with an "All-Star", a contestant from a previous season (who I'm assuming has done well enough commercially to be called an All-Star). This season partners stay together for the first five weeks, then get switched around with All-Stars and each other after they make the Top 10.
There are two mainstay judges: the usually awesome Nigel Lythgoe (who is also the executive producer), who is also executive producer of AI and the fabulously loud Mary Murphy. Nigel used to do ballroom and tap, Mary is a ballroom vet. They usually get one or two choreographers to judge as guests but this year they've done away with choreographers-as-guests and have started inviting actors and directors instead who have a dance background or who love the show.
Choreographers play a key role on the show, as they engineer all of the dance numbers. It seems like Nigel gives them free range to do whatever they want, which can end up a good or bad thing. But the show has a set of mainstay choreographers - Napoleon & Tabitha for hip-hop, Mia Michaels, Stacey Tookey & (former contestant!) Travis Wall for contemporary, Sonya Tayeh for jazz, etc. They add to the range of personalities on the show and long-time viewers have gotten to know the choreographers through their work across the seasons. (Nappytabs remains my favorite!)
At the end of the season, America votes and the show crowns the winner as "America's favorite dancer". I've been watching the show since Season 4 (when I spent a summer with my tita and cousins in LA who love the show, we're now on Season 8), and the technically best dancers rarely win. Season 4 - I think that contemporary dancer Katee was the best but hip-hop guys Twitch and Joshua made the Top 2, with Joshua as the winner. Season 5 - Brandon was certainly better but America chose Jeanine (both contemporary). Season 6 - contemporary dancer Jakob was insanely amazing but krumper Russell won. In earlier seasons Nigel seemed to be proud that America voted for their favorite, or the dancers with the most personality. But in more recent seasons he seems to have gotten very unhappy about the technically best dancers not winning and sometimes getting eliminated way before the finale.
But why did I write this lengthy piece? I have a hidden (or not-so-hidden?) agenda.
TV shows use hastags to organize real-time word-of-mouth about new shows and new seasons.
Suits, a brilliant new legal show on the USA network, leads viewers to Twitter with a question + hashtag. In an episode where junior associate Mike decides to keep something from boss Harvey, the show asks "Have you ever lied to your boss?" and indicates #suits as the hashtag.
Project Runway, back for its ninth season, is inviting viewers to vote for their favorite contestants using hashtags. At the end of the season the show will award a Fan Favorite based on Twitter hashtag votes.
Hashtags can be pretty messy - I'm certainly guilty of making up my own hashtags even if I don't know (or care) if anyone else is using them. But mainstream media is one way to provide the common keyword that consolidates and unites conversastion on Twitter.
I was an ad agency intern in 2004. Back when I thought I wanted to be a designer. Before I had a stint in PR, an affair with account management, a brush with digital. When advertising meant TV+Radio+Print and the last stop on the project checklist was signing FA off or sending tapes to the stations. When I thought agencies were made up of Suits and Creatives (no concept of planning). When, as I would leave at 5 pm, creatives would tell me the day was just beginning. When advertising seemed like the ultimate playground.
Some things will never be the same. Some things will never change.
When I was a very impressionable intern, a very kind art director lent me a book that someone else had given him when he was thinking of getting into advertising.
I love transit maps! I get extremely excited when I see a well-designed information graphic, and transit maps are at the top of my list because of their crazy utility. It can't be easy to design just one image that effectively communicates so much inter-related information at the same time - where each train goes, what routes are available to get somewhere, how near each station is to where you're going, where you can get on or off, whether or not each line runs all day.
As a blueprint for how people navigate through a city, a transit map also says something about that city's identity. When I travel to a new place, a well-designed transit map tells me whether or not the local government cares enough about its commuters to give structure to this crucial daily activity. This of course assumes that transportation systems work at all and were strategized properly so that they can now be communicated in an efficient way that allows even new users can easily get on board.
My favorite transit map is of New York, because it is New York's! But I like this map especially because it anchors the different transit points or subway stations over the actual city map so you know where each stop is, in relation to the whole city.
Then you can immediately tell things like how near or far each station is from the another. What options you have in terms of subway lines if you want to go to, say Midtown East or the Upper West Side.
Other maps like London's, Beijing's and I think even Tokyo's, are cleaner in terms of design. But because but elements are not anchored on an actual map you'd have to look at another (actual map) to figure out where you are once you leave the station.
I've never seen a map for Metro Manila that would really be useful to commuters or drivers but last week the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) launched the Philippines' first digital transit map. The Traffic Navigator helps citizens easily get traffic readings from key points all over the city.
THIS IS AWESOME.
I love that a government unit in the Philippines is using digital as a platform to make services and utilities! MMDA started off with a very helpful Twitter account that consolidates traffic updates. Now they've taken it a step further.
How it works. The site maps five "Lines" - EDSA, Quezon Ave., Espana, C5, Roxas Blvd and SLEX. These main roads are broken up into the areas that each road hits. The icon for each area indicates the level of traffic going Northbound or Southbound. Red for heavy, Yellow for moderate and Green for light. At a glance, users can tell the state of traffic at a specific place or all over the Metro.
Design. Clean, clear and easy to understand. Very pretty!
Beta. When they get to the site, users are immediately alerted that this service is still on beta and not yet updated 24/7. (Content is only updated between 10am and 6pm.) But to inform the MMDA of any suggestions or bugs, users are invited to e-mail mmdatrafficnavigator@interaksyon.com.
Learning Opportunity. I would love to find out who came up with this, who designed it and the kind of content management strategy they're putting in effect to make sure updates are done regularly and accurately. I also wonder what kind of analytics they have in place and how they are going to optimize performance based on those numbers.
When I showed it to a friend in the office, he remarked that Pinoys aren't ready for stuff like this yet. Maybe he's right. But as we see leading government institutions thinking critically about using digital to find ways to be of service, the more we ourselves may learn to include utility-based thinking in our everyday lives. Thanks, @MMDA!
TV shows use hashtags to organize real-time word-of-mouth about finale episodes.
On Vampire Diaries, fans were invited to talk about the show on Twitter with a designated hashtag. (No, I am not ashamed of my keen interest in shows that feature high school / college students like Vampire or now-defunct Greek.) In this case #Klaus, the villain of the season. It makes me wonder if the writers were asked to select a name for the character that would be unique to and associated with the show. (Past villains like Katherine or Elijah don't really have unique names.)
The (pretty awesome) Fringe finale invited fans to tag their tweets with the show title.
As viewers start to shift behavior to watching TV at their preferred time (TiVo) and in their preferred format (online), one of the biggest challenges facing TV networks in the US is adding value to the broadcast experience. Is Twitter the fix?
Watching live TV in the US has become a two-screen activity for some, where the show airs on television and the user follows or participates in the real-time commentary on Twitter. It gives an interesting perspective into other veiwers' and fans' reactions at the same time you are all watching.
I don't think this will be a problem for a long time in the Philippines but it would be interesting to take some of the experiments in real-time commentary to our own viewing experiences: Should the UAAP flash a hashtag on screen as the series unfolds? Should controversial print or TV ads invite reactions by including a hashtag in the material? Maybe concert tickets should invite users to tweet under the same #justinbieberph to document reactions to the show.
Hashtags are commonly used in the Philippines, but seemingly spur-of-the-moment. During Ondoy people all seemed to come up with their own tags. Can't wait to see which brand or event dictates the tag to unite commenters under one Twitter thread.
(Click for TV Hashtags, Part 2)
I've always had a wristwatch, more for style than for function; the face of my watch is a long rectangle so spacing is weird between the X and Y axis. Sometimes I can't be certain whether my watch is telling me it is 10 or 11. To be sure, I check my phone.
With the onslaught of handheld digital devices that hold the time, what happens to the wristwatch?
THREE PERSPECTIVES:
says THE ATLANTIC
says THE CLASS OF 2014
says LUNCHBREATH
- Bea Atienza,
*professionally certified digital media marketer*
A think piece I worked on over the weekend on brands and trust online. Are we listening?
Brands & Trust Online
| photo by Roslyn in Starfish Island | via PhotoRee |
At Pancake House one morning recently I ordered two chocolate chip pancakes. (In case you're interested, I usually order three except in this case the pancakes were preceded by tapa and rice and therefore as my breakfast dessert I only needed two pieces.)
My dish arrived and I proceeded to set aside the peanut butter and slather the entire serving of butter on the top and bottom (both) pieces.
And then it occurred to me that Pancake House serves the same amount of butter regardless of whether you order two pieces, three pieces or a waffle.
This was disturbing to me because, if you are serious about your pancakes then you must also have some long-standing belief as to the proper butter-to-pancake ratio. In the case of Panacke House, spreading all, or half on X number of pieces. And the maximum amount of butter you would put on two would definitely not be the same as the maximum amount you would put on three, or on a waffle.
And then it occurred to me that if I were Panacke House, I would delegate my next branch to Pancake Extremists. Instead of yet-another generic branch like all the dozens of branches I already have, an entire restaurant for people who have serious respect and belief for how to serve, eat and enjoy their pancakes.
Nothing but pancakes.
No rib-eye, lemon chicken, yogurt.
No omelette.
Sorry, no pan fried chicken or tacos.
Maybe country sausage and bacon.
And serious, extreme Pancakes.
Serious Stacks.
Serious Syrup.
Serious Butter, serious pancake-to-butter ratios.
A Pancake Enjoyment Manifesto.
The Classics.
Chocolate Chip,
Walnut Banana,
Peach,
Etc.
+ Experiments.
Green tea pancake?
Olive oil pancake?
Queso de bola bibingka pancake?
Crepe pancake?
Something new, only for serious Pancake Extremists.
Sort of like the Icecreamists.
Wouldn't it be cool if more established brands had an extreme, hard-core, serious variant, branch or offering?
This is where my thinking gets sort of fuzzy. But this isn't about creating advocates. This would be about finding people who take consuming our brand to the next level, who consider it a science (see afore mentioned panacke-to-butter ratio). Not that we would dictate rules, maybe everybody would get to share their own. As I said the idea gets fuzzy at this point.
But wouldn't it be cool if you could participate in stores for -
Fully Booked Nerds,
Charles & Keith Heels,
Muji Minimalists,
Royce Purists,
Red Ribbon Radicals,
Chippy Connoisseurs,
National School Supply Addicts???
I am a TV nut. I watch about fifteen shows a week :P
Over the current season social media seems to have gone extra American TV mainstream. This post is going to be a running list of social media mentions on my favorite shows.
- Gossip Girl: Juliet can't afford dresses so she gets her wardrobe from Rent the Runway
- Grey's Anatomy: Twitter in the OR
- Big Bang Theory:
- The Good Wife: Take on Social Network (among others, to follow)
Updates
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daily dose via bea atienza is out! http://t.co/CRrD4WQj
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Wrapping up Shanghai on a rooftop bar. Terrific break that reminded me that there is a bigger, glorious world out there. Let's see it all!
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I'm at Kathleen's 5 Rooftop Restaurant & Bar (Shanghai, China) w/ 2 others http://t.co/4NBvnmZZ
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My Top 3 #lastfm Artists: Megan Hilty (2), Katharine McPhee & Megan Hilty (2) & SMASH Cast (2) #music http://t.co/2RketHK5
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I'm at Fat Olive Sinan Mansion (上海市) http://t.co/Siu6reWh
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I'm at Monkey Lounge (Shanghai) http://t.co/zLuk3dzl
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Happynight
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I'm at Cans Bookstore 罐子书屋 (Shanghai) http://t.co/uGWDbYuq
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I just reached Level 3 of the "Bookworm" badge on @foursquare. I’ve checked in at 10 different bookstores or libraries http://t.co/UKTcaq4B
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Art day (@ Moganshan Rd) http://t.co/5j7fDmdE
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I'm at Sichuan Citizen 龙门阵茶屋川菜馆 (Shanghai) http://t.co/7HW6EtIK
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@jimguzman yahoo!! @thebeautheory
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@thebeautheory finally back on social via VPN! Haha we're all out pala at the same time @itsybitchie @fairy_witch
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daily dose via bea atienza is out! http://t.co/CRrD4WQj ▸ Top stories today via @youngstarphils
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I'm at Shanghai Pudong Int'l Airport T2 (上海) w/ 7 others http://t.co/36AgBPQr
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I'm at 2nd's Comfort Food Revisited w/ @thebeautheory http://t.co/QlJXCSRc
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daily dose via bea atienza is out! http://t.co/CRrD4WQj ▸ Top stories today via @joseiswriting
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@jimguzman @thebeautheory @heypatricia let's make an engagement plan! @sirtonico can you add some paid media??5 days ago from web | Reply, Retweet, Favorite
Posts
"There was an interesting observation made about the consumer and how they are starting to use mobile devices for things like Facebook and Twitter. We had this insight that people are using these things increasingly, creating a virtual persona, and the things I create on Facebook and Twitter is a reflection of who I am.” (via)
portrait.bell.ca/
How cool for a book and author to launch a new technology... perfect for people with ADD.
Obviously like! I'm sure they'll give some sort of prize in the end, but I like that Jon M. Chu says up front that there won't be a crazy prize or anything like that.
"My name is Boey and I'm an artist. What are you going to start?"
And a couple of their 2011 ad spots:
"A mobile laboratory traveling around the world to inspire innovative ideas for urban life"
When are more POP-UPs coming to Manila? :)
First time I've heard of 7-Eleven's proprietary prepaid service & phones!
What is Pottermore?
Pottermore is a free website that builds an exciting online experience around the reading of the Harry Potter books.
"a lucky few can enter early and help shape the experience" :)
Spotted a social ad on Facebook - wonder if they feel bad about having to place ads there. Will CASUAL GAMES be their ticket to re-relevance?
Just got a new machine at belo medical group. It tightens Vajayjay and prevents trickling. It uses only magnets . Need a name for it help!
Just got a new machine at belo medical group. It tightensVajayjay and prevents trickling. It uses only magnets . Need a name for it help!
— Victoria G. Belo, MD (@VickiBelo) July 6, 2011
Now prittier than Tweetdeck!
Latest checkin
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@Kathleen's 5 Rooftop Restaurant & Bar (325 Nanjing Rd. west)22 hours ago in Shanghai, China
Badges
Checkin history
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@Kathleen's 5 Rooftop Restaurant & Bar (325 Nanjing Rd. west)22 hours ago
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@Fat Olive Sinan Mansion (45 Sinan Lu, Bldg 26F)26 hours ago
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@Monkey Lounge (No.22, 56 Donghu Rd.)37 hours ago
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@Cans Bookstore 罐子书屋 (#105, Building 3, 50 Moganshan Lu)47 hours ago
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@Moganshan Rd (Moganshan lu)2 days ago
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@Sichuan Citizen 龙门阵茶屋川菜馆 (东湖路30号 | 30 Donghu Rd.)2 days ago
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@Cafe Dongxi (1 Jinling Dong Lu)2 days ago
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@Mr & Mrs Bund (6F, Bund 18, 18 Zhongshan Rd. (E-1))2 days ago
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@CITTA CAFE (淮海中路835号)2 days ago
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@Shanghai Pudong Int'l Airport T2 (上海浦东国际机场2号航站楼)3 days ago
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@2nd's Comfort Food Revisited (2nd flr, Quadrant 3, Bonifacio Highstreet)4 days ago
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@Benefit Cosmetics (GF Greenbelt 5)8 days ago
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@Mamou too! (R1 Power Plant Mall)9 days ago
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@Barcino (G/F Greenbelt 2 Mall)9 days ago
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@Jamba Juice (Bonifacio High Street Central)10 days ago
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@Wee Nam Kee (Serendra Piazza, Bonifacio Global)10 days ago
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@Jamba Juice (Bonifacio High Street Central)12 days ago
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@Italianni's (B:5 Bonifacio High Street)12 days ago
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@Jamba Juice (Bonifacio High Street Central)13 days ago
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@Aria Cucina Italiana (Bonifacio Global City)13 days ago
Posts
The pawis on my back within a minute of exiting the plane was a vivid slap in the face that pronounced: BACK TO REALITY.
I guess this will be true, no matter where we go - there will always be people who rub us the wrong way. In many cases they won’t have done anything to us and we’ll still find something not to like. In a few cases, they may have done actual crappy and kupal stuff that make us want to get out of the office, not like get out and grab coffee but actually quit every time we see an email or post from said crappy person. He is Loki, which means that on our team-as-Avengers, guess who gets to be Thor. But every time I get annoyed I remember that being here means working with so many people that I respect, like and learn from, people who inspire me to try and be the best at what I do, and remember that I get to do work that I’m not sure I’d get to do anywhere else. That I get to be traffic-free everyday! Crappy people will always exist and somehow get pretty high up on the corporate ladder. But if they’re bad at their jobs and bad at taking care of their own people, then one day karma will bite them in the ass and they will be absolutely, completely found out. #NotWorkRelated #CompletelyTheoretical
“Thank God I’m a Catholic.”
- Ez, when told some of the details of being OD
Which Avenger are you? Which character would you be in the Avengers? Find it out at http://www.exootlab.com/go/avengers
Just over a year ago.
Maybe he was a decoy.
Who knew.
Maybe.
Poof.
Let’s see.
The view from summer last year. Dreams in-ear moving down the Thames.
GT Tower was home to McCann for ten years, to my car for five and to me for almost two.
By last Friday we had thrown out files, CDs, food, even some alcohol, and packed one box each of “personal files” to be hauled over to our new office. With less than two years worth of stuff that I regularly weed out I didn’t have too difficult a time packing. But it turns out that McCann has a lot of loyalists because I saw co-workers’ status updates about the challenge of sifting through 8, 9, 10 years worth of stuff.
Despite being somewhat of a newcomer compared to those guys, I’ve feel like I’ve developed a sense of place about our office.
Not just process, protocol, hierarchy or rank, or my version of the most traffic-friendly route from home. Not just where different meeting rooms or the watercoolers are. Not even the note behind the door of the second stall in the 35F girl’s bathroom that reminds the user not to throw tissue paper “on the toilet bowl” - though, to be fair, there is an accurate ClipArt graphic of a toilet bowl, seat down, right beside the copy.
It isn’t the people I’ve gotten to know, the ones I’ve come to count on or call co-Avengers, I mean, teammates. It isn’t the short list of Accounts people I’ve come to trust and appreciate, or the Creatives that I look forward to hearing ideas from everyday. It isn’t even the boss who gives me a safe place from which I am allowed to grow and try new things.
Everything and everyone that has become home and familiar to me in my short time probably comprises such a small part of our Worldgroup. And my sense of place includes people I haven’t met in two years so even if we run into each other in the hall or elevator several times, we don’t say Hi. Accounts people from other disciplines, Creatives I’ve never worked with.
My sense of place includes such strong discontent, from leadership that I’ve recently been rescued from, traumatic recollections of condescending digs and e-mails, relief from having, mostly, cut ties, and hope that the worst is behind us and that everybody will grow up and out of childish behavior.
And moving to a completely new space will certainly change things.
Though what I am most afraid of is that disrupting the inertia will open up buried feelings, will unearth seeds of resentment that have been festering for all these years. The way, after a meeting, everybody hangs around small talking, until one person gets up and suddenly everybody is ready to go.
Then again, moving could open us up to new weather, landmarks, restaurants, spots to think and brainstorm. It could help us discover new ways to be inspired, or to find truth and insight.
And more than marketing issues, briefs and presentations, maybe everyday will grow to include people we never used to run in to, or people we used ti run in to but never said Hi to, new drinking, smoking of lunch buddies.
Tomorrow we move to a new space and who knows.
And they deliver inner monologues to strangers at will.
I love a city that doesn’t turn in too early, that stays up with me. Stores are open past ten, signage lights up avenues and streets. Tourists and local shoppers entering fine watch and jewelry shops that sit among merchant storefronts of electronics, cosmetics, bags, even main streets interspersed with little alleys lined with bazaar vendors. Restaurants are open late, and Starbucks branches are fullest at night.
Though I’ve been here twice before, this for all intents and purposes is my first time here. And it has the best energy I’ve felt in Asia.
On the one hand, thank god.
One the other hand, this is it…
And then there’s, yahoo.
Mixed-up day.
Still hoping for the best but will understand if not.
Still, yikes.
Reality shows thrive on creating pressure-filled conditions that put the sanest of people to the test. People who seem polite curse and end up in shouting matches. Renowned professionals produce work that would end their real-life careers. Contestants backbite and sabotage. Friends and even family members sell each other out.
My normal life is pretty drama-free. I try not to get easily upset, though in recent years my temper has gone haywire (see “road rage people”, I have insane road rage and I unfortunately know a particularly bad road rage person I encounter almost daily). For the most part though, I am passive-aggressive even when upset. I’d rather wait until I don’t feel mad/sad/annoyed anymore, rather than have any kind of confrontation. Or worse, I just end up ignoring people for the rest of our lives. I don’t know that this is healthy or mature but well that’s me.
Lately I’ve been exposed to a lot of workplace drama, in levels I have not encountered before. It is crazy. I can take the time- and people-pressure that comes with any advertising job. And I can take the quality thinking-pressure that comes with a planning job. I can even take the nobody-knows-how-to-do-this-pressure that comes with a digital job.
Emotional warfare though is something I’ve been able to avoid in the work setting. But the past few months have been quite a test. I won’t elaborate but if you sift backward, you’ll probably get an idea of what has been happening to me and others. It’s been tough. And though I’ve kept my passive-aggression, I have not been successful at keeping out of the emo-politics. And these stupid reality TV-level conditions have sometimes brought out a worse side of me.
To be honest, I want to place all the blame on said road rage person. But I know I’m accountable for everything I’ve done, even how I feel and how I’ve reacted. And as much as I have lost all respect for this person, I do have to acknowledge that I think these conditions have brought out a stronger leader in me. (Silver lining??)
I can only learn from this. To be aware of when a situation is becoming one of reality TV-grade drama, and be extra mindful of how I am acting and reacting. Thank god I am not alone in this. To better times ahead for all… Here’s hoping.
Those who, like driving in a third world country, bring out the worst in you.
Avoid at all costs.
Updates
Posts
I can't decide how much I liked this show. On the one hand, production value was excellent. On the other, I only understood like 40% of it. (Yes, I am a terrible Filipino. Yes, I am terrible at Filipino.) Maybe I should have invited a companion who could have acted as a handy reference for words I didn't understand.
I have, let's say, personal baggage about Noli Me Tangere. I had to take it up twice, once each in high school and college. I didn't enjoy studying it either time because, well, I didn't really enjoy anything we took up in Filipino class. And having read it 1-2 times, I really don't think it's a good book. I'm not talking context; but as a work of literature I don't know what it wants to say or do. So many characters, so many symbols, so many sub-plots. Too crazy. (Like seasons four and five of Lost?) So me disliking the content to begin with + not being able to understand the whole show makes me feel like I can't really make a judgments or comment about whether or not play's truth was well told.
But there were some amazing things in the execution of the story that I really liked:
- Voices. Amazing voices. AMAZING VOICES. +50
- CCP's acoustics are amazing. Ensemble pieces that resonated with beautiful harmonies. +50
- Mark Bautista, I believe is a pop singer? He was A-mazing! His voice never faltered and I do believe he has acting chops. He also seems to have a very Ibarra look. +50
- Cris Villongco, I don't think I've ever seen live til now. Wow. I have a few nits, two main ones, and maybe I shouldn't be entitled to the first: Sometimes it seemed like she sang with her mouth open too wide and missed the round tones that seem to be important for classical singing. And she had this default action of wiping Ibarra's face, which I didn't get at all - is it that hot in the Philippines? Otherwise WOW. She really hit her high note at the part when she decided to give Savli Ibarra's letter in exchange for her mother's, except it opened a floodgate of tears that continued until the curtain call... I can't wait to see her in Sound of Music. +30
- Everyone else, WOW! Amazing. What a treat when everyone in the cast can sing! And you find yourself thinking that even the supporting cast is vocally stellar. +20
- Batibot actor as Padre Damaso. +5
- Sleazy Salvi, Psycho Sisa, Capt. Tiago +10
- What felt like, regardless of language, purposeful acting. Props, director! +40
- As much as I liked Mark as Ibarra I feel kinda bad I missed seeing Giancarlo in this role - how well did he do? -5
- No tinola or bapor tabo, tsk! -10
- Nice job cutting out unnecessary characters. I don't remember who but know there were a lot more in the book. +20
- Clean, simple props that gave texture but didn't distract - blankets for picnics, gravestones for cemetery, banderitas for party, etc. +10
- Movement and blocking that made great use of the stage - width, height, depth +30
- Total = 300! (Compare)
I think it was Plato who said that ours is but a world of echoes, that everything in our reality only hints of another dimension where things exist in essence, in their purest form. Based on his belief, are we doomed to live our entire existence without experiencing “the real thing”? When it comes to local theater, I sometimes think this is true.
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I grew up believing that Philippine theatre was every bit as wonderful as anything that existed outside the country. After all, wasn’t a Filipina headlining Miss Saigon in the West End?
The first real musical I remember seeing was Les Miserables by Repertory Philippines. I was in Grade Three. I still remember Javert’s inverted body on the barricade, the rotating stage, and I remember thinking that I’d much rather be Eponine than Cosette. Even if Cosette had the money and got the guy, Eponine got all the good songs. I distinctly remember my lola shaking Baby Barredo’s hand after the curtain fell and congratulating her on a show that was “as good as Broadway”. My lola had an apartment in New York so I knew she meant business when it came to theater.
When I was in high school one of my best friends came home raving about the latest hit on Broadway, Rent. She lent us her CD’s and got us started on the world of the ten gallon plastic pickle tub. When Rent opened in Music Museum a few months later, I saw it myself and fell in love (with Mark/JM who I’m still sad is gay). We watched it five times and would sing “Out Tonight”, “Light My Candle”, “Will I” and most of the other songs on our lunch breaks. In a school activity we were asked to give ourselves nicknames and naturally mine was Mimi (luckily my teacher was also a Rent-head and unfazed by how my alternate self was an HIV-positive stripper). That Manila production was my original Rent. I enjoyed it so much that even when I found myself in New York I didn’t feel the need to see it on Broadway.
I would consider those two experiences the biggest contributors to making me a bona fide theater lover, though I’ve been lucky to have had many wonderfully more since then.
Last Friday became another theater night, an impromptu plan to see the opening performance of In The Heights in Manila.
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In The Heights won the Tony for Best Musical in 2008. I was in New York that summer and I made sure to see it because it had just won. On our last night in the city, I went by myself because my travel partner (my mom) was too tired to watch. Ahead of me in line to get inside the Richard Rodgers Theater on W. 46th St. was a white family – a mom, a dad and a daughter dressed to the nines; I gleaned from their conversation that they were from out-of-state and that enjoying a night at the the-a-ter was a big part of their trip. What was most striking though was that all/most of the other people waiting to get inside were black and latin teenagers. Not your usual theater crowd. But when the show started, they laughed, cheered and hooted in all the right places, making my experience 360.
I remember thinking that ITH was almost too hardcore because of so many Spanish jokes, many of which I didn’t catch. But the story was simple and clear – family, friends, home. The dancing was crazy and I liked the romanticized upper, upper Manhattan streets. And as you can expect as a minimum on Broadway, all of the voices were INSANE.
Most mesmerizing was Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the play and starred in it himself as Usnavi. I remember thinking how nobody would ever be able to replace him because how could anyone compare to a non-actor poet starring in his own story. I couldn’t imagine the art and courage involved in writing about his own life and reality. But Lin did it and got it produced then went on to win the biggest Tony that year. (Speech, don't cry!) By the time we were halfway through the second act I was in tears. In “Enough”, when the Softee truck broke down and Mr. Piragua was able to up his prices, when Usnavi was about to go, when (spoiler!) he decided to stay! This isn’t one of my favorite musicals by far because the story isn’t amazing or new, but if you lend yourself to it you will certainly be touched by how it is, for all intents and purposes, a true story.
Cut to Friday’s In The Heights. I enjoyed parts of it and found myself nodding my head to the beat many times. But it lacked the soul, heart and truth and even at its best, it was but an echo of the original.
Usnavi sounded just like Lin on the ITH Original Broadway Cast recording, as if the actor had it on loop for a month. If you listen to the CD, you will find his inflections and rhythm identical to the recording. He was a perfect echo, technically proficient but with no interpretation of his own. And that’s the danger of Usnavi – without the heart he becomes cheesy and cliché. Nyoy brought no weight or depth in narrating a story that is in no way brilliant but that still hits you because it is true. A wasted opportunity because he has clear potential to embody the way of Usnavi, and even better vocals than Lin, but he is in need of a director who will demand and push him to find his own meaning in this.
Nina was a powerhouse, and I can rarely say that with Atlantis shows! She was vocally perfect and genuine in emotion, except that it felt like she could have been a teenager fighting with her parents in any city, in any country, even Southern California or San Lorenzo – no context to this particular New York neighbourhood, and uninformed by how Nina is supposed to be a Latina who “made it out” all the way to fing Stanford! And no chemistry at all with her romantic lead, though I will place all of the blame for that on...
Benny, that schmuck. HE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT HE WAS DOING. I’ve seen the press call him Atlantis’ “Golden Boy” and it must be true because I’ve seen him in four shows of theirs this year! I can’t help but wonder if they keep him on the payroll to save on leading men. Instead of getting four actors who can each properly play the part they’re hired for, they must have saved a bundle of money by getting a 3+1 for one deal (three leading roles in Avenue Q, Next to Normal and In The Heights + an ensemble role in Aida). I wouldn’t mind if he was a brilliant chameleon, but the only show I liked him in was Avenue Q – where he plays the only character he was able to grasp, a naive, chipper optimist. He is one-note, like the Kirsten Stewart of Philippine theater. He did not pull off the mental evil genius/ dead son in N2N and he absolutely cannot play a black guy. Or maybe he decided to re-interpret Benny as a geeky white boy. *cringe* Benny is supposed to be so charming that you'll cheer for him even if, if you take a step back into reality, you will be forced to think that all his dreams are misplaced - what are the chances that a limo driver whose peg for success is his boss who can't even afford his daughter's college tuition will succeed "out west in California"? But he believes in himself and wants to go to business school and sings so earnestly that we believe it could happen, too. But Felix wasn't able to bring any of that into his performance, which was mostly a lot of obvious facial contortions and expressions. There’s nothing wrong with his voice except that it isn’t black or smooth. But what really upset me was that he didn’t even try to act cool. No swag, no charm, no cool! Completely unbelievable that a hot girl with enough brains to get into Stanford on scholarship would ever go for him. He was the worst in the show. I felt so bad for Nina every time she had to pretend to like him or worse, kiss him. I had to close my eyes so many times when he came on stage. *CRINGE* Panira.
Vanessa, was not that much better than Benny and really didn’t shine vocally. Vanessa is supposed to be a hot and fiery. She and Nina are supposed to be contemporaries so I don’t know why they cast an actress who looks like she’s pushing forty (I don’t know how old the actress really is, she just looks super old). The interesting thing about this character is that, compared to Nina who has actually made it out somewhat, Vanessa is the idealist. When she sings “It Won’t Be Long Now” we find out that she isn’t going to settle and that she believes she will also get out and go far one day. She doesn’t even say what her dream is exactly, but she echoes the Disney princesses who believe “there must be more than this provincial life”! And in that same song, Usnavi via cousin finally makes his move and we can believe that things are starting to go her way. But Vanessa is a handful and this actress couldn’t handle her confidence, optimism, intensity and especially not her vocals. There were times when she wore an expression that showed how hard she was trying to reach deep, deep inside to be able to hit the big/high notes. Disappointingly she fell short many times, especially amplified once at the start of the show when her solo came right after Nina's stellar opening.
Carlos & Camile, now you listen to me! Not much acting to show that they are supposed to be Latin. Dad, not bad but not gripping. Mom, no weight at all. As I’ve mentioned “Enough” is a killer number for me – I even skip it on my iPod because it makes me cry each time I hear it – haven’t we all had those kinds of doting lectures from our own mothers? :) But this came across as no different from any other scolding, as if Nina is the kind of kid who stays out past curfew a lot. Jackie Lou was not able to portray a mom who is more hurt and worried than mad that her daughter didn’t turn to her with such a big problem. They missed the opportunity to reassure the audience that even if this is the most complicated turning point in their family's life, they will stick together and be okay. Enough!
General dancing. Not good, super awkward, heavy. Did Atlantis hire DI's from Malate??? And don’t they watch So You Think You Can Dance? Pinoys are awesome dancers! Also, they need to give female performers better/longer? underwear when they’re going to be in such short skirts.
But there were definite scene stealers! My favorites:
Abuela Claudia. She’s not really his abuela but she practically raised Usnavi, this corner is her escuela. And she schooled everyone in the show about how to feel and tell a story. I felt her pain when she sang about coming to America and working so hard without being able to improve her life. But she has Usnavi + Sonny and now 96,000 dollars, holla.
Daniela. The only Latina in the show! Who is she and why haven’t we seen her on stage til now? Amazing vocals, amazing embodiment of Latina humor and heat.
Sonny! Extra favorite. No cliché expressions (the home of Felix/Benny) but you can feel him! This actor reminded me that Sonny is the the one who wants to stick around and make things better (cue edumacation in “96,000”) and he got me to feel so worried and bad for Sonny when Usnavi said he was leaving! If I had met him after the show I would have given him a hug. He also brought something different to the character from the Sonny I saw on Broadway who was small and more scrawny. Because this actor is huge compared to the original, it added a new layer of charm. Perfect delivery each time, like a drunk Chita Rivera.
(Special mention to Mr. Piragua. One of my favorite characters in the show who did not disappoint with his vocals or hair.)
As I often feel with Atlantis shows, this felt like a missed opportunity. There are so many themes in ITH that Filipinos should be able to relate to - working your ass off for decades and not getting anywhere, immigration, family, coming home.
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Atlantis has improved in sound and general vocal quality since Spring Awakening, the first show of theirs I saw at RCBC. But I can’t help but feel like they just hand out scripts and CD’s to the cast members, wave them off then see them back at dress rehearsal. The production/direction team doesn’t seem to have the courage to eliminate the elements and actors that just aren’t cutting it, and they haven’t been able to push those with potential to truly settle in and embody their characters. I’ve also seen a couple of Rep shows in the last year and I always leave feeling like I’ve just escaped into another world, even in the cases where I have seen the original on Broadway. Atlantis brings out my inner critic and until they get their performers to leave their hearts on the stage, their theater will never be as good as the real thing.
On Vampire Diaries, fans were invited to talk about the show on Twitter, with a designated hashtag. In this case #Klaus, the villain of the season.
It makes me wonder if the writers were asked to select a name for the character that would be unique to and associated with the show. (Past villains like Katherine or Elijah don't really have unique names.)
- Spontaneous movie dance / song-and-dance sequences
- Not counting scenes where the characters are on stage or really supposed to be performing
- Desired effect: That movie life is so magical that people burst into song and start dancing when they're happy, mad or extremely emotional... and the rest of the world also knows the lyrics and dance steps and will sing and dance with you!
Most recently, 500 DAYS OF SUMMER
ANCHORMAN
MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS
ANNIE
SOUND OF MUSIC
And of course!
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
Was just complaining to my brother-in-law that the hotness payoff for watching Nikita isn't nearly high for girls as it is for guys. Maggie Q and even the other girls on the show are way hotter than Shane West and the other guys! Alex is also Ted Mosby's kid from How I Met Your Mother and Amanda played Julie Cooper, Mischa Barton's mother, from The OC. Not fair.
But in Episode 5 a new character was introduced. Enter Devon Sawa!
Girls my age will definitely remember him in the pages of Bop magazine and in Little Giants, Now & Then and Casper (for like ten seconds) on laser disc when we were in grade school.
And now he's in entertainment again! I hope he becomes a regular cause that will even out the playing field. Will definitely stay tuned to Nikita.
Recommendations from TVWOP
Boardwalk Empire - Sept 19
The Event - Sept 20
Lone Star - Sept 20
Mike & Molly - Sept 20
The Whole Truth - Sept 22
Undercovers - Sept 22
Outsourced - Sept 23
My Generation - Sept 23
$#*! My Dad Says - Sept 23
Blue Bloods - Sept 24
No Ordinary Family - Sept 28
Just saw the premiere of Vampire Diaries and Boone, you're so awesome.
This will be my schedule this month -
Sept 13: Gossip Girl
Sept 14: Life Unexpected / Parenthood
Sept 20: How I Met Your Mother / Hawaii Five-0
Sept 21: Glee
Sept 22: Modern Family / Cougar Town
Sept 23: Big Bang Theory / Grey's Anatomy
Sept 26: Brothers & Sisters
Naturally have already started Top Chef, Project Runway and America's supposedly not-commerical Next Top Model.
Besides Hawaii Five-O (starring Jin from Lost and Boomer, etc from Battlestar) am not sure what new shows to include in my already full repertoire.
At Joe's Pub @NYC
Jonathan Groff @ NYC's Joe's Pub 06.20.10 from Raymund Flandez on Vimeo.
I was lucky to have been told by the stage door guy at the Imperial that you don't usually do the autograph line and walk away immediately. So I was well positioned to chase you down 44th St. for an autograph and a photo.
I love Rent, see. I first saw it live in a local Manila production maybe a decade ago and fell in love. I regret never watching Rent on Broadway but thank god for this digital age when theater performances can be recorded and immortalized on DVD, then get distributed worldwide via peer-to-peer sharing.
I finally got to see Rent "Live on Broadway" a few months ago. I plugged my USB into the player, sat on the floor in front of my TV and entered Alphabet City on December 24th, 9pm EST. Mark shot without a script! Then there was you, tuning the Fender guitar. And what a Roger. Words I had memorized for years felt like they were being sung for the first time.
I usually like Mark better than Roger, dorky vs brooding you know? But not your Roger. Your performance brought me to tears and made me fall in love with him, that first time and many viewings since.
Which is why I KNEW, being back in New York, that I was not going to miss Billy Elliot if it killed me. The chance to hear you in person! I won't pretend that I was / am disappointed that Tony grossly underutilizes your vocal prowess.
But it was a good show overall and now we've come full circle to post-Billy and me needing to chase Will Chase for a much-awaited encounter.
You turned around when I called, "Will Chase!" and asked for an autograph. As you signed my Playbills I told you I had seen you in Miss Saigon, Manila. Did you reply, Awesome? Then I asked if you would take a picture with me, which I told you I would be taking myself. After the click I was checking the camera and you asked, "Are we pretty?" Will Chase, you are very pretty.
I was so overjoyed by this brief encounter that I almost told the girl in line for the American Idiot lottery, where I headed after Billy, what had just happened.
But then I realized that I had forgotten to tell you something, something more important than having seen you in Miss Saigon. What I should have told you- I realize that I am a few years late with this compliment, but you are my favorite Roger.
Would that have made a difference to you to hear? Maybe not. But I would have liked to tell you that in person. After all, how often do we get to tell people that they are our favorite Phantom, Moritz or Elphaba?
So I am instead expressing this sentiment to the general digital populi. That one day you may hear of this know what I meant to say!
Much love and thanks,
Bea
Would have liked to write one post per show, but I know I'll never end up posting if I wait until I feel like actually doing that. So here is a recap of all the shows I've seen on this trip so far. I used the OBSSB (Official Broadway Scoring System for Blogs) so were complicated calculations for all of these numbers! I want to see a lot more stuff so there will definitely be a Part 2!
PLAYS
Race
http://www.raceonbroadway.com
Alan Shore in the flesh! +40
David Alan Grier +20
Robert something? +20
Kerry Washington +20
The promodizers in Times Square wearing little red sequined dresses +15
Even if they keep talking about it, the little red sequined dress never actually appears in the play! +15
The floor of the set was diagonal, actual upstage and downstage! +40
Great writing... +30
...that has to be delivered perfectly, like the lines have a rhythm +30
A handful of really racist hirits! +20
James Spader signed for autographs and posed for a picture! +40
Total: +290
http://www.godofcarnage.com/home.php
Lucy Liu +40
Jeff Daniels +40
Janet McTeer +40
Dylan Baker +40
Dylan Baker's cellphone +20
Clafouti +10
Spewing puke +20
Coffee then rum +30
Jeff blows up +30
Janet blows up +30
Lucy blows up and throws tulips around the stage +30
It could be a joke, Two couples discuss a fight between their sons, one who has lost two teeth... +20
Everyone shifts teams at least twice +20
They're in one room the whole play! +10
Our unfortunate animalistic tendencies +20
Total: +410
Red
http://redonbroadway.com/
Alfred Molina +100
Doc Ock in person! +5
Finger rubbing guy in Raiders in person! +15
Can I say Alfred Molina again? +10
Eddie Redmayne +60
Eddie Redmayne who took a photo with me after the show +20
Super harsh American accent for English Molina +5
An awesome show with just two characters +40
An awesome show that happens in just one room +40
Alfred Molina again. +25
Mark Rothko's studio +40
The flecks of red all over the stage floor +10
Pulley system to change paintings +10
Canvas priming, canvas frame-making +10
The running water +10
The painting scene +40
Depiction of Rothko's preferred lighting +10
Record player and music +10
I wish I could remember some lines to quote! Quotable lines +20
Anti-Pollock quips +10
Anti-Cubism quips +10
Anti-pop art quips +10
Not selling out! +20
Fear of being irrelevant +10
Artistic temperament +10
An artist's self-doubt +10
An artist's insane idealism +10
An artist's ego +10
Total: +570
MUSICALS
A Little Night Music
http://www.nightmusiconbroadway.com/
Starpower! Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury in one show +70
Angela Lansbury stole the show with lines about conquests in earlier years with princes, czars, etc! +15
Catherine's stage presence and for tearing up while singing "Send In The Clowns" +10
Finally know where "Send In The Clowns" is from +5
Tickets through student discount, and eventual seating in about the 12th row +20
Good ensemble all around +20
Catherine signs autographs after the show +30
But doesn't pose for pictures -20
Show was sort of boring... -30
Super annoying actress who played young Anne -20
Total: +95
Next to Normal
http://www.nexttonormal.com/home
Wow where to begin?
J. Robert Spencer, who played Dan the Dad +30
Louis Hobson, super gwapo shrink, etc +20
Kyle Dean Massey, who played Gabe +30
Morgan Fahr, who played Natalie (she's the understudy but was awesome!) +35
Adam Chanler-Berat, who played cute, cute, super Jewish Henry, be perfect for me! +35
Alice Ripley oh my god! No wonder she won the Tony +60
Major plot reveal / exposition (no spoilers :) in the middle of the firs act! I did not see that coming +40
Strings and rock! +40
Band in the visible multi-layer wings +20
Three-level set with graffiti eyes, screens, stairs, etc! +30
The set has a pole that the actors swing around! +10
Lights! +20
Diana: And you're not a scary rockstar anymore! +15
Diana: Valium is my favorite color! +15
"Goodbye Henry..." (Hey #1, #2 & #3) +20
"I Am the One" +25
"I'm Alive" +25
"I Am the One" (Reprise) +20
All the other songs +100
Next was awarded the Pulitzer for Drama on the day I watched! +40
Student discount! +20
The first super contemporary musical I've seen / really liked +40
Student ticket price! +20
Anthony Rapp at the show! With picture!!! Maaaark! +30
I didn't get to watch the Gabe who was on Gossip Girl! -15
Super sikip seats... -10
Alice Ripley didn't come out for autographs -15
Total: +700 (Yes, I really liked it)
Fela!
http://www.felaonbroadway.com/
Sahr Ngaujah, who played Fela +80
Sahr Ngaujah, who played Fela and played the trumpet +20
Sahr Ngaujah, who played Fela and played the trumpet, and played the sax! +25
Fela's powder blue long-sleeved button-down shirt, powder blue pants, powder blue shoes! Act I +20
Fela's pink long-sleeved button-down shirt, pink pants, pink blue shoes! Act II +20
Fela's mama +20
All the guy dancers +40
Guy who kept tapping! +20
All the girl dancers +40
Insane Afrobeat band! +40
Drums +30
All of the music! +100
No cast recording... yet -10
Fela: Welcome na da Shrine! +20
The neon pink insert in the Playbill that gave a background of Fela Kuti +20
Student ticket price! +20
Insane dance that didn't look choreographed +30
Costumes +20
Set design that extended all around the theater +40
Moving stairs, falling nets, super 3D stage design +30
Two disco balls! +20
Same theater as Spring! +10
Multimedia! Screens all over +30
Black light! +30
Audience singalong! +30
Audience dance lesson (1, 4, 9) +25
Interactive theater, the lights never went completely dark in Act I +30
Story went time warp but wasn't confusing +20
Deconstructed theater, part story, part concert +60
Everybody say YEAYEA! +40
Total: +920 (Hmm I was very generous with the points! But I really loved this. See why!)
Don't like how they've been having the characters sing in more hallways nowadays (Finn? last week, Rachel and Finn this week). And I don't understand where the gospel choir at the end came from!
But that aside, loved the non-stop music. Worth every second that Madonna paid (or gave up in music rights?) for placement.
Nevermind that Kurt was never interested in "multimedia" before, or that I didn't know that Artie was in the media club. Sue Sylvester's "Vogue" had me reeling and laughing at the same time. (Was that really her? Super auto-tuned right?) And oh my god can Jonathan Groff never leave this show? I can't believe he's gay. At least when he stabs Rachel and New Directions in the back the blame will be partly on Mr. Schu. I also really liked Kurt and Mercedes' "4 Minutes"! And how the writers had Mercedes gripe about how she never gets any solos except for the final note on all the songs they sing! I also think that Finn's voice has really improved.
I'm babbling. I paid for all 8 songs on iTunes and bought the Glee app on a whim. I can hear him in "Like a Prayer"! Fever.
ps/ I built the buzz for myself by watching Glee on Oprah right before watching the Madge episode. Yes, I self-program.
MUST SEE
Fela
Billy Elliot
Next to Normal
Promises, Promises
American Idiot
Fuerza Bruta
Red
Race
God of Carnage
Andrew Jackson
SHOULD SEE
Lion King
Hair
MIGHT SEE
A Little Night Music
Behanding in (of?) Spokane
Stomp
Lend Me A Tenor
Have six down already! Let's see how far I get!
When I was having my Playbill signed by the young actor who played Henry in Broadway's Next to Normal, which won the several Tony awards in 2009, he said it was a good day to watch.
It was announced earlier today that Next to Normal won the Pulitzer Prize.
I think this is the first musical I've seen that takes place in the present day (they even quip about Photoshop at one point), about a present-day issue. Even if RENT was pretty contemporary, the audience is removed from issues like homelessness and HIV. This was a real first for me.
Have a lot to say (as usual) about the music, score, lyrics, SET, lighting, ACTORS, etc, but for now I just want to get down that I got to see the show on an important day. Awesome.
Wasn't planning to write anything but realized that, when it comes to Manila theater, I tend to want to write more about the shows I wasn't completely happy with. I try to find nice things to say even if I really wasn't very happy and after I click "Publish" I always wish I had just written everything I really felt.
SO. Wanted to quickly write about Avenue Q because I thought it was awesome. Like seriously, flawless and awesome! (By the way the other show I recently saw and really enjoyed but didn't get to write about was Rep's Sweeney Todd.)
This also makes me wonder if I enjoy the shows I have no prior exposure to more than those that I already love, because the expectations are naturally greater for the latter?
But everything was awesome. All of the actors were awesome - and their voices were amazing. I guess that should be sort of standard in musical theater but that sadly has not been the case in 2 of the last 4 plays I've seen - I'm talking about YOU, Wendla and Mimi!
I had no favorites because everyone was amazing. Ok just kidding, extra props to the Felix Rivera and Rachel Alejandro because they performed two major roles each. And extra extra props to Calvin Millado just because he was also Roger. No seriously, great great stuff.
I guess that this cast is also benefiting from the experience of three runs. But the play runs like a well-oiled ship. If I were Chari Arespacochaga I would be very happy to have a success on my hands after the last disaster she directed.
Haha ok it must be pretty obvious now that I have some hatred for Atlantis because of the mockery that was Spring Awakening Manila. Even if I enjoyed one out of three times I saw the show, really, they as theater professionals, lovers, veterans, should have had enough respect for the material and the art not to put on such a terrible show.
I had sort of sworn off Atlantis - what a joke given that there are only like two or three companies in Manila! - as a result of Spring, combined with the terrible Hairspray reviews. But I guess they have made me think twice with Avenue Q.
If you haven't seen this show it is an absolute and total MUST SEE:
Ultimate celebrity pull from Jimmy Kimmel, for his post-Oscar special. Show of handsome!
Naturally the club denies Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattinson membership. Surprises at every turn.
Came across this in a search for the ultimate cliches in movie trailer music. I would so have watched this!
http://www.trailermusiclive.com/
Listen to all the tracks on David Byrne's Here Lies Love, a collaboration with Fatboy Slim on a concept album about Imelda Marcos.
Good song! It's about Imelda Marcos.
This is the first track from a David Byrne concept album (a collaboration with Fatboy Slim), inspired by Imelda. Eeenteresting. Looks like a very promising lineup of vocalists:
Disc 1
01 “Here Lies Love” (Vocal by Florence Welch)
02 “Every Drop Of Rain” (Vocals by Candie Payne & St. Vincent)
03 “You’ll Be Taken Care Of” (Vocal by Tori Amos)
04 “The Rose Of Tacloban” (Vocal by Martha Wainwright)
05 “How Are You?” (Vocal by Nellie McKay)
06 “A Perfect Hand” (Vocal by Steve Earle)
07 “Eleven Days” (Vocal by Cyndi Lauper)
08 “When She Passed By” (Vocal by Allison Moorer)
09 “Walk Like A Woman” (Vocal by Charmaine Clamor)
10 “Don’t You Agree?” (Vocal by Róisín Murphy)
11 “Pretty Face” (Vocal by Camille)
12 “Ladies In Blue” (Vocal by Theresa Andersson)
Disc 2
01 “Dancing Together” (Vocal by Sharon Jones)
02 “Men Will Do Anything” (Vocal by Alice Russell)
03 “The Whole Man” (Vocal by Kate Pierson)
04 “Never So Big” (Vocal by Sia)
05 “Please Don’t” (Vocal by Santigold)
06 “American Troglodyte” (Vocal by David Byrne)
07 “Solano Avenue” (Vocal by Nicole Atkins)
08 “Order 1081″ (Vocal by Natalie Merchant)
09 “Seven Years” (Vocals by David Byrne & Shara Worden)
10 “Why Don’t You Love Me?” (Vocals by Cyndi Lauper & Tori Amos)
I know what you're thinking... Seriously?! But if this song is any indication, the album will be prett-ty good.
The album will be released on April 6. Jump to listen to all the tracks!
{via}
I saw Rent five times when it first opened in Manila in 1999. I have always loved musicals but this was the first contemporary one that I fell in love with.
Rent made waves in my high school - there factions who were on Team Carlo (Ledesma, the squeegee guy) or Team JM (Rodriguez, now gay?). There was even someone on Team Andrew (Vergara, the Stage Manager). Yes, we were fans. We used to sing our favorite songs in the Student Council Office at lunch, channeling our inner Maureen or Mimi.
I don't think that, at 16, I understood the depth of social commentary that was Rent. But this didn't stop the tears from streaming down my cheeks as Roger and Mark fought (they were also crying) during "Goodbye Love" during the last Atlantis performance. "Will I" has always been my favorite song and I fell in love a little when a boy at my church told me he would sing Roger's part to my Mimi in "Light My Candle". A kabarakada recently left to study in New York and on the night of her despedida my Facebook status message read "Let's go ouwooooot tonight!", of course tagging the other girls in our group.
I love Rent and know almost every word in the OBC recording. This musical was the soundtrack to some very memorable years of my life.
Which is why I was hesitant to watch 9 Works Theatrical's re-staging. (Should also mention that I have recently been burned by the painfully sub-par Manila staging of another musical I love.) I didn't want to risk being disappointed.
Heard some good reviews though. A Facebook message from an officemate last week saying that I had to see it finally pushed me to get tickets. So today, after a minor scuffle with front of house regarding a mix-up with our ticket reservagion, my brother, sister and I sat down to Alphabet City.
I'm glad I didn't miss it.
It was a good show overall with one big snag that I will get out of the way! The only real shortcoming that this staging had was Mimi (Cara Barredo). Worst Mimi ever. Her acting was terrible, so one-dimensionally skanky. I couldn't take her in "Light My Candle" and especially not in "Out Tonight", where she couldn't even hit the high notes! Felt so bad for Roger having to pretend that he was in love with her. She couldn't dance and she didn't draw me in to any of her songs and especially not as she is deteriorating in Act II. Did not like her "Without You" and didn't feel anything when she died (except for Mark who burst into tears at that point... maybe because he knew the moment had been wasted). Saw a friend at intermission who told me that the other Mimi is supposedly better. Too bad I didn't know so I could have made sure to see a show with the "good" Mimi... Don't understand though why they cast a second Mimi at all if she can't really act or sing the part.
BUT this staging had a lot of great moments. Here were a few of my favorites:
- "I'll Cover You (Reprise)" > Insane. INSANE. The most powerful moment of the play. I wanted to hold my breath for the whole song. Collins (OJ Mariano) was perfect. Perfect casting, perfect performance. Smooth, R&B, perfectly gay without being effeminate in the least. Also great ensemble support.
- "Over The Moon" > I didn't quite understand this song until I saw Idina perform it in the movie. I imagined how difficult it must be to psych yourself up to perform this because it is such an odd metaphor! But Carla Guevarra conquered it and got me to Moo! She owned Maureen and I think she was my favorite performer in this set. She pulled the everyone's performance level up every time she got on stage. She even made me cry when she talked about Angel after "Contact".
- Mark! > I think they cast a great Mark (Fredison Lo). He is so awkward and geeky, it always surprises that he breaks out and lets loose in La Vie Boheme. He did pretty well portraying the solo observer.
- Roger > I knew that Giancarlo has a beautiful voice but I didn't know it could go Rent! Awesome job. I think he was a better singer than actor but good overall.
- "What You Own" > I think Mark and Roger nailed this. Perfect vocals that properly illuminated the moment that they realize that they've had a community all along, that will unlock their artistic blocks.
- Ensemble pieces "Christmas Bells" and "La Vie Boheme" > Right delivery and energy especially from the supporting cast. Liked the falling snow and the happy chairs at the Life Cafe after Maureen's show!
- Voice Mails from Parents
- "Finale", specifically the "Santa Fe" Reprise by Collins, Roger and Mark :)
I also liked Angel (Job Bautista)! How can you not love her? Performance was awesome (kudos to the costume team too, especially for the glowstick coat!) even if vocals weren't quite up to Angel-level.
Overall I think this was a great opener for 9 Works Theatrical. Great staging, a lot of heart. Congratulations!
Never thought to look up the translation but somebody on Facebook was talking about it yesterday and today my sister said that one of her students asked about it. So....
You hats make fly into the air
You turn umbrellas inside out too often
oh no, don't - oh
You roofs blow out into the stormy sea
You hair stroke and hem blowing
Prankster boy
You (Lalalala lalalala : Lalalala lalalala)
Wind in hair - ooh ooh
Wind in hair - ooh ooh
Wind in hair - ooh ooh
Wind in...
(Lalalala lalalala : Lalalala)
Your eyes blow sand, tears
You gum throw in hair stuck
Prankster boy
You (Lalalala lalalala : Lalalala lalalala)
Wind in hair - ooh ooh
Wind in hair - ooh ooh
Wind in hair - ooh ooh
Wind in....
(Lalalala lalalala : Lalalala)
Lalala lai lalala : Lalala lai lalala
Lalala lai lalala : Lalala lai lalala
Lalala lai lalala : Lalala lai
(Lalalala lalalala : Lalalala)
(Lalalala lalalala : Lalalala)
Lalalala lalalala : Lalalala lalalala
Lalalala lalalala : Lalalala lalalala
Lalalala lalalala : Lala lalalala
I realized some time ago just how many movie "classics" I haven't seen... and I don't think I can properly call myself a movie buff otherwise. Besides that I think I've missed over the last few years because they seem so depressing or disturbing... and then they go on to win the Best Picture Oscar! Well this year I will see these movies:
- Shawshank Redemption
- The Godfather
- The Godfather, Part II
- The Godfathe, Part III
- Crash
- The Graduate
- Annie Hall
- Pulp Fiction
- Fargo
- Citizen Kane
- Psycho
- Rear Window
- North by Northwest
- 2001: A Space Odyssey
- The Maltese Falcon
- Casablanca
- Blade Runner
- Die Hard
- Alien
- Usual Suspects
I think this is a good list for now. Hope I have time to hunt down all these DVDs!
Recent tracks
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