12.31.12 NYE with Adam in Bali! Highlights of 2012

I missed a lot of the Les Mis discussion and just wanted to say A. I loved the film and B. I totally agree with Adam's points. It was an enormous undertaking and part of that ambition added to the "edge" and the experience of the film for me. Hugh Jackman had, as the NY Times reviewer said, "A ten-ton role" and I thought he pulled off 85% unbelieveably well. A one point I wondered to myself if they shot in chronological order because by the end of the film, he seemed to be getting fatigued (and not in the sense that his character has aged).

Also an excellent point from SF Chronicle reviewer that says he has to sing in half voice most of the time which is part of his struggle. That is hard to do, I imagine. Prior to Adam, I always stanned actors and not musicians so much. I've studied acting and the British stage actors who converted to film are among my favorites. Many have said it's a tricky transition the first time or two you do it because theater is so huge (you must emote and project for the cheap seats) while film catches very twitch of an eyebrow. If you have the skill and depth, a good director and coach can aid that transition and it is often done quite seamlessly to amazing results.

Because I hold actors in such high esteem, I am not belittling their craft when I say, from my observation, it's more likely to yield strong results if you coach a singer to act than an actor to sing (especially live). Can it be done? Sure, to mixed results. Dubbing has solved that gap in the past.

Children of 5 have turned in stunning acting performances. First-time actors (Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah, JHud) have been nominated for and have won Oscars and deservedly so - they did incredible work. I can't remember if I read or if it was an acting coach who told me this, but they said, "If you have the emotional depth and can access it, the rest is a craft that can be learned." It takes courage and work to be able to access and do it well, but it's not an unattainable goal. And if you keep working and challenging yourself, you get better and better.

IMO, singing is a skill, but it is also a physiological gift. All the work in the world might make someone with a decent voice "pretty good," but they will never be Julie Andrews, Whitney Houston or Adam Lambert. (Just like all the practice in the world will not make you an NBA star if you are 5'5".) The "unknowns" in the cast (and there were quite a few - Jackman, Hathaway and Crowe were probably all the "names" they needed to get the financing and they could have done as well to get another bankable actor who could sing a little bit better than Crowe) turned in amazing performances.

Sorry, didn't mean to write a screenplay here... Bottom line, I hope when Hollywood casts the musicals that are currently in development ("Wicked," "Jesus Christ Superstar"), they will put the focus on the voices. There are double- and triple-threats out there (I cannot imagine anyone doing a better job than Anne Hathaway) that can help get financing. Or perhaps the "names" can be relegated to the less-challenging vocal roles as was often done in the past. Gambling the credibility of these films on stunt casting is risky, IMO.

Film backers care about opening weekend box office, I get that, but film is an enduring medium that last generations. I hope they can find strong middle ground because I enjoy musical films very much.

Hello !!! Just want to say that may all of you guys have a Rockin' new year's eve
And I know , that 2013 will be a roller coaster for us Glamberts . I'm ready to ride !!
This will be fun
Have a Golden and Glittery 2013

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Why do you guys hate those shorts so much ?? Aqua is a beautiful color .[/quote]

Not everyone hates them! It's been kind of a long-term joke because Q3 hates them. A lot. LOL

Q3comment: I really hate them a LOT! And they are not funny -- they are frugly!

I hate them so much that I just abused my mod powers to drop this comment in here!

Adam Lambert ‏@adamlambert

So amped for tonight's show! #bali