Physical beauty versus the Sublime

Aram Bauman said:
Damn that dude voice brought a tear to my eye for real. That was amazing.
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I know ... a really spectacular thing.

That's why it made me think of physical beauty versus spiritual ...

I mean, his performance is doubly effective because we already sympathize with the guy's plight before he opens his mouth ... him standing there in front of possibly the most harshly objective of all critics on the planet (simon) who's called people fat, bug eyed, ugly and everything else ...

And then the guy begins to sing ... and he OWNS the whole room.

:)
 
Mark Harris said:
You're about 300 years behind the times with this observation.
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Actually, it's funny you should say that, as this was not an epiphany on my part or anything remotely like that.

The idea that sublime beauty or spiritual beauty is a much higher principle in art than that of purely physical beauty is something which has interested me for quite some time.

In fact I count the writings of Friedrich Schiller, Percy Besse Shelley and even Plato as being those much earlier introductions to the same idea which I think the video calls to mind.

The point of the video and my post is merely to indicate a rather raw and ironically enough, modern example of how such a difference can be made evident by a performer.

Also, I thought it would be interesting to discuss how such ideas regarding 'the beautiful' can be used in filmmaking to create better productions ...

:)
 
Sling Blade is an example of this principle in film.

This guy has a very nice voice, the judges do overdramatize the reaction as they tend to do in these types of shows. He was very good.

Most Tenors don't even try this song because it is Pavarotti's signature song, Puccini's Nessun Dorma. He does it to absolute perfection here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VATmgtmR5o4
 
An incredibly moving piece. But also a great example of the power of live TV directing and editing. The impact of the performance was multiplied several times over by the specific audience and judge reactions, the sweeping camera boom shots, and the pensive close ups of the contestant. Done so well that the audience does not even feel the manipulation. Don't misunderstand me, I loved it. I once took a TV directing class in film school and never understood how in the world those guys do it (direct live action - like sporting events, the award shows, etc.). By the time I even realized that there was a moment to capture and I called out the camera # (i.e. "ready 2 - take 2"), the moment was long gone. This clip reminds me of that talent once again (that I don't have) - although I realize that shows like this are "fine tuned" after the fact. But it is still an achievement of shot selection by an editor.
 
cyclone said:
An incredibly moving piece. But also a great example of the power of live TV directing and editing. The impact of the performance was multiplied several times over by the specific audience and judge reactions, the sweeping camera boom shots, and the pensive close ups of the contestant. Done so well that the audience does not even feel the manipulation. Don't misunderstand me, I loved it. I once took a TV directing class in film school and never understood how in the world those guys do it (direct live action - like sporting events, the award shows, etc.). By the time I even realized that there was a moment to capture and I called out the camera # (i.e. "ready 2 - take 2"), the moment was long gone. This clip reminds me of that talent once again (that I don't have) - although I realize that shows like this are "fine tuned" after the fact. But it is still an achievement of shot selection by an editor.
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That's a great observation!

I was just going over the shots today at work and was thinking, especially, how that upward and outward arcing shot, as he hit that final note with his arms beginning to rise ... was just genius (even if typical).

With that one note, and the preceding production ... that shot was like a helicopter view over the grand canyon or swiss alps (metaphorically I mean); it really ended the performance in a grand fashion.
 
The female judge looked pretty ready to jump his bones during his piece. He should remember that it's confidence that gets ugly guys with beautiful women, but it's also confidence that gets someone like him up on a stage in front of thousands of people. He's got it, he just doesn't know it.
 
mrWr0ng said:
The female judge looked pretty ready to jump his bones during his piece.
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Thats SO funny you say this. I pointed out that very thing to my girlfriend. First of all, she is HOT HOT HOT. She makes Paula Abdul look like a bag lady.

Also, cyclone...I couldn't agree with you more. The guy can sing. That's obvious. But look at American Idol. Its proven that though singers are NOT a dime a dozen, it has shown that there are a LOT of gifted singers out there. So, being shown in the right light is a big part of it...

While Pavoratti has an INCREDIBLE voice...I'm sure there are several we've all never heard of that can sing just as well...
 
rlm7189 said:
While Pavoratti has an INCREDIBLE voice...I'm sure there are several we've all never heard of that can sing just as well...
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Speaking of Pavaratti ...

I listend to Pavarotti's rendition of the same song ... and although the expected polish and control of a true studied master was quite evident over Paul Pott's amateur performance, Pavarotti's version still came up short in the Pure Passion(tm), Pure Want(tm) department.

It made me think about how Paul would evolve if allowed or afforded the opportunity to study under a master like Pavarotti for 5 years or so ...

Oh man ... just imagine ...
 
bosindy said:
Sling Blade is an example of this principle in film.

This guy has a very nice voice, the judges do overdramatize the reaction as they tend to do in these types of shows. He was very good.

Most Tenors don't even try this song because it is Pavarotti's signature song, Puccini's Nessun Dorma. He does it to absolute perfection here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VATmgtmR5o4
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I agreed about Sling Blade. Great film.

Pavarotti is incredible. I may have just started an opera obsession.
 
s1rrah said:
Speaking of Pavaratti ...

I listend to Pavarotti's rendition of the same song ... and although the expected polish and control of a true studied master was quite evident over Paul Pott's amateur performance, Pavarotti's version still came up short in the Pure Passion(tm), Pure Want(tm) department.

It made me think about how Paul would evolve if allowed or afforded the opportunity to study under a master like Pavarotti for 5 years or so ...

Oh man ... just imagine ...
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Paul Pott has a very good voice and this is a great story. Training does make a significant difference. Could he be in the upper echelon of opera singers performing at La Scala or the Met if he had studied? probably not, His voice lacks the weight required. It doesn't change the fact he has a better voice than 99% of the people that go on these shows. He is very inspiring and could get a record deal out of the whole thing.

Look at Pavarroti's reaction after he hits the last note if you think he lacks passion. The guy is amazing. I think the difference when watching Paul Pott is that you realize how much is at stake personally for the man and that makes is special.
 
but he could certainly do new opera and have a career in smaller houses doing classics right?

or maybe a touring career based on his voice and his personal story?

anyway, wherever he fits in professionally or whatever ...

wow, totally moving and inspiring
 
Well, he won. Great for him.

Awesome story. He also managed to make me really like opera. I bought a couple Pavarotti CDs today.
 
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