59 replies to this topic

[abatt]

Heads  up everyone. Leslie Stahl (who happens to be on the NYCB Board) will profile the NYCB on this Sunday's 60 Minutes.  Stahl also follows Robbie Fairchild's debut in Apollo at NYCB.  Be careful about the timing if you are recording the program.  Sunday Night Football always seems to run late. A teaser can be found on the 60 Minutes offical webpage.

[California]

abatt, on 20 November 2012 - 02:13 PM, said:

Heads  up everyone. Leslie Stahl (who happens to be on the NYCB Board) will profile the NYCB on this Sunday's 60 Minutes.  Stahl also follows Robbie Fairchild's debut in Apollo at NYCB.  Be careful about the timing if you are recording the program.  Sunday Night Football always seems to run late. A teaser can be found on the 60 Minutes offical webpage.

The preview clip is here: http://www.cbsnews.c...h/?id=50135558n

[abatt]

I'm a little surprised this info has not been posted on the NYCB home page or twitter page.

[California]

abatt, on 20 November 2012 - 02:54 PM, said:

I'm a little surprised this info has not been posted on the NYCB home page or twitter page.

Surprising, yes, especially the absence of a notice on Twitter.

I first heard about this from a Google-alert I have to "New York City Ballet," which sent me to the CBS site. For companies of special interest, it's worth setting up the Google-alert along with Twitter, so you don't miss anythinng.

[abatt]

Yes, the Google alert worked well to provide this info.

[California]

NYCB finally sent this out on Twitter this morning. (Perhaps somebody is reading this board?)

Quote

This Sunday CBS's @60Minutes goes behind the scenes at NYCB (7 p.m. ET/PT). Here's an sneak peek: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50135558n …

[Jack Reed]

The clip emphasizes throughout the effort dancers put into dance, a common theme I've noticed in dance promotion.  Why do they do that?  This seems to me to set people up for what they're not going to see:  If the dancers are any good at all, it looks easy.  If it looks hard, something's amiss.  Anybody think they've got a piece of the explanation?

[California]

Jack Reed, on 21 November 2012 - 01:27 PM, said:

The clip emphasizes throughout the effort dancers put into dance, a common theme I've noticed in dance promotion.  Why do they do that?  This seems to me to set people up for what they're not going to see:  If the dancers are any good at all, it looks easy.  If it looks hard, something's amiss.  Anybody think they've got a piece of the explanation?

This behind-the-scenes emphasis on hard work goes back a long way. Think of the rehearsal and company class scenes in The Turning Point and Dancers. But I've always thought that was a good thing, as it shows Americans (especially American boys) how athletic and strenuous ballet is. Not something for sissies!

[kbarber]

California, on 21 November 2012 - 02:03 PM, said:

Jack Reed, on 21 November 2012 - 01:27 PM, said:

The clip emphasizes throughout the effort dancers put into dance, a common theme I've noticed in dance promotion.  Why do they do that?  This seems to me to set people up for what they're not going to see:  If the dancers are any good at all, it looks easy.  If it looks hard, something's amiss.  Anybody think they've got a piece of the explanation?

This behind-the-scenes emphasis on hard work goes back a long way. Think of the rehearsal and company class scenes in The Turning Point and Dancers. But I've always thought that was a good thing, as it shows Americans (especially American boys) how athletic and strenuous ballet is. Not something for sissies!

I agree, California. If anything, it makes it even more amazing to see how effortless they make it look. Something like 60 minutes has such a vast audience of non-balletomanes, who just don't realize what goes into it and indeed think it's something for sissies. Heck, I've seen a lot of ballet (including Apollo many times) and had no idea Apollo was collapsed in the wings!

[puppytreats]

I've never understood why people say they are surprised that dance is hard work. Getting up out of my chair requires effort.  Running down the block requires stamina, strength, and energy.  Ballet dancers make movement look beautiful, sometimes airy, and often meaningful, but do not convey a lack of physical and other types of preparation.

[abatt]

I think Stahl was looking for an honest, behind the scenes look at how much hard work goes into being a ballet dancer.  Yes, it is amazing that Fairchild looked so fresh and energized on stage, but was panting for air as soon as he left the stage.  I wonder if Fairchild ever contemplated that the footage of him sprawled out on the floor gasping for breath would end up on national television and the internet.

[Jack Reed]

California, on 21 November 2012 - 02:03 PM, said:

This behind-the-scenes emphasis on hard work goes back a long way. ...  But I've always thought that was a good thing, as it shows Americans (especially American boys) how athletic and strenuous ballet is. Not something for sissies!

Not something for "sissies" to do, for sure.  So, the purpose of this kind of publicity is to recruit dancers who aren't afraid of great effort?  And not to recruit spectators who enjoy the magical ease and apparent lightness of good ballet performance?

[abatt]

Although 60 Minutes is a highly rated show  I'm not sure that this segment would necessarily translate into any additional customers for NYCB. I think appearances by ballet dancers on shows like Dancing with the Stars and other programs of that ilk are more likely reach potential new audiences for ballet. Nevertheless, any publicity is good publicity. I hope it is not primarily a puffery piece about  Peter Martins, and his great stewardship skills, by his NYCB Board member pal..

[ascballerina]

Here's the link for those who a) missed it or b) have the Grey Cup (or some other sports thing) over top of it: http://www.cbsnews.c...h/?id=50135740n

[abatt]

On the whole, I thought it was a pretty balanced piece.   I'm glad Stahl disclosed her relationship w. the company at the outset.   Also, she quoted some of Martins' critics re his choreography, so it wasn't just a fluff piece that stroked his ego. .