MTV Video Music Awards Aug in NYC

[SouthernCakes]

Saw a commercial today that MTV will be holding the VMAs in NYC. Thats a huge event. Does that bode well for the return of theater or no?

[Jordan Catalano]

It doesn’t have anything to do with live theatre returning. The press release states there will be limited or even no audience. So this has nothing to do with broadway coming back.

[Jordan Catalano]

Actually - I kind of take some of that back. Thinking about it, with New York now allowing filming and given that they'll be filming inside of that theatre - I now wonder if some live theater might be able to be filmed on stage. If this is allowed now, following whatever guidelines the state has set, I'd actually hope this is something that could happen. 

[HogansHero]

Jordan Catalano said: "Actually - I kind of take some of that back. Thinking about it, with New York now allowing filming and given that they'll be filming inside of that theatre - I now wonder if some live theater might be able to be filmed on stage. If this is allowed now, following whatever guidelines the state has set, I'd actually hope this is something that could happen."

I think both of your posts could be true. Filming a show on a theatre stage could happen (query about the jurisdictional aspect) but it still would not have anything to do with Broadway coming back. I think the impediment would be paying for it. And to that end, I think it would be more likely on an off-Broadway (or non-theatre) stage.

Incidentally, the play I mentioned in another thread filmed today at Epidaurus was socially distanced on stage, to brilliant effect I thought. The audience was not but it was (a) outdoors of course, and (b) in a country that has done a very good job of managing and controlling Covid-19 from the get-go. 

[SouthernCakes]

It just peaked my interest because it said “LIVE” so I’m curious how they are going about it and maybe that could be adapted somehow.

[Islander_fan]

Given the fact that it’s at the Barclays Center, there is a good amount of space to have people sit a couple of seats apart from one another and still have it look like there’s a big crowd there. Hell, they could, if they wanted to superimpose people so it looks like the arena is fuller than it actually is. 

 

 

And, for whatever it’s worth, I never thought of the idea of seating people with a or two between them until I got Covid testing. I was at NYU and when waiting for the antibody test to be done, the waiting area had a seat or two between each person marked off in the waiting area. So, maybe they can do that at the VMAs too?

[SouthernCakes]

I’m more concerned with the artists and dancers and crew! That’s where my head went. Unless they’re all quarantining together, etc.

[SouthernCakes]

Tonight’s the night!

[GiantsInTheSky2]

It was announced previously that nobody coming in (performance wise) for the VMAs would be required to quarantine. Because celebrity, or something.

[HogansHero]

announced by whom?

I think perhaps you are confusing the quarantining of performers (as in a bubble) with the quarantining of individuals arriving in New York from a pariah state. 

[veronicamae]

HogansHero said: "announced by whom?

I think perhaps you are confusing the quarantining of performers (as in a bubble) with the quarantining of individuals arriving in New York from a pariah state."

It was widely reported but somewhat confusingly so for those who didn't read the details of the articles rather than just the headlines.

Performers coming from out of state are not being required to quarantine for 14 days as any other tourist or traveler would be required to -- so long as they are only here to rehearse, perform, and leave. If they choose to stay, then they have to go into quarantine post-awards. I haven't read that they are "in a bubble" as pro sports are doing, nor have I heard that they all were required to test negative prior to going into a bubble that may or may not exist. I haven't kept up with it beyond that initial reporting.

It created a bit of a buzz because they were basically being treated akin to essential workers (who also do not need to quarantine upon arrival).

[uncageg]

I am watching and so far they are pulling this off quite well.

Over the years I lost track of all of the new artists with such a sea of music out there. But I always like to tune into the awards to hear what is out there. The awards performances are always fun to watch. For me, they are not disappointing.

Kind of hard to tell where what is happening. A LOT of video screens. I am assuming the actual presentations are taking place inside (Barclay's maybe?). Maluma did a live performance outside in a drive in setting which was pretty cool. A few performances looked taped (Miley and BTS) but possibly not.

They are also driving home positive messages. As I type a Biden+Harris ad is showing. And Lady Gaga is working the costumes and masks for all they are worth!

[Tag]

Pretty sure everything is pre-taped and in multiple venues.

(ie. everyone freaked out at the Hudson River fireworks, which was 2 nights ago)

[uncageg]

Tag said: "Pretty sure everything is pre-taped and in multiple venues.

(ie. everyone freaked out at the Hudson River fireworks, which was 2 nights ago)"

Ahh. I ran to my kitchen window to see if I could hear the fireworks. I hope we find out how they pulled all of this off. I am impressed.

[Tag]

Lots of info HERE

[SouthernCakes]

Impressed too! The main set piece is cool! Makes it seem like the audience is there but on different roofs.

And the performances have been fun. Very interesting. The country music awards are coming up and I’d suspect they copy this.

The Tonys could do something similar. But the face masks would def get in the way.

[uncageg]

Thanks for sharing that Tag.

I heard about those fireworks! Now we know what was behind them.

[veronicamae]

SouthernCakes said: "Impressed too! The main set piece is cool! Makes it seem like the audience is there but on different roofs.

And the performances have been fun. Very interesting. The country music awards are coming up and I’d suspect they copy this.

The Tonys could do something similar. But the face masks would def get in the way."

Why would they get in the way any more than they got in the way for the performers at the VMAs? I recognize the difference between incorporating a mask into a pop performance versus adding one to a costume that doesn't usually have one, but that surely shouldn't get in the way of doing it, in my opinion! We're all so used to seeing people with masks now, like...who cares if they're wearing masks? (It's a whole lot better than not wearing them.)

[Tag]

Everyone was lip syncing tonight, so the masks didn't matter in terms of sound.

[SouthernCakes]

Exactly. It took the excitement out.

[Jordan Catalano]

Miley’s new song is the best thing I’ve ever heard from her. It’s pure 80s power and I instantly bought it and have listened to it like 30 times so far.

[Luminaire2]

Everything was pre-recorded. But Gaga and Ariana had live sound for their filming session. (Re the lip syncing comment).

[uncageg]

It sounded like some songs were re-recorded to sound live. I actually enjoyed the whole show. Not a Black Eyed Peas fan so the finale didn't thrill me.

[ArtMan]

Jordan Catalano said: "Miley’s new song is the best thing I’ve ever heard from her. It’s pure 80s power and I instantly bought it and have listened to it like 30 times so far."

Her  new cd has been shelved and reshelved.  Hopefully when this single takes off, we might get a release by the end of the year.  BTW, did you like Younger Now?  I loved every song on it.  Unfortunately, I think I may have been the only one.  It tanked pretty badly.