Orestes Fasting
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Would you contribute to a fan-directed production of LM?And I'm not talking about the forum recordings. Suppose a small group of Les Mis fans were putting on a production of the show--legally, and possibly with professional actors.
Would you volunteer? To usher, to do tech work, to help build the set, to do makeup. To make costumes--I know there are a lot of historical reproduction and reenactment enthusiasts out there. To advertise and spread the word.
And--a slightly pricklier question--would you contribute financially? Anything from donating twenty bucks through PayPal to investing in the show and getting a return if it makes money.
This is completely hypothetical at the moment, but my friends and I have been kicking the idea around lately, and the release of the regional rights means it might even be possible in a few years. I personally think a fan-directed production would be awesome in terms of knowledge and attention to detail and sheer love of the material, but getting it all together and finding the money to make it not suck would be challenging. And I wonder how much of that the fans could do if we put our minds to it.
Consider this the 'serious business' offshoot of all those 'If you directed a production...' threads.
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Quique
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Omg, that's my dream. I'd definitely want to help out in any way I can. Just the thought of it gives me butterflies in my stomach from excitement!
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mastachen
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I would invest and/or volunteer. I've never done a show before and if I were to do a show, it'd be Les Mis.
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Quique
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I'd imagine the budget would be pretty large. Where would this hypothetical production be staged? How about musicians? Would professionals over-see the production process? It seems pretty impossible, but I'm interested to know what you and your friends have thought-out so far.
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MmeJavert
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The idea is to try to do things with as many volunteers as we can, to keep the costs down. Hands down the most expensive thing is rights, so who knows where the money will come from. But we'd been thinking that volunteers as ushers, lighting techs, makeup artists, orchestra members, etc. would really help keep costs down. And of course be a lot of fun.
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Quique
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Sounds great. But, obviously, it would be satged in the East Coast, right? 
That'll make it hard for me to personally lend a helping hand. But I'd definitely would be willing to make a few trips over there and even contribute financially, especially if it's a few years from now.
And yes, a fan produced production would be the most amazing thing ever. 
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Orestes Fasting
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Oh yeah, it does seem impossible, but it's fun to think about. And it also seems like the kind of impossible where if you bust your ass hard enough, you might be able to pull it off and get a nice news article about the benefits of perseverance.  The genus of the idea was my friends and I joking about how if you totalled up all the money we'd collectively spent on Les Mis tickets and transportation to/from the show over the years, you could probably fund a pretty kickass school edition. And then a former barricade boy told us outright that we should do our own production, along with several amusing anecdotes about hitting up his friends for money to fund cabaret nights and making it back up with ticket sales.
Of course putting on Les Mis is not exactly a cabaret night--the rights alone are probably prohibitively expensive, to say nothing of finding a venue and musicians and actors and paying people to do whatever we can't find volunteers for. But that conversation got us thinking about whether it would be possible to direct a production.
And look what some school editions have done with all volunteers and a modest budget. Some of them suck royally, but some of them turn out pretty damn good. And with fan dedication behind it and a wider pool of actors to cast from... it wouldn't suck.
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EponineMNFF
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I probably wouldn't be anywhere near it, but if I were, I would definitely want to help out, be a dresser and do some grunt work for costumes or something. I'm definitely not skilled enough to do any serious designing, unless if it was just a replica of the Cammack production, then I'd be really good at that. Haha.
Again, this is unrealistic, since, if this is in a few years, I'll be in the midwest.
And I would contribute a little--I'll probably be a starving student, but I'd at least give twenty bucks or something.
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lesmisloony
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Hell. yes.
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kozafluitmusique
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Of course! Of course I would want to be in it more than anything (and I may have a chance to be in a Les Mis school edition this summer...idk) ... but helping is fine too 
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Paula74
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I'd be glad to help with publicity/PR for it!
I've been observing that aspect of productions with a lot of interest for the past few years.
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lizavert
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I would love to be a part of this. I may not be able to do anything more than give a little money, but for Les Mis, I would do as much as I could.
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Set_Buildin_Dad
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This is definitely the type of project that I would get involved in if the production was local. The way I became more involved in theatre was by volunteering to design and build sets for our local theatre companies. It has been a great hobby - and like all good hobbies has been a large time and money sink. Still, I've gotten a lot of satisfaction from the experience. If you can achieve critical mass in a local area I would say "go for it">
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Sweeney Hyde
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Orestes, why not submit a royalty application to MTI just to see what the royalties would be like? You are under no obligation to sign a contract with the show once you get the royalties...so...why not just see how much it would roughly be?
...I want to be in it...
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dcrowley
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OMG... I want to be in it, too...
My dream is to play Marius. I mean, I have the dark, curly, tussled hair... the high baritone voice, and can very easily be repulsed by Eponine if need be.
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Quique
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I'll be a lovely lady. J/K
Sweeney would be our Javert and Daniel our Marius.
Loony would be a female Monty.
And we'll force Orestes to play Eponine.  LOL.
OK, getting serious...how much would the rights cost, anyway?
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Orestes Fasting
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Now now, ladies, we're talking fan-directed and produced, not the MdN All-Star Les Mis Revue. You want to be third whore from the left, you show up at the auditions just like everyone else.
I haven't a clue how much the license would cost--actually going and shooting MTI an email would imply that this is indeed Serious Business, and I'd like to keep up a pretense of indifferent speculation for a little while longer yet. Also, they need very specific information on planned dates, venue, seating capacity, ticket prices, etc. to even quote you a rate.
When the next tour starts up in '09 it'll cost about $300k a week to book it and a 70/30 split of ticket sales--but that's a fully mounted Equity touring production; you don't even have to hire local musicians.
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Quique
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Trust me, I know this is all pretense at the moment, hehe. I figured it wouldn't be a fan cast thing. Not that any of us have talent, but I'd go with a general auditioning process. We don't want rabid fans killing each other over parts, lol.
Yeah, I'm expecting the next tour to be very much like the 2004 non-equity Miss Saigon tour...not absolutely horrific, but not amazing either. Hopefully it will be better than expected.
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mastachen
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I'd totes audition for Enjolras. If this thing isn't happening for a few years, I can get some voice lessons and stuff. lol
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kozafluitmusique
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I'll be ensemble. I'm not amazing as everyone else is here in theatre.....
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LesMisForever
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I am in on the condition that OF plays Enjolras 
It is without a doubt very ambitious idea. It is even audacious.
Being in London i can't of course contribute in any significant way other than financial, and i am certainly willing to do that.
To be brutally honest, i think there are way too many obstacles to do it, but i wholeheartdly wish you well, and as i said, you can count one me to provide tiny little bit of green.
[/u]
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Fantine
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To be completely honest here, although I think that it is a great idea, I probably wouldn't contribute unless I could get some benefit from it. If for example, a DVD would be made, then I think I would contribute.
I mean, I live 1.0000 miles from where this would all be happening. I wouldn't like to spend my money on a production I could never possibly see.
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musical4eva
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I would love to volunteer but I live in England and wouldn't be able to actively contribute and I'm 16 and have no money so that's out too. However if it does go ahead maybe I could put together some costume designs??
The idea sounds amazing and I really hope it all works out.
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The Guard
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I do a wicked Colm Wilkenson impression. And I can belt. Where's this supposed to happen?
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Gwen
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If I had transportation...sure!
And you'd have your first member of the pit orchestra. I play viola. 
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Fantine
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Can't you guys read?
It's not about performing, it's about contributing financially or in the "organizing apartment". [/img]
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Orestes Fasting
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| Fantine wrote: | Can't you guys read?
It's not about performing, it's about contributing financially or in the "organizing apartment". [/img] |
THANK YOU. I didn't want to have to say it, but... yeah. Finding performers is not the problem. Finding volunteers to help paint the set, on the other hand...
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Quique
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Thanks Fantine, for saying what was on my mind. XD
I am a painter and can definitely lend a hand with the set if I could get over there.
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Sweeney Hyde
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I apologize, everyone, for setting the tone of performing...I meant it as a joke then it seemed like people began thinking in that mindset...XD
Two things though...
(1) I assume, Orestas, that you're talking a replica production here?
(2) Have you got ahold of MTI just to maybe get a ballpark idea of a royalty fee? I've become quite curious.
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kozafluitmusique
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Oh...money wise? Yeah, I'd contribute that, too.
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Orestes Fasting
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Replica production? Oh hell no. Half the fun of a fan-directed production would be doing the design from scratch.
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Sweeney Hyde
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| Orestes Fasting wrote: | | Replica production? Oh hell no. Half the fun of a fan-directed production would be doing the design from scratch. |
That's just what I wanted to hear!
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Timmy_Wishes he was Quast
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I would love to help. Financially AND artistically, i would love to offer my creative input. BUT i am realistic. So financial seems the way forward.
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Quique
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A design from scratch sounds great! As long as you don't try any crazy things in a desperate attempt to be nothing like the original--such as having a hot pink, brick barricade.
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Orestes Fasting
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No, no, nothing like that... how about OMO as a mad scene that ends in Eponine having a nervous breakdown and almost pitching herself into the Seine?
Because that's probably the most out-there decision I'd consider making as a director.
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Quique
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I think that's a wonderful idea. There should be a flash of thunder and lightening and a mad look across her face when she sings "And I know it's only in my mind..." LOL.
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Sweeney Hyde
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| Quique wrote: | | I think that's a wonderful idea. There should be a flash of thunder and lightening and a mad look across her face when she sings "And I know it's only in my mind..." LOL. |
oh gosh...then change the orchestration to be like...an accordian, a grinding organ, and vibraphones. XD
Speaking of orchestrations...???
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Quique
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Obviously it'll use John Cameron's originals, right Orestes????
Of course, it being a lower-budget production, Sinfonia (or is it Orch-Extra?) would be a good option. Unless we could find a full set of qualified musicians who'd do it for free or next to nothing, which I doubt.
How much do those Sinfonia thingos rent for, anyway? 
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lesmisloony
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| Quote: | No, no, nothing like that... how about OMO as a mad scene that ends in Eponine having a nervous breakdown and almost pitching herself into the Seine?
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PLEASE.
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lizavert
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I would love to see a crazy Eponine. It would make a nice change.
We might have a few problems with Eppiboppers though.
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Sweeney Hyde
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While we're at it why don't we just make Thernadier drop his drawers at "I'll make you scream. You'll scream alright!" XD
...I want Quique to personally re-orchestrate the show to fit whatever musicians are to be had...
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Quique
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| Sweeney Hyde wrote: | | ...I want Quique to personally re-orchestrate the show to fit whatever musicians are to be had... |
I'm a nit-picky listener, not an orchestrator, lol. I can try, but it'll probably turn out to be a train wreck as I've never had musical training of any sort. I'm just good at discerning between instrumental sounds.
As much as I hate it, whatever instruments are missing would have to be replaced by some sinfonia-like thing.
I like how we're discussing this as if it's going to happen for sure, hehehe. One can dream, no?
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bigR
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Well, that's a tricky question.
I would love to be involved in something like this, do some volunteer work or even put money into it.
But I actually have two big "buts". First, been based in Europe I don't think there is much I could do appart from contributing financially, and as Fantine said, it is weird to contribute to something you are not reallydirect a part of or you can't see growing from day to day.
But the main issue is: who would be in charge of it? Every production has a clear authority figure. A director assigned by the producers, the school direction, etc... Who would have control over these?
We are speaking professional actors and musicians... but who would direct it? A fans's board? well... as nicely as democracy sounds, a theatre play needs one director (2 is the absolute top)? Would he be a professional too? What if some of the fans don't agree with his decissions. The best solution would probably be to pick a fan with stage directing experience, but... who would appoint him? and what if the other fans don't like what he is doing?...
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Quique
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I'm assuming those who cooked up the idea (Orestes and her friends) would be most heavily involved with the directing. I, for one, would probably volunteer to help in other areas, but would also love to throw a few ideas around, hehe.
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bigR
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| Quique wrote: | | I'm assuming those who cooked up the idea (Orestes and her friends) would be most heavily involved with the directing. I, for one, would probably volunteer to help in other areas, but would also love to throw a few ideas around, hehe. |
The period costume nerd that I am would be more than happy helping with the re-designing of the clothes on two conditions: we should keep Javert's coat (please), and Les Amis must wear hats (pretty, pretty please  )
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Orestes Fasting
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| bigR wrote: | | The period costume nerd that I am would be more than happy helping with the re-designing of the clothes on two conditions: we should keep Javert's coat (please), and Les Amis must wear hats (pretty, pretty please ) |
Javert's coat: Hell yes.
Amis with hats: I like the idea, but they wouldn't have much of a chance to wear them... since the caf� is indoors and half of them are probably running around in their shirtsleeves at the barricade and wouldn't bother with hats. (Except Courfeyrac, obviously.)
I have a few pet peeves in the standard production costumes. The stylized ones, like the carnivalesque costumes in Lovely Ladies or Enjolras' gold-braided sniper magnet, are understandable: they give a pretty striking impression and convey information quickly to the audience, but I still probably wouldn't use them.* The hoop skirts in the wedding are a blatant anachronism, but the dresses are otherwise cut in 1830s style and the hoops are more practical than stuffing the entire female ensemble into fifteen layers of petticoats. However, there is absolutely no excuse for Cosette's ugly convent-school dress. I've heard that it's supposed to provide visual continuity with the dress Valjean gives young Cosette--but we only see that one for about thirty seconds! The lyrics and character interactions establish that it's the same Cosette who was in rags ten years ago. Let her dress nicely. The black one, aside from being boring and ugly, doesn't stand out at all against a dark stage and probably contributes to the general Cosette hate by making her look... well, boring and ugly.
</rant>
* The Enjolras vest doesn't automatically get disqualified for being more stylized than realistic, but it is a bitch and a half to make, and it looks awful if you do a half-assed job of it. Some of the regional versions appeared to be ten rows of gold trim on red felt, which made me wish they'd just given him a plain red vest.
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Quique
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I hated the ridiculous doll-hair wigs many Cosettes had to wear. The black dress never bothered me, but I agree that it is boring.
I love the whore's over-the-top costumes though. I've seen photos of a production that had them wear more historically accurate dresses, and they just didn't do it for me.
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Catherine
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Well, seeing as I live in England and have next to no money, I'm afraid I can't contribute to this production except support it wholeheartedly. Hope it comes off, and I'd like to see pictures!
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starmelace
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We all need to move to one location and do this! *hugs everyone* No one is my town....heck, no one in my state, would want to do this. *sniff*
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