Our Bloggers' Thoughts
Experience
I will never forget September 20, 2012, the day I traveled back to the 1920s. "The General" was such an interactive show that I once caught myself looking down at my dress expecting to see a hoopskirt! Being a child of the 21st century, I did not expect to be as impressed with a silent film as I was leaving the Arts Center. As a part of the audience, I realized that both the live orchestra and the audience made up the sound effects of the movie better than the previously recorded music. Buster Keaton was the star, the director, and producer, while also performing his own stunts, which I think, must have been really difficult. Watching him jump in front of trains and duck cannons was absolutely breathtaking although I knew he is already dead! I liked how this naïve character fought for his train and became the hero of the story. The ending however, confused me because in spite of what I have learned about the Civil War, the North surrendered to the South. The orchestra did an amazing job making the audience feel emotions according to different scenes of the movie. It was very interesting to see the maestro conduct the orchestra. I'd never seen this in real life. The general audience contained more children than I expected who seemed to enjoy the show. Overall, this experience changed my view about silent movies. If I were asked to watch “The General” all over again, I would gladly agree.
Expectations
Nowadays, we are all used to watching movies with voices, sound effects, soundtracks, etc. Watching a silent movie may not be very appealing to most people, especially since there is only a smaller group of people who are interested in historical fiction movies. Yet, I think Paragon Orchestra "The General" will capture the attention of many people because of the live orchestral music. I am looking forward to watching a movie made decades ago but listening to its soundtrack being performed at that moment; it will be a major time contrast! I think silent movies are more special than today's movies because of the great emphasis on transferring the message of the movie through body language and facial expressions. However, as a 12-year-old, I know that there are not many kids around my age interested in watching this show. I think the general audience will be mainly adults over 40 years of age. All in all, I think it will be a magnificent show.
Experience
The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra, conducted by founder Rick Benjamin, provided the original soundtrack and sound effects of more than one hundred instruments to the classic motion picture, "The General." The environment surrounding the cinematic, composed theater created the feeling of traveling back to that decade before media became the advanced mainstream, when the American dream was barely happening in the early 20th century. While the passionate orchestra performed, the audience played along and participated by applauding and shouting their appreciation toward the screen for the physical comedy starring the sly main protagonist, Buster Keaton. He had a sincere, thoughtful mind which developed so much nonverbal talent into one film; Keaton is one of the greatest actors, writers, and directors of the 1920s who ended the subtitled era with his best work: one of the last silent movies before talkies were introduced.
Expectations
From the Charlie Chaplin days to modern movies such as the Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning "The Artist", the film industry has changed over time. Cinema which features the black and white format, not including any color or verbal communication, is considered more artistic than your typical, ordinary viewing understanding nowadays. Although acknowledged for its attempt to bring back the lifestyle existence of vaudeville, fulfilled theatre, and silent motion pictures along with symphonies, subtitles, and no talkies, this genre of film art falls under the indie, underrated category and has a unique audience, whom appreciate majestic talent, still watching today.
"The General" accompanied by the Paragon Orchestra should have the same amount of hardworking dedication and potential capability to the classification as the past creativity from the genius minds of the silent film era. The formation of silent orchestra is such a clever soundtrack and entertainment to crowds of all ages because it can take effect, either expanding a person’s interests or flashbacking an individual’s memory to similar memorabilia and life experiences. This combination of classic footage and live music will hopefully contain elements like sight and sound from the specific decades of the 20s and early 30s to develop the looking listener’s feeling of actuality and imagination about being there during that time of original stage acts and musical performances.
Experience
My daughter and I both thoroughly enjoyed the Paragon Orchestra's "The General". Since I have never watched something like this before, I was pleasantly surprised as to how the conductor encouraged audience participation. We were able to sigh at the love scenes, hiss or boo at the enemy and cheer for our hero. It was quite fun and entertaining. I was also very impressed with the orchestra and how they brought the film alive. For example, the cymbals clashed as the character dropped a glass figurine on the floor. The timing was impeccable. It's amazing that only eleven instruments were used to bring these films to life.
As for whether my daughter would be captivated or be snoring after the first five minutes, she was definitely captivated. Her favorite part was the bonus feature "The Cops," by Keaton Buster. (Yes, a bonus feature. I was only expecting to see "The General.") My daughter was busting out in laughter at the slap-stick comedy, hissing at the enemy, and cheering for the hero. She was an active participant.
I am so thankful to the UTB and TSC Arts Center for bringing the Paragon Orchestra, because this performance did what I had hoped for – it did whet my daughters' appetite for similar performances. She is already requesting me (no - begging is more like it) to take her to Ballet Folklórico de México and "Fiddler on the Roof". Yes! That is what I wanted to happen because I want the fine arts to be an integral part of her education.
Expectations
Although I have never heard of the Paragon Orchestra before, I am looking forward to seeing a "silent film" with a live orchestra. I am also not familiar with the storyline of "The General", but I like action movies and romantic movies and this performance promises to be a combination of both in a silent version of course. My only concern is if my nine-year-old will appreciate this art form; after all, her generation is a sight and sound generation. Will this silent version captivate her attention? Or will she be snoring before the first five minutes are over? My hope is that it will not only captivate her attention, but will wet her appetite for more similar performances. However, I am interested in knowing what your opinion is: Do you think she will stay awake past 5 minutes? Past the intermission? Or be captivated the entire night?
Experience
That was a lot of fun! The Paragon Orchestra did a wonderful job playing the original score for "The General," from the opening notes of "Dixie" on the piccolo to the final exit music. One thing I had forgotten was that there would be someone in the orchestra doing the sound effects, and he did a wonderful job! We were up in the balcony, and we could see the entire orchestra and how they interacted with the movie. The conductor also had fun interacting with the crowd, giving pointers at the beginning and answering plenty of questions after the show. They all put on a wonderful performance to a wonderful movie, and my wife and I enjoyed it immensely. We hope to see them again very soon!
Expectations
Two years ago, the Paragon Orchestra performed here at the UTB and TSC Arts Center, performing their rendition of the original score for the 1920 silent film "The Mark of Zorro," starring Douglas Fairbanks. Being a big fan of old movies, I jumped at the chance to see this film with the original score. What I was surprised to find out was that this showing would also have audience participation! Going to the movies back in the silent era was a lot different than today. The technology was not yet invented to put the film and soundtrack together; an orchestra had to play the soundtrack. The audience was also heavily involved in the screening of the film, booing at the bad guy, celebrating for the good guy, even trying to warn the hero if someone was sneaking up behind him! So I was very excited to find out that Paragon was returning to perform and screen another silent era film this season. This time, the film selection is "The General," starring Buster Keaton. This is easily one of the greatest films ever created, performed by one of the greatest silent era actors. This is a movie everybody should see, especially in its proper context. I hope to see you all there Sept. 20!
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