Black Swan

Ravenboy had caught wind of a casting call that was held yesterday for Darren Aronofsky's upcoming movie, Black Swan. His one coworker is to be Natalie Portman's body double in the dance scenes and he has worked closely with the choreographer, Ben Millipied.

From what he could tell, it was pretty much just a formality to show up and show his interest in being cast. It's a given that anyone with his resumé can dance so what he figured was it was pretty much a decision based on if he fit the type. He was encouraged that they might be casting his type since an earlier casting call had turned down some of the taller male dancers he worked with. He was surprised when a few days prior, he was told to show up in dance clothes and be prepared to dance. Ravenboy was excited to perhaps have a chance to meet the writer and director, Aronofsky because he has a lot of respect for his other films like The Fountain, Requiem for a Dream, Pi.

He and another male coworker showed up a little early to warm up and what they found was a surreal scene. They were to show up in the garment district and found that they were directed to a ballroom. On there way to it there were literally hundreds of other dancers. Ravenboy recognized dancers from when he was as young as 10 years old from his school here in town, guys he met at summer dance camps on the west coast, from the two years he trained at School of American Ballet and Tim Lacetena who had the great dancing role of "Andrew" in Step Up. He had met Tim on the west coast in a summer camp years ago too. The were all smack in the middle of a real live cattle call! When he told us about it all, we agreed it sounded like a scene out of a cool movie called The Game.

They were pretty amused at it all and although his name was on a list of dancers they expected he was still asked to fill out an application (they had run out and he was handed a blank sheet of paper) and to pin a number to his chest. He and his coworker were good sports about it, said "hey" to the people they recognized and got ready to proceed to audition for the first time in years. He says he got the general feeling that they were all a little nervous to see him there.

He was cool enough to share a couple of photos they took for this blog. Apparently he was #310 and after the last group of women were finished auditioning they called in the first group of men that included he and his coworker. He nodded to Milipied as he came into the ballroom and took off his warm ups in preparation to dance. He saw Aronofsky and he was excited to dance for him.

I think it was about that time he said that he overheard Millipied tell someone that he didn't need to see #310 & #312 dance because they were, "...already in his troupe." They were asked to leave and confirmed that they didn't even need to stay for any dancing later. Ravenboy's coworker joked they they should have acted like they were crying as they left.

They were both a little disappointed not to dance at all. Less than 15 minutes after they time they were told to be present, they were calling Natalie Portman's dance double to say they were done and ready to go. I think it's the fastest he has ever been let go from an audition and it wasn't because he was being rejected. A funny story indeed and I look forward to hearing what his filming schedule is like.

Da Vinci Code

Sony is discouraging any midnight showings of this movie so we are seeking out the earliest shows available in the area. So far it is noon at the Premier Theatre's in 5/19/06. Tickets are on sale now.

I can't get in touch with anyone from the Garman Theatre to find out when their shows are ( even dropped them an e-mail). Anyone...!?

Goblet of Fire

We went to the midnight showing of Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire last night. I am still pretty tired as I wasn't able to drift off to sleep until probably after 3:30 AM.

This movie had to, by far, do the most condensing of the written book into it's 2 hours and 15 minutes. I missed quite a few things but understood the omission of most of them. One character that was sadly missed was Sirius Black. His '"face" is briefly seen in the Gryffindor common room fire but it is nowhere near enough exposure to develop his character into what it will need to be to reflect what a huge loss Harry suffers at the end of the next in the series.

This movie was much darker on every level. The William's score starts the action by playing a variation in minor keys as it dives right into Harry's first scar burning dream. Even some of what would be the most light hearted scenes ( dancing lessons with Mcgonegal ) have the characters with comparatively drab costumes and expressions when you compare it to Prisoner of Azkeban's classroom boggert lesson with Professor Lupin. The music is less light hearted and the colors through the entire film lean to blues and greys. Much missed are the vast pastoral views are the grounds but the scope and perspective of the World Cup scene is awesome.

Refreshing developments in character include those of Neville (I could have danced all night) Longbottom, Fred & George Weasley with and the introduction of Mad-eye (abducted auror) Moody, Cho (but can this Seeker fly) Chang, Lord (?)Voldemort. Speaking of the dark lord, I found his corporeal self just a bit too vulnerable. I knew how this story ended but there really was not a time when I felt he might conquer Harry Potter. When Potter steps out from around the gravestone (wand at the ready) and faces He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, there is never a doubt who is the stronger presence. The 14 year old boy s clearly the victor from that point on.

A big change in how Dumbeldore is portrayed. I would be surprised if we didn't find high blood pressure medication hidden somehwere in his office. He is surlier than before, no more warm and fuzzy head master.