Joined: 04 Oct 2011 Posts: 162 Location: Hawaii Country:
Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 6:22 am Post subject:
Well, I'm obviously late to this party, but I only discovered Swing Girls in the past week - watched it straight through several times and watched key portions (When they played right before the regular band came back, the "Comin through the Rye" section, playing on the roof, and the last part - of course!) more times than I can count. Especially when taking a trip a few days ago, flying from Hawaii to South Carolina.
I've finally finished reading all 85 pages of posts here and untold comments on YouTube videos as I've tried to get more info.
Have some questions if anyone here is still around and knows some answers.
I know it is said that they played their own music, but the wording leaves some loopholes - and what I read is from commenters or reviews who may be less than accurate.
My personal best guess is that they were playing all we heard on screen, but I doubt that the last performance was actually recorded as we see it. I suspect they played in a studio to get everything as good as possible and then their own recording was dubbed in. Some commenters elsewhere say the sound we hear is the kind of sound you get when each instrument is miked - I don't know, but if so, it would fit my theory.
Another possibility is, as some commenters claim, they dubbed someone else playing. This would not actually contradict a claim that they "performed all the scores" since we know they did perform them on the First and Last Concert, etc. It would just mean they didn't do the actual performance we see recorded.
I suspect - and hope - the first is true because having them doing the actual playing we here adds much to the movie.
I've listed to every recording I've been able to find of them playing online and they don't seem to play as well there, but those were live, harder to record well, probably not as much pressure to get it exactly right, and they may have not been playing as steadily as during filming - thus a bit rougher. I know the intonation and balance is worse and you can pick up more mistakes. Most of these things can be eliminated in a studio recording and all can be improved there.
Still, I'd love to confirm such details. Don't suppose anyone knows a way to contact the director? Or maybe have some definitive statement by insiders on this that isn't subject to interpretation?
As a band director (mostly retired) and a former jazz player when in the U.S. Navy band program, I loved this movie. I don't find it a stretch to believe it is possible they could have done so well so fast. Older kids learn faster, if they are motivated. They also had, I understand, 5 months - but that would be 5 months of intense work. Far more than kids normally get. And private instruction all that time. I would also suspect that each actress was partly chosen/assigned to an instrument based on their physical attributes for a given instrument. I deal with that a lot every year I recruit new beginners.
As much as I'd like to believe they played the final concert, I think it's a dub/sync... Whether or not they're synced or dubbed to their own playback, I dunno.
If you've ever seen the [i]First and Last Concert[/], the performance is only average to be honest, but there's no doubting their enthusiasm and moxie.
I would've liked to have seen a sequel, which hopefully isn't out of the realm of possibility.
Joined: 04 Oct 2011 Posts: 162 Location: Hawaii Country:
Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 3:35 am Post subject:
bmwracer wrote:
^ First and foremost, welcome to the forum!
As much as I'd like to believe they played the final concert, I think it's a dub/sync... Whether or not they're synced or dubbed to their own playback, I dunno.
If you've ever seen the [i]First and Last Concert[/], the performance is only average to be honest, but there's no doubting their enthusiasm and moxie.
Yeah, I would find it hard to believe it isn't at least dubbed by their own recording in a studio. Other than live concert recordings, even professional groups will do that - and if so, it takes nothing away from what they did.
I've listened to the First and Last Concert and other concerts I've found them playing. The areas they are weak in are exactly those things I would expect if they are relatively inexperienced and maybe not playing regularly like they probably were during the movie. And much of the problems would also be limited by a studio recording. Expecially the balance.
I also felt that they were just all really excited to be playing together again and the adrenalin got some being too aggressive.
I assume the "Swing Girls Live" is just a recording of the First and Last concert? If so, that wouldn't help narrow it down. If they had a studio recorded CD, that would. Might not take as much care as in the movie, but would have more effort to get it right than a live performance. After all, you can slice and dice within replays of a song to get the best part of each into one recording.
I think the best thing was how the girls - especially Juri - really showed how they really cared about playing. You see it when Juri first plays with the group - badly, but so proud (how she looked at her sax) - before the regular band came back. Likewise with here really bad used instrument - but it was hers. Much like a really poor kid in the old days who may be given an old beat up book for their very own for the first time! Gotta love that attitude and feel very sorry for them when they aren't being successful. If nothing else, great acting!
Yeah, I would find it hard to believe it isn't at least dubbed by their own recording in a studio. Other than live concert recordings, even professional groups will do that - and if so, it takes nothing away from what they did.
I've listened to the First and Last Concert and other concerts I've found them playing. The areas they are weak in are exactly those things I would expect if they are relatively inexperienced and maybe not playing regularly like they probably were during the movie. And much of the problems would also be limited by a studio recording. Expecially the balance.
I also felt that they were just all really excited to be playing together again and the adrenalin got some being too aggressive.
Yup... And who knows how much practice they had before the actual concert.
I think it was more a promotion for the movie than anything else.
Quote:
I assume the "Swing Girls Live" is just a recording of the First and Last concert? If so, that wouldn't help narrow it down. If they had a studio recorded CD, that would. Might not take as much care as in the movie, but would have more effort to get it right than a live performance. After all, you can slice and dice within replays of a song to get the best part of each into one recording.
Not sure about the Live! disc, since I don't have it... It might be the best cuts from the various venues they performed at... Too bad I missed them when they were in Santa Monica...
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I think the best thing was how the girls - especially Juri - really showed how they really cared about playing. You see it when Juri first plays with the group - badly, but so proud (how she looked at her sax) - before the regular band came back. Likewise with here really bad used instrument - but it was hers. Much like a really poor kid in the old days who may be given an old beat up book for their very own for the first time! Gotta love that attitude and feel very sorry for them when they aren't being successful. If nothing else, great acting!
Yes... And the filmgoing audience and critics liked it as well: The film ranked 8th at the Japanese box office in 2004 and won seven prizes at the 2005 Japanese Academy Awards, including 'Most Popular Film' and 'Newcomer of the Year' awards for Yuta Hiraoka and Juri Ueno. (Source: Wikipedia)
Joined: 04 Oct 2011 Posts: 162 Location: Hawaii Country:
Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 4:24 am Post subject:
I'd like to know when the film was actually first in theaters and the actual date of that concert. If the concert came first (or simultaneously), then I would think it would be more important to have them play as well as possible. But if after, people coming are going to have seen or heard of it and not playing quite as well as in the movie would still be a pleasant surprise - most people would assume they couldn't play at all and be shocked.
At least one report I read said they did the concert to prove they could play BECAUSE people assumed it was fake. That person may not know what they are talking about, but if they are right, it would make it more likely it was a last minute thing with less preparation.
You know, it's funny, but there are some serious holes in the story. Notably how the girls had clean uniforms at the game (unlikely that washing in the stream did that thorough of a job) and, even bigger, how the last 10 girls rejoined suddenly and were playing as well as the 7 people who were working hard all along. Not to mention how they got to the music store, sold their designer clothes, etc, got instruments, and got back to join in all before the song was over! And I never cared about those flaws. It was still just fun.
I'd like to know when the film was actually first in theaters and the actual date of that concert. If the concert came first (or simultaneously), then I would think it would be more important to have them play as well as possible. But if after, people coming are going to have seen or heard of it and not playing quite as well as in the movie would still be a pleasant surprise - most people would assume they couldn't play at all and be shocked.
At least one report I read said they did the concert to prove they could play BECAUSE people assumed it was fake. That person may not know what they are talking about, but if they are right, it would make it more likely it was a last minute thing with less preparation.
I suppose the concerts were there to refute any possible naysayers or unbelievers.
With all this CG and whatnot, viewers do become jaded as to what's real or not.
Quote:
You know, it's funny, but there are some serious holes in the story. Notably how the girls had clean uniforms at the game (unlikely that washing in the stream did that thorough of a job) and, even bigger, how the last 10 girls rejoined suddenly and were playing as well as the 7 people who were working hard all along. Not to mention how they got to the music store, sold their designer clothes, etc, got instruments, and got back to join in all before the song was over! And I never cared about those flaws. It was still just fun.
Yeah, I noticed those holes as well, but since the film is so joyous and enthusiastic you just overlook those things...
Hmm, just talking about it makes me want to watch it when I get home...
Joined: 04 Oct 2011 Posts: 162 Location: Hawaii Country:
Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 6:13 am Post subject:
Yeah - and in the case of the other girls joining in, it was a nice scene and no real way to put it in there and still make sense. May not be logical, but it was the right move artistically (and emotionally).
I haven't watched it the last couple days. I keep watching new videos (latest is all the parts of the "making of" series I just finished) or reading stuff in hopes of answering some questions I have. So no way to watch the movie again yet.
Sure wish they had subtitles for the other stuff, besides the main movie! Heck of an oversight!
Be nice if some people who were fluent in Japanese could fill in some of the details. Besides general info they might pull out of the "making of" vids, there are isolated things they might explain. For example, I think it is on the First and Last Concert that Juri yells out something (holding her arm up) and the others yell back - what the heck did they say!!!???
And I see times when one of the girls makes a fist and holds it straight out. Must mean something. And, one thing that has always puzzled me - the "V" sign. I know in World War II, we used it for "Victory". In the 60's it was the peace sign. But what do the Japanese mean when they use it? I see girls visiting Hawaii from Japan and every time they pose for a picture, at least one will make that sign.
Yeah - and in the case of the other girls joining in, it was a nice scene and no real way to put it in there and still make sense. May not be logical, but it was the right move artistically (and emotionally).
I haven't watched it the last couple days. I keep watching new videos (latest is all the parts of the "making of" series I just finished) or reading stuff in hopes of answering some questions I have. So no way to watch the movie again yet.
Sure wish they had subtitles for the other stuff, besides the main movie! Heck of an oversight!
Be nice if some people who were fluent in Japanese could fill in some of the details. Besides general info they might pull out of the "making of" vids, there are isolated things they might explain. For example, I think it is on the First and Last Concert that Juri yells out something (holding her arm up) and the others yell back - what the heck did they say!!!???
My guess is something similar to a "Banzai!" ...A rousing cheer to egg everyone on.
Quote:
And I see times when one of the girls makes a fist and holds it straight out. Must mean something. And, one thing that has always puzzled me - the "V" sign. I know in World War II, we used it for "Victory". In the 60's it was the peace sign. But what do the Japanese mean when they use it? I see girls visiting Hawaii from Japan and every time they pose for a picture, at least one will make that sign.
LOL... There's actually a thread somewhere in the General Discussion forum discussing that very topic.
Yeah, I picked that up from watching dramas and anything/everything Japanese... My niece and I do that when someone takes a picture during any family function... Funny.
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he's sitting by the shore probably waiting for the first pianos to arrive to Japan. 
