Tedious Olympic Opening Ceremonies

Hazmart

Council Member
Sep 29, 2007
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I thought the ceremonies were pretty darn good.
I agree that the national anthem was not at it's best. I thought that the ballet dancers were amazing, my favorite part was the fiddlers (granted I don't play the fiddle ;-) ), The colours in the light show were amazing.
I am glad that they took a moment of silence for Nodar and mentioned him in the opening speech.
I think we have a lot to be proud of and I am looking forward to cheering on our athletes!
 

Risus

Genius
May 24, 2006
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Boy, K.D. Lang must have some serious lip-synching skills then. No, I think they were all siging live. Keep in mind that in such a large venue (big stadium), you can get a very slight delay between the singer's mouth and the sound system. That might account for the appearance of lip-synching. But, I was watching them pretty closely and I don't think any of that was going on.

I have never been a fan of KD, but I was amazed with her performance last night.
 

countryboy

Traditionally Progressive
Nov 30, 2009
3,686
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BC
Absolutely right. All the contortions K.D. Lang went through would have made lip sincing all but impossible.

Not only that, she seems to get better with age. She's one of those special people that can transcend all kinds of boundaries through sheer talent. She was a great pick for the event.
 

Kreskin

Doctor of Thinkology
Feb 23, 2006
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Boy, K.D. Lang must have some serious lip-synching skills then. No, I think they were all siging live. Keep in mind that in such a large venue (big stadium), you can get a very slight delay between the singer's mouth and the sound system. That might account for the appearance of lip-synching. But, I was watching them pretty closely and I don't think any of that was going on.

There are a few telltale signs of lipsyncing. One, when someone doesn't go off key at anytime during any part of a song; that doesn't happen live. Two, when the sound is completely balanced at all times. That is impossible at BC Place or at any live performance.

She should be good at lipsyncing, she recorded the song and likely practiced lipsyncing it for a year or two.
 

Mowich

Hall of Fame Member
Dec 25, 2005
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Aside from the absolutely worst version of "Oh Canada" I've ever heard, the opening ceremonies were great. Sarah McLaklin was really great. We didn't have a hundred and eight grand pianos but the light show was terrific. I even liked K.D. Lang.

I was absolutely furious over the way Nikki sang our national anthem especially as the rendition was leaked two days prior to the opening and folks on the street stated quite clearly that you don't mess with our anthem.

Other than that, I loved the technology behind the ceremonies and the light show was simply grand. The whales, the grain fields, the trees growing and becoming totems - all fabulous. Loved KD Lang singing Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah.' Didn't catch the fellows name who spoke the "We are More" portion but found it very inspiring. Liked the minute of silence for the Georgian luger after the Olympic flag had been raised. Also got a huge kick out of Gordon Campbell in Olympic red mittens waving the Canadian flag back and forth in the face of Mrs. Harper - not sure how she felt but looked like she was having fun.

Nice selection of notable Canadians carrying the the Olympic flag and splitting up the torch carrying between several people was pretty cool. Glad to see Rick Hansen and Senator Nancy Green-Raines in there.

Really liked all the symbolism and especially the 'fall' part with all the maple leafs.

Had no idea what in the heck was going on at first as all I could hear was a mix of several different languages while the people in the VIP box played musical chairs. When Brian Wilson mentioned that the Chiefs were late arriving, I could just imagine the comments from people watching their TVs. The first nations dancers were great and were a classy nod to the fact that they were here first and it was their land that now hosts athletes from around the world.

All in all, not bad but hope the closing ceremonies go off without all the glitches.

GO CANADA GO. :canada::canada:: I LOVE CANADA
 

countryboy

Traditionally Progressive
Nov 30, 2009
3,686
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BC
There are a few telltale signs of lipsyncing. One, when someone doesn't go off key at anytime during any part of a song; that doesn't happen live. Two, when the sound is completely balanced at all times. That is impossible at BC Place or at any live performance.

She should be good at lipsyncing, she recorded the song and likely practiced lipsyncing it for a year or two.

Kreskin...are you serious? I think a lot of (good) singers would take exception to your point on going off key during a live performance.

Not sure what you mean by the sound being completely balanced at all times. There is some pretty good sound system technology out there these days.
 

Risus

Genius
May 24, 2006
5,373
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Toronto
There are a few telltale signs of lipsyncing. One, when someone doesn't go off key at anytime during any part of a song; that doesn't happen live. Two, when the sound is completely balanced at all times. That is impossible at BC Place or at any live performance.

She should be good at lipsyncing, she recorded the song and likely practiced lipsyncing it for a year or two.

Watching a repeat of KD's performance, there was one vocal flaw that wouldn't have been there if it was lipsyncing.
 

Kreskin

Doctor of Thinkology
Feb 23, 2006
21,155
149
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Kreskin...are you serious? I think a lot of (good) singers would take exception to your point on going off key during a live performance.

Not sure what you mean by the sound being completely balanced at all times. There is some pretty good sound system technology out there these days.

I can't believe anyone thinks this stuff was performed live. It wasn't.

Look at the Bryan Adams song. Most everyone would be claiming him live too, but it was a dead giveaway when he forgot to put the mic to his mouth.

That's the way it is with big corporate productions these days.
 

Kreskin

Doctor of Thinkology
Feb 23, 2006
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KD Lang had her mic all over the place but her voice volume and depth remained the same no matter where it was. You can't do that in a 20-foot studio let alone a 60,000 seat stadium.

I don't blame them for lipynching. Too many things can go wrong (and usually do) when a live performance is required.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
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Vancouver Island
well it seems, if lypsincing was done it was a huge success,
as you are all thinking one way and another, so I would not
have known the difference, unless it was so bad that the
lips weren't in sync with the recording, so if they are
doing their own voices, what's the difference, makes it
closer to perfect.

As long as they don't get different routines mixed up with one another,
or maybe that would be entertaining too. lol

If they had of done it live, and people were having trouble picking up the
words and such, then there would have been lots of whining about that, so
maybe lypsincing is the right thing to do in such a big place, where the acoustics
could play tricks on listeners.
 

dumpthemonarchy

House Member
Jan 18, 2005
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www.cynicsunlimited.com
And I'll ask you again - what would YOUR vision of the opening ceremonies be? How would YOU represent Canada? You've done a lot of kvetching but you haven't actually provided this forum with any constructive ideas on what you THINK should have been portrayed.
For me? Big deal - they didn't represent a 'factual' representation of Canada - it's ENTERTAINMENT - get over it! They represented a PART of Canadian history - and a part that's too often been ignored. Hell - what's the problem? You want to represent Canadian history? Just WHAT do you want to represent? I'm curious.Fact is, the aboriginal story IS a part of Canadian history and it's nice to see it put to the world in this venue. Just like kitchen parties.

My vision is that aboriginals are part of the show, not front and centre because that is not the reality of Canada. This entertainment lacks truth and honesty. It is a fake presentation to the world. It was a wet dream of the politically correct.

I'm not a dance choreographer so I can't put together a performance. That's not my gig.

Aboriginals are a mystery to us so they should have been presented as a mystery. They live way out in the wilderness or poverty stricken in the cities. VANOC and everyone else sidestepped the issue as usual and missed a big chance.

How do you explain aboriginals to people who ask?
 

Risus

Genius
May 24, 2006
5,373
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Toronto
I find it odd that KD would use a mike with wire if she was lipsyncing. She would have use wireless like the other performers.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
113
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Vancouver Island
My vision is that Aboriginals are a mystery to us so they should have been presented as a mystery. They live way out in the wilderness or poverty stricken in the cities. VANOC and everyone else sidestepped the issue as usual and missed a big chance.

the mystery is in your own heart, it was their country first, so they are the authentic hosts, and deserved to
be first to greet the world, I loved it.
 

Socrates the Greek

I Remember them....
Apr 15, 2006
4,968
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Well downhome-woman, I think kitchen parties are fun too. This show lacks fun.

Is the Canadian story an aboriginal story? With imagery of aboriginal poles towering above everything else? As if they are the most powerful group in the country.

This seems to be how the govt sees Canada, it is not how I see it. Is this how ordinary people see Canada?

IF YOU HAVE ANY SENCE OF HUMAN HISTORY, SHOW IT, OTHER WISE TAKE A PILL AND STOP
whinnying like a horse:angryfire: