Comments on: Beijing torch lighting, how will Vancouver outdo this? http://www.steventhinks.com/2008/08/09/beijing-torch-lighting-how-will-vancouver-outdo-this/ Welcome to my blog about nothing. Sat, 04 Sep 2010 19:47:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Steve McGuinness http://www.steventhinks.com/2008/08/09/beijing-torch-lighting-how-will-vancouver-outdo-this/comment-page-1/#comment-235 Steve McGuinness Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:31:04 +0000 http://www.steventhinks.com/2008/08/09/beijing-torch-lighting-how-will-vancouver-outdo-this/#comment-235 I was not suggesting that the ceremonies were not impressive (they were) or were thematically inappropriate with their historical - cultural references. In fact, I agree that the opening had a definite "WOW" factor and was highly effective as spectacle. But at times I found myself all too conscious of how much blood, sweat and tears went into creating that perfect illusion of well-oiled group unison. It came off as robotic and devoid of emotion at times. Apparently the Chinese fans have even had to submit to lessons on how to cheer and do the wave (a la in the West). To me, was not totally succesful in capturing the true joy and exuberance of youth and sport. The group unison segments were impeccably performed, but not all sports are team based. Some are individual events. There was little allowance made for any free-wheeling individual improvisation or unplanned moments of playfulness or unscripted comic light heartedness. I was actually creeped out by the way the soldiers goose-stepped over to the pole with the Olympic flag for the raising ceremony and moved it forward into position with such mechanical precision. I found my mind flashing back to the tanks rolling in to crush the protestors in Tiananmen Square, almost 20 years ago. I am looking forward to the closing ceremonies. In the past, they have been less rehearsed and mounted on a more intimate "up close and personal" scale, where the athletes are placed front and centre. The Calgary Olympics were actually declared opened by (then) Governor General Jeanne Sauve. So I am not sure whether it will be Michaelle Jean or QEII that will open the games in Vancouver. QEII is (arguably) the most prominent female public figure of this century and the most recognized Head of State in the world. If she travels to Canada to declare the games open in Vancouver, those opening ceremonies will have REAL star power! I hope the London Olympics organizers don't try to hold her back in reserve in order to hype her appearance on her home soil in 2012? I was not suggesting that the ceremonies were not impressive (they were) or were thematically inappropriate with their historical – cultural references. In fact, I agree that the opening had a definite “WOW” factor and was highly effective as spectacle.

But at times I found myself all too conscious of how much blood, sweat and tears went into creating that perfect illusion of well-oiled group unison. It came off as robotic and devoid of emotion at times.

Apparently the Chinese fans have even had to submit to lessons on how to cheer and do the wave (a la in the West).

To me, was not totally succesful in capturing the true joy and exuberance of youth and sport. The group unison segments were impeccably performed, but not all sports are team based. Some are individual events. There was little allowance made for any free-wheeling individual improvisation or unplanned moments of playfulness or unscripted comic light heartedness.

I was actually creeped out by the way the soldiers goose-stepped over to the pole with the Olympic flag for the raising ceremony and moved it forward into position with such mechanical precision. I found my mind flashing back to the tanks rolling in to crush the protestors in Tiananmen Square, almost 20 years ago.

I am looking forward to the closing ceremonies. In the past, they have been less rehearsed and mounted on a more intimate “up close and personal” scale, where the athletes are placed front and centre.

The Calgary Olympics were actually declared opened by (then) Governor General Jeanne Sauve. So I am not sure whether it will be Michaelle Jean or QEII that will open the games in Vancouver. QEII is (arguably) the most prominent female public figure of this century and the most recognized Head of State in the world. If she travels to Canada to declare the games open in Vancouver, those opening ceremonies will have REAL star power! I hope the London Olympics organizers don’t try to hold her back in reserve in order to hype her appearance on her home soil in 2012?

]]> By: sara http://www.steventhinks.com/2008/08/09/beijing-torch-lighting-how-will-vancouver-outdo-this/comment-page-1/#comment-236 sara Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:27:13 +0000 http://www.steventhinks.com/2008/08/09/beijing-torch-lighting-how-will-vancouver-outdo-this/#comment-236 i loved celine's song at atlanta, i think she was a total powerhouse, and even if you aren't a celine fan, no one can deny that was one inspiring song. i personally don't want vancouver to top beijing, because it's impossible, and it's not what the games are about. it's a draw, but i just want to see the games themselves. china had 100 things to prove and this was over the top (stunning yes, i've never seen anything like it!), but vancouver doesnt have the same "responsibility" to the world, if you want to call it that. i loved celine’s song at atlanta, i think she was a total powerhouse, and even if you aren’t a celine fan, no one can deny that was one inspiring song.
i personally don’t want vancouver to top beijing, because it’s impossible, and it’s not what the games are about. it’s a draw, but i just want to see the games themselves. china had 100 things to prove and this was over the top (stunning yes, i’ve never seen anything like it!), but vancouver doesnt have the same “responsibility” to the world, if you want to call it that.

]]> By: Steven Thinks http://www.steventhinks.com/2008/08/09/beijing-torch-lighting-how-will-vancouver-outdo-this/comment-page-1/#comment-237 Steven Thinks Sun, 10 Aug 2008 22:36:45 +0000 http://www.steventhinks.com/2008/08/09/beijing-torch-lighting-how-will-vancouver-outdo-this/#comment-237 I think the synchronicity of the choreography is what made it so spectacular. And every aspect of the show was people driven like when they were demonstrating movable type. The fact that there were people under there moving those boxes up and down was pretty cool. Technology played a big part of the show but China has a finger in all the technology we use. Just look down at what you are typing on. I think it is very fitting that the show was technologically advanced and showcased what the country can do. Plus, every aspect of the show related to the history of China from the movable type to Confucius to the fireworks. To be so precise as to have 2008 performers in many of the acts is pretty neat and show a lot of thought went into the show. I hope the Queen doesn't travel to Calgary to open the 2010 games, no one will be there! :) I think the synchronicity of the choreography is what made it so spectacular. And every aspect of the show was people driven like when they were demonstrating movable type. The fact that there were people under there moving those boxes up and down was pretty cool.

Technology played a big part of the show but China has a finger in all the technology we use. Just look down at what you are typing on. I think it is very fitting that the show was technologically advanced and showcased what the country can do. Plus, every aspect of the show related to the history of China from the movable type to Confucius to the fireworks. To be so precise as to have 2008 performers in many of the acts is pretty neat and show a lot of thought went into the show.

I hope the Queen doesn’t travel to Calgary to open the 2010 games, no one will be there! :)

]]> By: Steve McGuinness http://www.steventhinks.com/2008/08/09/beijing-torch-lighting-how-will-vancouver-outdo-this/comment-page-1/#comment-238 Steve McGuinness Sun, 10 Aug 2008 21:58:00 +0000 http://www.steventhinks.com/2008/08/09/beijing-torch-lighting-how-will-vancouver-outdo-this/#comment-238 The opening ceremony was spectacular (in a razzle dazzle way). However, I found the military precision synchronicity of the choreography overly robotic and the pageantry on too grand of a scale. This dehumanized and detracted from the emotional impact at times. Technology and not people seemed to be the biggest star of the ceremony. The grandness of the opening ceremony really doesn't relate to what a nation can afford. In terms of the wealth of nations, Canada has a higher per capital GDP and standard of living than China. It is a question of spending priorities. Many Chinese families live in abject poverty. I am old enough to remember (with fondness) the opening of the 1976 Summer Games in Montreal and the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary. The Montreal Games were opened by Queen Elizabeth II. I am hoping she will travel to Calgary to officially open the 2010 Games. You can sign a petition for that here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/invitethequeen Sarah Brightman was a performer at the Beijing opening ceremony. Celine Dion has already performed at an Olympics-- in Atlanta. See here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzkiyVpS3M4 The opening ceremony was spectacular (in a razzle dazzle way). However, I found the military precision synchronicity of the choreography overly robotic and the pageantry on too grand of a scale. This dehumanized and detracted from the emotional impact at times. Technology and not people seemed to be the biggest star of the ceremony.

The grandness of the opening ceremony really doesn’t relate to what a nation can afford. In terms of the wealth of nations, Canada has a higher per capital GDP and standard of living than China. It is a question of spending priorities. Many Chinese families live in abject poverty.

I am old enough to remember (with fondness) the opening of the 1976 Summer Games in Montreal and the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary. The Montreal Games were opened by Queen Elizabeth II. I am hoping she will travel to Calgary to officially open the 2010 Games. You can sign a petition for that here:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/invitethequeen

Sarah Brightman was a performer at the Beijing opening ceremony. Celine Dion has already performed at an Olympics– in Atlanta. See here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzkiyVpS3M4

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