justplainbil

Just Plain Bill

 “Live - which isn’t.”

It’s a small thing, but it still bothers me.

Lately, it seems there’s been an increase in movie trailers advertising, “Live, the Metropolitan Opera performance of Madame Butterfly on this screen.” 

If it’s being projected on my local movie screen, then how can it be “live”? If the opera company was in my local theater, then it would truly be “live”. Otherwise, it’s a movie; a substitute for the real thing – a celluloid version of the actual experience. Perhaps this is part of the ongoing trend to substitute for, or replicate experiences.

I’m reminded of a 1970s recording tape commercial: “Is it live or is it Memorex?” The commercial asks people to identify whether a song (or note by Ella Fitzgerald) is real or a recording. It was also during the 70s that laugh tracks gave way to shows being “filmed in front of a live studio audience”. These marketing messages are far more truthful than a “live” Madame Butterfly on a movie theater screen.

Once again, my concern might seem trivial to some, but for me, this marketing technique borders on false advertising at the least - and lying at the most. (Kind of harsh, eh?)

I really love live performances of any type you see. From sidewalk buskers to budding rock bands and from professional symphonies to high school marching bands – I find joy sharing in the true creativity of others delivered in real time. A movie-version cheapens, or lessens the emotional, engaging, and enriching experience of the real thing.

Is this an overreaction? To those promoters I say, “Please don’t insult my intelligence by attempting to sell me something so disingenuous.”