Movie musicals seem to be making a comeback–or perhaps they never really left. Original musicals are that much more complicated, attempting to entice the masses to see and hear the unfamiliar. Director Michael Gracey spent nearly 10 years bringing “The Greatest Showman” to life, work-shopping the story of PT Barnum’s life with Broadway veterans in New York. When he felt ready, Gracey staged a performance for executives to sell them on the concept. It worked, and the first-time feature film director moved on to the next part of the process.
For most directors, that would mean a bit of prep and then actually making the film. For Gracey, it involved ten weeks of rehearsals and producing shot-for-shot video footage (at times on his iphone!) of what would later be re-created by the director of photography, two-time Oscar nominee Seamus McGarvey.
“The Greatest Showman” is a passionate take on the circus founder’s life. The film balances many issues of the period, including classism and interracial relationships. While there are moments of un-evenness, overall the production is uplifting; it’s a feel-good movie at its core.
For more about “The Greatest Showman”, including information directly from Hugh Jackman and Michael Gracey, take a look below:
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