The Witches of Oz (2011) - production update

Leigh Scott (writer, director and producer) of The Witches of Oz has posted a note on Facebook detailing the current status of production.

"... During the shoot, we allowed the film to grow to meet the material. We followed our hearts instead of our wallets. The entire time, we all knew we were making something special.

In order to compensate for the expanding budget, we entered into a distribution agreement and made the decision to turn the film into a two part mini-series. We had already spent enough for two movies, and the first cut was over three hours long, so why not sell it that way?

During post-production we encountered the same thing that we did while shooting. The film demanded more, bigger and better. Unlike the production phase, we discovered that not everyone in our midst was up to the challenge. A few people we hired lacked the skill, drive, and determination to deliver. Some, I recommend, should seek a different career path altogether. Of course this has happened to me before. Nine times out of ten, the visual effects in smaller films underwhelm. Usually, you just do your best to cut around them, make them darker, and accept the fact that the business trumps the artistic integrity of an independent film. But that old attitude wasn't good enough. We went back and redid 90% of the visual effects. In fact, both videos floating around the internet feature these old effects.

We've given ourselves deadlines numerous times to finish the project. Yet, when we reach them and the film isn't 100% the way we want it, we ask ourselves "why"? Why put out something that you know isn't the best that it can be? We've come this far, why not go all the way?

That explains why the film isn't ready for release. While the two part version is a great mini-series or made for TV event, the theatrical version is the type of film that builds life long fans and warrants repeat viewing. It's just too on the money to not let people see it. And we will release it when we know it's right.

Oz is far too important to too many people to not give it the respect and the reverence that it deserves. People have worked too hard to see their labor and artistry not receive the praise that it deserves. The challenge to making a great movie is insuring that the sum is equal to the greatness of its parts. That takes a lot of time and a lot of detailed work.

There is a saying in Hollywood. Fast, cheap, good….pick two. We've made a movie that hangs with studio releases for a fraction of the cost. That means we can either make it fast or good. We choose good.

This is also the first film I've made that had enough interest to warrant speculation and rumors. Let me clear those up. The film is not a musical. Yes, there are two versions of the film and both will be available. Yes, we will be putting the film into theaters. No, it won't be on February 18th. And as for a sequel…well, I can't rely confirm or deny that at this point...

So there you have the update. It's a story of courage, heart, brains and realizing that you have all the skills and tools you need inside as long as you believe in yourself.

Hmmm…that's funny. Now where have I heard THAT story before?

They do say you should write what you know."

I'm looking forward to this one. I applaud Scott for his desire to do it right!

> more on The Witches of Oz
> The Witches of Oz facebook group
> More on Wizard of Oz adaptations

Wicked - costume design part 2

WICKED takes you on another exclusive behind-the-scenes journey.

Behind the Emerald Curtain: Costume Edition welcomes you to the costume shop to learn about the delicate beading that makes the costumes of WICKED so dazzling.

See more on costume design of WICKED

Read more about Wicked the Musical

Oz, the Great and Powerful (2013?)

It was previously mentioned that Robert Downey Jr. would star as the Wizard, and then there were murmurs about Johnny Depp taking on the role but now it appears that James Franco will star in this prequel to The Wizard of Oz. Filming to begin in July at Walt Disney Studios.

James Franco and Mila Kunis

From Vulture: "The closely guarded Oz script, reimagined most recently by playwright turned screenwriter David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole; Inkheart), tells the story of the origins of the Wizard, and of Oz's infamous witches like Glinda, who becomes the Good Witch of the North, and Evanorah, who becomes the Wicked Witch of the East (though best remembered as the new, ruby-slippered sub-basement of Dorothy’s farmhouse).

After a recent meeting with Sam Raimi and Wizard James Franco, all agreed that Mila Kunis would be perfect for the part of Theodorah, the younger sister of Evanorah who goes on to become the Wicked Witch of the West and, of course, to cackle iconic lines like, “I’ll get you, my pretty … and your little dog, too!” With her involvement assured, we're told that Franco finally agreed to do the picture."

Re-posting plot details found at Pajiba: "We also knew that the movie would focus on a younger wizard, and his origins in the Land of Oz. Thanks to the Hollywood Cog, we now know quite a few details about Mitchell Kapner’s story, which would have the Wizard — a snake-oil salesman posing as a magician — enter Oz via a hot-air balloon, which he uses to escape an angry husband who has found out that Oz slept with his wife. There, Oz — a fast-talking huckster who wears a velveteen frock coat (yes, I can see that) — falls in love with Glinda (the Good Witch), and the two combine forces to Fight the Evil Witches Evanora and Theodora. Theodora starts out as a good witch, but after Oz jilts her sexual advances, Evanora — the truly evil witch — convinces Theodora to become an evil witch with her and help her to rule all of Oz."

IMDb

Andrew Lloyd Webber presents The Wizard of Oz

It's the classic story by L. Frank Baum that continues to be retold again and again. This time The Wizard of Oz is getting revamped by Andrew Lloyd Webber to be unveiled at the London Palladium on March 1st, 2011. After finding his Dorothy (Danielle Hope) through the television series Over the Rainbow, the musical will include Michael Crawford (Phantom of the Opera) as the Wizard and include new songs written by Webber and Tim Rice. (Webber and Rice had worked together on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita but 34 years have passed since their last collaboration.)

All I'm saying is that IF I lived close enough to London, I would love to attend!
Wishing that a certain baroness would go see it and tell me all about it!!

Michael Crawford as The Wizard

Royal Variety Performance by Danielle Hope

Andrew Lloyd Webber's website

More videos at official Youtube channel: WizardofoztheMusical

Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)

It's just been confirmed that Sam Raimi (Legend of the Seeker, Spartacus) will direct Oz the Great and Powerful, a prequel of sorts to The Wizard of Oz, with Robert Downey, Jr., expected to play the wizard.

Update as of January 20, 2011: Robert Downey Jr. is no longer attached to the film. Johnny Depp is being named as a contender for the role.
Update as of February 4: Johnny Depp considered role but no. James Franco is now the name being dropped.

Plot details from Pajiba

"We also knew that the movie would focus on a younger wizard, and his origins in the Land of Oz. Thanks to the Hollywood Cog, we now know quite a few details about Mitchell Kapner’s story, which would have the Wizard — a snake-oil salesman posing as a magician — enter Oz via a hot-air balloon, which he uses to escape an angry husband who has found out that Oz slept with his wife. There, Oz — a fast-talking huckster who wears a velveteen frock coat (yes, I can see that) — falls in love with Glinda (the Good Witch), and the two combine forces to Fight the Evil Witches Evanora and Theodora. Theodora starts out as a good witch, but after Oz jilts her sexual advances, Evanora — the truly evil witch — convinces Theodora to become an evil witch with her and help her to rule all of Oz."

Wicked - costume design

"Behind the Emerald Curtain"... we get a peek at the costume production for Wicked. Based on Gregory Maguire's novel, with musical written by Stephen Schwartz, this musical twist on L. Frank Baum's story of the Wizard of Oz continues to draw crowds at the box office.
Have you seen it? I'm excited to see my 4th performance of it this fall!

Costume designer Susan Hilferty discusses the elaborate outfits

that she's designed for Broadway's successful musical!

Follow the construction of a new Madame Morrible costume, from bolt to Broadway.

Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda

Some facts about the costumes for Wicked:

There are approximately 263 costumes constructed for each new production of Wicked based on 180 unique costume designs (duplicates of some costumes are made for understudies and others).

What covers the feet of the actors? One or more pairs from the 240 pairs of handmade shoes for each new production of Wicked.

As many as 250 artisans and craftspeople in the US and overseas work on a new production of Wicked.

The ruffles in the skirt of Elphaba’s Wicked Witch dress require 40 yards of fabric to complete.

The fabric for the Shiz uniforms was designed by Susan Hilferty exclusively for Wicked and is custom printed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. No two “uniforms” are alike.

It takes 424 manhours per week to maintain the costumes for Wicked on Broadway.

There are a minimum of 6 loads of laundry for every performance of Wicked.

[Source: musicalschwartz.com]

I was tickled to hear Hilferty mention some Steampunk aspects to the design :)

See costume design part 2

-> More info on Wicked