I just watched the Jimmy Fallon's Glee opening to the Emmys for the 3rd time and I sobbed for the second time. SERIOUSLY. In an interview with a client for whom I would be writing, I was asked, "What makes you laugh?" My answer was commitment.
I didn't get the job. Boy, were they wrong. Commitment is one of the greatest pleasures of this life, and one would assume, the next.
My second answer would be choices. Making strong choices that you fully commit to is not just funny, it's beautiful. Creating choices on the page that must be fully committed to by readers and by actors, this is the joy!
The risk factor at an awards show is huge. It just feels staggering, I've had a little bit of experience with this, and it is terrifying. And here is the choice Jimmy Fallon and his team made to us the audience. They committed to making detailed choices that they hoped would bring us joy upon joy upon joy. Watch the opening sequence again and watch the choice of casting Kate, then watch her choose (directed I'm sure) to just stand there for a beat. And it just went on with brilliant choices from there.
Commitment. Choice after choice in the script, in the casting, in the direction. Then the performers, commitment after commitment after commitment. And when they ran to their places backstage the energy building up inside each audience member, including me at home, was about to burst. And then THEY burst fully committed into the dance.
And it made me scream and laugh and enjoy like crazy the first time I saw it.
The second time I watched it I sat and cried. Just kleenex dabbing, Oprah-survivor-story-show or make-over from fat to thin-story-show crying. Cathartic.
Because they took a risk and they committed, just because they wanted to bring someone like me some joy.
1 comments:
What a wonderful insight into the gift of commitment. It is a gift both to the receiver and to the one choosing to share their choices, without reservation. There is a certain amount of faith and truth that must be present. Beautiful!
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