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rehearsal

Romania First Rehearsal

ChrisB on Tue, 05/02/2017 - 12:23

Romania, oh boy, where to start?
Maybe instead of listing what's there I should list what isn't there?

Ok, let's try this...
Here's my impression:
The backdrop looks at times like a computer learning programme for 5-7 year olds. there are butterflies, sheet music notes, letters, random geometry stuff, a wormhole?
For the climax they are bringing out the big guns. Literally. Alex rides on top of a cannon directed at audience.
We don't know what they will shoot, as it wasn't revealed today.

Austria First Rehearsal

ChrisB on Tue, 05/02/2017 - 08:59

Nathan is a very charismatic and charming performer. The intro already works as we can immediately connect with Nathan in a close up shot.
The problems for me start when the camera is zooming out and reveals Nathan is sitting on a half-moon-shaped glittery object. Clouds in the backdrop. Not my cup of tea, as I find it just too cheesy. But there is certainly an audience for this.
During the final notes of the song Nathan steps on a glass box. So he is 'running on air' literally.

Serbia First Rehearsal

ChrisB on Tue, 05/02/2017 - 08:30

Serbia is still a work in progress. Some of the camera angles don't work in the first run through, getting better in the second run through, but still not quite there yet. That's what rehearsals are for.
I like the visually clean approach, Tijana in all white with a deep blue sea backdrop with bubbles rising up, and the LED floor is swirling water. It looks more current than Serbia's staging last year.
Not sure the dance choreography of the male dancer is needed here, as I think Tijana could carry this by herself. My only caveat at the moment: Tijana is giving us a lot of painful facial expressions and I would like to see some joy from her.

Rehearsals Day 2 Summary

ChrisB on Tue, 05/02/2017 - 00:30

I had a few issues with Ukrainian internet since leaving the press centre, so I apologize for the delay of this Day 2 summary.

I just wanted to give you a quick overview which entries stood out the most today in the press centre:

- Armenia won the press centre poll for day 2. It looks modern, sophisticated and professional, and Artsvik performs it really well. My only caveat would be that it lacks a real climax at the moment.

- Moldova received the second highest score. The staging is fun and upbeat, that should certainly help in a semi full of ballads.

- Iceland and Czech Republic the losers of the day based on the press centre poll. But there is still enough time to turn things around. And the press centre has gotten things wrong in the past, so fans of these entries shouldn't lose hope.

We will see what kind of adjustments the delegations will make later this week.

Have a good night and see you tomorrow!

Latvia First Rehearsal

ChrisB on Mon, 05/01/2017 - 15:29

I have only seen one runthrough for Triana Park so far, so take everything I'm going to say with a grain of salt.
I was very optimistic on Latvia's chances going into the year, but at the moment there are quite a few things that don't work here:
- It looks overchoreographed, Agnese is trying to interact with the camera too much, which doesn't make the act look as credible as we have seen in Latvia's NF. The impression is that they are suddenly begging for votes instead of just doing their own thing.
- The moment of her usually breaking into the dance routine during the instrumental is preceded by a silly paper streamer gimmick trick, that is shooting out of Agnese's hand. And it seems to irritate her and malfunctions also. The Latvian delegation should really consider dropping this gimmick from their act as it doesn't add anything and makes the entry look less cool than it is supposed to be.

I understand the Latvian delegation are trying to provide a little more fun and reduce the bands edgyness, but they are basically shooting themselves in the feet if they are trying to appeal to mainstream audiences, instead of just believing in themselves and their song.

Now I have seen a second runthrough and it improves slightly but my previous points remain.

Slovenia First rehearsal

ChrisB on Mon, 05/01/2017 - 14:26

Omar returning to Eurovision for Slovenia after 12 years. And I quite like what I'm seeing here. It's a very musical theatre like performance and the song is certainly not everyone's cup of tea. Vocals in the second runthrough weren't pitch perfect, but as long as he hits the notes on the night of the semi, Slovenia might finish a little higher than most of us anticipated. Still borderline at the moment.

Armenia First Rehearsal

ChrisB on Mon, 05/01/2017 - 13:19

Armenia have hired Sacha Jean Baptiste again for their staging, like last year. And there are quite a few elements reminding me of Iveta from last year, the quick camera cuts at the start and the overall message of female empowerment.
The choreography will certainly look even better once they are wearing the real dresses. It fits the song and keeps the focus of attention on Artsvik. Very solid and polished performance for a 1st rehearsal.

Cyprus First Rehearsal

ChrisB on Mon, 05/01/2017 - 12:38

Quite a lot of stage gymnastics involved in that choreo. It is very demanding, and Hovig doesn't manage all the required moves just yet. But it was only the first rehearsal, so things will clearly look different in a week from now. At the moment it is difficult to imagine how it will come across, once all the pieces of choreography are more polished. Right now there are promising fragments. A work in progress.