Hi,
recently a number of questions have been posted to the list
regarding the forthcoming CBC and PBS programs.
yesterday (3-2-03) i spoke with Les Irvin as well as Jim L'Hommedieu
and both suggested that i try to clear up some of the questions and
confusion given my (limited) participation in the production process
and access to accurate information.
perhaps a little background information is in order first
here's a RePost of a message i sent to the JMDL last year
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Subject: JONI: CBC-TV and PBS/American Masters
>Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 06:05:50 -0500
>
>as some will recall, Joni signed a 3-film contract with Eagle Rock
>Entertainment, PLC. back in 1997 ('96?). the first film produced
>was "PAINTING WITH WORDS And MUSIC".
>
>originally a 'Pay Per View' broadcast in the U.S. PWWAM was
>subsequently broadcast by CBC-TV (Canadian Broadcasting Company),
>on commercial television in an edited form and also released on
>VideoTape, LaserDisc and DVD.
>
>
>Jim Johanson recently posted some information regarding a 3rd Film
>to <http://www.JoniMitchell.com> [THE WORD: (3/6/02)]. more about
>that below.
>
>right now? JONI MITCHELL "BOTH SIDES NOW, And THEN"
>
>
>the 2nd film, tentatively scheduled for U.S. broadcast in
>November 2002 by PBS as part of their truly exceptional series
>"AMERICAN MASTERS" will have its initial broadcast, in Canada,
>on CBC-TV as part of their "LIFE And TIMES" series in *2 WEEKS*
>
>
> Tuesday, March 26 at 7:00 pm - Joni Mitchell - Part 1
> Tuesday, April 2 at 7:00 pm - Joni Mitchell - Part 2
>
> "Joni Mitchell has been called the most influential
> recording artist of the late 20th century. A rare,
> intimate look at a multi-award winning musician who
> is as private and reflective as the lyrics for which
> she is celebrated."
>
>
>here's some information from the CBC-TV WebSite.
>
>
> "The sweep and drama of Canadian lives take pride of place
> in Life & Times. These biographies introduce us to the
> struggles, the triumphs and trials of real people and their
> true stories - each one a thread in the fabric of a nation,
> and the times in which we live. The series shows how
> individuals make history, not always through circumstances
> of their own choosing. We see that we are not the first
> generation to struggle with great moral issues. These are
> the stories that Canadians can contribute to the great
> library: the memory of the world."
>
> <http://www.tv.cbc.ca/lifeandtimes/index.htm>
> <http://www.tv.cbc.ca/lifeandtimes/general/com.htm>
>
>
>here's a little more information about the "Life And Times"
>series for the benefit of our non-Canadian members.
>
> ABOUT THE SHOW
>
> The triumphs, trials and true stories of dynamic Canadians
> are the focus of Life & Times, Canada's premier biography
> series hosted by award-winning novelist, playwright and actor
> Ann-Marie MacDonald.
>
> Life & Times is back for a sixth exciting season. Our line-up
> includes musical stars Bruce Cockburn, JONI MITCHELL and the
> Barenaked Ladies, the story of the Bata shoe empire, activist
> Maude Barlow, golf legend Moe Norman and the dean of Canadian
> TV journalism, our own Knowlton Nash.
>
> In honour of the 2002 Winter Olympics, Life & Times is
> profiling several distingushed Olympic athletes, including
> hockey's hottest player Mario Lemieux, the inspiring story
> of curler Sandra Schmirler and figure skaters Toller Cranston
> and Elizabeth Manley.
>
> Join us Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on CBC TV for the compelling
> stories of these and other Canadians who have made an impact.
>
> Over the years, Life & Times has presented over 100 compelling
> profiles of such extraordinary Canadians as Tommy Douglas,
> Jim Carrey, Don Cherry, Mordecai Richler, Glenn Gould, the
> Dionne quintuplets, Mary Walsh and Margaret Trudeau-Kemper.
>
> Life & Times programmes have garnered numerous awards including
> four Geminis and multiple Hot Docs awards.
>
> Join host Ann-Marie MacDonald for intimate, hour-long
> biographies which reflect the true stories of Canadians.
> Each week a different story - one more thread in our
> country's fabric. Together a definitive family portrait.
>
>
>
>the two 1-hour programs will Not be the Final word/version of
>this new documentary. keep in mind that a 1-hour program on
>'Commercial' television usually contains 42-to-44 minutes of
>actual programming (per hour).
>
>on the other hand, the PBS/AMERICAN MASTERS version will time-out
>somewhere between 52-to-55 minutes (per hour). it's not yet clear
>whether the DVD Release will contain extra material (or not).
>
>as of this moment the 'Final' edit (for CBC-TV) is not yet complete,
>although a copy of the 1st hour was sent to Joni last week for her
>viewing pleasure (and approval). she'll probably get a preview of
>the 2nd hour later this week. time is tight and the work continues.
>
>all things considered -- the March 26th broadcast deadline for the
>CBC-TV broadcast was somewhat unrealistic, but will be met. the
>producers' work will continue at a somewhat more relaxed pace
>preparing the final PBS/DVD edition.
>
>
>as for the film itself, the story is being told by the participants,
>primarily by Joni herself, using a variety of Interviews recorded
>at various times during her career. there is no narrator.
>
>the producers have interviewed a number of indiviauals including
>Elliott Roberts, David Geffen, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Neil Young
>as well as Joni's parents and JONI herself.
>
>(I think) they also spoke with Mr. Kratzman and i seem to recall
>being told that they'd even located Ray, an old high-school friend
>of Joni's.
>
>y'all remember Ray? don't ya?, his dad owned a Cadillac.
>
>the most recent interview (2 wks. ago) was with Joel Bernstein.
>
>Joels' participation has been crucial. he's been there as
>photographer, and friend, guitar tech, witness and participant,
>from the beginning. his knowledge and perception of Joni's music
>and her place within the overall context of the musical and
>cultural events of the times gives him a unique perspective not
>shared by many. and since he viewed the other interviews first,
>he was able to fill in some of the areas not addressed by others.
>
>
>it's surprising how late in the process (12-20-01) it was before
>the producers hooked up with him. nonetheless, they'd done their
>homework and research very well, obtaining a variety of films,
>videos, photographs (especially Joels') articles and other
>memoribilia. a variety of items photographed or filmed were from
>my own collection, including the "Spirit Of The Forest Video", a
>rare little item that even Joel hadn't seen.
>
>i'm sure you'll all find it interesting. every effort is being
>made to see to it that this is the definitive Video Documentary.
>
>
>
>
>and now for ...
>
> THE WORD ~ (3/6/02) <http://www.jonimitchell.com>
>
> Entertainment Weekly published a short article this week
> with a few new bits of information on Allison Anders'
> videotaping of the recent recording sessions for Joni's
> next CD, tentatively titled The Circle Game.
>
> In addition to musicians such as Herbie Hancock and Wayne
> Shorter, who contributed to her last orchestral outing
> Both Sides Now, we can also expect to hear Ry Cooder,
> Billy Preston and possibly Neil Young, according to the
> EW article.
>
> "Some of it is material she did as a young girl, with a
> soprano voice and an acoustic guitar, now with an orchestra
> and an alto," says filmmaker Anders. "It's so interesting
> to hear these same songs with wisdom," she enthuses. "Not
> that she wasn't wise before, but it's like 'I thought I
> was on to something before, and now I know I am.'"
>
> Alas, one piece of important information nobody has
> mentioned yet is a release date. I'll let you know as
> soon as I hear anything.
>
> First reported in the LA Times late last year (scroll down
> this page to the newsblurb from 12/4/01 for information on
> that report), the CD will feature Joni performing with 77
> members of the London Symphony Orchestra -- although the EW
> article sports a nostalgic picture of Joni holding an
> acoustic guitar.
>
> ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY ARTICLE ON ALISON ANDERS' DOCUMENTARY
> <http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,214129~4~0~,00.html>
>
>more later.
>
>>
>>
>for now ~ take care,
>-------
> simon
>-------
>
> end of RePost
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
it wasn't to be.
citing 'Production Difficulties' the CBC cancelled the program
"JONI MITCHELL: BOTH SIDES NOW, And THEN" shortly before the
scheduled broadcast date.
please note this phrase from the message above:
> as of this moment the 'Final' edit (for CBC-TV) is not
> yet complete, although a copy of the 1st hour was sent
> to Joni last week for her viewing pleasure (and approval).
in point of fact, an 86 Min. Broadcast Master, dated 3-22-02,
was delivered to the Canadian representatives of Eagle Rock
Entertainment.
the (so-called) production difficulty was the fact that Joni
didn't like the finished program and didn't approve of its
being broadcast
and that's all she wrote.
having seen the program, i can attest to the fact that it
was severly lacking, in a number of ways.
Joni Deserved better! she'd receive it too.
the contractual arrangements between Eagle Rock, Delilah Films,
and PBS were somewhat convoluted but in the end the "American
Masters" documentary "WOMAN OF HEART And MIND" is NOT a revision
or extension of the earlier film "Both Sides Now And Again".
all video elements, b-roll footage, and other research materials
were transferred to the studios of WNET-TV/13 and their production
efforts began in earnest early last summer.
andmoreagain,
-------------
simon
