1015 replies to this topic

[Rols O'Bertilsson]

Lee, on 02 February 2012 - 06:11 AM, said:

What happened to the rumour of steampunk? how would this fit with the elements already announced?

I don't think there was any real talk of a steampunk segment, just there will be some "industrial" theme. Steampunk to me's a sci-fi genre - anachronistic industrial technology in a future/alternative setting, or post-industrial tech in a historical setting. From the meagre hints so far, the theme in the OC is more regeneration after industry.

[OlympicNut]

I think they'll really struggle to finish in 3 1/2 hours. The Sydney OC was supposed to go for about the same length, from memory, but easily hit four hours. How does one shorten the parade of athletes, for example? The only flexibility is to shorten the cultural segment, but given the money they're spending, it's hard to imagine they'll be keeping that short. And why 9pm start? No football matches, for example, ever start at 9pm in UK (although they do in continental Europe). Is it to suit the North American (especially East Coast) market? (4pm). It also means a 10pm start for continental Europe, which is pretty late start for one of the major audiences. Or does it have something to do with sunset time?

[Lee]

My guess is that it will be most likely to do with sunset times. In fact, I am pretty sure it will be.

[The Tower Bridge Fox]

I’ve always sort of had this vision of HG wells Time matching and War of the worlds mixed with a bit of
George Orwell’s 1994 as well as Shakespeare I think they should throw every thing at it.
It has to be said when you see the Orbit without own eyes it looks like its going to get up and walk around like a War of the worlds martian

1984 Is what I meant.

with your own eyes is also what I meant.

I’ve always sort of had this vision of HG wells Time machine and War of the worlds mixed with a bit of
George Orwell’s 1984 as well as Shakespeare, I think they should throw every thing at it.
It has to be said when you see the Orbit with your own eyes it looks like its going to get up and walk around like a war of the worlds Martian

[Olympian2004]

I was rather surprised when they announced for the ticket sales that the opening ceremony will start at 19:30. That would have meant that most parts of the ceremony had taken place at daylight and sunset.

So actually it's good that Olympic organisers don't care about the best TV times anymore and simply start the ceremonies when the light conditions are right. It has become traditional meanwhile to stage the opening ceremony in complete or near-darkness, so it's good that they stick to that tradition. Even if it means that I'll have quite a long wait in front of my TV until 22:00 Central European Time.

[Rols O'Bertilsson]

That should mean about 6am Aussie time - that's not too bad.

[Gangwon]

Won't you be in London anyway, Rols?

That's smack dab in the middle of the workday in NA. The last time the Summer Games was in Europe, I was enjoying my summer vacation. This time, looks like I'll either have to be sick or fake an injury.

[Rols O'Bertilsson]

Gangwon, on 06 February 2012 - 12:22 AM, said:

Won't you be in London anyway, Rols?

That's smack dab in the middle of the workday in NA. The last time the Summer Games was in Europe, I was enjoying my summer vacation. This time, looks like I'll either have to be sick or fake an injury.

I wish - I'll still be working (my last work day before hols) on the day of the OC. I'm probably not leaving for London till the 29th or 30th.

[mattygs]

Alot has been made about the possibility of Adele featuring somewhere in the ceremonies, it would be a good choice. It will be a hard choice to whittle down all the fantastic British performers to just find the few needed for the 4 events.
Im wondering if we might see Emeli Sande somewhere, an accomplished songwriter whose track *Heaven* was part of the soundtrack to the London New Years Eve fireworks display.
It would fit in nicely.



As for bands, coldplay is up there, a pretty appropriate powerful stadium finale for the opening ceremony could be Butterflies and Hurricanes by a personal favourite of mine - Muse.
Lyrics are certainly appropriate as a final send off to the athletes before competition begins, and for once, not verging on the cheesy side (as we often hear).

[Lee]

I've said it before but the only act that always springs to mind when I think of an Opening Ceremony is Florence and the machine. Her music just fits so well with a big stadium anthemic sound. She is also capable of really belting a sing out. Imagine this X-factor performance, or something similar, on a much larger scale with the ribbons coming from all ends of the stadium.

Edited by Lee, 07 February 2012 - 01:35 AM.