Paris 2024 Ceremonies - Verdict

[dreamyeyes12]

For me, I didn’t mind the Closing ceremony as much since but however, I absolutely loved Yseult’s performance towards the ends. It gave me chills. The fireworks towards the end of her performance was beautiful. As for LA28 handover, I was kind of underwhelmed with it. But hey, I’ll be looking forward to the Paris 2024 Paralympics ceremonies at the end of this month and September. 

[guilherme b]

Nothing against Yseult's performance. She is a great singer. However, 'My Way' is a song we usually sing when leaving a party drunk, while the waiters are already cleaning the tables in the hall. I don't think that was the intended goal.

[capetown2020]

3/10 bad bad bad bad bad

everything already mentioned above.

What a shame for spectators, athletes (who left before the end) and the VIPs. Messy, unstructured, dull

[AustralianFan]

On 8/12/2024 at 11:33 PM, guilherme b said:

Nothing against Yseult's performance. She is a great singer. However, 'My Way' is a song we usually sing when leaving a party drunk, while the waiters are already cleaning the tables in the hall. I don't think that was the intended goal.

Nonsense.  Truly a bizarre comment to which you are entitled to make.

The slow, emotional tender expression of this song as the Paris Games came to an emotional close was so soft, beautiful, melodic and haunting  that any comparison to “leaving a party drunk” I and think was only in your mind.  

 

 

[Sir Rols]

My only quibble with finishing on “My Way” (which was actually a quite apt description for France’s games) was that it wasn’t sung in French. Most songs sound better in French (as like just about everything does), and everyone knows the English lyrics anyway.

One of the best versions was actually recorded in Paris!

 

[sebastien1214]

1 minute ago, Sir Rols said:

My only quibble with finishing on “My Way” (which was actually a quite apt description for France’s games) was that it wasn’t sung in French. Most songs sound better in French (as like just about everything does), and everyone knows the English lyrics anyway.

One of the best versions was actually recorded in Paris!

 

An explanation of why singing My Way in english and not in french :

 

 

[kevzz]

Paris could learn a thing or two from the London’s camera direction and cinematography. 
 

https://youtu.be/n_JDSfaWj4k?si=5Ca-Pd45ugby_AL8

[sebastien1214]

19 minutes ago, kevzz said:

Paris Simon Staffurth, the English TV producer chosen by OBS, could learn a thing or two from the London’s camera direction and cinematography. 

https://youtu.be/n_JDSfaWj4k?si=5Ca-Pd45ugby_AL8

 

[JMarkSnow2012]

50 minutes ago, sebastien1214 said:

1 hour ago, kevzz said:

Paris Simon Staffurth, the English TV producer chosen by OBS, could learn a thing or two from the London’s camera direction and cinematography. 

https://youtu.be/n_JDSfaWj4k?si=5Ca-Pd45ugby_AL8

 

As I've mentioned before in these discussions, and as Hamish Hamilton noted in relation to London 2012, the problem is not the OCOG or the director, it's the OBS system, which uses personnel from numerous national broadcasters who can only leave their normal duties for a short time to work on the Olympics. Given that Olympic opening ceremonies in particular are probably the most-watched live cultural performances on the planet, it would make sense to have the broadcast personnel embedded in the preparation and rehearsal process, as Hamilton's independent team were in 2012 (problems there stemming from the IOC's insistence on using OBS for the protocol sections).

[kevzz]

53 minutes ago, JMarkSnow2012 said:

As I've mentioned before in these discussions, and as Hamish Hamilton noted in relation to London 2012, the problem is not the OCOG or the director, it's the OBS system, which uses personnel from numerous national broadcasters who can only leave their normal duties for a short time to work on the Olympics. Given that Olympic opening ceremonies in particular are probably the most-watched live cultural performances on the planet, it would make sense to have the broadcast personnel embedded in the preparation and rehearsal process, as Hamilton's independent team were in 2012 (problems there stemming from the IOC's insistence on using OBS for the protocol sections).

So why Hamilton can do that in London but not Staffurth in Paris? 

[JMarkSnow2012]

1 hour ago, JMarkSnow2012 said:

it would make sense to have the broadcast personnel embedded in the preparation and rehearsal process, as Hamilton's independent team were in 2012

38 minutes ago, kevzz said:

So why Hamilton can do that in London but not Staffurth in Paris?

Because the tension between the OBS team and the Hamilton team was really counter-productive. Leaving aside what was reported in the press at the time about Danny Boyle needing extra security, I strongly suspect, for example, that the "bored Queen" memeable shots were included in the OBS protocol section coverage deliberately.

[baron-pierreIV]

1 hour ago, kevzz said:

So why Hamilton can do that in London but not Staffurth in Paris? 

Because 95% of London's ceremonies were staged in a Stadium -- in a controlled environment where they were able to MANIPULATE and control everything except the weather.   Paris was trying to tell their story by filming parts SECRETLY in advance and at the same time, causing the least DISRUPTION in the city streets, the life of residents where they were shooting.  There were just TOO MANY moving parts, improbables, variables in Paris' show. 

And there is the mindset: I could tell from the British video that the folks in charge knew there were LIMITATIONS and they worked with those but still try to further Boyle's vision.  Estanguet, Jolly and their teams were just so in LOVE with their concept and their "vision" but, if I am not mistaken, did NOT allow for variables and many other devil's advocate/worst-case scenarios to dampen their "vision;" hence there was the great Disconnect between what was happening on the Seine and then, of course, the ennui and IMPATIENCE that settled in at the Trocadero with the VIPs who mattered -- and where it was all supposed to come together.  
I think the French team failed to have independent auditors point out to them what might not work, etc., etc., listen to them and act to tweak the finished product.  For example--and we've already spoken about it before -- the mechanical horse took FOREVER to bring the folded Olympic flag only for the hoisting crew to MUCK it up inverted (why they didn't rehearse that, I don't know).  Then the flame, have Nadal speedboat it to the other site, etc. etc.  What should have been quick pacing for the ending -- just DRAGGED on and on. 
Also, if they "prepared" for everything, why couldn't they have extra hands to wipe the raindrops from the camera lenses to get clearer shots?  The viewer already knew it was raining -- but by my estimation, it was imperative to still have CLEAR camera angles of the subject matter, 

(Oh, and the pianist and the DRENCHED piano?  Another impossibly idiotic moment:  why couldn't they have erected even a clear, plastic tent over that?  It became a "oh-so-brave artist . . .but a WTF moment?"  And later, they just "burned the water-logged baby grand"?     Was that moment an ode to the Maid of Orleans? )

I think it's a cultural thing.  That's why the Gauls were NOT involved in the major assault planning for D-Day.  That was left to the Anglo-Saxons and Gallic help was only recruited for the areas where the Underground controlled.  It's Jacques Tati/Marcel Marceau vs. Orson Bean/Benny Hill moment and with Jerry Lewis thrown in somewhere in there.  

Edited August 17, 2024 by baron-pierreIV
x

[kevzz]

1 hour ago, JMarkSnow2012 said:

Because the tension between the OBS team and the Hamilton team was really counter-productive. Leaving aside what was reported in the press at the time about Danny Boyle needing extra security, I strongly suspect, for example, that the "bored Queen" memeable shots were included in the OBS protocol section coverage deliberately.

 

1 hour ago, baron-pierreIV said:

Because 95% of London's ceremonies were staged in a Stadium -- in a controlled environment where they were able to MANIPULATE and control everything except the weather.   Paris was trying to tell their story by filming parts SECRETLY in advance and at the same time, causing the least DISRUPTION in the city streets, the life of residents where they were shooting.  There were just TOO MANY moving parts, improbables, variables in Paris' show. 

And there is the mindset: I could tell from the British video that the folks in charge knew there were LIMITATIONS and they worked with those but still try to further Boyle's vision.  Estanguet, Jolly and their teams were just so in LOVE with their concept and their "vision" but, if I am not mistaken, did NOT allow for variables and many other devil's advocate/worst-case scenarios to dampen their "vision;" hence there was the great Disconnect between what was happening on the Seine and then, of course, the ennui and IMPATIENCE that settled in at the Trocadero with the VIPs who mattered -- and where it was all supposed to come together.  
I think the French team failed to have independent auditors point out to them what might not work, etc., etc., listen to them and act to tweak the finished product.  For example--and we've already spoken about it before -- the mechanical horse took FOREVER to bring the folded Olympic flag only for the hoisting crew to MUCK it up inverted (why they didn't rehearse that, I don't know).  Then the flame, have Nadal speedboat it to the other site, etc. etc.  What should have been quick pacing for the ending -- just DRAGGED on and on. 
Also, if they "prepared" for everything, why couldn't they have extra hands to wipe the raindrops from the camera lenses to get clearer shots?  The viewer already knew it was raining -- but by my estimation, it was imperative to still have CLEAR camera angles of the subject matter, 

(Oh, and the pianist and the DRENCHED piano?  Another impossibly idiotic moment:  why couldn't they have erected even a clear, plastic tent over that?  It became a "oh-so-brave artist . . .but a WTF moment?"  And later, they just "burned the water-logged baby grand"?     Was that moment an ode to the Maid of Orleans? )

I think it's a cultural thing.  That's why the Gauls were NOT involved in the major assault planning for D-Day.  That was left to the Anglo-Saxons and Gallic help was only recruited for the areas where the Underground controlled.  It's Jacques Tati/Marcel Marceau vs. Orson Bean/Benny Hill moment and with Jerry Lewis thrown in somewhere in there.  

Thanks guys, very well explained now I have a better understanding of these camera work behind the scenes!
 

Even Rio and Tokyo had acceptable cinematography. I refuse to accept Paris should be cut some slack because it’s outside the stadium. As Baron said, they could have someone come in and advise/ audit them but obviously they didn’t. All the shots seem so adhoc. The only part of the ceremony where I felt the camera angles were properly considered is the Celine Dion segment. It looks majestic there. 

[JMarkSnow2012]

1 hour ago, kevzz said:

Even Rio and Tokyo had acceptable cinematography. I refuse to accept Paris should be cut some slack because it’s outside the stadium.

That introduces another twist. OBS always uses the same national broadcasters to cover the same events, to maximise the preservation of experience between games. So athletics etc. in the main stadium are always covered by staff loaned from the Finnish broadcaster YLE- and to save shifting cameras around unnecessarily, they also cover the opening & closing ceremonies. One reason why the Athens 2004 opening looked so brilliant on TV was because most of the action took place along or just behind the 100 metre track, or in other strategic positions like the javelin-throwing area.

But in Paris, the opening ceremony was almost totally separated from any competition venues, so none of the teams loaned by national broadcasters had a functionally logical claim to cover it. Hence, in the absence of a 2012-style independent team, YLE got the gig anyway, and had to step way out of their comfort zone.

[Olympics2028]

On 8/12/2024 at 10:37 AM, Victorian said:

For me, the best closing ceremony that I have seen was London and that would be very hard to top! 

To me the closing of 2012 was too self-indulgent and didn't have an official Olympics quality about it. It came off as more of a pop-music show that happened to be in London. It seemed more like the BBC's salute to British singers instead of a more international event.

[Olympics2028]

3 hours ago, kevzz said:

The only part of the ceremony where I felt the camera angles were properly considered is the Celine Dion segment. It looks majestic there. 

The view of Dion set against the backdrop of the gargantuan Eiffel Tower came the closest to the tone the 2024 OOC should have set for their entire ceremony.

Regrettably, Paris's mayor instead throwing F bombs at critics of what Thomas Jolly produced is one lasting quality to me of the 2024 games. However, the 2024 OOC did win in drawing record attendance and in keeping their budget under control.

[kevzz]

1 hour ago, JMarkSnow2012 said:

That introduces another twist. OBS always uses the same national broadcasters to cover the same events, to maximise the preservation of experience between games. So athletics etc. in the main stadium are always covered by staff loaned from the Finnish broadcaster YLE- and to save shifting cameras around unnecessarily, they also cover the opening & closing ceremonies. One reason why the Athens 2004 opening looked so brilliant on TV was because most of the action took place along or just behind the 100 metre track, or in other strategic positions like the javelin-throwing area.

But in Paris, the opening ceremony was almost totally separated from any competition venues, so none of the teams loaned by national broadcasters had a functionally logical claim to cover it. Hence, in the absence of a 2012-style independent team, YLE got the gig anyway, and had to step way out of their comfort zone.

I wished OBS will get their hands off the opening and closing ceremony and only focus on all the sporting events.
 

Let the host country organising committee have total control of the ceremonies broadcast. Is this possible?

[Sir Rols]

2 hours ago, Olympics2028 said:

To me the closing of 2012 was too self-indulgent and didn't have an official Olympics quality about it. It came off as more of a pop-music show that happened to be in London. It seemed more like the BBC's salute to British singers instead of a more international event.

Says the guy who’s never watched it

[JMarkSnow2012]

1 hour ago, Sir Rols said:

Says the guy who’s never watched it

To be fair, I did watch the 2012 closing ceremony live, and (like many others in Britain) thought it was a travesty, crass and cheesy. I've since come to appreciate some segments (including one or two which leaned into the cheesiness, such as the Spice Girls) but overall it still seems, to me, what Princess Anne would call naff. Conspicuously, however, it was adored by many viewers outside the UK, so what do we host-nation sophisticates know ...

[JMarkSnow2012]

3 hours ago, kevzz said:

Let the host country organising committee have total control of the ceremonies broadcast. Is this possible?

It's really difficult to do while maintaining strict neutrality. We saw a bit of that problem in 2012, when Boyle/LOCOG persuaded the IOC to allow the release of 7 billion pieces of confetti when the last team (i.e. Team GB) entered the stadium, really stretching the rule that "With the exception of marching order, all delegations including the host country’s delegation shall be treated equally. "

[Sir Rols]

3 minutes ago, JMarkSnow2012 said:

To be fair, I did watch the 2012 closing ceremony live, and (like many others in Britain) thought it was a travesty, crass and cheesy. I've since come to appreciate some segments (including one or two which leaned into the cheesiness, such as the Spice Girls) but overall it still seems, to me, what Princess Anne would call naff. Conspicuously, however, it was adored by many viewers outside the UK, so what do we host-nation sophisticates know ...

Yeah, well, I’m one of those who think the closings should be cheesy, celebratory concerts and parties for the athletes. Why I often find the closings can be more enjoyable than the openings. And UK can do that without peer.

it’s when they try to veer from that simple formula they can come unstuck. And Paris didn’t just veer, they took excruciating to a whole new level.

[JesseSaenz]

While it was a major improvement over the opening ceremony by having it at Stade de France, it was STILLL very underwhelming for being Paris and France. Which is a real pity because I actually had a great seat!

 

The crowd got really excited with the handover to LA and Tom Cruise jumping into the stadium. The Hollywood Olympic rings also got the stadium buzzing. 

The sound for the performance was terrible and Stade de France's small screens made it hard to get excited about the performances by RHCP, Snoop, and Billie Eilish.

 

The closing gave the impression that they were out of time and out of money. 

Unfortunately, my favorite thing about it is knowing that its over and that the games are now off to Los Angeles where the world expects at the very least a spectacular opening and closing ceremony.

Paris was an excellent host over all. Staging in front of world renowned landmarks will be talked about for generations to come, but in terms of ceremonies, it was very lackluster. 

LA, PLEASE DON'T MESS THIS UP. Leverage all that cinematic talents and truly elevate the games once again!

[BigVic]

The LA handover was pre-recorded 

[Olympics2028]

7 hours ago, JMarkSnow2012 said:

 but overall it still seems, to me, what Princess Anne would call naff.

I read that during the opening, some of the royals in attendance reportedly looked bored during a ceremony that was both wacky and went on quite long.

I recall prior to 2012 assuming that London, the home of pomp and circumstance, would know how to do Olympic-caliber ceremony with a lot of know-how.

[kevzz]

I hope Jolly and team will learn from the OC and give us a better Paralympic opening ceremony as it’s in a more controlled environment along Champs Elysee and Place de la Concorde.