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Documentary: A Grand Tour of Opera Houses

An important cultural documentary project

A Grand Tour of Opera Houses

We aim to document the history of the opera houses around the world, to tell the fascinating stories behind these spectacular theatres and focus on the beautiful architecture and exquisite craftsmanship. This has not been done before in film!
On our travels we will meet some of the famous opera singers, young artists, conductors and dancers for whom these are their everyday places of work. We will interview architectural historians and also discover the social-history of these iconic landmarks and their importance in the context of the cities in which they are found. Our survey will begin in Renaissance and Baroque Italy where opera began and where the first opera theatres were built. We will trace the spread of opera houses around Europe and from there to the Americas and the rest of the world - from the earliest Baroque masterpieces to the grand 19th century theatres as well as contemporary re-imaginings in concrete glass and steel. We will take guided tours backstage and watch rehearsals to learn something of the everyday life of the opera houses. It will be a journey of discovery, a musical and visual extravaganza.

 

We are Films@24fps Documentary Productions in collaboration with Divas & Scholars:  

Hector Abaunza the multi award winning LA based film director and Lucy Woodruff, opera researcher and art historian in London.

 

Hector has 30 years experience in the film industry. He attended the Paris Film Institute Lumiere and has worked all over the world. He has lived in Hamburg, Helsinki, Milan, London and now LA working on major advertising campaigns including those for Nike and Lexus. He has directed over 40 music videos. His advertising awards include the Grand Prix Cristal (2006/7) and he was shortlisted at the Cannes Lions Film Festival. A British documentary feature film project for which he was editor won awards at the New York City and Ischia International Film Festivals in 2013. He was awarded Best Editor for the film 'The Gun The Cake and The Butterfly' at the Belair Film Festival LA in 2013. His work in the fashion industry includes covering the Fashion Weeks and he directed a retrospective on the late Lee Alexander McQueen in London. His feature film 'Chinaman Confidential' won the EuroBest Film Festival 2015.

 

Lucy has travelled the world to see operas and she has given lectures on the History of Art at the University of London. She is known in the opera community for her Divas & Scholars events in which she promotes opera with an entertaining programme showcasing talented young opera singers, highlighting new productions, launching new recordings and providing a platform for established opera singers to talk and perform.  

 

A Grand Tour of Opera Houses Documentary Series

 

How you can be involved

 

We are looking for contributors to fund our small crew travelling to each of the opera houses to film. In order to have the best sound quality, particularly for the musical element, a sound engineer will be employed. We are making this series of documentaries on a tight budget. Our plan is to create one or two pilot episodes so we can offer a full series which we hope will be commissioned by a television/streaming network. In any event we will load our pilots for monetisation on a variety of platforms.
This is an important project of great cultural significance and we need your help to make it happen! We will show our gratitude in a number of ways.

 

Who benefits?

Aside from documenting these important heritage buildings in film, we will also be highlighting the work of emerging artists (opera singers and dancers) on the Young Artists programmes of international opera houses. This is useful exposure and could be used by them as a promotional opportunity. Opera is an enduring multi-dimensional art form, but each generation needs to be made aware of it in order that it survives. International opera houses will benefit from our promoting a greater understanding of their architecture, social history and place in the cityscape. These documentaries will be both educational and entertaining.

 

Funding the project

We are looking to fund our pilot episode which we will use to sell the series to a broadcasting network. This is fund raising for the first developmental stage of the project.

 

What's in it for you

Feel good about supporting this important cultural venture which will enhance interest in the opera world and create a greater appreciation of opera house history and architecture. Help us promote international young artists and create a platform for established performers to talk about the life in these institutions.

 

We offer a variety of patronage packages.

 

Grand Tour Club - £500+

. Membership of our Grand Tour Club which includes a drinks party with other patrons in London.

. An invitation to the screening party.

. Introductions to opera singers and other opera insiders at our parties.

. Discounted tickets for Divas & Scholars opera events.

. Regular updates on the filming progress.

. Exclusive access to never seen before behind the scenes footage.

. Your name in the credits on all documentaries.

.  Your company logo on the social media and print.

 

Puccini patrons - £100+

. Access to footage of behind the scenes at the opera houses.

. Your name in the credits on the first episode pilot.

. Discounted tickets for Divas & Scholars opera events.

 

Bizet benefactors - £ anything!

. We will thank you by name in social media posts.

. You can join the Divas & Scholars mailing list and receive information about upcoming events.

 

Organizer

Lucy Woodruff
Organizer
England

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