Audio commentary

for an episode of Battle for B.F.D.I. An audio commentary is an additional audio track, usually digital, consisting of a lecture or comments by one or more speakers, that plays in tandem with a video. Commentaries are most often spoken by the production team. They can be serious or entertaining in nature, and can add information which otherwise would not be disclosed to audience members.

for an episode of Battle for B.F.D.I.]] An audio commentary is an additional audio track, usually digital, consisting of a lecture or comments by one or more speakers, that plays in tandem with a video. Commentaries are most often spoken by the production team. They can be serious or entertaining in nature, and can add information which otherwise would not be disclosed to audience members.

Film directors commentary

Film directors can also provide their perspective into how a film is made. In his commentary for the 1970 film M*A*S*H, director Robert Altman gives background information on production and on the way the script was used and misused. He also comments on problems he had with the studio in relation to the connection with the Vietnam War. Director Mel Brooks discusses in his audio commentary for Young Frankenstein how the movie was turned down by Columbia Pictures because its 2 million dollar budget was too high. He also points out the homages in his film, in relation to the history of Frankenstein movies. Director Oliver Stone in his audio commentary for Wall Street, explains how his family influenced the making of the film, and speaks candidly about the actors, mildly criticizing them, particularly Charlie Sheen. In his commentary for the 2003 film Shattered Glass, director Billy Ray is joined by New Republic editor Chuck Long, who explains the differences between the film and the actual event. Ray, in his directorial debut, also admits his lack of experience, and how he relied on more experienced members of his production crew. Director Francis Ford Coppola in his audio commentary about his epic film The Godfather, recounts how the original title of the film was supposed to be "Mario Puzo's The Godfather", but that "no one remembers it that way", and in the 2007 DVD release of Hearts of Darkness, a documentary about the production of Apocalypse Now, Coppola explains why it's not a good idea to film a movie in the Amazon jungle. He also talks about a scene in the film where Martin Sheen was drunk and cut his hand, and relays how the opening shot with a huge explosion in the jungle was completely unintentional.

Television series

When complete seasons of TV series are released to DVD and Blu-ray boxsets, they often include audio commentary. Older classic shows like The Twilight Zone The Monkees, Night Gallery, The Brady Bunch, Dennis the Menace, Star Trek: The Original Series, Groucho Marx's You Bet Your Life, The Abbott and Costello Show, and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour have all featured audio commentaries by the cast, crew members and special guest stars. Modern classics with commentaries from the creators, writers, directors and cast include (select few): Everybody Loves Raymond, One Tree Hill, Second City Television, Smallville, The Sopranos, Arrested Development, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sex and the City, Will & Grace, Game of Thrones, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Seinfeld and Friends. Animated TV series are also a genre that frequently provide audio commentaries, which include: My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic and Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants. Classic cartoons include: The Flintstones, The Jetsons, and Tom and Jerry which have all been released with audio commentaries. Adult and cult classics with audio commentaries from creators, writers, directors and cast include: South Park, Beavis and Butt-Head, Robot Chicken and Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

Music videos

On the DVD release of Queen's Greatest Video Hits 2, which features music videos with audio commentary, band members Brian May and Roger Taylor reflect on their memories and opinions of each video. On the 20th Anniversary Remastered Edition of Paul's Boutique, the Beastie Boys provide their insights on a downloadable hour long audio commentary, which offers "rambling" revelations into album characters like Johnny Ryall. The 2000 Criterion DVD re-release of The Rolling Stones Gimme Shelter, a 1970 American documentary, features audio commentary from directors Albert Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin, along with collaborator Stanley Goldstein. The 2006 Fade to Red: Tori Amos Video Collection, a double DVD set, has commentary from Tori Amos on each video.

Broadway plays

The 2011 Broadway revival of Godspell featured a downloadable ten-part audio commentary series from composer Stephen Schwartz and director Daniel Goldstein, who "discuss their process and personal experiences of creating the Broadway revival".

Sources

Further reading

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