What? Some Of The Olympic Opening Ceremony Was Faked?
You mean in this day and age of CGI and technical wizardry, that somebody would tweak the broadcast of the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics? Horrors!
Actually, file this one in the “I’m So Totally NOT Surprised” file:
I knew something was strange when the Chinese and Olympic flags blew dramatically in a breeze that did not exist anywhere else in the suffocating National Stadium.
Turns out, they were powered by special devices in the flagpoles.
I also thought it was odd that, while everybody back home was praising the fireworks displays, those of us in the stadium saw nothing more than your average Friday night post-Angels-game display.
Well, turns out, many of the fireworks seen on television were digitally created because, according to officials, the smog was too bad for anyone to see the real ones anyway.
If that wasn’t bad enough, now comes the news that even the only truly human part of the ceremony was fabricated.
That tiny, red-dressed, 9-year-old girl named Lin Miaoke who so touchingly sang “Ode to the Motherland”?
It was an ode to a fakery.
The voice actually belonged to 7-year-old Yang Peiyi, but poor Peiyi was not deemed cute enough for a world audience, so Lin lip-synched to Peiyi’s recorded voice.
The saddest thing being, Chinese officials actually publicly bragged about making the switch.
“After several tests, we decided to put Lin Miaoke on the live picture while using Yang Peiyi’s voice,” said musical director Chen Qigang in an interview with Beijing Radio. “The reason for this is that we must put our country’s interests first. The girl appearing on the picture must be flawless in terms of her facial expressions and the great feeling she can give to the people.”
I realize I’ve been a bit sarcastic in this post. But come on. Did anyone really expect China, host of their first (and quite possibly only) Olympics, to settle for anything but what they judge to be first-rate? Look at the history of sport in China. Look at what they put their Olympic hopefuls through, from the time they are old enough to toddle. Look at the country’s history, from the Cultural Revolution back through Puyi and back through time immemorial. It’s China’s show and they wanted “perfection”. Is anyone truly surprised?
But let’s face it. Style over substance is the name of the game any more. All the people tut-tutting at this so-called “revelation” were the same ones oohing and aahing on Friday night. It was a performance, an acting event, a drama unfolding for our viewing pleasure. There were actors there, playing parts. The Chinese have always been big on ceremony, no matter the thoughts and feelings of the individuals behind the pomp. It was put together by a movie director, for cryin’ out loud. It stinks that the little singer didn’t get her day in the spotlight, she should have been allowed to sing, but come on. What did people expect from China? What did people expect from anyone putting on such a huge production? Are these the same people who are surprised when they are told reality shows are scripted, or that “live” television sometimes uses pre-recorded spots?
For better or worse, the people who stage these spectaculars have created a monster in that the public now expects each one to be bigger and better than the last. Don’t blame China for trying to live up to a standard that we created. Had they not thrown in a few special effects, the same people who are griping about the enhancements now would have been whining that the ceremony was dull and boring. Some people just aren’t happy no matter what you do. And let’s face it, we the viewing public have created this monster. Do we make media darlings out of the ugly swimmers or gymnasts or softball players?
If it were one of the sporting events, I might have been upset…but not at an obvious theatrical show. Take it for what it was…a spectacular viewing experience. Like nobody else who has ever put on a show has ever faked their way through it.
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K, I heard this segment on the radio yesterday morning and thought you would find it interesting.
http://www.wcbs880.com/pages/2778911.php?
It’s the second section titled: IS CHINA TRYING TOO HARD TO BE “PERFECT” AT THE OLYMPICS?
Comment by S.Rod — August 14, 2008 @ 1:31 pm