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Thread started 03/25/11 3:58pm

BlaqueKnight

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Natalie Portman can't dance

...well, its not that she can't dance at all but as usual, there is more deceptive marketing going on in Hollywood in order to make one of their "darlings" look more talented than she actually is:

Natalie Portman Slammed by Her Black Swan Dance Double

by: US Magazine

Sarah Lane and Natalie Portman Billy Farrell/BFAnyc/Sipa; Jeffery Mayer/WireImage/US Weekly Black Swan blackout!

Sarah Lane, the American Ballet Theater dancer who acted as Natalie Portman's dance double in the hit film, has a gripe with the Oscar-winning star and the film's execs.

Lane alleges she was told by executives at Fox Searchlight to stop speaking publicly about her work in the movie so that Portman could take the credit for the amazing dance moves herself.

"They were trying to create this facade that she had become a ballerina in a year-and-a-half," she told Dance Magazine in December. "So I knew they didn't want to publicize anything about me."

In interviews, Portman talked frequently about how grueling it was to master ballet techniques for the intense psychological drama. Yet when she won her Academy Award for the acclaimed performance, the actress failed to acknowledge Lane during her acceptance speech. Lane was also apparently deleted from a DVD extra showing Black Swan's special effects.

Rising up in Portman's defense? Benjamin Millepied, "Black Swan"'s choreographer and now Portman's fiance (and father to the pregnant star's unborn child). Lane "just did the footwork and the fouettes and one diagonal in the studio," Millepied, 33, recently told the L.A. Times. "Honestly, 85% of that movie is Natalie."

Link: http://blog.movies.yahoo....nce-double

So much of this goes on behind the scenes, its not even funny. Since Sarah is with the American Ballet Theater, her job would not be in jeapordy for ratting Nat out, unlike if she were directly affiliated with Hollywood. Its always cool to see someone step forward and put a crack in the illusion of lies Hollywood spins to try to turn certain stars into "superheroes" by trying to keep their various teams in hiding while giving their "star" all of the credit. coughcoughBeyoncecough

It used to be that people would take huge pay cuts just to get credit for doing what they do. Nowadays, not only do they not want to pay people right but the want to give the credit for their hard work to someone else.

So, Natalie's BOYFRIEND is denying this. Wow. I didn't see that coming. He's not siding with Sarah against his baby's momma? rolleyes [/sarcasm]

Just another day in twinkle town. Its business as usual.

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Reply #1 posted 03/25/11 4:06pm

Cerebus

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Surprised somebody is digging this up now. I mean, the film has already made more than ten times its budget AND brought Portman an Oscar. Also, I read about all this a long time ago. I remember reading in several different articles that Portman DID do a great deal of training and dancing (I think that's pretty clear when you watch the movie), but also that a good portion of the dancing was done by a double (like 30-40%). shrug I don't think it affects watching the movie either way. Its pretty common for dance doubles to be used, anyway.

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Reply #2 posted 03/25/11 4:54pm

johnart

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Cerebus said:

Surprised somebody is digging this up now. I mean, the film has already made more than ten times its budget AND brought Portman an Oscar. Also, I read about all this a long time ago. I remember reading in several different articles that Portman DID do a great deal of training and dancing (I think that's pretty clear when you watch the movie), but also that a good portion of the dancing was done by a double (like 30-40%). shrug I don't think it affects watching the movie either way. Its pretty common for dance doubles to be used, anyway.

yeahthat This was never a secret. Who thought she'd done all her own dancing? confuse

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Reply #3 posted 03/25/11 5:17pm

BlaqueKnight

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Good ol' "movie magic".

I don't think it was a question of whether or not she did any dancing but HOW MUCH of it was actually her.

It is a complete myth to think that anyone can become a ballerina in a year and a half. Sarah probably saw the final film, recognized how much of the dancing was her and was offended that they tried to push her in the shadows when it came time for credit. I can't blame her for that. No one likes to be shorted. On the other hand, she had to have some idea that it might happen. Well, maybe not, since she doesn't work in Hollywood normally.


[Edited 3/25/11 17:19pm]

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Reply #4 posted 03/25/11 5:19pm

Cerebus

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BlaqueKnight said:

Good ol' "movie magic".

I don't think it was a question of whether or not she did any dancing but HOW MUCH of it was actually her.

It is a complete myth to think that anyone can become a ballerina in a year and a half. Sarah probably saw the final film, recognized how much of the dancing was her and was offended that they tried to push her in the shadows. I can't blame her for that. No one likes to be shorted. On the other hand, she had to have some idea that it might happen. Well, maybe not, since she doesn't work in Hollywood normally.

[Edited 3/25/11 17:18pm]

While I understand what you're saying...

A) She was credited.

B) She was paid.

C) I can't believe that most people REALLY thought that was all Queen Amadala

D) Why now?

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Reply #5 posted 03/25/11 5:26pm

BlaqueKnight

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Cerebus said:

While I understand what you're saying...

A) She was credited.

B) She was paid.

C) I can't believe that most people REALLY thought that was all Queen Amadala

D) Why now?

I don't know. Good question. Maybe its not just now. maybe she's been bitching about it and people are finally starting to take notice? shrug

And being credited is one thing but lots of times Hollywood puts the media machine to work to build someone up to be something they are not. I'm sure someone like Trevor Bayne, Lewis Hamilton or Dale Eirnheart Jr. would be pissed if all of a sudden Vin Diesel started getting the covers of driving magazines or something just because he did the Fast and the Furious movies. Maybe? shrug Who knows?

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Reply #6 posted 03/25/11 5:35pm

SagsWay2low

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Sometimes, you need a double:



You're a real fucker. You act like you own this place--ParanoidAndroid <-- about as witty as this princess gets! lol
I hope everyone pays more attention to Sags posts--sweething mushy

Jesus weeps disbelief
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Reply #7 posted 03/25/11 5:37pm

Nothinbutjoy

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lol
I'm firmly planted in denial
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Reply #8 posted 03/25/11 5:58pm

KingBAD

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who???

i am KING BAD!!!
you are NOT...
evilking
STOP ME IF YOU HEARD THIS BEFORE...
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Reply #9 posted 03/25/11 6:47pm

Genesia

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It's Singing in the Rain. lol
We don’t mourn artists because we knew them. We mourn them because they helped us know ourselves.
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Reply #10 posted 03/25/11 7:32pm

NDRU

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It happens! Nobody cares who actually does the work, they care about the "face," whether it is Natalie, Jennifer Beals, Beyonce, Quincy Jones (yes, him), Bush, Obama, etc

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Reply #11 posted 03/25/11 7:38pm

TonyVanDam

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I'm sorry. But THIS Natalie Portman thread is NOT complete without mentioning how much of a (potential) great actress she has always been since day one.

How many of you remember (OR are trying to forget about!) Leon The Professional?

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Reply #12 posted 03/25/11 7:55pm

Cerebus

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TonyVanDam said:

How many of you remember (OR are trying to forget about!) Leon The Professional?

I dig that movie. Don't love it, but I definitely dig it. I guess I like most of the things I've seen her in, really. She's definitely never done anything that made me want to stop checking out her movies.

Other favorites would be...

Garden State - Seems to be a love/hate movie for most people. I loved it. It worked for me.

Her bruises in Hotel Chevalier (see below). shrug For some reason I noticed them the first time I watched that... and I liked it. lol Wonderfully pointless short film from Wes Anderson, though. lol

I loved The Other Boleyn Girl. Natalie and Scarlet - wasn't really hard to watch.

And I actually think she did a really good job in the Star Wars films. But I will ALWAYS wonder how that performance would be different if she wasn't being directed by George Lucas and acting opposite a piece of wood most of the time (aka Hayden Christensen).

The bruises are in part two. lol Judging by her hair length I'm guessing they have something to do with the filming of V for Vendetta, which I wanted to love, but can't.

Part two NSFW. Contains Natalie booty.

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Reply #13 posted 03/25/11 10:23pm

armpit

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Actually I always heard it stated from the beginning that there was a dance double. Yeah, they always said Natalie danced some too, but they always made it clear that a lot of the more demanding work, like where she had to be on pointe for a long time, a dance double was used.

So I don't see what the big controversy is. No one ever made it a secret that they used a dance double in the movie. It's not like the Flashdance thing.

"I don't think you'd do well in captivity." - random person's comment to me the other day
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Reply #14 posted 03/26/11 6:55am

minneapolisgen
ius

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Cerebus said:

Surprised somebody is digging this up now. I mean, the film has already made more than ten times its budget AND brought Portman an Oscar. Also, I read about all this a long time ago. I remember reading in several different articles that Portman DID do a great deal of training and dancing (I think that's pretty clear when you watch the movie), but also that a good portion of the dancing was done by a double (like 30-40%). shrug I don't think it affects watching the movie either way. Its pretty common for dance doubles to be used, anyway.


I agree with all of this, and I saw the movie three times. lol As a dancer, (a ballet dancer to be more specific) I was well aware while watching that there was no way in hell the pointework, fouettes, and diagonal sequences was Natalie. i thought they did a great job of editing it all together though, because it arm and head movements are obviously her.

I still think Portman did a great job acting in the movie, and yes she did train for it as well as I could see. She says in interviews how grueling the training was, and that is not a lie, because of course it was grueling: just learning how to do a proper tendu without pain is grueling if you aren't a dancer, and even if you are and are trying to get into shape after four years of retirement. lol Speaking for myself in that last bit.

I suppose for the general public, it might seem that she did her own dancing throughout, but to a dancer, it's pretty obvious who is who. shrug Didn't stop me from loving the film though. They really got the ballet world right. It's spot on! I suppose if I were her double though I would be pissed for not being acknowledged.

It's just like the woman who sang for another Natalie (Wood)in West Side Story and never got credited.
"I saw a woman with major Hammer pants on the subway a few weeks ago and totally thought of you." - sextonseven
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Reply #15 posted 03/26/11 8:54am

BlaqueKnight

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armpit said:

Actually I always heard it stated from the beginning that there was a dance double. Yeah, they always said Natalie danced some too, but they always made it clear that a lot of the more demanding work, like where she had to be on pointe for a long time, a dance double was used.

So I don't see what the big controversy is. No one ever made it a secret that they used a dance double in the movie. It's not like the Flashdance thing.

But, that was never the complaint. The complaint was the AMOUNT that she did not whether or not she did any at all. I think Sarah is saying that they WEREN'T clear all of the time as to how much dancing was done and I think she felt slighted when it came to credit.

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Reply #16 posted 03/26/11 9:02am

KingBAD

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eye eye WHO??? hmm

i am KING BAD!!!
you are NOT...
evilking
STOP ME IF YOU HEARD THIS BEFORE...
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Reply #17 posted 03/26/11 9:33am

armpit

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BlaqueKnight said:

armpit said:

Actually I always heard it stated from the beginning that there was a dance double. Yeah, they always said Natalie danced some too, but they always made it clear that a lot of the more demanding work, like where she had to be on pointe for a long time, a dance double was used.

So I don't see what the big controversy is. No one ever made it a secret that they used a dance double in the movie. It's not like the Flashdance thing.

But, that was never the complaint. The complaint was the AMOUNT that she did not whether or not she did any at all. I think Sarah is saying that they WEREN'T clear all of the time as to how much dancing was done and I think she felt slighted when it came to credit.

...Did she really expect them to break stuff down into percentages for the public? lol

Or get really specific and go through every dance scene and point out all the parts that were her and not Natalie?

They always made it clear from the beginning that some of it is her, and some of it is Natalie.

I don't understand what she's upset about.

"I don't think you'd do well in captivity." - random person's comment to me the other day
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Reply #18 posted 03/26/11 9:34am

Genesia

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minneapolisgenius said:

Cerebus said:

Surprised somebody is digging this up now. I mean, the film has already made more than ten times its budget AND brought Portman an Oscar. Also, I read about all this a long time ago. I remember reading in several different articles that Portman DID do a great deal of training and dancing (I think that's pretty clear when you watch the movie), but also that a good portion of the dancing was done by a double (like 30-40%). shrug I don't think it affects watching the movie either way. Its pretty common for dance doubles to be used, anyway.

I agree with all of this, and I saw the movie three times. lol As a dancer, (a ballet dancer to be more specific) I was well aware while watching that there was no way in hell the pointework, fouettes, and diagonal sequences was Natalie. i thought they did a great job of editing it all together though, because it arm and head movements are obviously her. I still think Portman did a great job acting in the movie, and yes she did train for it as well as I could see. She says in interviews how grueling the training was, and that is not a lie, because of course it was grueling: just learning how to do a proper tendu without pain is grueling if you aren't a dancer, and even if you are and are trying to get into shape after four years of retirement. lol Speaking for myself in that last bit. I suppose for the general public, it might seem that she did her own dancing throughout, but to a dancer, it's pretty obvious who is who. shrug Didn't stop me from loving the film though. They really got the ballet world right. It's spot on! I suppose if I were her double though I would be pissed for not being acknowledged. It's just like the woman who sang for another Natalie (Wood)in West Side Story and never got credited.

Well, yeah - but at the time Natalie Wood did West Side Story, it was well known that Marni Nixon was doing her singing. I mean...Nixon did singing voiceovers for Deborah Kerr in The King and I and An Affair to Remember, and for Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady - as well as appearing in other movies (like The Sound of Music) herself.

In fact, despite My Fair Lady winning 8 Oscars, there was a whole big brouhaha because Audrey Hepburn didn't even get nominated as Best Actress. A lot of people felt that Hepburn had been unfairly cast over Julie Andrews (who created the role of Eliza Doolittle on Broadway) - and then didn't do her own singing. The Academy gave the Best Actress award to Julie Andrews for Mary Poppins.

So the whole "voice double" thing was a huge issue.

We don’t mourn artists because we knew them. We mourn them because they helped us know ourselves.
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Reply #19 posted 03/26/11 3:51pm

CHIC0

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EXCUSE ME????

OH HELL NO!!!!

Fantasy Women Animated Natalie Portman

heart
LOVE
♪♫♪♫

♣¤═══¤۩۞۩ஜ۩ஜ۩۞۩¤═══¤♣
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Reply #20 posted 03/26/11 4:38pm

KingBAD

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she told me her name was

something else

and took my shades without askin.

if i woulda known she was famous

i woulda took pics of her lookin

like she was doin 'THE HUMPTY DANCE'

tell her i want my glasses and the $50

for the cab!!!

i am KING BAD!!!
you are NOT...
evilking
STOP ME IF YOU HEARD THIS BEFORE...
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