Digital Art Zone

anikad - 28 July 2012 01:23 AM

not sure if anyone non-british would have got all the reference

I watched the entire event here in Italy, and they accompanied it with a very informative commentary for Italian viewers. Even though I’m Scottish, there were some things I didn’t catch, but which were explained in the commentary - like the boatload of Jamaican immigrants refused entry into the UK. I also got the impression that the commentators were reading this stuff from briefing notes they had been given, because they knew the names of the various scenes, names of actors, poem and book references, plus all sorts of other details. So depending on each country’s approach to the transmission, viewers may/may not have had help understanding it all.

All in all, I thought it was a really innovative way to treat the opening ceremony. Instead of huge spectacular scenes of formation-marching, we got a fascinating look at UK history and politics, set to some of the best music ever made, and cheeky and irreverent send-ups of ourselves and our Queen. That’s what the Brits are good at, and that’s why we’re utterly unique.

mac

maclean - 28 July 2012 09:32 AM

there were some things I didn’t catch, but which were explained in the commentary - like the boatload of Jamaican immigrants refused entry into the UK

Not sure the commentary was that accurate in that case! The ‘ship’ carried around the arena was the Empire Windrush, famously the first boatload of West Indian immigrants to arrive post-War and definitely not refused entry. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_Windrush

OTOH they probably did a better job than the clueless one NBC are being reported to have done. They claimed they were delaying it rather than showing it live so they could add context, and then managed to have both presenters wondering who Sir Tim Berners-Lee was and one hilariously suggesting maybe they should google him, to make matters worse they then cut out the 7/7 tribute (inextricably linked with the Olympics for Brits, I was actually in the Tube when it was announced we’d won the selection on 6/7, and if I’d travelled a day later…)  - wonder how NBC would have reacted if anyone else chopped out a 9/11 tribute?

Frank0314 - 28 July 2012 05:46 AM

I missed the ceremony as well. I also missed the first round of the archery event. I’ll have to try and catch it today if it’s on TV

I’m not sure if you can watch this link outside of England, but if you can, this is the official BBC produced coverage of the entire event.

I missed it too, forgot all about it so I’m catching up an hour at a time at this link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01l4ldk/hd/Olympic_Ceremonies_London_2012_Opening_Ceremony/

Only seen an hour of it so far, and it’s four hours long.
Quite cool (loved the idea of the James Bond arrival).

Hmm. Won’t play in USA.

The Queen really jumped out of a helicopter? Too cool.

(I don’t have, and don’t want a TV.)

Torby - 30 July 2012 09:17 AM

Hmm. Won’t play in USA.

The Queen really jumped out of a helicopter? Too cool.

(I don’t have, and don’t want a TV.)

It was very cleverly done, she appeared to board the helicopter, and then appeared to jump out of it. Appeared to open the Games a couple of minutes after the parachutist landed.

Torby - 30 July 2012 09:17 AM

Hmm. Won’t play in USA.

The Queen really jumped out of a helicopter? Too cool.

Bloody hell, I sincerely hope not otherwise the notorious British Paparazzi would have upskirt shots of the Queens knickers plastered across every newspaper in the country by now!

Here, try this link first:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW5abat5NEU

And if that one doesn’t work, try this:
http://vimeo.com/46593612

Personally, I think Bond just wanted to show off his ultra-cool suit, but at least he got her there safely :-P

Torby - 30 July 2012 09:17 AM

Hmm. Won’t play in USA.

The Queen really jumped out of a helicopter? Too cool.

(I don’t have, and don’t want a TV.)

I read somewhere that a stunt devil/actor dressed as Queen Elizabeth II jumped out of the helicopter.  I gotta run.  Bye

Oh, yes. Very likely. Much fun anyhow.

Great image but I have NEVER seen a runner with boobs like that! :-p As a Brit I felt so proud when I watched the opening ceremony. It really hit the British sense of humour on the head and was touching and funny in equal measures.

Does anyone think Bolt has any serious contenders this year? With a name like Bolt he was born to be a sprinter right? I found a funny little app which tells you what your name would be if you were a sprinter. Aparently mine would be Lela Boost! Get it….Boost?

http://www.facebook.com/Glasgow2014/app_261427110632981