Hijinks in Beijing

Great to have you!

So, we are working our way to week's end and there are so many topics worthy of our discussion, I think I may need 2 or 3 new blogs. Quite frankly, I can barely create time for this one - but you're worth it!

Have you reached your fill of Olympic coverage? Wait, are you even watching the Olympic coverage? Listen, it is quite fine if you are not watching - I am not watching it either, so no need to worry. Although I may not be watching, I am paying attention....To the headlines that is...

The Olympic Reality Show?

Apparently, there has been more than enough reported news from the Olympics. However, more interesting than the great records being broken ala Michael Phelps (That 12,000 calorie per day diet appears to be working for you right now - No big deal, you are 23 - but, it WILL CATCH UP with you in about 5-7 years), are all of the details surrounding the Olympics.

We begin with my favorite format: Covering several controversial topics via statement of the facts, followed by my witty, thoughtful, and intelligent commentary with a positive spin (-?). Now let's make some lemonade out of these lemons...

1. Questionable Opening Ceremony Pyrotechnics.
During last Friday's Olympic Opening Ceremony, it was reported that the fireworks display was digitally 'Enhanced'.
As reported in The Beijing Times, what people inside the stadium and watching on television saw were computer graphics of the footprints inserted into coverage for an entire 55-second sequence.

According to ceremony organizers, they claimed the reason of this particular 'Fakery' was simply because it would not have been possible to safely execute the logistics of the fireworks, due to helicopters filming the event.

My Comment: I had read somewhere that a hired special effects team had been preparing the imagery for more than a year prior the event. Well, I certainly would wish for safety during the live event coverage - I suppose a trained, experienced helicopter pilot could mistakenly intersect with such trajectories, however in all of the many years of major event coverage...

Furthermore, rather than trying to intentionally 'Dupe' the public, a disclaimer across the screen should have read: "The following footage may contain digitally enhanced images. Viewer discretion is advised."

As a result, this will affect all future televised pyrotechnic displays - people will always wonder if they are watching the real fireworks or impostor works :)

Next time, plan the event using closer choreography with detailed, assigned aeronautic flight paths and specified "No Fly" areas...With realistic organization, the televised event could be kept as authentic as possible.

2. Questionable Opening Ceremony Singing.

According to published reports, Chinese officials have admitted deceiving the public over another highlight of the Olympic opening ceremony: the picture-perfect schoolgirl who sang as the Chinese flag entered the stadium was performing (Lip syncing) to another girl's voice.

My Comment: Well, I live (For the most part) in Los Angeles. This is the city of 'Artificial Appearances'. High School level superficiality revisited - Definitely, however rather than dramatic 17 year old kids, we are grown adults.

Even better, L.A. is a city of glamour (Both old and new). Why bother living here if you are neither or are not contributing, is my point.

So, can I fault the Chinese officials for presenting an impostor - not so much. However, I will say the little girl who did actually sing the song is talented and she will grow up to be a knock-out (At least that is how it works in the world of modeling!).

3. Questionable Buildings.

Ad Age reporter Ray Ally, recently wrote that while visiting Beijing during coverage, he discovered a fake building in a major, popular downtown tourist shopping area (Similar to NY Times Square).

Further, officials have also suspended noisy construction during the Olympic event in an effort to curb pollution and have boarded up the unsightly construction sites with signage.

My Comment: If anything positive can be said during all of the 'Tomfoolery', it is the amount and detail of planning that went into the falsities that is an impressive, conscious effort. I don't know whether to hire them or fire them - they need to put such creative talent into making movies!

Finally, not to say much more - due to the potential of incurring a national incident (Sharon Stone). Overall I largely agree with the 'Beautification', where possible. My hope is that the city/country will discover its own identity and will continue to move forward, after the world is no longer watching...