The improv, hurried choreography nature of the end scene really suits it. I think if it had been too perfect it would have not been as fun. It was supposed to be a bunch of kids just having fun.
And it gets manic at times. Haven't seen a HS or college age staged version of Grease in many years, but in every one I saw the kids just LOVED trying to bring the same high energy to those final scenes.
Fun fact: the river scene in willy Wonka and the chocolate factory was also improv. The only people outside of the film crew and such that knew about the shot was Gene
my theory for this is that one: when it's planned it's mostly by the director but when they are improvising it's all heads together, two: it's easier to think what to do when the actors are in the situation of the scene and you can visually plan in the head and improvise
@@nikkimirhosseyni9535 Yep, which is why we're now in the age of INSTANT social media. And well, youtube. Where we watch people be themselves. Most of the time anyway haha, but yeah that's what it's about now. Anything with a script and people go nuts lmao.
Okay but can we appreciate the expertise of that propman? "Oh yeah, stick a bobby pin in that cigarette and it won't bounce!" Just these little tricks and how the prop guys know them is incredible.
I mean, the propman just needed to weight down the cigarette so it wouldn’t bounce. A bobby pin is the right size to fit inside a cigarette without being detected. Common sense really.
When I saw the thumbnail I thought "Wait he's the director?? How young was he when he directed it???" because he looks very good in this video. I expected someone much older. I had to google his age and it turns out he was only 32 when he directed the film.
Claire Victoria - I don’t understand. Many directors are very young. Spielberg was in his early 20s for his debut. So was M. Night...and many, many others. Directing is a job...and many directors get jobs in their 20s.
I was thinking about that too! The youthfulness and spontaneity of the movie makes a lot more sense when you consider what the dynamic on set must’ve been like. This has been my favorite movie since I was a kid, and this video made it even better!
This was awesome! You need to make more of the Notes on a Scene about older movies because its so interesting to learn about all these behind the scenes info that I wouldn't have known before.
Something I never noticed before... everyone always talks about how Sandy changed for Danny, and how that's a bad thing, but when you look at it again, notice that Danny also changed for her. This is something that happens in a relationship that is good for both individuals. They change in good ways, influenced by the other. People may say Sandy didn't change in a good way, but the point is that they were both kind of extremes, and they met in the middle.
Danny did not change for her completely. He was attempting too. Plus the difference is Danny was trying to be a good guy for Sandy. Pursuing other interest and such. Sandy started smoking, and looking like a bad girl. So no their changes are not the same or equal. You should never lower your standards, lower your values, or change your style for a man. It is okay to try new things. But Sandy did not try anything new. She just had a makeover and called it the day. What message does that send. It's just a movie but movies have messages. intentional or not.
@@lisah8438 idk as a kid I always saw Sandy's makeover as her maturing into more of a young woman instead of staying a little girl but maybe that's just me
@@gabrielleporter553 So you are saying women who act and dress like Sandy, and are abstinent, or celibate are not mature women? They are still little girls. I will make a note of that. That is my point on why I think it sends a bad message to people. Dressing in tight clothes and seducing a man does not make you a mature woman. Thank you for proving my point.
Dee Bdoo you can be sexually mature and confident and dress like the so-called “good Sandy” If she wanted that change for herself (the tight clothes, cigarette) great, but don’t change yourself to get a partner. That isn’t love. I am not saying don’t compromise or take an interest in your partner’s interests. They should be doing the same thing for you. If not, head for the hills! Notice, as soon as she appears in the tight catsuit, he ditches the letter jacket.
Big props given to the choreographer for giving all the background dancers individual backstories and actions. Whenever I like a big musical (on screen or onstage) you can see that kind of detail happening.
You know, when you sit back and watch the movie and think how perfect it is, you think of it through the mind of a fan, so it's really eye-opening to see the scenes in the perspective of the director....it's kind of like real life...You see countless mistakes and things that could've not gone well in the movie (or your life) but hardly anyone else does! (like matching the blue colors in the background, the sun setting...) I always thought Sandy's squint was just an addition to her new bad-girl personality! Kinda like a scowling-look!
This is such a good watch since unlike famous auteur directors, who talk about their movies in a more abstract and philosophical way, he goes into a lot of the technicalities and the nitty gritty of filmmaking which I find personally to be often brushed to the side.
I wrote an essay for my film class once on improvisation, and I wish I had seen this video before writing it (although I still got perfect on it anyway). It was fascinating doing the research for it though. Giving your actors the freedom to flow with the scene can produce amazing results, and directors need to trust them more. Too many of them become too possessive of their art, and don't like to let go.
I loved Grease when I was much MUCH younger, and I still enjoy watching it again with my now-adult children. A lot of people don’t know that Sid Caesar (coach), Eve Arden (principal), Joan Blondell (waitress) were big stars in their day.
This “Notes on a Scene” series is excellent! And I absolutely love this episode. It’s completely fascinating... and actually adds to the magic of this film. ❤️ I would love to go to a “Grease” singalong at The Hollywood Bowl. I will be looking for the next opportunity.
As a huge Grease fan who knew every single song and choreo of the entire movie, that bumpy bit always bothered me. I always thought John and Olivia got their timing wrong, hence the double head nod. Also thought, gosh that was close they nearly butt heads. Now finally after all these years I know why. Thank you VF.
The most beautiful thing is that the imperfections and quirkiness made movies like this so real and human. Computer generized "perfection" takes the humanity out of art and doesnt make way for movies like Grease to shine.
Have you ever seen the stage version upon which it is based? I saw an am-dram production of it back in 2013 and I personally felt that the stage version was sassier, more risqué and made more sense than the film version, notably with Sandy’s surname being Dumbrowski (beginning with D) instead of Olssen; by having Sandy’s surname beginning with D the reference to Sandra Dee made more sense.
I love that 7:56 was kept. I noticed it the first time I watched the movie. It felt realistic to how joyous the scene was and getting caught in the moment.
Oh my gosh I wanna see the entire movie breakdown!!! I grew up on this movie and the sound of music. They’re so iconic, and seeing things that he pointed out as being out of place were all things I picked up on as a kid, but the characters all having backstories made the movie seem so real! I love that attention to detail because it was definitely noticeable even as a kid that all the characters seemed to have a perfect fit❤️❤️❤️
acme: That was probably the easy part compared to not being able to drink anything throughout the day even though it was hot; not being able to go to the bathroom; and (I read) not even being able to SIT DOWN in that outfit because it was so tight.
I remember going to the theater seeing this movie I was probably 7 or 8 years old I watched it at a small theater on alhambra ca. In 1978 or 1979 not sure my mom me and my aunts went to this movie.,ever since my children grow up watching this through the years I have a son he can see it everyday he said it's he's favorite movie we got sad when sandy lost her life due to that cancer thst took her away 😔😢💔 thanks for makeing this movie part of our life!
I think it's a fake one, I heard for movies and on set productions there's like fake cigs that still smoke but don't have any nicotine, but I could be entirely wrong lol
Thomas Parry I’m not forgiving his arrogance but when you direct two of the most successful films of all time (avatar and titanic), I would be surprised if that DIDN’T boost the ego.
DonnieTaco I much prefer Ridley Scott. He is a genius Writer and Director, has won dozens of awards, but he is still really kind, giving advice to aspiring filmmakers. I may be biased in my opinion though, as he is British.
When I was 9 this came to theatres, I wanted to go because they played the soundtrack on the radio and I loved it. My older brother told my mom not to let me go because of adult scenes that I shouldn’t see. When It came out on V H S years later I finally got to see it, and this was one of my favourite scenes.
The whole movie is amazing! I love knowing everything that was done to create this iconic scene, since the moment I saw it all of these things he pointed out are the moments engrained in my memory.
What about getting the Soundtrack audited and certified ? It must be 50 times platinum by now !! All of Olivia's albums have not been audited since 1984....whats up with that ?
I watched this movie as a kid and rewatching it as an adult makes me realize how similar real highschool was. And id say i was a greaser.. I had style and i got the car thats on my channel when i was 16 and i still have it.
![Grease - You're The One That I Want [HQ+Lyrics]](/img/n.gif)
The improv, hurried choreography nature of the end scene really suits it. I think if it had been too perfect it would have not been as fun. It was supposed to be a bunch of kids just having fun.
wwaxwork I agree
And it gets manic at times. Haven't seen a HS or college age staged version of Grease in many years, but in every one I saw the kids just LOVED trying to bring the same high energy to those final scenes.
@No-why? All the more kudos to their impersonative artistry.
Why are the most iconic things never planned?
Bruno'sBaBySquirrel It's so true. So many classic cinema moments weren't ever planned. Just never know what can happen in a spur of the moment
Fun fact: the river scene in willy Wonka and the chocolate factory was also improv. The only people outside of the film crew and such that knew about the shot was Gene
my theory for this is that one: when it's planned it's mostly by the director but when they are improvising it's all heads together, two: it's easier to think what to do when the actors are in the situation of the scene and you can visually plan in the head and improvise
It's because they don't get hung up overthinking. Our impulses are usually the best.
@@nikkimirhosseyni9535 Yep, which is why we're now in the age of INSTANT social media. And well, youtube. Where we watch people be themselves. Most of the time anyway haha, but yeah that's what it's about now. Anything with a script and people go nuts lmao.
Okay but can we appreciate the expertise of that propman?
"Oh yeah, stick a bobby pin in that cigarette and it won't bounce!"
Just these little tricks and how the prop guys know them is incredible.
candidesque I was shook at that. Like where do you learn this? Is there such thing as prop school?
It's really just improv
Today they use a CGI cigarette
@@presto709 Yep ... lost art... :(
I mean, the propman just needed to weight down the cigarette so it wouldn’t bounce. A bobby pin is the right size to fit inside a cigarette without being detected. Common sense really.
Omg they never rehearsed this? I’m shook
Don't Stop Readin' shook shack
herbie girl lololol
Don't Stop Readin' We all are
You would never guess
@@lizrose1679idiot
Amazing how after 40 years he still remembers all these details
Wow, I just can't believe it's been so many years..
they say you never stop editing a movie. Even after it's been released.
That means he's proud of it.
Something tells me he’s said this in interviews, thought of these details and even just recalled it in conversation a few times in 40 years. 😉
When I saw the thumbnail I thought "Wait he's the director?? How young was he when he directed it???" because he looks very good in this video. I expected someone much older. I had to google his age and it turns out he was only 32 when he directed the film.
Right?? I would’ve expected him to be much older but nah bro he looks young as heck 👏🏼👏🏼
32? What have I done with my life. 😢
Claire Victoria - I don’t understand. Many directors are very young. Spielberg was in his early 20s for his debut. So was M. Night...and many, many others. Directing is a job...and many directors get jobs in their 20s.
I find him to be well spoken and very attractive. I’ll have to look up what he looked like back then.
I was thinking about that too! The youthfulness and spontaneity of the movie makes a lot more sense when you consider what the dynamic on set must’ve been like. This has been my favorite movie since I was a kid, and this video made it even better!
I would watch him explain the entire movie like this! So interesting and learning experience
Yessss lets make it happen
I was your 900th like🙂
Me too!!😸
Yes please
I agree! So fascinating! Now I want to watch the movie a few more times just to follow some of the extra’s storylines.
I still need that flying explained though
orla lol fr
There's a theory that sandy actually drowned and that's just a dream, the flying car scene solidified the foundation of the theory.
orla II
space cowboy when did she drown?
Aliyah Jordan in the beginning of the movie, where she meets Danny at the beach
Not that he's bitter about the close up in the shake shack being cut or anything...
Laurence Noble lmfao yeah he probably could've mentioned it more
I didn't get bitter, only that he thought it to be the better shot. He was the director, he's here to talk about his choices.
It would have made that whole shot iconic. Instead the beginning is just more cookiness.
Yea, that _It was DETERMINED_ part lol
This is amazing! Him remembering every detail like yesterday ;)
songcake44 I know. I bet he wishes he could go back, seems like it was so much fun to make!
+
Lina J.Walker There was probably a lot of pressure. Large amounts of money invested, don’t want to make a flop
I have trouble even remembering yesterday.....
I know..its crazy lol
I really wanted to hear him talk about the ending with the car driving into the sky
But i still loved this little tell all !
The insight on the closeups was awesome.
This was awesome! You need to make more of the Notes on a Scene about older movies because its so interesting to learn about all these behind the scenes info that I wouldn't have known before.
Something I never noticed before... everyone always talks about how Sandy changed for Danny, and how that's a bad thing, but when you look at it again, notice that Danny also changed for her. This is something that happens in a relationship that is good for both individuals. They change in good ways, influenced by the other. People may say Sandy didn't change in a good way, but the point is that they were both kind of extremes, and they met in the middle.
Danny did not change for her completely. He was attempting too. Plus the difference is Danny was trying to be a good guy for Sandy. Pursuing other interest and such. Sandy started smoking, and looking like a bad girl. So no their changes are not the same or equal. You should never lower your standards, lower your values, or change your style for a man. It is okay to try new things. But Sandy did not try anything new. She just had a makeover and called it the day. What message does that send. It's just a movie but movies have messages. intentional or not.
@@lisah8438 idk as a kid I always saw Sandy's makeover as her maturing into more of a young woman instead of staying a little girl but maybe that's just me
@@gabrielleporter553 So you are saying women who act and dress like Sandy, and are abstinent, or celibate are not mature women? They are still little girls. I will make a note of that. That is my point on why I think it sends a bad message to people. Dressing in tight clothes and seducing a man does not make you a mature woman. Thank you for proving my point.
Gabrielle Porter Sandy was naive and now she is sexually mature and confident. I don’t see think that’s a bad thing
Dee Bdoo you can be sexually mature and confident and dress like the so-called “good Sandy” If she wanted that change for herself (the tight clothes, cigarette) great, but don’t change yourself to get a partner. That isn’t love. I am not saying don’t compromise or take an interest in your partner’s interests. They should be doing the same thing for you. If not, head for the hills! Notice, as soon as she appears in the tight catsuit, he ditches the letter jacket.
Big props given to the choreographer for giving all the background dancers individual backstories and actions. Whenever I like a big musical (on screen or onstage) you can see that kind of detail happening.
Whenever I watch it, I'm always drawn to the shorter female in the pink dress with the pigtails. I want to know her backstory. She looks fun!
You know, when you sit back and watch the movie and think how perfect it is, you think of it through the mind of a fan, so it's really eye-opening to see the scenes in the perspective of the director....it's kind of like real life...You see countless mistakes and things that could've not gone well in the movie (or your life) but hardly anyone else does! (like matching the blue colors in the background, the sun setting...) I always thought Sandy's squint was just an addition to her new bad-girl personality! Kinda like a scowling-look!
J 🤣 I also thought the squint was Olivia acting like a bad chick.
I heard Olivia improvised the line "'tell me about it, stud"......if she did it was a piece of genius. It really set up the whole scene!
Definitely the best one to date. Honest, and really fascinating to watch
improvisation produces the greatest art.
This is such a good watch since unlike famous auteur directors, who talk about their movies in a more abstract and philosophical way, he goes into a lot of the technicalities and the nitty gritty of filmmaking which I find personally to be often brushed to the side.
Loved this, especially when he described the "bumpy" choreography..which I noticed as I watched this scene hundreds of times..perfection..
"So it was determined...." wow his tone when he said that.
I wrote an essay for my film class once on improvisation, and I wish I had seen this video before writing it (although I still got perfect on it anyway). It was fascinating doing the research for it though. Giving your actors the freedom to flow with the scene can produce amazing results, and directors need to trust them more. Too many of them become too possessive of their art, and don't like to let go.
Good director! He really understands filming, lighting, and how the actors perform.
I loved Grease when I was much MUCH younger, and I still enjoy watching it again with my now-adult children. A lot of people don’t know that Sid Caesar (coach), Eve Arden (principal), Joan Blondell (waitress) were big stars in their day.
I agree don't forget Frankie Avalon and Sha Na Na.
This “Notes on a Scene” series is excellent! And I absolutely love this episode. It’s completely fascinating... and actually adds to the magic of this film. ❤️ I would love to go to a “Grease” singalong at The Hollywood Bowl. I will be looking for the next opportunity.
As a huge Grease fan who knew every single song and choreo of the entire movie, that bumpy bit always bothered me. I always thought John and Olivia got their timing wrong, hence the double head nod. Also thought, gosh that was close they nearly butt heads. Now finally after all these years I know why. Thank you VF.
Yes!!!
AGREED
Sorry I’m just curious but what bumpy part? I looked through the entire and I didn’t catch that part! So I though no harm in asking! 😊
@@uldavilchez2718 7:54
The shot of the shake shack would be THE DOPEST POSTER
Fr
Cute ni J Travolta and ms Olivia is so beautiful, bagay sila ,i love this musical movie,di ako maka move on ,
RiP ms Olivia😇❤😥😥
The most beautiful thing is that the imperfections and quirkiness made movies like this so real and human. Computer generized "perfection" takes the humanity out of art and doesnt make way for movies like Grease to shine.
I can't count how many times I have watched this movie. I thought it was the best musical ever made.
Have you ever seen the stage version upon which it is based? I saw an am-dram production of it back in 2013 and I personally felt that the stage version was sassier, more risqué and made more sense than the film version, notably with Sandy’s surname being Dumbrowski (beginning with D) instead of Olssen; by having Sandy’s surname beginning with D the reference to Sandra Dee made more sense.
One of my favorite scenes in the movie - Grease. I appreciated your explanation, Randal the genius director!
I love that 7:56 was kept. I noticed it the first time I watched the movie. It felt realistic to how joyous the scene was and getting caught in the moment.
Oh my gosh I wanna see the entire movie breakdown!!! I grew up on this movie and the sound of music. They’re so iconic, and seeing things that he pointed out as being out of place were all things I picked up on as a kid, but the characters all having backstories made the movie seem so real! I love that attention to detail because it was definitely noticeable even as a kid that all the characters seemed to have a perfect fit❤️❤️❤️
Kleiser always throws the credit elsewhere, but he is a GREAT director and makes memorable things happen.
Grease will always be my favorite movie!
The directors, producers, writers, actors etc. Geniuses!!!
"tell me about it,... StUd" will always be iconic
I didn’t want this to end ! Thank you for doing this I wish there was so much more
Honestly one of my favorite musicals 😭❤️❤️
I feel like he looks amazing 🔥 for being the Director of grease.. Maybe he was a super young director but he still looks like a young 60 ish
He is now 71 so during filming he was like 30.
+Alicia C He wasn't ''super young'' when he shot Grease. He was in his thirties!!
@@lisasimpson2568 lol early thirty's is super young to direct a cult classic
Alice 30s are young lmao
When I saw this when it came out I thought the director was a genius. Now I KNOW it.Thanks for posting this.
how amazing that all the details he remember, especially the light
This sort stuff makes you appreciate films even more.
I have always, I still do, and I will continue to have the biggest crush on John Travolta as Danny Zuko. Literally for the rest of my life.
His commitment to continuity is mush appreciated
I was impressed that Olivia Newton-John could dance through the Shake Shack in those "Candies" mules without falling down.
acme: That was probably the easy part compared to not being able to drink anything throughout the day even though it was hot; not being able to go to the bathroom; and (I read) not even being able to SIT DOWN in that outfit because it was so tight.
I’ve watched this movie since I was little I love this movie soooo much I went to see the 40th anniversary in theaters and it was sooo amazing
im 21 and Im in love with this movie still. I have seen it like 13 times. man im going to still watch this when im 60 years old
what an awesome video. Grease has and always will be my favourite movie so it was so fascinating to hear him explain how it all came together!
They did amazing job for being choreographed in 20 minutes. #favoritesceenofthemovie
I had the biggest crush on John in this movie. My Lord I was obsessed with him. Shame he aged so horribly and ya know.. that Scientology stuff
... and losing his hair and into men :-D
RIP in peace
Rip In peace now that he got rid of the wigs he looks much better. Too bad he’s still a Scientologist.
LoveIsLovely he’s got a wife
@@stephaniedavilac There are lots of rumors that he's secretly bisexual; however, he's never confirmed or denied any of them
I remember going to the theater seeing this movie I was probably 7 or 8 years old I watched it at a small theater on alhambra ca. In 1978 or 1979 not sure my mom me and my aunts went to this movie.,ever since my children grow up watching this through the years I have a son he can see it everyday he said it's he's favorite movie we got sad when sandy lost her life due to that cancer thst took her away 😔😢💔 thanks for makeing this movie part of our life!
I read that Olivia newton John hates smoking. I wonder if that was a real cigarette or a fake one she was using.
I think it's a fake one, I heard for movies and on set productions there's like fake cigs that still smoke but don't have any nicotine, but I could be entirely wrong lol
it could be a herbal cigarette, they don't contain any tobacco or nicotine.
Still bad, anything you light on fire produces carbon monoxide and inhaling that is harmful
Herta Schneider at least you won't get addicted
@@Cassxowary try telling that to the peaky blinders lmaooo cillian murphy has smoked over 3000 herbal cigs for that show
This was incredible!!! I'm so happy I watched this.
Grease remains one of my favourite movies.
I’m a teacher, some of my best lessons are not perfectly planned. I love watching this! So fun!
question. is he promoting something else or did they just get him to explain grease ? which is awesome
viviana santos
It's 40th anniversary of the film :3
I really enjoy these Notes on a scene episodes! I've always been a "behind the scenes" nerd, and love seeing how movies come together.
These "Notes on a scene" are great. I never read or watched anything VF... but i do now. Great initiative
LOVE this "break down" series! Keep 'em coming!
One of my favorite movies and one of my all time favorite scenes in a film! ♡
CAN YOU PLEASE DO AN ENTIRE DOCUMENATY ON GREASE JUST LIKE THIS. So fascinating!!
Loved the insight of the background round characters.
Please do the director of titanic👏
F G you mean directorial icon James Cameron?
I doubt they could get James Cameron to do it. He is famously one of the most arrogant men on Earth. He wouldn’t think it was worth his time.
Thomas Parry I’m not forgiving his arrogance but when you direct two of the most successful films of all time (avatar and titanic), I would be surprised if that DIDN’T boost the ego.
DonnieTaco I much prefer Ridley Scott. He is a genius Writer and Director, has won dozens of awards, but he is still really kind, giving advice to aspiring filmmakers. I may be biased in my opinion though, as he is British.
This is my favorite scene! I used to fast forward to this scene when i was a kid 😍😍😍
Grease is not even one of my fave musicals, but I absolutely love this breakdown as a film lover
My high school just performed Grease last week. So much fun :)
Julia Healy post it
i love grease and this song! happy i got to see how it’s made! 💗
This is amazing. Thank you for making this. Amazing how he knows so many details!!
Incredible! Absolutely incredible! Rest in Peace Olivia ❤ I love this movie so much.
One of my top 10 all time fave movies since I was 5! LOVE THIS.
When I was 9 this came to theatres, I wanted to go because they played the soundtrack on the radio and I loved it. My older brother told my mom not to let me go because of adult scenes that I shouldn’t see. When It came out on V H S years later I finally got to see it, and this was one of my favourite scenes.
The whole movie is amazing! I love knowing everything that was done to create this iconic scene, since the moment I saw it all of these things he pointed out are the moments engrained in my memory.
Jeez I didn’t realize doing a movie was so complicated. The director is flawless and intelligent and very elegant
One of my favorite movies of all time
This is still my favorite film of all time
Have him do the whole movie! :D
Jojo JN I definitely want him to break down Hand Jive
So interesting! He looks great ❤️ I think the scene turned out awesome and definitely came together nicely
amazing how one of the most iconic sequences in musicals was improvised in, like, 20 minutes.
What about getting the Soundtrack audited and certified ? It must be 50 times platinum by now !! All of Olivia's albums
have not been audited since 1984....whats up with that ?
One of my favorite movies since middle school 🖤
I love these videos. As a movie fanatic, it's awesome to see all the nicks and tricks of cinematography. I have never noticed any of these things
Will always be one of my favorite movies
I watched this movie as a kid and rewatching it as an adult makes me realize how similar real highschool was. And id say i was a greaser.. I had style and i got the car thats on my channel when i was 16 and i still have it.
Still in love with this great Movie 😍
I noticed at the end of the movie, this part, that Danny was wearing opposite colors than his crew
Back in the days when Travolta actually had hair.
It happens people lose hair as they age.
This was the most entertaining video I’ve seen. Love it!!
Good thing he circled the John Travolta's sideburn so we could find it.
I'm with James Herrington. More segments on Notes on a scene for older movies please!
The description it's fantastic
Thank you for a great movie Randal.
John Garrett my sweet man, gone now, in that opening shot with Livvy
I wish he would do the whole movie
He did a book recently that details the making of the whole film.
And the car flying off will continue being a mystery
Love This! Would also love his commentary on the Greased Lightning scene..
grease never gets old
this makes me wanna re-watch grease but i just did that yesterday
Love this movie so much
This is so interesting, I love this movie soooo much this is great!