t.v.. time

~ Page 91, April 4, 1979 - North Shore News

MEDIA MONITOR
~~ Marty Pasetta—

The man behind the Oscars
by Steve K. Walz.

When ABC telecasts the prestigious Academy
Award ceremonies on Monday, April 9, most of us will
focus our attention to the glittering array of top-name
stars who will open the envelopes, make a few
wisecracks, and then make the various Oscar
presentations. And, of course, we will take it for
granted that the minute the ‘golden fleece’ is won by
one of these actors or actresses, the cameras will

automatically zoom in on those faces in the crowd,
trying to project their emotions.

Unfortunately, many people do not appreciate the
‘technical’ aspects of such a lavish production, the
cornerstone of the entire event.

Inserts

Producer/directors aren't. seen. They're just
heard by the various cameramen, switchers, sound
people, etc. Just how hard is it to produce such an
extravaganza? According to the dean of directors,
Marty Pasetta, who holds the directing ‘Triple Crown’
of. the entertainment industry’s awards shows
(Oscars, Emmy’s and Grammy's), the Academy Award
ceremonies requires a crew of 500.

“We use 18 cameras, 35 TV monitors, four
associate directors, two technical directors, two
switchers and a bunch of other production personnel.
I"m basically responsible for trying-to capture’ the
electricity of the Academy Award ceremonies, and
that takes a lot of advance planning. For instance, we
have three days of run-t (semi-rehiearsals) so
we can tighten up the overall production,”’ offered
Pasetta.

With so many
things happening on
the technical side of
the screen, it’s almost
impossible not to be
nervous. Explained Pa-
setta, ‘‘To say that
doing this production
is nerve-wracking is an
understatement.
Sometimes you tend
to let your senses drift
a bit, but I try not to
let it happen because
it's a live show and you
don't get a retake. @
Two million dollars and
two months work are
on the line, plus you
have a world-wide audience looking on.”’

Lights, camera, action

Another contributing factor to the burden of
producing a first-rate show is how the director
portrays the stars that come across the tube. Some
literally look lost without cue cards and at times are
done an injustice by certain camera angles. It is
Pasetta’s job to present a positive image of these
household names.

“t work with these people closely. You have to,
since they are putting their careers in your hands. The
camera angle can make or break a star. Therefore,
the director must be involved with the lighting aspect
of the program as well, which can enhance or distract
the scene, Marty said.

‘| basically try and instill confidence in the stars.
| get letters every week from people who appreciate
how | present them on the screen. Hey, I'm like a

entist or a doctor. | must learn how to use the new
echniques that are now available in TV in order to
make my production even better.”

Pasetta, who has spent his entire career in TV,
is a strong advocate of the instant-medium as
opposed to other ron ywood directors who dabble in
movies as well. ke the excitement and the
immediacy of TV as opposed to a long, drawn-out
movie production where the impact is not as great.
'm not ruling out the possibility of doing a movie
somewhere down the line, but !'m quite content with
what I'm doing now."

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BEAUTY AND *-
THE BEAST

The award-winning and _ widely
acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame
presentation of the classic story,
‘Beauty and the Beast,’ starring
George C. Scott and his wife, Trish
Van Devere (pictured), will be
rebroadcast Friday, April 6 on
NBC-TV. a

animal, who is considerate, sensitive
and intelligent. Van Devere appears
as Belle, the beauty of the story,
-who unwittingly enters the domain of
The Beast and comes to learn the
real meaning of truth and love.
Featured in the cast are Virginia
McKenna as Lucy, one of Belle’s
sisters, and Bernard Lee as
Beaumont, Belle’s-- father. Other
performers include: Patricia Quinn
as Susan, Belle’s other sister;
Michael Harbour as Anthony, Su-
san’s husband; Willian -Relton’ as
Nicholas, Belle’s devoted brother.
_. Sherman Yellen adapted the
famous story, which first appeared

ROSS

aa, oa

The

Coach House
announces

during the 1500's.
_ Our New
Dining Room

| Menu

Pacific Salmon Filet
Poached Sole Stuffed
with Shrimp

Prime Rib of Beef
New York Steak
Sirloin Steak

Cornish Game Hen
Scallops and Shrimp

All dinners include Vegetable,
a Loaf of Country Bread
and a Crispy Salad

95

6? ==

Open 7 days a week [
5 p.m.

700 Lillooet Rd.,

N.V.

985-3111

With this Coupon
Your choice of
an appetizer

with dinner
Expires
“April 15/79

A

/

Scott portrays The Beast, a strong -
figure of a man with the face of an

~ Tt

sy