Name: Behind the Scenes
Genre: Documentary
Released: 1992-08-11
Rating: 3.5

Overview

Behind the Scenes was a 10-part television miniseries aimed towards 8- to 12-year-olds about various aspects of the arts, that was broadcast on PBS in 1992. The series was executive produced by Alice Stewart Trillin and Jane Garmey, produced and directed by Ellen Hovde and Muffie Meyer, and hosted by Penn & Teller. It was developed to illuminate the creative process underlying the working of artists. The series was funded by The National Endowment for the Arts, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, the Bingham Trust and McDonald's.

Seasons

Season 1

10 Episodes

1992

E01

Drawing Illusion of Depth with David Hockney

8/11/1992

Artist David Hockney draws “a walk around a chair.” Also: singer Bobby McFerrin provides musical accompaniment for the animated adventures of “Flatman.”

E02

Photography Framing with Carrie Mae Weems

8/11/1992

Carrie Mae Weems demonstrates how photographers create meaning through composition. Also: William Wegman's fanciful video "Surprise Symphony," spotlighting his dog.

E03

Music Playing Together with Joann Falletta

8/11/1992

Conductor JoAnn Falletta explains melody and accompaniment ("It's called that because it keeps the melody company," says Penn Jillette). Also: "singing" cows.

E04

Drawing Line with Wayne Thiebaud

8/11/1992

Artist Wayne Thiebaud and cartoonist Matt Groening demostrates how lines are used to create shadows and suggest motion. Also: rope tricks with a lariat.

E05

Theater Setting Scene with Julie Taymor

8/11/1992

Julie Taymor directs "The Tempest," to demonstrate how costume and set design are used in theater to "create the illusion of being somewhere where we obviously aren't."

E06

Music Melody with Allen Toussaint

8/11/1992

Penn and Teller teach kids about melody; composer Allen Toussaint writes a song to demonstrate how repetition and variation are used in creating music. Also: singer Bobby McFerrin and saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom team up for a jam session.

E07

Painting Color with Robert Gil de Montes

8/11/1992

Robert Gil de Montes shows how paint color can be used to trick the eye and express an artist's feelings. Also: computer artist Marilyn Ono on the mixing of hues.

E08

Dance Pattern with David Parsons

8/11/1992

David Parsons choreographs a piece about sleep to show how everyday movements can be incorporated into dance; choreographer B.H. Barry stages a mock fight. Also: a montage of dance clips.

E09

Music Rhythm with Max Roach

8/11/1992

Max Roach demonstrates rhythm. "Different beat patterns make you move in different ways," says host Penn Jillette. Also: the Blue Man Group.

E10

Sculpture Balance with Nancy Graves

8/11/1992

Nancy Graves creates a sculpture in an episode about balance and symmetry. Also: tightrope walker Brian Dewhurst demonstrates how weight affects balance.

Behind the Scenes(1992)

Overview

Seasons

Season 1

Drawing Illusion of Depth with David Hockney

Photography Framing with Carrie Mae Weems

Music Playing Together with Joann Falletta

Drawing Line with Wayne Thiebaud

Theater Setting Scene with Julie Taymor

Music Melody with Allen Toussaint

Painting Color with Robert Gil de Montes

Dance Pattern with David Parsons

Music Rhythm with Max Roach

Sculpture Balance with Nancy Graves

Where to Watch

Cast

Where to Watch

Cast

Season 1

Drawing Illusion of Depth with David Hockney

Photography Framing with Carrie Mae Weems

Music Playing Together with Joann Falletta

Drawing Line with Wayne Thiebaud

Theater Setting Scene with Julie Taymor

Music Melody with Allen Toussaint

Painting Color with Robert Gil de Montes

Dance Pattern with David Parsons

Music Rhythm with Max Roach

Sculpture Balance with Nancy Graves