The casting process was also quite interesting. The producers were looking for actors who could not only act but also sing and dance well. They held numerous auditions to find the perfect fit for each role. For example, Natalie Wood, who played Maria, had to work hard on her singing part as she wasn't a natural singer. The makeup and costume design was another aspect. They had to create looks that were both period - accurate and helped to distinguish the two gangs clearly.
The set design was another significant aspect. The team had to create a believable New York City streetscape for the story. They paid great attention to details like the graffiti on the walls, the layout of the alleys, and the lighting to set the mood. This was crucial in bringing the story's setting to life and making the audience feel like they were really in the world of the Jets and the Sharks.
The music was a huge part of the behind - the - scenes work. Leonard Bernstein composed a score that was both complex and catchy. The musicians had to rehearse a great deal to get the right feel for the music. The lyrics by Stephen Sondheim were also carefully crafted. They had to fit the story and the characters, and during the creation process, there were many discussions about how to make the words flow with the music.
Sure. A big behind - the - scenes fact is the use of color in the film. The colors were used symbolically. For instance, the Jets were often associated with cooler colors like blue, while the Sharks were linked to warmer colors like red. This helped the audience to quickly identify the different gangs.
The 'West Side Story' is based on Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'. It's set in the 1950s in New York City. Two rival gangs, the Jets (white) and the Sharks (Puerto Rican), are in conflict. Tony, a former Jet, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the Shark's leader. Their love is doomed in the context of the gang warfare and the social tensions of the time, including racism and poverty.
West Side Story is a modern adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet set in the slums of New York City. It's about two rival gangs and the forbidden love between a member of one gang and a girl from the other.
Well, 'West Side Story' is more than just a story of two gangs. It delves into themes like love in the face of adversity. The love between Tony and Maria is a bright spot in the dark world of gang rivalry. It also reflects on the immigrant experience, as the Sharks are Puerto Rican immigrants trying to find their place in a new land, and the Jets are the established group feeling threatened. All these elements combine to give a complex meaning about human relationships, social status, and the power of love to overcome differences.
The 'West Side Story' has its roots in Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'. It was set in the context of New York City in the 1950s. It aimed to depict the tensions between different ethnic groups, mainly the Jets (white Americans) and the Sharks (Puerto Ricans). The musical was a revolutionary work in terms of its choreography and music that combined different styles.
One of the best scenes is the dance at the gym. The energetic choreography and the way the two rival gangs interact through dance is captivating. It shows both the tension and the underlying attraction between them.
The script was refined over time. There were many discussions behind the scenes about how to make the dialogue more engaging. The writers worked hard to capture the nuances of the relationships between the characters. They also had to balance the comedic and dramatic elements, which was no easy feat.
One interesting fact is that the movie had a lot of improvisation. The actors often came up with their own lines on the spot, which added a unique and spontaneous feel to the film.