Customer Reviews

"Once More, With Feeling": The Script Book

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have three different CD versions and the "for your consideration" Emmy video tape, so of course I am going to add "the original shooting script from the acclaimed musical episode" of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." We all thought that once Joss Whedon was nominated for his script of "Hush" the Emmy people had recognized what great work he had been doing in relative obscurity over there on the WB. We figured "The Body" would obviously get a nomination, but that did not happen. Then we though "once More, With Feeling" was a no brainer, but, ironically, it turns out we were right and the people who do Emmy nominations do, in point of fact, have no brains.

This edition of "Once More, With Feeling" proves once again that the "official" volumes associated with "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" are top drawer. What we have here is much more than the script, but let us start with that, because this is a Joss Whedon script, and if you have ever read one of these efforts you know that he tosses around editorial comments with gleeful abandon. For example, the script begins with the TEASER, which immediately explains how there is NO TEASER, but sketches what he would like to see if they have the time. Even if you have the entire script memorized, you will still have fun reading Joss' stage directions. This is essentially the shooting script, which is just a way of saying that you are not going to find lots of stuff that ended up on the cutting room floor, especially since the episode ran eight minutes over anyhow.

Once you finish the script, you happily discover you are not even halfway through the book yet. There is a list of "Musical Terminology from the Script" that helpfully explains not only the basics such as melodies and verse, but also the pop culture references to Carmen Miranda's coconuts, Seventy-six (bloody) trombones and "Koombaya." Then we have "I've Got a Theory," where Joss not only explains about the genesis of this musical episode, but also offers insight on the role of music in the series (there is an especially interesting section that talks about "The Body"). Marti Noxon offers insights on the production problems and other behind the scenes personnel provide additional details, including the literary idea of nonstop dancing (i.e., "The Red Shoes"). "Something to sing about" provides a musical look at the episode, explaining the rational behind the various types of music. Of course, we already know that the strength of the songs were that they were so wonderfully character drive. "Where Do We Go From Here?" covers the rest of the season in answer to the musical question that closes the episode.

Obviously, by this point we have more than gotten our money's worth from this volume but now we get to the color photographs taken mostly from the episode and then you get sheet music for all of the major songs (i.e., not for the bit pieces "Parking Ticket" and "They Got the Mustard Out"). That is certainly a lot for your money and a lot more than just the script and/or the sheet music. When you have a rare individual like Joss Whedon, who puts together a first rate-television show that keeps finding ways of establishing high water marks, and who also takes care of the show's fans in terms of products like this, then supporting him and his efforts through out patronage is both a privilege and a pleasure.

The success of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode "Once More, With Feeling" has become somewhat of a media franchise, spawning a hit soundtrack, along with this superb book and the entire episode soon to be released on DVD. Usually such a craze over a certain thing would spoil the quality of it, but with "Once More, With Feeling," this is very much not the case. Any true Buffy fan will have come to realise that the Buffy books contained within official volumes are much more better than those of the unofficial variety - this book is no exception. The title of the book, "The Script Book," turns out to be deceiving on a number of counts. There are infact many more features to this book, but I'll begin with what the book is mainly about.

Anyone who has taken note of Joss Whedon's commentary will know he is a man who thrives on ridicule. His gentle humour in the "Introduction" adds to this. "Yes, gentle reader, this is your chance to gently read all about the trials and triumphs of one of the finest hours (and eight minutes) of television ever to air on that particular night," comments Joss. The genius is fully aware of the attention and praise the episode has received, and never likes to take himself seriously. He goes on to state, "I love musicals, and whether mine is forgotten in thirty seconds or remembered for minutes to come, I'm proud to have made one." He obviously knows that it'll be remembered for decades to come, but, yet again, shows his humorous side. After this, you are treated to "Preface - Going Through The Motions," which is a two-page insight into the goings-on in the six episodes before the main episode. We then move onto the big one: the full script of "Once More, With Feeling," which gives us a brilliant look at the stage directions of Joss, and also a few sections of the script that were edited out.

After this excellent script to the greatest hour of TV ever, we're treated to "Life's A Show," which is a short, but brilliant look at "Musical Terminology From The Script." For example, in bold lettering is the actual phrase/stage direction from the episode, such as, "Six-hundred-pound Charago demon making like Yma Sumac." This is then followed by the description, "Spike is referring to a noted Peruvian singer, known for her incredible vocal range." After this section, we move onto "Behind The Scenes," an in depth look at how "Once More, With Feeling" came about. This 20 page part is split into three segments under the titles of "I've Got A Theory," "What Can't We Face," and "Something To Sing About." This section truly is brilliant, as we get to look at the triumphs of the episode, along with everything from hectic schedules, filming the episode, recording the music, writing the lyrics and much, much more! We then move onto "Epilogue - Where Do We Go From Here?" Just like "Preface - Going Through The Motions" earlier on in the book which focused on the season's events before the episode, this section looks at the aftermath and consequences of the episode; in other words, the major events such as Xander and Anya's disastrous wedding, Buffy and Spike's sexcapades and Willow's climax of dark magic obsession. We then move onto eight pages of full-colour pictures of Buffy and the gang, along with screenshots from "Once More, With Feeling." These images are also accompanied with little phrases spoken by the people in the episode. Now we move onto the final section of the book, "Sheet Music." This hefty section of the book almost makes up for half the pages in which we focus in on the music of the episode, so you can play along the songs on your piano/keyboard. I myself don't understand it, so it's a waste for me, but it'll be very handy for those of you who want to play the music of the songs.

OVERALL GRADE: 10/10

After this "Sheet Music" section, there are a few advertisements that include the soundtrack to "Once More, With Feeling," along with the American DVD collection of Season 2 (this book is an American-edition). There's also advertisements for TV shows such as Angel, Charmed and Roswell. Don't ask me why they're there, I have never seen an episode of either, but I suppose it's within the genre of Buffy...and will make some fat-cat businessman even richer. In conclusion, this is perhaps the best Buffy book I have ever bought, except for The Watcher's Guides Volumes 1 and 2. If you love anything to do with Buffy and especially the musical episode, you have to buy this now!

I'm a big fan of Buffy, and was overjoyed when I found this book in my local bookstore. I loved the musical episode last season, and so it's great that the script and some neat photos are included. However, if you're interested in this book for some Buffy sheet music, I wouldn't recommend it. The arrangements included are vocal scores with piano accompaniment. I play the piano myself, and was hoping to be able to play the songs from OMWF, but they not are arranged for piano alone. So, in short, great book if you loved the episode and the show in general, but don't buy it for the sheet music.

I really enjoyed this book. I found the behind-the-scenes and other trivia to be amusing (that's Joss and the gang for ya) and informative. It was my favorite part of the book. While I don't play any instruments anymore, I found the sheet music exciting and I'm currently working on learning it. The full original script was an added bonus for me, I enjoyed reading it. I also found the references to musical terms both helpful and interesting. As I noted in the title, it's a wonderful addition! If you enjoy reading behind-the-scenes type stuff, you will love the insights! I recommend this book for Buffy and non-Buffy musical fans!

Any Buffy fans out there as disappointed as I was when the show ended has to have this script book for one the best Buffy episodes ever. Anyone who likes singing and dancing and demons together will love this. The entire scipt of the episode "Once More with Feeling" along with the music and lyrics of all the songs. Insider info from Joss starts the book along with pictures from the making of the episode. You know you want to sing along with Buffy and the gang and now you can!

This book is just fabulous!I was able to find a copy at a near by book stor and I'm not sorry that I perchusaed it.Not only does it have the script for Once More With Feeling but it also has the piano sheet mucis,and some nice photos.
If you see it and are a Buffy fan then I say get it.You wont be sorry.

If you love BTVS, they you probably love the "Once More, With Feeling" episode. And you MUST add the script book to your collection. Awesome.

This volume should be purchased by two kind of readers: the fan of the series who wish to possess everything was ever officially published and the fan who wishes to learn more.

I address this review to the second kind because the first one simply needs no spur to buy. He will be pleased with the text of the songs and with the pictures.

Someone interested in the know how of Buffy's authors, possibly to learn how to become a screen writer, will be interested in reading the script. Those interested in the music, such as myself, will find the score (vocals + piano) of all the songs.

I gave just four stars because of the commentary which was a little disappointing: from Mr Whedon I expected much more humour.

This volume is rather inexpensive so I think no one will be disturbed by the average quality of paper and pictures.

The Buffy musical episode was undoubtedly one of the most memorable moments in Buffy history, perhaps in television history as well. This script book is a good item for avid watchers and musical fans, as it includes not only the full original script, but sheet music and photo inserts. I found the sheet music (for all of the songs featured in the episode) very fun and useful, especially if you're a music fan, like myself.

First, a comment on a reviewer below who noted that the script in this book differed markedly from the episode as it appeared: this is a copy of the shooting script, i.e., the script they actually made the show from. Shooting scripts almost never coincide completely with an episode as it actually appears. Some small bits have to be cut out to make the episode fit the time slot, some slight additions are made, on-the-spot rewritings take place, and so forth. If one gets any of the Buffy script collections, it will be obvious that none of them match up with the finished product.

"Once More, With Feeling" is, of course, one of the most famous episodes in the history of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, ranking with "Hush" from Season Four and "The Body" from Season Five as one of the finest episodes in the series. The pretext for the episode is simple: Xander accidentally summons a demon named Sweet (brilliantly portrayed by veteran hoofer Hinton Battle, who long ago I saw as The Scarecrow in THE WIZ on Broadway) down to Sunnydale, a demon who causes all the residents of the town to express their innermost feelings through song and dance. The danger, apart from the fireworks caused by brute honesty, is that their dancing will get complete control of them and cause them literally to burn. Thus, the plot has strong elements taken from Hans Christian Andersen's "The Red Shoes." By putting on an amulet that is tied to the original spell, Dawn is mistakenly assumed by Sweet to be the one who cast the spell, and he attempts to claim her for his hellish queen (leading to the funny line that Dawn sings "I'm only fifteen/So this queen thing's illegal"). Buffy finally confronts Sweet, and everything works out, except for the fact that everyone has revealed far more about themselves than they had intended, so much so that the final number, "Where Do We Go From Here," isn't merely rhetorical.

There is a wealth of spectacular things about this episode. Though there are few trained singers in the cast, all who are relied upon to sing much (ironically, the finest actor in the cast, Alyson Hannigan, seems to possess the weakest voice) do so quite well. Sarah Michelle Gellar does a surprisingly decent job in her songs, James Marsters slashes through his lyrical attack on Buffy for taking his love so lightly, and Nicholas Brendon and Emma Caulfield manage a great take off on an old style musical duet (one could imagine Judy Garland and Gene Kelly doing the same number). But the top awards for the episode, apart from the splendid Hinton Battle, go to Anthony Stewart Head for his excellent vocal work (he has actually recorded some solo albums, and has sung on work by his brother Murray Head, who originated the role of Judas in JESUS CHRIST, SUPERSTAR and had a big hit in 1984 with his single "One Night in Bangkok"); to Emma Caulfield for her phenomenal hard rock attack on those evil entities known as "bunnies"; and Amber Benson for her superb singing of "Under Your Spell," which she reprises with Head as a duet. Some of the cast members do a bit of dancing, but I was quite impressed with Michelle Trachtenberg, who obviously has had prior dance training, and possesses a dancer's long, lithe body.

The episode also features arguably the highest production values of any single show. It was filmed in widescreen, to maximize the amount of action visible at any moment, and the number of boom shots is amazing. Some shots are exquisite, such as when, from what could almost be a shot from a Disney big production number, Buffy dusts a vampire from one angle, we then get a shot of the back of the soon-to-disintegrate vampire, and then a brilliant close up of Buffy's face as simultaneously the vampire turns to dust and Buffy wails the last note of the song.

I give the book five stars, but I am being a tiny bit generous. I am delighted to have the shooting script of the episode, and the sheet music for the songs is great, but I was a little disappointed at the middle section of the book, which features material on the show itself. This is a section that had great potential, and I don't think they actualized it. They could have featured interviews with all the major characters on what it was like to sing on the show, they could have interviewed Hinton Battle on his appearance (easily one of the great guest spots in the history of the show), and have talked at great length about how the show was put together. Some of this is done in a minor way, but I think they could have put a great deal more work into this section.

Still, this is an essential addition to the library of any serious Buffy fan.