Inside Peek "The September Issue" gives behind-the-scenes look at Vogue Movie Review

To me, Vogue magazine has never been must-read material.

For many, it’s fashion’s bible, chockfull of extravagant clothing and profiles on heiresses living an equally extravagant lifestyle that many of us can only dream of.

That being said, as an employee at a magazine who’s interested in fashion, I jumped at the chance to see The September Issue, a documentary by R.J. Cutler that gives a behind-the-scenes look at what went into creating the 5-pound September 2007 issue of Vogue, the largest consumer magazine ever published at 840 pages.

It also shines light on Anna Wintour, Vogue’s editor-in-chief, who’s earned the nickname “Nuclear Wintour” for her notoriously icy and standoffish personality.

I loved getting a sneak peek at how such an influential and wide-reaching publication like Vogue creates its content. I loved seeing the photo shoots in progress and all the work and money that goes into them –– all for a mere eight pages of content.

I also enjoyed seeing how Vogue employees interact with Wintour, pitching ideas and clothing suggestions almost cautiously. It’s clear, however, that Wintour has the final say in the magazine’s content when we see her axing an entire fashion spread, one that likely cost thousands and thousands of dollars to produce.

The only one to really challenge Wintour is former model Grace Coddington, Vogue’s creative director, who styles many of the magazine’s photo shoots and really becomes the film’s second star. I ended up really liking Grace; she seemed to have fun with her job and not take it as seriously as the fashion industry takes itself.

Another part I loved: One of The September Issue’s cameramen ends up in a fashion spread. But the industry is all about weight, and that’s none more clear when Wintour suggests he hit the gym to slim down his slight potbelly.

In the end, Wintour comes off as a soft-spoken, decisive businesswoman who’s really nothing like The Devil Wears Prada’s Miranda Priestly, widely rumored to be based on Wintour. I would have liked to see more of Wintour’s personal life, however, more than the brief scenes where she asks her daughter, Bee Shaffer’s, opinion on the issue.

One other note: Wintour is famous just as much for her hair as she is her job. “The Bob” is truly mesmerizing. I couldn’t help but fixate on it in several scenes.

The film will appeal to many, although those that love fashion and/or Vogue probably will enjoy it the most. The film, rated PG-13, is now playing exclusively at Keystone Art Cinema at The Fashion Mall.

Log on www.fandango.com for showtimes.

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by Laura Kruty

Portrait of America ISO’s opening night gala hopefully a promise of what’s to come Concert Review

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra launched its 80th concert season with such success that I can only hope the rest of the season is as promising. The extravagantly attired guests stood up and sang as the full orchestra played “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which was a beautiful pairing to the closing, another American classic, “Hoe Down” from Rodeo by Aaron Copland.

It was difficult to avoid the feast for the eyes with a full orchestra holding its shiny brass and varnished wood instruments. The bows danced across the strings in unison during Samuel Barber’s “Overture to The School for Scandal.” The song’s motive was passed around and highlighted both the string and winds section. Part of it seemed to even mimic a waterfall with eccentric trills that were so ornate it was as if one was actually listening to lace.

Leonard Bernstein, a personal favorite, which also seemed to bring the audience back from the solace of Hoagy Carmichael, demanded the audience’s attention. Bernstein, who utilized every ounce of the full orchestra, created a great expose on different types of themes and music in his “Divertimento for Orchestra.”

Every movement makes you want to leap out of your seat and begin clapping, but really that would be a concert foul.

It seems there are always concertgoers that get confused when they are supposed to clap, and many concertgoers just clap because they heard someone else doing so and think that the appropriate time to clap has arrived … but it hasn’t. So, for those who enjoy music and attend concerts, let me clear up once and for all the “clapping controversy.”

Just because there is a pause in a piece doesn’t mean the composition has actually ended and it is time to clap. Often, composers utilize silence as part of their composition (i.e., John Cage). When reading the program, you will often see a Concerto, or in this concert’s case, a Divertimento headline next to the composer’s name. Underneath the title of the piece, you’ll see a subset of pieces (usually indented). Those subtitles make up the entire piece.

When you clap after the first movement, even though it very well may merit clapping, it is as if you are leaving a baseball game after the first inning, reading the last page of a book after the introductio, or eating a food that has yet to be fully cooked. A movement only represents part of the entire piece. So before you jump to your feet and put your hands together wait to hear the song in its entirety and listen to what the composer has to fully say!

Having gotten that cleared up, the featured pianist, Gabriela Montero, was a breath of fresh air. As she approached the grand Steinway in her leggings and boots, she had an air of youth that is often not seen in concert halls. Her youth breathed life into the piano and took her complete time as she made “Rhapsody in Blue” look as easy as “Chopsticks.”

She then spoke to the audience and improvised “Back Home Indiana” after an audience member fulfilled her request of giving her a short melody. It was apparent that she was highly classically trained and has played quite a bit of Bach in her day, for the entire improvisation seemed to be variations of “Back Home Indiana” in Prelude and Fugue format. The audience leapt to its feet –– and rightfully so.

Having ended the concert with Copland’s “Hoe Down,” the Symphony left the entire audience as if it rediscovered the West. The concert was truly a tribute to America and gave everyone such enthusiasm for this concert season.

Bravo!
(You can clap now.)

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by Tory Flynn