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Series · 1992

Behind the Scenes

TellerJulie TaymorMax Roach
11 Aug 1992First aired
1Season
DocumentaryGenre
6Hollywood Box stories

The series

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.

Episodes

Season 1 · 10 episodes · 1992

  1. Episode 111 Aug 1992

    Drawing Illusion of Depth with David Hockney

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

  2. Episode 211 Aug 1992

    Photography Framing with Carrie Mae Weems

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

  3. Episode 311 Aug 1992

    Music Playing Together with Joann Falletta

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

  4. Episode 411 Aug 1992

    Drawing Line with Wayne Thiebaud

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

  5. Episode 511 Aug 1992

    Theater Setting Scene with Julie Taymor

    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."

  6. Episode 611 Aug 1992

    Music Melody with Allen Toussaint

    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.

  7. Episode 711 Aug 1992

    Painting Color with Robert Gil de Montes

    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.

  8. Episode 811 Aug 1992

    Dance Pattern with David Parsons

    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.

  9. Episode 911 Aug 1992

    Music Rhythm with Max Roach

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

  10. Episode 1011 Aug 1992

    Sculpture Balance with Nancy Graves

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

Hollywood Box stories

Cast

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