‘Genius: Aretha’ Emmy interviews: Watch our 9 in-depth chats with Cynthia Erivo, Courtney B. Vance …
“Genius: Aretha” premiered on National Geographic on March 21 telling the life story of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin (played by “Harriet” Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo). The eight-part limited series was the third installment from NatGeo following previous seasons about Albert Einstein in 2017 and Pablo Picasso in 2018. Scroll down to watch our nine exclusive video interviews with top Emmy contenders from the program.
The series chronicles the legendary musician’s rise from singing in her father’s, Reverend C.L. Franklin‘s (played by Courtney B. Vance), church to becoming a Grammy-winning global icon. Prior seasons of “Genius” earned a total of 17 Emmy nominations including back-to-back bids for Best Limited Series. Previous stars Geoffrey Rush (Einstein) and Antonio Banderas (Picasso) were also nominated in the lead actor category.
Erivo and Vance are each seeking their second Emmy wins. Erivo won a Daytime Emmy in 2017 for Best Musical Performance on “Today...
The series chronicles the legendary musician’s rise from singing in her father’s, Reverend C.L. Franklin‘s (played by Courtney B. Vance), church to becoming a Grammy-winning global icon. Prior seasons of “Genius” earned a total of 17 Emmy nominations including back-to-back bids for Best Limited Series. Previous stars Geoffrey Rush (Einstein) and Antonio Banderas (Picasso) were also nominated in the lead actor category.
Erivo and Vance are each seeking their second Emmy wins. Erivo won a Daytime Emmy in 2017 for Best Musical Performance on “Today...
- 6/25/2021
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
In March 1971, Aretha Franklin took the stage at the Fillmore West in San Francisco to deliver a concert that was then turned into the Queen of Soul’s third live album. Video footage from that concert is in black and white and grainy at best, due to the technology available at the time. For the fifth episode of National Geographic’s “Genius: Aretha,” though, the talented artisans behind the limited series brought Franklin’s (played by Cynthia Erivo) vibrant voice to life in equally bright colors and textures with a recreation of her cover of Diana Ross’ “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand).”
Jen Ross
Music supervisor
“Her performance of ‘Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand),’ where she is embraced by a counterculture audience is an impactful and truthful moment. Additionally, the song performance allows for a respectful bow to King Curtis, who not only played with her at the Fillmore,...
Jen Ross
Music supervisor
“Her performance of ‘Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand),’ where she is embraced by a counterculture audience is an impactful and truthful moment. Additionally, the song performance allows for a respectful bow to King Curtis, who not only played with her at the Fillmore,...
- 6/9/2021
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
“There was some poetry in there that really excited me about how to do that, visually” explains cinematographer Kevin McKnight while describing his first script reading of National Geographic’s “Genius: Aretha.” “Anthony Hemingway (the director) sent me the script and said, ‘let’s talk,’ and we were excited right from that point.” Watch the exclusive video interview above.
The limited series stars Emmy winner Cynthia Erivo as Aretha Franklin and chronicles the Queen of Soul’s rise to fame from singing in her father’s church to becoming one of the world’s most revered entertainers. McKnight credits his longstanding relationship with Hemingway for making this series such a joy to film. “The past five years I’ve done four series with him,” he expounds. “At this point we are so in sync. I could only wish everybody has that kind of collaboration.”
SEECynthia Erivo singing in ‘Genius: Aretha...
The limited series stars Emmy winner Cynthia Erivo as Aretha Franklin and chronicles the Queen of Soul’s rise to fame from singing in her father’s church to becoming one of the world’s most revered entertainers. McKnight credits his longstanding relationship with Hemingway for making this series such a joy to film. “The past five years I’ve done four series with him,” he expounds. “At this point we are so in sync. I could only wish everybody has that kind of collaboration.”
SEECynthia Erivo singing in ‘Genius: Aretha...
- 5/16/2021
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
The American Society of Cinematographers (Asc) have announced the television nominees for their 31st annual Outstanding Achievement Awards.
This year “Game of Thrones” received two nominations, more than any other show. Anette Haellmigk and Fabian Wagner are both receiving their third nominations for the HBO show. Haellmigk was previously nominated for the series in 2014 and 2015, and Wagner in 2015 and 2016.
Other notable nominees include Christopher Norr who is receiving his third consecutive nomination for his work on “Gotham,” and Richard Rutkowski gets his second nomination for “Manhattan.” New series receiving praise this year include “Westworld” and “The Exorcist.”
Read More: Sundance 2017 Announces Short Selections, With New Films From Kristen Stewart, Laura Poitras and Many More
The nominees were selected by Asc active members who voted on submissions. This year’s winners will be revealed on February 4, 2017, at the organization’s annual ceremony at the Hollywood & Highland Ray Dolby Ballroom in Los Angeles.
This year “Game of Thrones” received two nominations, more than any other show. Anette Haellmigk and Fabian Wagner are both receiving their third nominations for the HBO show. Haellmigk was previously nominated for the series in 2014 and 2015, and Wagner in 2015 and 2016.
Other notable nominees include Christopher Norr who is receiving his third consecutive nomination for his work on “Gotham,” and Richard Rutkowski gets his second nomination for “Manhattan.” New series receiving praise this year include “Westworld” and “The Exorcist.”
Read More: Sundance 2017 Announces Short Selections, With New Films From Kristen Stewart, Laura Poitras and Many More
The nominees were selected by Asc active members who voted on submissions. This year’s winners will be revealed on February 4, 2017, at the organization’s annual ceremony at the Hollywood & Highland Ray Dolby Ballroom in Los Angeles.
- 12/6/2016
- by Liz Calvario
- Indiewire
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