Originally Posted by
tjl
As one of the exec producers for the PBS versions of the couple hundred shows I syndicated to stations and specials, I can share that with Sullivan the background vocal tracks were almost always pre-tracked for the show. This was done so the the groups [[Miracles, Tops, Tempts, Supremes, Martha) could have dynamic choreography that matched the cutting of 2 cameras typically.
Often with Motown, the camera would arc in tandem with a cut to showcase the moves [[moves not tethered by mic cables) and pull around to reveal a 3, 4 or 5 shot. While the other camera was used generally for close-ups of the lead or once-in-a-while two-shots of the group while the main camera close-up re positioned. If you look at the actual direction of the camera cuts, you'll see they are often the similar camera arc/group moves in motion/camera cut on just about every performance - this gave groups like the Miracles a chance to do their famous "walk-up" on "walk-on" moves for tv tracks where the backgrounds were pre-tracked [[e.g.: If You Can Want/I Second That Emotion/Going To A Go-Go medley).
To my knowledge the lead singers were always live. But they did have simultaneous playback of the rehearsal shows and live show in case the feed went down. BTW - Andy Williams show shared some of the same directors, and you'll see the camera acr/cut/tigth shot/group shot movement) used the same way [[as in Tears Of A Clown) on Andy's show. Most of the Supremes performances [[except for Come See About Me on Ed were directed in exactly the same way with the cameras arcing to motion by the background group as a transition to the next lead vocal).
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