Interview: Vivian Reed — Sophisticated Fire - Page 20

What services do you offer?

I specialize in headshots and dramatic lighting. I've done album covers for Shelton Becton and several other artists.

We spoke recently about how hard it is for theatre performers these days. The high ticket prices on Broadway certainly don't help. What are your thoughts on the current state of things, and what do you think might help?

It's hard to say what would help. There are so many fabulous performers not working because of the economy. Shows have gotten so expensive because of the salaries being payed to big names. They're bypassing people with a lot of Broadway credibility, opting out for recording artists because they want to fill the seats. A lot of the non-working talent are creating their own one-man or one-woman shows. It's a difficult climate where things have drastically changed. People can't take this business lightly, because it's so extremely difficult to sustain, especially without getting a regular job. Many of my friends have had to take office jobs to pay their rent. A lot of people are walking around without health insurance. You have to understand the ramifications, because you do not work all the time.

What are the keys to your longevity?

The fact that I could do so many different things, and I was good at all of them. But what got me good was that I worked at getting good. It didn't just descend on me. I'm considered a really good photographer. But that didn't happen just because I got disappointed in this woman's work. It happened because I got books and I took thousands of photos. I studied it and asked questions. That's what makes us great.

Any artists these days whose work you appreciate, in theatre or recording?

Beyonce. I pick her over a lot of them. When she first came out with Destiny's Child, I certainly could see the talent. People used to say she couldn't sing because she riffed so much. They thought she couldn't sing a song straight. I don't know if those comments got back to her or if she took more vocal lessons. All I know, this woman has blossomed into an incredible artist. I sat with such joy when I heard her sing "Listen" in Dreamgirls. Whatever it took, she did it. I have to give her props. Yes, she has that commercial sound that makes great records; but I've also seen her work on her craft. I applaud her. You see the work, just like you do with Usher or Chris Brown on stage. When you see great performers, you see the work. Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli. They're not just getting on stage with the greatness descending on them. Christina Aguilera. Madonna puts in a fantastic show. Is she considered a great singer? No. But she's a stylist, and she works on production. She makes sure that she gives her audience everything that they're paying for. These are the artists I love. I love hip-hop, too. Jay-Z. I don't care what walk of life they come from. I appreciate them all when I see the work.

Article Author: Justin Kantor

Justin Kantor is a music journalist with a passion for in-depth artist interviews and reviews. Most of his interviews for Blogcritics can be heard on his Blog Talk Radio program, "Rhythmic Talk."
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