Behind the Scenes

All Episodes 1992

  • Ended
  • #<Network:0x00007f123c1db690>
  • 1992-08-11T04:00:00Z
  • 28m
  • 5h 21m (10 episodes)
  • United States
  • English
  • Documentary
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.

10 episodes

Series Premiere

1992-08-11T04:00:00Z

1x01 Drawing Illusion of Depth with David Hockney

Series Premiere

1x01 Drawing Illusion of Depth with David Hockney

  • 1992-08-11T04:00:00Z42m

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

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

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

1x04 Drawing Line with Wayne Thiebaud

  • 1992-08-11T04:00:00Z28m

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

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."

1x06 Music Melody with Allen Toussaint

  • 1992-08-11T04:00:00Z28m

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.

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.

1x08 Dance Pattern with David Parsons

  • 1992-08-11T04:00:00Z28m

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.

1x09 Music Rhythm with Max Roach

  • 1992-08-11T04:00:00Z28m

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

Season Finale

1992-08-11T04:00:00Z

1x10 Sculpture Balance with Nancy Graves

Season Finale

1x10 Sculpture Balance with Nancy Graves

  • 1992-08-11T04:00:00Z28m

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

Loading...