If you have never seen The Dark Side of Oz before, then there are some things you need to know before you pop in the tape and CD and just start watching it. (*HEED MY ADVICE, AND YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU DID!*)
Number one: Your first viewing is . It can make or break your entire outlook on the Dark Side of Oz. So, you need to do it in style! If at all possible, find someone with a big TV and a really good stereo system (The ideal stereo has speakers on both sides of the TV, and this is necessary for a few of the synchs, mostly during "On The Run"). It won't be nearly impressive on a two-inch portable TV with a walkman. A good system will really help heighten the exerience. So find a friend with a big TV and good speakers, and you're good to go.
Number two: The people you view it with can make or break your outlook, too. Don't watch it with someone who is going to be pessimisstic and continually claim it doesn't work. They will undoubtedly call you stupid for believing it, and this will "bum your high" so much that you won't enjoy it. Sitting there trying to enjoy it, with a dude going "this sucks. Let's order pizza" will piss you off and make you not want to watch the synch either. Trust me. So find someone who is as interested in it as you.
Number three: Enjoying this synch requires your undivided attention. Take the phone off the hook. Go to the bathroom. Do whatever you need to do beforehand so you won't be distracted when you are watching it. If you're ordering pizza, or doing whatever, your friends will become angry.
Number four: KNOW THE ALBUM! It will help you enjoy it and you will notice about 1,000,000 more things if you know the lyrics and mannerisms of the album. If you don't know the lyrics, have a lyrics sheet handy so you can refer to it periodically. But I am telling you, to fully enjoy the synch, you must KNOW THE ALBUM!
Number five: You absolutely HAVE to allow a "one-second grace period". If the lyric comes .0001 second before the action on-screen, don't get all huffy! It's not an exact science. In fact, most of the synchs will be off, give or take a second.
Number six: Have fun! This is not supposed to be exact, and it's just for fun! Don't take it so seriously that you live and die by the synch. You also have to be in the right state of mind to enjoy this. Try to forget everything you know about The Wizard of Oz. No, she's not singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." She's singing "On the Run." DSOM.com makes a good point when they say, "Think of the music as the movie and the picture as the soundtrack, as if they have switched places." Just clear your mind of everything you remember about watching the movie as a kid. But above all else, get excited! Being optimistic really helps. Say it with me: This is for fun!
