August 23, 2005 I Wasn't Prepared Video shoot. (live)
Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:29 pm
We're in Long Beach
...where Eisley's new video we've been talking about is being filmed
Even though we've already been here 11 hrs, I'll give you guys a brief
introduction on what's going on, what happened and where it's all going.
I'm not totally assuming anyone cares. In fact, please never assume I
think any thing I have to say is important. And certainly, the band doesn't
think what they're doing is so important. If you're reading, I presume it's
worth my time. I bore me and don't want to be a drag.
Video Switch-a-roo
First off, I know... I know... Sherri said "Brightly Wound". Up until last
night, it was. But after the show, there was some sweet drama happening
up there in that dressing room with the windows. Basically, "I Wasn't
Prepared" won out. I'll explain later. bd
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FOR THOSE JUST NOW READING THIS: This is an addendum. "I Wasn't
Prepared" was never really treated properly in a video. You guys know -
the one on our web page is just something I threw together from footage
I'd taken. The label loved it and it is what it is... a simple, lo-fi,
dreamy, vibey, image piece.
But we're needing a "go to" piece (market). Management wants
something to hit hard with... like overseas eventually. You need to
understand, though you're over that song, it hasn't been released to the
world. And, there's been NO single pushed for Eisley at all. Everything
that's been accomplished so far is just from word of mouth and touring.
This song isn't new to you, but it's probably one of the best written, hard
hitting, emotional, broad songs on the record. It's an important song.
Making a proper video for it seems important.
---------------------------------
I.W.P. wins Unanimously
Call it gut feel, but Brightly Wound wasn't right for the treatment, nor the
next video. Everyone, including the band, the director, the writer, the
producer, and apparently most or all of the crew felt the same way.Even
the actress, who only found out this morning about the change, said she
got chills after hearing "I Wasn't Prepared" I know some of you love B.W.
and so do I... I won't offer any excuses.
I canno ssaty awake. more later.
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Reporting from Eisley One
We're in the air, but obviously I'm logged on now and posting from
back at home sweet home.
I didn’t have time to report about the experience, the treatment from the
studio yesterday. Too busy filming my crummy little Hi-8 behind the
scenes stuff. (sorry) WB wants me to make one of those lo-fi, “making
of” clips, but we left before the rest of the cast and crew finished filming
the last 3 scenes. We’d been there since 8:00am after getting only 4 hrs
of sleep. Now I don't really have enough to cover the entire thing. That's
ok. I'll still put together something...but likely not before this video is
released.
Anyway, our driver had been waiting for 5 hrs so we decided to return to
the hotel. (sorry. picking up from last day journal - Yahoo tour) We
returned to the hotel where I made a feeble attempt to post a detailed
entry, but crashed instead, knowing that we'd have to be ready for the
driver at 7:00am with all our guitars and luggage.
Under the lamps
Honest, it was amazing being there... watching the video unfold; and we
stayed till 10:00pm but the mammoth studio/ware house was sweltering
under the unforgiving, gargantuan, lamps beaming their bright fury upon
the set, cooking the 50 humans assembled to make this video happen. I
thought Weston would relive that Houston show; remember, the one
where he threw up for 2 hrs? Anyway, 8 hrs of filming the band under the
lights with no fan was difficult (not to whine). I think, because he was
wearing that suit with the Beatle boots.
You Can't Get it Out of Me
Ok. Wanna talk about the treatment? Well, I heard Sherri and Stacy talk
about it from stage on the Yahoo tour - "it's got a space man in it". I'm
not going to give you very much, but I don't mind a teaser. Well, early
reports from me and others leaned toward the very generic descriptor:
Sci-Fi.... But I don’t think that’s accurate. Yes the girls are deep into
Sci-Fi fiction, but this concept video isn't that.
It does take place in one of Sci-Fi’s favorite environments: Space... Even
so, the final frontier (set) is not interplanetary...no nebuli, droids, lasers,
or aliens (sorry, the budget was small).
Having said that, I have to say - I grossly underestimated the enormity
of this video... I knew Marvin was a very connected guy, but I had no
clue what would be involved... no idea of the magnitude, until we arrived
at studio. (explaination later) Suffice to say, he had a 50 man crew
complete with writers, producers, art directors, make-up, wardrobe,
lighting, cameramen, tech's of all kinds, catering for all 3 meals, etc
assembled... and I guarantee, most of these people were doing the work
because of their commitment and loyalty to Marvin.
"Close the Pod Bay Door"
The set is white, expansive, mod, iconic... Circa “2001 – A Space
Odyssey”. Think: 60’s version of the future... Try to remember...(ah-ha,
but you can't, you weren't alive!) in those days, they calculated that the
more forward thinking of us would be living lives in space stations; That
space travel would be commonplace. Afterall, the population explosion
would have forced us off the planet and by the year 2001, everyone
would be living their normal lives in white, orbiting domiciles... co
habitating in space stations and pods.
Out of Sight
So basically, the short 5-6 minute film employs a handful of very talented
actors who find themselves in a space Bar...(aka - Cantina) wrapped up
in an every, day-time drama while a groovy band plays a song that
becomes the backdrop to their lives. The Eisley front line is hot; but in a
vintage way... Laura Petri (Dick Van Dyke’s wife) meets Bond's
fatale’s in a non-evocative Robert Palmer-esque video; they're
stunning...en vogue... like something from the cover of 60’s Hit Parade.
The Mod Squad
The band plays themselves... The lovely Chauntelle, more sultry than
Doris Day in “Pillow Talk” would never be mistaken for Jack Ryan’s “’59
Barbie” until now; Who can explain it? Her presentation on the white
roundular stage is simply splendorous. She’s the matchless model of 60’s
quintessence... elegant, chic’, self-assured. My “b” roll video accurately
covers both her off stage and on stage presence.
Stacy, poised and mysterious is the epitome of Max Smart’s “Agent 99”
impersonating a sanguine but enigmatic “Skipper”. This role suites her.
All she needed was an orange dress, a blue blazer and go-go boots to
give her a Rowan and Martin- ready guise; I mean, come on –
Stacy’s already a real life character from the original “Lost in Space” TV
series; and you don’t have to cake much liner on those deep space eyes
to cast her as as a petite Barbara Streisand. She’s a melancholy
“Funny Girl”; no acting required.
Sherri, a sassier “Gidget”, could never win the “Marianne over Ginger”
tussle but if you think: “Bewitched” meets the most enterprising of
Captain Kurk’s outer space mistress’s , you’re getting close... Sinister,
only because she’s stoic and refrains from grimace, Sherri, with a short
hair castle, sings the song that resonates with the cast of space travelers,
living out their real-life drama, disenfranchised from mother earth, living
out their phlegmatic, hollow existences, floating in their tin can, far, far
away.
That's all I'm gonna say for now. We drove home today from DFW after
completing the Yahoo tour and the video shoot. Now it's super late and
I've got to crash. bd
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Wrapping up the details
... back in Long Beach
Descriptives.
When we arrived at 8:15am, there were people scurrying everywhere.
An open hangar door allowed us to peek in and stare down field at the
white set. People were taping, painting, raising light booms, sitting in
directors chairs with several eyes peering over storyboards, thumbing
through racks of vintage clothes, etc. There were so many people, i
really wondered if this was the right place, so i asked one of the guys
walking near the tables of hot, covered food food: "Excuse me... is this
the Eisley video shoot?", to which he replied with an approving grin, "you
got it... if you guys are hungry, here's breakfast".
I'm always impressed with those big. luxurious, stainless-steel heating
pods with the top that sides back - revealing the delicacies within. Man.
Cuz you get to open each one for a new surprise. But most importantly,
there was a towering urn of dark roast brew at the end of the table. Oh,
an a chef was making omlettes, there were pastries, grilled potatoes... I
have to stop since I'm hungry right now.
mindless detail
Inside, there was another green room filled with drinks, juices, bowls of
dried fruit/m&m/nut assortments, chips, dips, cookies...everything you
can imagine... and a production bar with high speed hook up. Just
outside, there was an artist hang out area with big black leather sofa's, a
giant sound system with a TV, etc. We are talking about a warehouse, so
it's not some plush thing... but there's everything you need to survive.
Except AC. ha ha. Very hot in there. I think there was some AC actually,
but it wasn't enough to offset those massive lamps.
Everyone was so nice. We were blown away at how kind and
complimentary everyone was. We spend time talking to so many of
Marvin's friends - many who had come to the show at the Troubadour the
night before. So, lots of them were already "super knarly stoked" (a
phrase favored by eisley's new management").
Thanks
I could go on and on, but mainly I just want to thank everyone who came
to that set... and those who worked but didn't come... and Marvin Garrett,
for pulling off something way bigger than the budget allowed - all
because of personal passion; your unselfish love and your willingness to
do something meaningful to support and promote the music you love - is
beyond our imagination. It's what keeps the music business human... it's
not about money. It's about doing something you believe in. And, I
suppose, it's good ole fashion - lending a helping hand...like barn
raising to help out your neighbor. Thank you to every person on that
crew from Eisley.
Wrapping this entry up
Next entry will be a new date. I've hacked up enough random, wordage
to lose oxygen to my fingers. I'm not spell checking or proofing or trying
to make this some work of art, ya'll. I'm at home now and have to plug in
to finishing up my TM accounting for last two tours, work on web-related
stuff for WB new media and focus on trying to keep this family fed for a
long financial drought.
The UK and beyond...
I will have news. There is news brewing. Game plans. Touring plans.
Nothing concrete, but I can tell you one thing... new management will
strike and strike hard. They're not messing around. Their question,
between shooting on Tuesday was, "so... are you guys serious about
conquering the world? We're very big believers in international
marketing. I just need to know if you guys are up for it. It's going to be
hard. I know you've been touring a LOT. But, it's like... there's this
window... I want to reach the UK while we're still on Room Noises.
And i want a new record on the heals of what I'm about to lay out..."
I will begin posting NEWS specific journals in...(drum roll) ...well,
of course, my little blockheads - in the NEWS section! (duh, i've been
sitting here trying to figure out where I could post news and information
without it getting lost... the blockhead is me. )
--------------------------------
And now I'll go read the 3 pages of posts on this hidden thread. How did
you even find this? I had it buried until I finished it... "GREGOR!!"..
ha ha. man. that crazy college kid. I'll at least go into admin and bump it
up on the pecking order. See ya'll. Stay tuned for NEWS. And thanks for
reading this stupid, stupid, mindless drivel. New MEDIA coming. bye. bdOUT
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