The 5 Billionth (Pre) Production Diary entry:

Archived from my old Xanga blog:

You know it’s 5:43 am and I’m not asleep yet? I do this all the time, but I thought that maybe today I would sleep around 3. However, just then I found the best Depeche Mode TV Appearances! They were all on

www.depechemodeitalia.com

Wow! This site was very helpful! I have dozens of videos now of DM’s early 80s TV appearances from all over the place! It really gave me major insight into the Music TV Show format!

I’m already excited thinking about the possibilities! One thing is for sure, if I don’t have colored flashing lights on the set somehow, then I will be commiting a crime against the era. There wasn’t a video clip without them. Then there’s the studio lights- some videos they moved or switched on and off, in others it was simpler.

The rolling fog is fantastic! I found out online how to do it cheap too without a fog chilling machine. There’s a way to attach a beverage cooler (yeah like what you use to hold soda at the beach) to some piping and then attach that underneath the fog machine.

Did I ever mention how wonderful the internet is? I found that out on some fog website:

http://www.gotfog.com/fog_machine_chiller.html

So we “gots” to have rolling fog, flashing colored lights around the band members, set decorations with some kind of reflective surface, dolly in and out to establish the beginning and the end of the song (possible), dancing audience (not sure if by stage or sitting down yet), and many ideas for set design! That’s what I’ve acquired from two and a half hours of watching and downloading all this stuff. What a great website (that Italian DM one).

One thing I noticed is all the European hosts were very rude to the band. It was really funny! In one clip the guy tries to touch David Gahan’s hair and asks Martin Gore if he’s a boy or a girl. Poor Martin just laughs/cries at the same time in embarrassment as he staggers back and decries “I’m a boy!” Hahahahaha.

Then in yet another Italian appearance the hostess started pointing at David’s nose and speaking in Italian. She then tells him that she was just telling the audience that he had something on his nose! So of course he starts wiping it. I didn’t even see anything! What is up with that?

In a Swedish appearance for some reason the live performance would cut to previously recorded footage of each member petting a chicken. What????

Anyway, I think I may borrow that rude host idea. After all, if a Euro band performed in the U.S. I am sure some hick over here would make fun of their “crazy” getups right?

I noticed David Gahan dances even more… enthusiastically in the TV performances. I don’t know. The er… “nimble” dance moves might be a little wrong for the fictional band. After all, they’re a tad older and more sophisticated At least in my mind, thus far. Haven’t decided yet. Cheesy dancing? I’ll have to think about it.

Also downloaded some more Aha videos. I’m getting the Human League’s first two albums off ebay soon.

I also just bought two finance related books on Amazon. How exciting, right? Well, anyway each one was suggested by people I trust over at www.indieclub.com so if they like the books, I’ll use ‘em. One of the books is all about finding funds and grants for your film or video! So obviously you can see where I am going with this.

I hear it is very very difficult to get grants nowadays as the number of filmmakers rises and the pot of cash steadily decreases. Well, I don’t care! I’m going for it! I just hope I have the commitment to do it. I’ll have to spend time writing grant proposals when not working on this script, Michael’s script, shooting Raul’s movie, working at Sea World, (and when school starts) my homework. Yay… double yay… Sigh. Don’t know until I try. Worth a try… right?

I better go to bed now. TNT series is tonight. Aaron, Teri, Carlos, Neil and some others have films playing at that one museum. So I have to attend. Aaron and Israel are picking me up so I get to talk to Aaron about the film. He seems to share my enthusiasm so far. The people over at the www.80s.com forum seem to also. They have been helping me with my research as well.

I am also working at Ina’s restaurant for free on Saturday to help them out with the new business. I’m glad to do it. I just hope she gives me a GOOD deal on catering, as I said before… Wait.. yeah I said that before. Why am I repeating myself?

Okay, I’m going to bed now. It’s 6am. Erm. Yes.

- 4 eprops - 2 comments - 

Share This