The Fiasco Fiasco
In 2004 I was approached by Fiasco a local clothing store to produce them a promotional video.
I recruited a local filmmaker to assist me with the project and split the pay. I booked the main space at the Blue Room Theatre whom I had a close association with. My assistant confirmed he could supply a green screen to film some models dressed in the store’s clothing. I met the business owners of Fiasco, a couple of young hipster entrepreneurs opening a store in the city. I met them and they're make up artist and a group of young models at the theatre in the morning. I bought along some musical instruments for a music video idea.
My assistant turned up with a piece of green cloth he used for shooting at home. It wasn’t what I was expecting. Our wires obviously got crossed. I had to think fast or cancel the shoot. Then I remembered a friend of mine mentioned she obtained a large professional green screen so I hit her up, excused myself and drove to get it. Luckily it wasn’t too far away and it was exactly what I needed. I strapped it to the lighting truss, gaffe taped the edge to the floor tight to remove the creases and curved it at the bottom to create an infinite background. Thank fuck for that!
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I got to work and began directing the models to create a fake music clip. I suggested designing some KISS inspired makeup and allocated instruments to models who suited them. I shot the footage and my assistant took digital photographs. The models took direction very well. I played RHCP as background music to create a mood and inspire them to rock out.
Then I directed them as I developed an idea to imitate a cheesy superhero comic book scene that I envisioned. I drew up a basic storyboard and allocated suitable models for good and evil characters. The models posed in various ways in different clothing as they were photographed.
The shoot lasted the whole day and went brilliantly. We packed up and I took down the green screen and couldn’t thank my friend enough when I returned it. I was really happy with the content we captured and I began post production as soon as I got home. We operated early versions of iMovie, Photoshop and Aftereffects to design the promos. Richard and I worked online emailing across production notes, pictures and video. I contacted WAM and gained permission to use a local band’s song for the promo music clip. I recruited my housemate to provide a female voice over and I supplied a few voices and verbal sound effects.
The promos were to be screened on the store's opening night. I arrived as they were setting up and noticed they hired a sound system, digital projector, a DJ and some live entertainment plus lighting and a smoke machine. People started turning up so they switched everything on and officially opened Fiasco. As the celebration progressed our promos were scheduled to screen after the entertainment. It was a very hot night which also raised the temperature inside the store as it filled with people so they plugged in a couple of portable air conditioners.
All of a sudden the whole place shut down and blacked out. Power failure. They plugged too much equipment into one socket. The event was over and no one saw the promos we produced.
Literally a fiasco. We got paid and I gave the clients what they paid for and archived the tapes.
Now, after 17 years in a shoe box, I present these promos and behind the scenes footage. Enjoy.