{{{[Note: This is blatantly stolen from the LA Bump Squad maillist... I hope they don't mind! -Ben]

"Musicology" Video Shoot Report

I arrived exactly at 3:00pm, right behind what I'm guessing was Prince's black Mercedes limo, and immediately met up with some of the usual suspects (Jeremy-J7, Tamiko, Chris, and Karrie). I had come with hair and make-up "camera-ready" as per the instructions, but had my various "costume" pieces in a bag. At the base camp, however, I noticed that most people were already dressed, and I was still in my work-out pants and chanclas (to'-up slippers for the non-Spanish speakers). Since we were informed that the "fan background" would not be checked in for another hour, I went back to the parking lot w/J7, and with him and Monique as look-outs, I changed out of my grubbies and into a cocktail dress (what an odd sense of deja vu swept over me as I struggled into my clothes in the backseat of a car...j/k!)

We went back to camp and looked for a spot to sit for what would turn out to be quite a long wait.}}} But for the most part, people seemed to make the most of it, socializing and people-watching. Eventually, we were lined up to go into the wardrobe tents and have our 'costumes' approved or, if necessary, changed. Wardrobe was satisfied with the dress and strappy heels I had on, so I took my bag back to the car and then it was back to the wait. Some beautiful Bumpsquad-ettes (sounds like a drill team) representing were Tamiko, Monique, Karrie (what a trouper!), Ruth, Krystina, Sylvia, Dee Dee, Lyn, and Dara, all looking very lovely, and the guys J7, Alan, Chris G, Edgar, Kevin and Lawrence all very "fly," as the kids say, in their suits and ties.

Finally, we were called, and we trotted across Spring Street to the Tower Theatre (one of the old, semi-abandoned movie palaces that one can still find in downtown Los Angeles). As we filed down the alley behind the theatre, we passed Maceo noodling around a bit on his sax, and Blackwell was in the back of the truck that probably transports the instruments. We could hear some of "Musicology" playing as we walked past the open back entrance of the theatre. But just as our group was about to go into the theatre and after a few of us were picked out of the line to go inside (J7 said it was like standing behind the velvet rope at SkyBar), the rest of us were sent back to camp to be fed (Domino's cheese pizza, and believe me, after 6 hours of Cheetos and water, it was the most delicious pizza EVER!)

Some of us were starting to worry that we were literally all dressed up with nowhere to go. Were they really going to use us in the video, or had we just wasted an entire Saturday sitting in a parking lot in downtown L.A.? Aside from being a "seat-filler" once at the Emmys, I had never done anything like this before, and though I knew that filming anything involves a lot of waiting around for the actors and extras, this seemed to be wearing on for too long, and the paid extras had already been called for what seemed like hours. We were assured, though, that we were going to be used, and as a matter of fact, could we please call others to come down? They needed all the extras they could get. Eventually, the 'chosen few' (Tamiko, Edgar, and Alan) came back and reported that they'd been used in a scene where a crowd stood in a circle as a couple of guys danced, as well as in a scene where the club-goers are hanging in the club, enjoying the music. They also reported that they liked what they heard of the song.

About five minutes after an eternity, we were finally called again. As we stood outside the front entrance of the theatre, we were warned not to bring anything inside that was not part of our costume (you know the drill - no cells, cameras, or recording devices of any kind), and we were wanded before being let in. By then, we had been joined by Angie, Matt (good to see you again, Sarge!), and James, thanks to Krystina's phone calls.

We were led upstairs to the balcony. I could see that the small theatre had also probably been a club for live music, because there was a good size dance floor in front of the stage. The theatre had a really cool, faded beauty. You could see that back in the day when going out to the movies was really an event, it was a beautiful place with the the ornate moldings, banisters, and balconies, the mural medallion in the ceiling, etc. It was a perfect setting for the retro feel of the video.

We lined up along the banisters on each side of the second level of the theatre and had a good view of the stage. Once again, the director's assistants started picking people to position them in certain spots. Chris G, Karrie, Tamiko, Sylvia, Kevin, Matt, Dara, Oscar, Lyn, and J7 and I were some of the people sent downstairs to fill in the audience, and I saw Alan, Ruth, Edgar, Krystina, and Monique in the balconies on either side of the stage. The dancers and the band (Rhonda, Rad - both gorgeous, Renato, Maceo, Blackwell, and Greg Boyer) took the stage. We got our directions to be really hyped, and excited, and respond to whatever happens on stage as if it was a live peformance. Like they had to tell us! Some of us were already cheering before the cameras were rolling just because Prince strode toward the stage to take his position.

The music started and Prince bounded onto the stage. We in the audience were going nuts and dancing to the music, and I can tell you, at least on my part, it wasn't all acting. Even lip-synching, Prince is immensely fun to watch, especially in an energetic and funky performance like that. Not to mention, I thought he looked hot as ever. He's got a little 'fro going on, and I'm liking the suits he's been favoring lately. And those eyes...(ahem!) moving along now...

Oscar did a good job of describing the music and the vibe as reminiscent of "Rock n' Roll is Alive," but perhaps with an extra edge of funkiness. As for the video, as Oscar again well described, there were parts where dancers make their way onto the stage and dance a bit before police in riot gear shove them off. There was some realistic shoving going on. I had anti-war protest flashbacks for a second there. But the whole thing looked great from where I stood - very high energy, very fun.

They did about three or four takes, and I was really feeling the song. It's much different than what was played at BB King's before the aftershow at the Aladdin DVD screening. After the last take with the band, we did three more takes of a shot of the little boy being carried to the stage by his dad to dance. While we were postioning up for the shot, the band was watching us from the side. I saw Prince walk up to them hand in hand with Mani (she is so petite! She's barely his height with very high heels on, though to be honest, I didn't check to see how high his his heels were!)

Alright, I've gone on enough. The night finally ended at about 1:30. My feet were killing me, and I still can't get the feeling back in some of my toes. But all in all, it was a fun experience, and I look forward (fingers crossed) to the day the video makes it's debut.

One last thing - much, much love to those of you I mentioned, and also those of you I may not have mentioned due to my poor memory and fatigue. Once again, you've made this experience even more fun and special because you were all there and we shared it together. Peace!

Sofia (disappointed she didn't get close enough to Prince to smell him)

(Very very good report Sofia. Must have killed you to call me j7 so
many times. I am gonna start calling you s6 soon.-j7)

Does it sound like the original R&R=Alive or does it sound
like the Tony Fly mix??

Cuz, despite of there being little to no talking in that
one, that remix was very funky.

What a great report!!

I truely hope this video gets released and is not just kept for his own personal pleasure

Thank U

Wow! Prince filmed a video for his new flop single from a new flop album. Too bad nobody is gong to see the video, because nobody is going to play it. Prince should change his name to Y DONT EYE JUST GO AWAY.

Prince has a 'fro?!!???

thedog said:

Yo'Dog,why the negativity? If u have been paying attention u would know by now that Prince is not motivated by chart positions. U need 2 letitgo my brotha!

Great report! Thank you, Sophia!

Great report indeed! Thanks for sharing!!

ben said:

Oh no.

Cool report
´Rock and roll is alive´ shouldn´t be a B-side...it has a very good bandwork and guitar playing
I hope this song is hot

I don't wanna hear 'It sounds like...'
I wanna hear 'Fuck me, it sounds like nothing else on Earth.'

Did they say when the video would be released?

cant wait to see this, its certainly recieving the hype

Thanks for the report. Sounds like a lot of hurry up and wait then have a ton of fun!

Prince be rockin' the blowout 'fro!

ben said:

are you fuckin kiddin me!?









same old cheese-ball shit

GustavoRibas said:

Although I ver much like Rock 'n Roll Is Alive... I think it is a cheap rip-off of Steve Vai's even-more-brilliant "The Audience Is Listening" (Album: Passion and warfare).

You should listen to the song. The similarity is quite obvious. I mean, getting inspiration out of a song is one thing, but...

Therefore I think this should definitely be a B-side: I'm sure he had big fun while recording it, and it does kick some serious ass, but it is absolutely not original.

AaronUniversal said:

agree... we've seen this bit numerous times!!... can someone please hook our hero up with an "innovative" video director and a marketing team with a fresh idea or two??

cloud9mission said:

What hype are you talking about??? Really only the Org, and I guess NPGMC, is talking about it. MTV, VH1, or any major news outlets aren't covering it. This seemingly run-of-the-mill shoot is being covered about as much as when N.E.W.S. came out...only by the hardcores.

alexnvrmnd said:

Exactly. I'm not an NPGMC member and outside of this site, I would have never known of this song. I read Billboard.com, Rolling Stone, Ice Magazine, Spin, etc. frequently.

thedog said:

Y dont you change your name to "LOSER"

AzifWeKare said:

- well...as a Steve Vai fan, I disagree...I think the end of ´Rock and roll is alive´ reminds me of Vai´s song. But the rest of the song has nothing to do with it. It´s basic rock and roll...and ´Audience is listening´ was inspired a lot by Van Halen´s ´Hot for teacher´ (song structure AND concept)

- Well...keeping in mind that he left some cool songs like ´Interactive´, ´The ride´ and ´Days of Wild´ out of Gold Experience, it´s not a surprise for me. Even if ´Rock and roll´ is pure jamming and not original, it´s much better than ´We March´ and ´Shy´ (none of these are original too)

brettobee said:

Wasn't Prince using that name for a while? I believe it was spelled

thedog said:

- I have to agree this time...the name change was something really ridiculous

GustavoRibas said:

I like to think of it as original

thedog said:

This dog bites.

and wasn't the symbol "borrowed" too?