... and just noticed the camera flashes going off when the Kid's dad is lying on the floor, post-gunshot, with a bandage on his head.

Why the fuck would you stop to take photos of that?

sarielthrawn said:

... and just noticed the camera flashes going off when the Kid's dad is lying on the floor, post-gunshot, with a bandage on his head.

Why the fuck would you stop to take photos of that?

Possible crime scene. Police take photos all the time. They most likely were taking photos of the surroundings, not the dad. Also, Purple Rain is silly and not meant to an accurate representation of reality.

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That the Kid's dad survived is a decision said to have been made by Magnoli or WB during post-production, with a small pickup shot in LA in early 1984 needed to bring about that happier ending.

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The original intention of the script as it was filmed in late 1983 might make crime scene photography an even more compelling explanation for what you are seeing in the movie.

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Law enforcement, of course, take such photographs as evidence and records all the time for many purposes.

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And, on another note, 'Purple Rain', the film, is not high art.

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[Edited 9/12/15 7:41am]