Research For A2 Course.
Influences…
Glam Rock
Wikipedia Definition:
“Glam rock (also known as glitter rock) is a style that developed in the UK in the post-hippie early 1970s that was “performed by singers and musicians wearing outrageous clothes, makeup, hairstyles, and platform-soled boots.” The flamboyant costumes, and visual styles of glam performers were a campy, theatrical blend of nostalgic references to science fiction and old movies.
Largely a British phenomenon, glam rock visuals peaked during the mid 1970s. The most famous exponents of the fashion were Marc Bolan and T.Rex, Gary Glitter, and Slade.[1] Other influential British and American performers include: David Bowie, Sweet, Wizzard, Roxy Music, Mud, Mott the Hoople, The Glitter Band and The Tubes.”
My main influence for the character has been taken from the (1998) film Velvet Goldmine,
starring, Ewan Mcgregor and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.
Directed by Todd Haynes and written by Todd Haynes and James Lyons; Velvet Goldmine gives a unique insight into the eccentric world of glam rock. Sex, drugs and glitter, are the main priorities of main character Brian Slade. That of course and his genius music. In the film, he and fellow carcrash glam rock star, Curt Wild, join forces in becoming the rock power couple of their time, along with Slade’s wife reluctantly following in their shadows.
The main story surrounds the highs and lows of Slade’s career and how it affects the people around him, and this is what i would like to portray in my own piece.
Researching for influences of the celebrity documentary style i found that the following may also be helpful when exploring the style, voice-over and story of my fictional celebrity. This first example of a short but sweet John Lennon documentary, getting straight to the point, and full of facts:
This link also proved to be helpful, linking to many of these short documentaries on different celebrities, i can gain influence from all of these:
http://www.youtube.com/user/BroadbandTVSpotlight?view=videos
Another influence for my piece is the 1984 film ‘Spinal Tap’.
Directed by Rob Reiner, this fictional example of a rockumentary, shows aspects of what i would want to include in my own piece. By taking elements of real rockstar lifestyle, and documentaries of it’s time, a hyper-reality is created, sometimes leaving the viewer in doubt whether it is serious or a joke. The style of the rockumentary shows the ups and downs and highs and lows of a bands career, but combining a serious story line with many jokes; lovingly mocking 70′s and 80′s glam rock and rock star culture showing pastiche.
