This is another great insight into two worlds I know little about. I never understood the fervor for Elvis, either, and had thought little about it. And excellent read. Thank you. ~J
Thanks! Truth be told, I'd never thought much about Elvis either until the moment we did that shot ... and then it all came together to hit me hard, like some kind of cosmic snowball. Life is funny that way.
Monty says, "I get the squeamish feeling down in my gut every time I think about having to work an all-nighter. I was there with you but I never had the same epiphany, just the Bataan feeling that this thing will never end. Great job on the article."
BTW, you're doubtless correct about those who play Vegas, but I tend to paint with a broad brush at times -- leaning into stereotypes -- to make a point. Thanks for tuning in!
Thanks! I haven't seen any of Luhrman's work -- but seriously, the recreation we did on "Heart of Dixie" was truly thrilling ... for about half an hour. After that, it was just another long brutal slog toward the dawn.
It's for good reason there exists in the Union Rules a pay embellishment called "Night Premium"- small compensation for those horrible hours. I'd watch carefully for that first lightening of the eastern sky, proclaiming, as if it was a gift from directly to me, "It's here!"
Sadly, my union gave away night premium in one of the many "one step forward, three steps back" contract negotiations with the producers association. But before the giveaway, the rule called for a 15% night premium on any job call starting at midnight or later ... so of course, one of those jobs -- a commercial -- gave us an 11:59 pm call to start the day.
What a great comment. Given that I lack the analytical/academic brain and background required to make such connections, I'm just an observer -- but I fully appreciate this kind of detailed, spot-on analysis. Thanks for tuning in!
This is another great insight into two worlds I know little about. I never understood the fervor for Elvis, either, and had thought little about it. And excellent read. Thank you. ~J
Thanks! Truth be told, I'd never thought much about Elvis either until the moment we did that shot ... and then it all came together to hit me hard, like some kind of cosmic snowball. Life is funny that way.
Our friend Paula Lewis really admires your writing. I agree.
Thanks -- and please say "thanks" to Paula! I don't recall if I ever met her, but memory is no longer one of my strong points...
Monty says, "I get the squeamish feeling down in my gut every time I think about having to work an all-nighter. I was there with you but I never had the same epiphany, just the Bataan feeling that this thing will never end. Great job on the article."
Well ... Monty's right - it was one loooong night. We did a lot of those on that movie. Thanks for tuning in, and give my best to Monty!
Will do, Mike. And our best to you, too.
So well written. And not everyone who has “played Vegas” is exactly as you described. 😉
Thanks!
BTW, you're doubtless correct about those who play Vegas, but I tend to paint with a broad brush at times -- leaning into stereotypes -- to make a point. Thanks for tuning in!
What a lovely story 🥰
Thanks, Andy - I hope all's good with you!
Great piece Michael. I also lived through that era and saw it all strangely unfold.
Thanks!
Good stuff. And as I recall the only OK Baz Luhrman film does a pretty good job too with young Elvis at Tupelo Fairgrounds in the beginning.
Sounds like life.
Ha!
True, though...
Thanks! I haven't seen any of Luhrman's work -- but seriously, the recreation we did on "Heart of Dixie" was truly thrilling ... for about half an hour. After that, it was just another long brutal slog toward the dawn.
It's for good reason there exists in the Union Rules a pay embellishment called "Night Premium"- small compensation for those horrible hours. I'd watch carefully for that first lightening of the eastern sky, proclaiming, as if it was a gift from directly to me, "It's here!"
Sadly, my union gave away night premium in one of the many "one step forward, three steps back" contract negotiations with the producers association. But before the giveaway, the rule called for a 15% night premium on any job call starting at midnight or later ... so of course, one of those jobs -- a commercial -- gave us an 11:59 pm call to start the day.
Oh, did that piss off the entire crew.
Hey, thanks for tuning in - I'm glad you find some resonance in these posts!
What a great comment. Given that I lack the analytical/academic brain and background required to make such connections, I'm just an observer -- but I fully appreciate this kind of detailed, spot-on analysis. Thanks for tuning in!