Recently we got pleasantly
surprised by the announcement of a new DVD, "Elvis: Behind
The Image". Bud Glass,
kindly agreed to do an interview for our magazine.
It is a pleasure
to have the premier interview with you regarding the incredible
new up-coming DVD release “Elvis: Behind The Image”.
Well the pleasure
is ours. Andylon Lensen is a name I am sure people in Europe
as well as the U.S. have come to know as a very knowledgeable
and credible authority on Elvis related topics. And I can think
of no better place to tell the Elvis world about this exciting
new DVD, than through THE PLACE Elvis fans around the world
go to get their Elvis related news than ElvisNews.com.
The news of this
new DVD has got the Elvis community buzzing. From the description
on the official "Behind
The Image" website this sounds like the kind of release
Elvis fans have really been waiting for. Everyone wants to know
more. Can you answer a few questions for us?
Would be happy to
What can you tell
us about the long fringe suit footage that will be included
in this documentary… is this from Vegas or Los Angeles?
The footage of Elvis
wearing the long fringe suit is from the Los Angeles Forum show
on November 14, 1970. Up to this point, we have only had a few
photos from this show. Now for the first time ever, you will
see actual color film of Elvis wearing this incredible outfit.
It is a one of a kind outfit that he had made especially for
this performance. And if that isn’t exciting enough, this film
as shot from the center section, directly in front of the stage.
This is the only known film to exist of this performance, and
of this stunning outfit. I must also mention that also included
are never before seen photos of this outfit…at Elvis’ Hillcrest
California home.
It sounds like
that alone makes this a “must-have” DVD! What other time frames
are covered on this documentary?
This Documentary will
cover 1969 through the early 1970’s. A time (in my opinion)
when Elvis looked his absolute best! It will contain never before
seen concert as well as candid film and photos. The candid film
from 1969 will be of great interest to everyone…..Elvis looks
stunning!
Who will be interviewed
for this project?
The title of this
documentary is "Elvis: Behind The Image", and that
is exactly what this film is about. We have all heard the rags
to riches story of the poor kid from Tupelo who grew up to become
the King of Rock and Roll. This film will explore the personal
side of that image we all already know so well. It will contain
interviews with people who were there when it all happened.
People who were close to Elvis and some who actually worked
with Elvis. I do not want to give exact names at this point,
but I can assure you, they are people the fans all know very
well and have not heard that much from over the years. I will
give you more information regarding this in the near future.
Are the people
behind documentary Elvis fans?
This film is a documentary
made by fans for fans. So believe me when I say, as a life-long
fan myself, that I know what kind of material the fans really
want. I know they will not be disappointed with this project.
The producer of this film is life-long fan as well. Even though
he has major motion pictures in the works, He was excited about
doing this documentary since he is such a big fan himself.
What is your personal
favorite Elvis single, album and movie?
It is so hard to pick
just one….but I would say my favorite Elvis single would have
to be If I Can Dream. My favorite album would be all those containing
the 1969 recording sessions. Those are my favorite. As far as
movies go, I would say that I think his best film was King Creole.
But the film I have seen the most times, and have enjoyed the
most over the years has to be Viva Las Vegas.
Do you remember
where you were when Elvis died?
I was a teenager in
August 1977. News of his death came as a double blow to me as
I was still in dis-belief over the death of a acquaintance who
drowned on August 15. I was deeply impacted from a personal
standpoint, and remember being moved tremendously over the fact
that his death had not just touched the nation, but the entire
world. August 16, 1977 to me, was one of the few rare moments
in history when the Collective love and admiration of the world
simultaneously grieved and mourned the loss of a single man
who had made an impact on every culture, race and creed throughout
the entire planet. Just think about that.
Back to the film
footage. What is the quality like, and does it have sound?
The film itself is
first generation transfer from the original film reels. It has
never been transferred from the original film until now. The
majority was shot from only a few feet away from Elvis. Upon
viewing it for the first time, one of the production crew mentioned
to me that it was filmed with a very steady hand, with fantastic
zooms, and he was very impressed with the content and quality,
as well as the manor in which it was filmed. He also said that
this will make an exceptional release. The film is silent super
8 film. Although the actual concerts exist on audio tape as
well. As most people already know, even if this was filmed with
actual sound, we would never be able to use it for legal reasons.
The music, stories and narration will give more depth to the
film and I know fans will be more than pleased with the end
results.
Will this also
be available on video as well as DVD?
Although the project
is slated for release on DVD (in a region-free format), considerations
are now being made to a video tape version as well. I will keep
you up-dated on this as it develops.
Please tell us
about the rare photos that will be included. Who’s photos are
these and are they color or black & white?
I am pleased to tell
you that not only will this documentary include rare film footage
and interviews, it will also contain a multitude of never before
seen photographs that you will surely enjoy. Concert and candid
photos….some will be black & white but the majority of them
are in color. They will come from a variety of sources, but
mainly from the private collections of Sandi Miller and Russ
Howe.
When will this
film be available and are pre-view samples available?
The release date is
set for June 2002. The documentary is currently in production
and at this time, no previews are available. We will work on
that and let you know when some sort of sample preview can be
made available.
That sounds great.
As you well know, we can never get enough great Elvis photos.
If "Elvis: Behind The Image" is successful, will thee
be a volume 2?
If the fans enjoy
this as I know they will, and there is desire for more….we will
seriously consider Volume 2.
