Can you introduce yourself for our our Ep.Gold
readers?
--Stuart Goldman, I am a documentary producer living in New
York.
And I was born in Springfield Massachusetts
How did you become a Director, Producerand if I recall a Writer?
--After finishing a graduate degree in Film at the
University of
Massachusetts and moving to New York, I wanted to make movies.
But I started getting assignments writing and directing
documentaries and corporate films for clients like the New
York Police Department, NBC and the Urban League.
One thing led to another, and soon I was writing,directing and
/or producing Documentary films for Television.
Any Elvis Fans in the family, Stuart?
--My younger brother, Matt, is as big an Elvis fan as I am.
He’s interested in everything to do with
Elvis and has a more comprehensive Elvis record collection than
anyone I know.
On what way did you become an ElvisFan?
--When I was EIGHT years old, I persuaded my dad to buy the 45
record “Teddy Bear” (which you could get
at the supermarket back then!). I’d play one side about ten
times in a row, then flip it over and do the same. I was an
instant fan. Each new Elvis release was such an event...I bought
every Elvis record after that....
How did you started to become really active in the Elvis
World?
--Around 1990, I was visiting my friend Micheal Ochs, The
Rock Historian and photo - Archivist, who had just acquired a
library of photos of Elvis on the set of the Movie
“Love Me Tender.” The shots of young Elvis were so
candid and revealing, I suggested they would make a great book,
and this Library became “Elvis in Hollywood.”
this led to the idea to do a documentary about
Elvis’ movies of the Fifties, and so “Elvis in Hollywood”
(the video) came about.
Made any other productions, Stuart?
--Yes, mostly non - fiction I directed and produced a
documentary about the legendary blues singer
Alberta Hunter called “My Castle’s Rockin’”; I
have Executive produced a PBS series “Joseph Campbell
Mythos,” and “The Queen of Mean”, a
CBS-TV movie, among others.....
Who are you favorite directors for film / documentaries?
--I like the Director : Morgan Neville, who has made
documentaries about the Brill Building, Sam Philips and
Brian Wilson. Also, George Nieremberg, who directed “Say
Amen Somebody” about gospel music, and “That Rhythm Those
Blues” about blues singers of the early Fifties.
Why?
--I especially like these documentaries because they are about
rock and blues “heroes” … The documentaries tell the
stories through the eyes of people who were there…rather than
through narration. I have tried to do that with
"Elvis & June."
What is your favorite Elvis single - Album - Film, Stuart?
--Oh that's tough! Anything from the 50's certainly , songs like
:Treat Me Nice, Heart Break Hotel, I Beg Of You, Too Much, A Big
Hunk Of Love, One Night ,etcetera.
Album is probably Elvis's 1st one.
And my favorite films are Jailhouse Rock and King Creole.
Your Favorite Elvis Website and why?
--EPGOLD.COM OF COURSE!
It seems to be the most comprehensive Fan site
Are you a 50's 60's or 70's Elvis Fan?
-- I favor the period 1954 to around ’62, but also do
love the “comeback” era of the late sixties and the
live concerts of the 70’s.
Are you more into live-shows recordings and / or Studio
recordings. And is your interest only Elvis?
--I enjoy the studio recordings, especially outtakes and
alternate takes. I am interested in many types of artists
and music.
Any other Productions in the future?
--I have a number of documentary projects in the works…
Is there any wish that you want accomplish in your life?
--To make films about pop culture and its different artists,
heroes and other figures which one day may be insightful
to US and future generations! Elvis being the greatest pop
culture figure of all time, and it certainly seems that HE will
be for many generations to come.
Any message for the Ep.Gold readers, Stuart?
--Hope they enjoy “Elvis & June” … !
Stuart, I would like to thank you for this exclusive interview
and I hope you keep us updated when you are involved in
any new project on Elvis. Just loved your Elvis In Hollywood
and Elvis&June DocumentaryStuart.
Note: You can order the DVD's: Elvis&June
- Elvis In Hollywood at Amazon.Com.
2003/01/23 Stuart Goldman / Andylon Lensen / Ep.Gold.Com.