Difference between revisions of "Film: Graffiti Bridge"
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| Introduction = '''Graffiti Bridge''' is a 1990 American rock musical drama film directed and written by [[Prince]], filmed on locations in Minneapolis and in [[Paisley Park Studios]]. It is [[Prince]]'s last large-scale film to date. | | Introduction = '''Graffiti Bridge''' is a 1990 American rock musical drama film directed and written by [[Prince]], filmed on locations in Minneapolis and in [[Paisley Park Studios]]. It is [[Prince]]'s last large-scale film to date. | ||
− | Even though the movie isn't a sequel per se to [[Film: Purple Rain|Purple Rain]], it | + | Even though the movie isn't a sequel per se to [[Film: Purple Rain|Purple Rain]], it revives key characters from that movie: [[Prince]] plays the character of "The Kid" and [[Morris Day]] plays his own character; both as club owners competitors. |
The story revolves around "The Kid" and "Morris Day" rivalry over the ownership of the "Glam Slam" club. | The story revolves around "The Kid" and "Morris Day" rivalry over the ownership of the "Glam Slam" club. | ||
− | The premiere and party took place in Ziegfeld theater, in New-York, and was attended by the film co-stars [[Morris Day]], [[Jerome Benton]], [[Ingrid Chavez]], [[Robin Power]] and [[Tevin Campbell]]. MTV covered the premiere on a one-day delay (MTV 24 hours Street party). [[ | + | The premiere and party took place in Ziegfeld theater, in New-York, and was attended by the film co-stars [[Morris Day]], [[Jerome Benton]], [[Ingrid Chavez]], [[Robin Power]] and [[Tevin Campbell]]. MTV covered the premiere on a one-day delay (MTV 24 hours Street party). [[Prince]] attended the screening, but didn't appear at the party. |
− | The reviews for '''Graffiti Bridge''' were | + | The reviews for '''Graffiti Bridge''' were negative, and the film wasn't a commercial success, grossing only 4,5 million dollar at the box office, before being removed from most screens within a month. The film having cost $7 million to make, it was estimated that Warner Bros should have grossed $14 million in tickets sales to recover all costs. |
[[Prince]] won an Ascap Award for [[Thieves In The Temple]] as 'Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures'. | [[Prince]] won an Ascap Award for [[Thieves In The Temple]] as 'Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures'. | ||
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<b>First Steps</b><br> | <b>First Steps</b><br> | ||
− | From mid September 1987 onwards, [[Prince]] started to record songs and gather material for a musical film project called "Graffiti Bridge". A first script was finished on 22 September, 1987 in which [[Prince]] would play "Camille Blue", | + | From mid September 1987 onwards, [[Prince]] started to record songs and gather material for a musical film project called "Graffiti Bridge". A first script was finished on 22 September, 1987 in which [[Prince]] would play "Camille Blue", Madonna a character named "Ruthie Washington" and [[Cat Glover]] a character called "Vienna". |
Other characters would be played by band members: "Angel" by [[Sheila E.]], "Almost" by [[Dr Fink]], "Big Sister" by [[Boni Boyer]], "Joshua" by [[Atlanta Bliss]], "Sax" by [[Eric Leeds]], "Gruff" by [[Greg Brooks]], "Puff" by [[Wally Safford]] and "The Brothers" by [[Miko Weaver]] and [[Levi Seacer, Jr.]]. | Other characters would be played by band members: "Angel" by [[Sheila E.]], "Almost" by [[Dr Fink]], "Big Sister" by [[Boni Boyer]], "Joshua" by [[Atlanta Bliss]], "Sax" by [[Eric Leeds]], "Gruff" by [[Greg Brooks]], "Puff" by [[Wally Safford]] and "The Brothers" by [[Miko Weaver]] and [[Levi Seacer, Jr.]]. | ||
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Songs for this first script included: [[Ruthie Washington Jet Blues]], [[Graffiti Bridge]], [[Camille]], [[Everything Could Be So Fine]], [[The Question Of U]], [[XYZ]], [[Crucial]], [[Power Fantastic]], [[Beat Town]], [[Melody Cool]], [[Big Tall Wall]], [[The Grand Progression]]. Most of these songs were recorded between July and September 1987, although 3 of them were leftovers from 1986 projects, and [[The Question Of U]] was originaly tracked in 1985. | Songs for this first script included: [[Ruthie Washington Jet Blues]], [[Graffiti Bridge]], [[Camille]], [[Everything Could Be So Fine]], [[The Question Of U]], [[XYZ]], [[Crucial]], [[Power Fantastic]], [[Beat Town]], [[Melody Cool]], [[Big Tall Wall]], [[The Grand Progression]]. Most of these songs were recorded between July and September 1987, although 3 of them were leftovers from 1986 projects, and [[The Question Of U]] was originaly tracked in 1985. | ||
− | After Madonna turned down the project on 13 October, 1987, the film was put on hold, and it wouldn't be before late 1989 that [[Prince]] would be able to focus again on the project | + | After Madonna turned down the project on 13 October, 1987, the film was put on hold, and it wouldn't be before late 1989 that [[Prince]] would be able to focus again on the project. |
<b>A New Script</b><br> | <b>A New Script</b><br> | ||
− | Early July 1989, Kim Basinger | + | Early July 1989, Kim Basinger started working with [[Prince]] on a new script for the "Graffiti Bridge" film project. |
− | Mid September, [[Prince]] started recording sessions for the film, cutting 2 new songs, [[Round And Round]] and [[New Power Generation]] and reworking already existing songs from various projects, including the defunct first script. Mavis Staples traveled to Minneapolis to record vocals for [[Melody Cool]], | + | Mid September 1989, [[Prince]] started recording sessions for the film, cutting 2 new songs, [[Round And Round]] and [[New Power Generation]] and reworking already existing songs from various projects, including some from the defunct first script. Mavis Staples traveled to Minneapolis to record vocals for [[Melody Cool]], as well as [[Tevin Campbell]] on [[Round And Round]]; both were now part of the film cast. |
− | Late October 1989, [[Prince]] | + | Late October 1989, [[Prince]] met Robin Herin, a rapper and former dancer on "Soul Train" US Television show. After being invited to Minneapolis to work on a rap album project, [[Prince]] proposed her a role in the cast of "Graffiti Bridge"; of the two songs they cut together, [[Undercover Lover]] and [[Number One]], only the latter was finally included in the film soundtrack. |
− | When, in November 1989, [[Prince]] and [[Albert Magnoli]] decided to part ways | + | When, in November 1989, [[Prince]] and [[Albert Magnoli]], who had together created the joint venture [[Paisley park Films]], decided to part ways. A new production team (Arnold Stiefel and Randy Phillips) were hired to secure a deal for the film with Warner Bros Film Division, which had showed very little interest in the project. Their strategy to sell the film to WB as a sequel to Purple Rain paid well, and they were given a go-ahead. |
− | On 19 December, 1989, a third draft of "Graffiti Bridge" | + | On 19 December, 1989, a third draft of "Graffiti Bridge" was completed, featuring Kim Basinger and Jill Jones in the leading roles. |
− | + | Late January 1990, after [[Prince]] and Kim Basinger parted ways, a fourth draft of Graffiti Bridge was completed. It featured a new character, "Aura" (a mix of former characters played by Jill Jones and Kim Basinger) to be played by [[Ingrid Chavez]] while [[Jill Jones]] was given a new, less prominent role in the film, as "The Kid's" girlfriend. | |
On 7 February, 1990, after being slightly revised, the script was finally approved to be the shooting script. | On 7 February, 1990, after being slightly revised, the script was finally approved to be the shooting script. | ||
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<b>Delivery</b> | <b>Delivery</b> | ||
− | The first version of "Graffiti Bridge" was delivered to Warner Bros in April 1990 | + | The first version of "Graffiti Bridge" film was delivered to Warner Bros in April 1990. |
| Synopsis = "The Kid" is a performer and shares "Glam Slam" club ownership with "Morris Day". Morris also owns his own club, "Pandemonium" and two other clubs in the "Seven Corners" area. Both were bequeathed half of the club in a will, but have different views on marketing strategies for each of their halves. Morris envision a club as a profiting asset, with a commercial strategy (mainstream music, dancers, public pleaser), while "The Kid" club concept is a spiritual journey, a forum to present music that uplift the soul. | | Synopsis = "The Kid" is a performer and shares "Glam Slam" club ownership with "Morris Day". Morris also owns his own club, "Pandemonium" and two other clubs in the "Seven Corners" area. Both were bequeathed half of the club in a will, but have different views on marketing strategies for each of their halves. Morris envision a club as a profiting asset, with a commercial strategy (mainstream music, dancers, public pleaser), while "The Kid" club concept is a spiritual journey, a forum to present music that uplift the soul. | ||
Revision as of 18:12, 24 October 2015
1987: Sign O' The Times ◄ | Movies | Television Films And Specials | ► None: See Films & videos |
Graffiti Bridge |
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Synopsis
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"The Kid" is a performer and shares "Glam Slam" club ownership with "Morris Day". Morris also owns his own club, "Pandemonium" and two other clubs in the "Seven Corners" area. Both were bequeathed half of the club in a will, but have different views on marketing strategies for each of their halves. Morris envision a club as a profiting asset, with a commercial strategy (mainstream music, dancers, public pleaser), while "The Kid" club concept is a spiritual journey, a forum to present music that uplift the soul. Because "The Kid's" music doesn't attract a lot of public, and in consequence, puts "Glam Slam" club finances in disarray, Morris Day wants to put "The Kid" out of business. To save his assets, "The Kid" will have to pay Morris Day $10,000 in order to pay off the mayor; a condition to keep co-ownership of his club. Losing clients, "The Kid" soon challenges Morris Day to a music battle for the ownership of "Glam Slam". "The Kid's" faith in his music is restored by Aura (Ingrid Chavez), who materializes out of nowhere and is first seen sitting on a graffiti-painted bridge. Aura, who describes herself as belonging to "him above", serves as guardian angel to "The Kid", appearing every time "The Kid" is on the verge of losing "Glam Slam". Her mission is to encourage "The Kid" to pursue his spiritual journey, and fight for his ownership of the club. In an attempt to help "The Kid", Aura tries to seduce Morris Day and change his heart. Alas, she soon dies in a car accident. The incident redeems the "Seven Corners" community. While "The Kid" leads the mourners in lamentations, Morris Day's stooges join the thong, and Day himself finally relents, hugging "The Kid" and letting him "Glam Slam" ownership. | ||||||||||||||
Making of
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Shooting | ||||||||||||||
Shooting Schedule & Locations
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Additional Information
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1987 Sign O' The Times |
Movies | Television Films And Specials | None See Films & videos |