Difference between revisions of "Film: Purple Rain"
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In May 1983, Blinn relocated to Minneapolis with the intention of developing more ideas for the screenplay, but collaborating with [[Prince]] appeared difficult and Blinn returned to Los Angeles where he resumed work for a script now called "Dreams". | In May 1983, Blinn relocated to Minneapolis with the intention of developing more ideas for the screenplay, but collaborating with [[Prince]] appeared difficult and Blinn returned to Los Angeles where he resumed work for a script now called "Dreams". | ||
− | Meanwhile, in Minneapolis, [[Prince]], [[The Revolution]], [[The Time]] and [[Vanity 6]] began preparations for the film project. A warehouse in St. Louis Park was rented for band rehearsals and dancing and acting classes. Actor and | + | Meanwhile, in Minneapolis, [[Prince]], [[The Revolution]], [[The Time]] and [[Vanity 6]] began preparations for the film project. A warehouse in St. Louis Park was rented for band rehearsals and dancing and acting classes. Actor and director Don Amendolia was recruited by Blinn to conduct improvisational exercises and theater games. Dance workouts were conducted by John Command at the Minnesota Dance Theater in a downtown dance studio, two block away from the [[First Avenue]]. |
[[Alan Leeds]], then [[Prince]]’s road manager, was hired on a full time basis to organize activities in the warehouse and coordinate some of [[Prince]]’s business affairs. | [[Alan Leeds]], then [[Prince]]’s road manager, was hired on a full time basis to organize activities in the warehouse and coordinate some of [[Prince]]’s business affairs. | ||
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<b>A New Script</b> | <b>A New Script</b> | ||
− | A new director wasn’t found until July 1983, when James Foley, who was approached for the film but was unavailable, suggested his editor, [[Albert Magnoli]], | + | A new director wasn’t found until July 1983, when James Foley, who was approached for the film but was unavailable, suggested his editor, [[Albert Magnoli]], who had won a student academy award for his short film, "Jazz". After rejecting the project on account of deeming the script "very introverted and claustrophobic". [[Albert Magnoli|Magnoli]] reversed his decision after meeting with [[Prince]]’s management and the promise that he would be allowed to direct his own version of the film. Several songs that were mentioned in the first drafts were not kept as the movie underwent further changes : [[Moonbeam Levels]], [[Can’t Stop This Feeling I Got]], [[Too Tough]], [[Wouldn’t You Love To Love Me?|Wouldn’t U Love To Love Me]], [[I Just Wanna Be Rich]], [[New Power Generation|Bold Generation]], [[G-Spot]], [[Mia Bocca]], [[Wednesday]] (to be sung by [[Jill Jones]]) and [[Electric Intercourse]] (replaced by [[The Beautiful Ones]]). |
− | By mid July, [[Vanity]] had decided to leave the film project and [[Vanity 6]] band. Her role was offered to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Beals Jennifer Beals] who declined it. Auditions were subsequently organized in Los Angeles in September 1983 in order to cast a replacement actress for the female lead role in the film. From the several hundred women | + | By mid July, [[Vanity]] had decided to leave the film project and [[Vanity 6]] band. Her role was offered to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Beals Jennifer Beals] who declined it. Auditions were subsequently organized in Los Angeles in September 1983 in order to cast a replacement actress for the female lead role in the film. From the several hundred women who auditioned, [[Apollonia|Patricia Kotero]], a 22 years old model, was chosen. Soon after, she was renamed [[Apollonia]] after a character in "The Godfather" film. Subsequently [[Vanity 6]] became [[Apollonia 6]]. |
Pre-production for '''Purple Rain''' began on 15 September 1983 in Minneapolis. [[Albert Magnoli]] spent several weeks in the city to meet with the movie financiers and revised the "Dreams" script entirely to develop a new screenplay. Shooting started on 1 November 1983 in Minneapolis. | Pre-production for '''Purple Rain''' began on 15 September 1983 in Minneapolis. [[Albert Magnoli]] spent several weeks in the city to meet with the movie financiers and revised the "Dreams" script entirely to develop a new screenplay. Shooting started on 1 November 1983 in Minneapolis. | ||
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Having recruited [[Apollonia]], [[Morris Day]] convinces nightclub owner Billy Sparks, to give a slot to his new protege band. They make a deal to evict [[The Revolution]] from the nightly program if the girl group is commercial and appealing enough. | Having recruited [[Apollonia]], [[Morris Day]] convinces nightclub owner Billy Sparks, to give a slot to his new protege band. They make a deal to evict [[The Revolution]] from the nightly program if the girl group is commercial and appealing enough. | ||
− | Meanwhile, tensions appear in [[The Revolution]] due to growing frustration of guitarist [[Wendy Melvoin|Wendy]] and keyboardist [[Lisa Coleman|Lisa]] about "The Kid" rejecting their compositions. The dispute revolves around an instrumental demo, dubbed "Slow Groove", which they pass on [[Jill Jones|Jill]], a waitress at [[First Avenue]] who has a crush on "The Kid", in hope that he will listen if that comes through her. | + | Meanwhile, tensions appear in [[The Revolution]] due to growing frustration of guitarist [[Wendy Melvoin|Wendy]] and keyboardist [[Lisa Coleman|Lisa]] about "The Kid" rejecting their compositions. The dispute revolves around an instrumental demo, dubbed "Slow Groove", which they pass on to [[Jill Jones|Jill]], a waitress at [[First Avenue]] who has a crush on "The Kid", in hope that he will listen if that comes through her. |
− | One night when "The Kid" comes home, he finds out his mother had been beaten again and confronts his father. After his father warns him to never get married "The Kid" gets back to the club to face more internal band strife and pressure. | + | One night when "The Kid" comes home, he finds out his mother had been beaten again and confronts his father. After his father warns him to never get married "The Kid" gets back to the club to face more internal band strife and pressure. Following an edgy performance of "[[Computer Blue]]", Billy Sparks warns him that his slot at the club is in jeopardy, and that he might lose it if he follows the same unsuccessful path that ruined his father’s career as a musician. |
The night after, [[Apollonia 6]] successfully opens at The Taste, another nightclub in town. While [[Morris Day]] and [[Apollonia]], celebrate their success in a side street, "The Kid" hits Morris with his motorcycle and takes away [[Apollonia]]. Subsequently she breaks up with him when he fails to refrain from being violent. | The night after, [[Apollonia 6]] successfully opens at The Taste, another nightclub in town. While [[Morris Day]] and [[Apollonia]], celebrate their success in a side street, "The Kid" hits Morris with his motorcycle and takes away [[Apollonia]]. Subsequently she breaks up with him when he fails to refrain from being violent. | ||
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When "The Kid" returns home, the situation has escalated to a dramatic level. His father shoots himself in the head. After a night of torment and despair, "The Kid" wakes up in a new spirit and decides to give the instrumental "Slow Groove" by the girls in his band another try. | When "The Kid" returns home, the situation has escalated to a dramatic level. His father shoots himself in the head. After a night of torment and despair, "The Kid" wakes up in a new spirit and decides to give the instrumental "Slow Groove" by the girls in his band another try. | ||
− | The following night at the club "The Kid" announces the band will play a new song by Wendy & Lisa and | + | The following night at the club "The Kid" announces the band will play a new song by Wendy & Lisa and performs [[Purple Rain]] while the audience almost religiously listen. As the Kid exits the stage, convinced that he blew the gig, he realizes the crowd is cheering and calling him back for an encore. On his way back to the stage, [[Apollonia]] waits for him in tears. |
− | The film ends with a series of scenes interspersed with the concert performance showing how the story happily ends. Now at peace, "The Kid" | + | The film ends with a series of scenes interspersed with the concert performance showing how the story happily ends. Now at peace, "The Kid" sorts out the destroyed home basement, helped by Apollonia and visits his father at the hospital. |
<!-- CAST & CREW ---------------------> | <!-- CAST & CREW ---------------------> | ||
| Cast = * [[Prince]] - "The Kid" | | Cast = * [[Prince]] - "The Kid" | ||
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* Dawn Renee Jones - assistant:[[Albert Magnoli|Mr. Magnoli]] | * Dawn Renee Jones - assistant:[[Albert Magnoli|Mr. Magnoli]] | ||
* Laila Schirrmeister - assistant: Anne McCulley | * Laila Schirrmeister - assistant: Anne McCulley | ||
− | * [[Richard "Hawkeye" Henriksen| | + | * [[Richard "Hawkeye" Henriksen|Richard Henriksen]] <small> (as Hendricksen)</small> - technical advisor |
* Kerry Lyn McKissick - script supervisor | * Kerry Lyn McKissick - script supervisor | ||
<b>Casting Department</b> | <b>Casting Department</b> | ||
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<!-- ADDITIONAL INFO --> | <!-- ADDITIONAL INFO --> | ||
| Promotion = On Friday 27 July 1984, MTV broadcast a two-hour-long special about the movie premiere, including reports from red-carpet and afterparty. | | Promotion = On Friday 27 July 1984, MTV broadcast a two-hour-long special about the movie premiere, including reports from red-carpet and afterparty. | ||
− | * Press | + | * Press adverts from ''The Star Tribune''; (July 26 & 27) the release of the movie in the UK and French movie poster:<br> |
− | [[file:PurpleRainMovieUKpressAdvert1984-09-01.png|x200px|Advert published on 1 September 1984 in UK press]] [[file:PurpleRainMoviePosterFrance.png|x200px|French movie poster]] | + | [[File:Star_Tribune_1984_07_26_Page_29.jpg|x200px|Advert published on 26 July 1984 in The Star Tribune]] |
+ | [[File:PR_Advert_StarTribune_Fri_Jul271984.jpg|x200px|Advert published on 27 July 1984 in The Star Tribune]] [[file:PurpleRainMovieUKpressAdvert1984-09-01.png|x200px|Advert published on 1 September 1984 in UK press]] [[file:PurpleRainMoviePosterFrance.png|x200px|French movie poster]] | ||
| Trivia = [[First Avenue]] was paid a $100,000 location and rental fee for use of the club in filming; it was closed for 25 days from “Friday, November 26th to Tuesday, December 20th 1983. | | Trivia = [[First Avenue]] was paid a $100,000 location and rental fee for use of the club in filming; it was closed for 25 days from “Friday, November 26th to Tuesday, December 20th 1983. | ||
* The motorcycle [[Prince]] rides in the film is a customized 1981 Hondamatic HONDA CB400A. Work was done by [http://www.lowridersbysummers.com/aboutus/index.htm Tom Summers] who was recruited again to paint the bikes black for [[Film: Graffiti Bridge|Graffiti Bridge]] film. | * The motorcycle [[Prince]] rides in the film is a customized 1981 Hondamatic HONDA CB400A. Work was done by [http://www.lowridersbysummers.com/aboutus/index.htm Tom Summers] who was recruited again to paint the bikes black for [[Film: Graffiti Bridge|Graffiti Bridge]] film. |
Latest revision as of 12:45, 5 January 2023
None: See Films & videos ◄ | Movies | Television Films And Specials | ► 1986: Under The Cherry Moon |
Purple Rain |
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Synopsis
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"The Kid" (Prince) is a troubled Minneapolis musician. He and his band, The Revolution are one of three acts playing at a local nightclub, the First Avenue. The other acts are The Time, a funk band, lead by Morris Day and The Modernaires, a new wave band, lead by Dez Dickerson. Aspiring singer Apollonia, comes to town to try her luck hoping to get hired as singer at the First Avenue. Both "The Kid" and Morris Day are attracted to her and vie for her attention. While a romance starts to develop between "The Kid" and Apollonia, she accepts a position in Morris Day’s new all female group, Apollonia 6, to the obvious dismay of "The Kid". Having recruited Apollonia, Morris Day convinces nightclub owner Billy Sparks, to give a slot to his new protege band. They make a deal to evict The Revolution from the nightly program if the girl group is commercial and appealing enough. Meanwhile, tensions appear in The Revolution due to growing frustration of guitarist Wendy and keyboardist Lisa about "The Kid" rejecting their compositions. The dispute revolves around an instrumental demo, dubbed "Slow Groove", which they pass on to Jill, a waitress at First Avenue who has a crush on "The Kid", in hope that he will listen if that comes through her. One night when "The Kid" comes home, he finds out his mother had been beaten again and confronts his father. After his father warns him to never get married "The Kid" gets back to the club to face more internal band strife and pressure. Following an edgy performance of "Computer Blue", Billy Sparks warns him that his slot at the club is in jeopardy, and that he might lose it if he follows the same unsuccessful path that ruined his father’s career as a musician. The night after, Apollonia 6 successfully opens at The Taste, another nightclub in town. While Morris Day and Apollonia, celebrate their success in a side street, "The Kid" hits Morris with his motorcycle and takes away Apollonia. Subsequently she breaks up with him when he fails to refrain from being violent. When "The Kid" returns home, the situation has escalated to a dramatic level. His father shoots himself in the head. After a night of torment and despair, "The Kid" wakes up in a new spirit and decides to give the instrumental "Slow Groove" by the girls in his band another try. The following night at the club "The Kid" announces the band will play a new song by Wendy & Lisa and performs Purple Rain while the audience almost religiously listen. As the Kid exits the stage, convinced that he blew the gig, he realizes the crowd is cheering and calling him back for an encore. On his way back to the stage, Apollonia waits for him in tears. The film ends with a series of scenes interspersed with the concert performance showing how the story happily ends. Now at peace, "The Kid" sorts out the destroyed home basement, helped by Apollonia and visits his father at the hospital. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Making of
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Shooting | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shooting started on 1 November 1983 with a week (from 1 to 5 Nov.) of exterior scenes shots in and around Minneapolis, Henderson, Eagan, Cedar Lake and Coon Rapids. Amongst other was shot the infamous scene (#29) with Apollonia jumping in the water on 2 November 1983 near Henderson. Of note the initial script had Apollonia picked up by a trucker, instead of "The Kid" coming back to pick her up after he had rode away. Second week (from 7 to 12 Nov.) was dedicated to a few motorcycle takes with Prince and a stunt double, as well as scenes in Minneapolis and around the 1st Avenue club, including the infamous scene (#25) when Jerome puts 'Beautiful Babe' in a dumpster. The scene at Mall of America when "The Kid" and Apollonia meet and engage conversation (#27) was also shot. Third week (from 14 to 19 Nov.) mostly focused on exterior scenes with Morris, Jerome, Prince & Apollonia, except for the two days dedicated to the rehearsal warehouse where The Time and the Girls group rehearse, including a deleted scene of "The Kid" riding to the warehouse, entering and fighting with The Time members. 2 days were allocated to exteriors outside of "The Kid"’s house, on Snelling Avenue, while the last day of the week (day #17) was dedicated to the fight between "The Kid" and Apollonia near the embankment (#97 & 98). '’section under construction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shooting Schedule & Locations
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Additional Information
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None See Films & videos |
Movies | Television Films And Specials | 1986 Under The Cherry Moon |