Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Thanks to Red Hot Lady at velvetrevolverforum.com for the heads-up.

The videos director, Dean Karr ("Sweet Dreams" by Marilyn Manson, "No One Knows" by QOTSA, "I Just Want You" by Ozzy Osbourne), has posted the following blog (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=5802972&blogID=258270622&MyToken=7ef9ba7d-cc0c-458d-b80b-23b7ce84ee97) on his MySpace page:

MAN I AM SO BEHIND IN MY BLOGS, MAINLY BECAUSE I CAN'T SIGN INTO MY FLICKR ACCOUNT SINCE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, THEY AREN'T TOO HELPFUL ABOUT IT EITHER. WELL TO BRING YOU UP TO SPEED, I AM DIRECTING VELVET REVOLVER'S NEW MUSIC VIDEO NEXT TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY FOR THEIR FIRST SINGLE "SHE BUILDS QUICK MACHINES", GREAT BAND AND WILL BE A GREAT VIDEO. VERY MINIMAL PERFORMANCE AND A TON OF ACTION, PYRO AND GREAT CHARACTERS! THIS IS MY SECOND MUSIC VIDEO FOR THE BAND. MY TREATMENT HAS CHANGED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT HERE'S THE GIST OF WHAT'S GOING ON.

Velvet Revolver
"SHE BUILDS QUICK MACHINES"
Treatment by Dean Karr
? 4/17/07 Dean Karr/ Wild Indigo, LLC

Velvet Revolver's second release is going to hit the streets hard and their first music video has got to punch you right in the face, leaving an impression to last! I would like to suggest that we embark upon a production similar to a small indie film; driven by the danger, speed and high octane of this compelling track. Ours will be a fresh approach, as we pay homage to western road movies past - while clearly evoking the future. We will contrast our urgent narrative with fresh visuals to provide the heroic platform in which to feature OUR HEROES - Scott, Duff, Slash, Matt and Dave. I personally know the capabilities of this team of great musicians, and am confident that together we can create an amazing piece of film.

We open on a burning desert. The sun flares our lens. In the sky we notice something traveling towards the earth. We can't quite make it out, but it's comin' down fast as it falls towards earth with a high-speed ripple effect. A jet stream trails behind.

Close on Scott's face as we see him tracking the object with powerful
spyglasses. We intercut to close ups of Duff, Slash, Matt and Dave as they too take notice with a sense of urgency. The wind blows their hair. They are Freedom Fighters on a rescue mission and ? this is what they have been waiting for. We pull back to reveal that they are racing through a barren plain on the outskirts of a dusty border town, in their favorite muscle cars. Let's assume we're somewhere on the Texas/Mexican border.

In the near distance we now see vague shimmering images. As they come closer to our cameras, revealed is a rough looking bunch of dedicated BADDIES. They are in dark and contemporary dress, with a look somewhere between road pirates, masked terrorists, and villains out of an old Sergio Leone film. They are scarred and unclean. And? they are after the same thing as Our Heroes, but with bad intent.

We cut to the object plummeting gracefully to the dry earth; its impact creates a huge dust cloud. Once the dust settles, we see two wings sticking up out of the hole in the sand. The wings ever so slightly move, letting us know that whatever it is, it's still breathing.

The adrenaline starts boiling as the two parties race towards the falling object's point of impact. It's like we are in a chase from an old western, only this time they are mounted on cars rather than horses. Our Heroes are surprised to see the Baddies enter the scene ? and, to make matters worse, they are much closer to the fallen object.

The Baddies have beaten our boys to the scene and aggressively approach the moving wings. They reach down and pull from the dust a battered but drop-dead gorgeous fallen angel. The angel's name is "Libertad" and the bad guys are out to capture her, and symbolically, all of our liberties. (A team of the best character actors available will play the Baddies. We will cast a bombshell for the part of Libertad.) They cuff her with wrist shackles, bringing to mind an image not unlike the coin on band's artwork. As they hoist her into one of their vehicles, they see the dust cloud of our approaching Heroes. They high tail it back to the ghost town that provides their hideaway.

Placing "Libertad" in a dirty, humid cell, she is victim to all sorts of unusual abuse from her filthy captors. The point of the scene is to depict their ruthlessness, feel her pain, and heighten the sense of urgency for Our Heroes rescue mission. I have some strong options in mind for this sequence.

Meanwhile, Our Heroes have spotted the hideout and will rely on clever tactics, explosives and stealth to get in and free "Libertad". We see their long shadows as they carefully approach, as a scorpion scurries out of the way.

Each of Our Heroes will have their own minimal cameo; and each might have his own stunt double. They will execute a rescue that might be seen as a cross between the great western films and a team rescue show such as "The Unit." (Always using cars instead of horses). I am very open towards discussing the individual scenario that each member of the band would be comfortable with. For example, Matt (or his double) might swing down on a rip line, crashing into the lights and knocking the exterior into darkness, minus a few burning oil barrels. While all of his action is taking place Dave and Duff might link chains to the bars from their muscle cars and rip the wall out of "Libertad's" cell from outside.

Striking singles footage will capture Scott delivering the lyric for us to intercut throughout as needed. A performance platform, within our key location, will be provided to allow us to cut to the full band as needed. (We will avoid seeing the band singing or performing while they are part of the narrative). Wardrobe will be open to discussion, though I want to be sure that they look strong and individualista at all time and never dressed in a clich?d manner.

Scott's dramatic narrative performance will establish him as a leader of our freedom fighter's rescue mission. We see him laying out a plan of action, directing his team, and finally reawakening the spirit of Libertad.

During the slowed down bridge of the song, Slash enters through the saloon style doors in super slow motion. He wears matching, black Les Paul's. With his distinctive high-hat he creates a memorable image. The Baddies at first laugh, then slowly get up to stop him. Suddenly Slash (or his stunt double) will symmetrically begin spinning the guitars in a manner similar to a "Bruce Lee" nunchuk scene meets "V for Vendetta's" classic knife fight. One of the bandit's draws a knife, but is pinned against the wall as Slash flings one of the guitars through his midsection. The second bandit will fire shots at Slash, who deflects them all with his second guitar. He then lets that one rip through the air, putting the second guard out of commission, just in time to grab a third guitar off his back and hit his stinging solo, now in real time. This scene will require a little wicked postproduction, ultimately giving us one of his most memorable music video moments conceived to date!

Towards the end of the piece, Scott will enter the cell and approach the captive angel. She falls weakly into his arms during the mellow moment in the bridge. He brings her back into consciousness.

During the solo's finale, we will create a visual treat as we quick inter-cut moments of our stunts with pyro explosions and individual acts of valor. Finally, the sky lights up as the damaged angel is gently placed into Scott's car. Our Heroes have rescued the fallen angel "Libertad," and will renew her ability to inspire a sense of freedom in us all.

The style will be that of a contemporary western. Careful casting, attention to details, and input from those immersed in the genre, will assure cinematic standards of the highest level. Velvet Revolver's cars will be loaded with all types of ultra cool modern communication equipment as they keep in constant touch with each other. State of the art stunt driving and our great aggressive camera technique will captivate the viewer's attention.

We have met with industry veteran stunt coordinator, the amazing Dr. Stunts ?T.J. White. Together we have begun discussing shots, within reach of our resources, for the liberation of "Libertad" (see attached notes.)

In addition, we have invited the legendary film director, Monte Hellman, to consult on shot selection. Monte has directed a wealth of classic films such as "Two Lane Blacktop", and the westerns "Ride The Whirlwind" and "The Shooting" (both with a young Jack Nicholson). He was a Producer on "Reservoir Dogs" and recent reviews have credited him as the major influence on Quinton Tarrantino and his latest film.

Having had a look at the album artwork, I would like to tie in the "Libertad" reference as a key part of our story. This will no doubt help for marketing and visual purposes. I would also suggest cutting two versions of our film - one for the airwaves and one "harder" version for the web and DVD purposes. Either way, we will bring to the project creative experience, resources, and heightened insights so as to create a video that will fully support the power of this most important band. Let's go to work!

Sounds like a cool video, and there was mention of a DVD too, maybe as a bonus with the album perhaps? : ok:

So there will be special effects, right?  :hihi:


BTW It sounds like a great video, thanks for the info!  :beer:

Wow sounds really ambitious!! Can't wait  : ok:

sounds cool, but it was predictable cheese with the whole thing turning out to be a woman they were after.

Very nice.

Good to hear the old boy is still in the game.

It could be a great video if it's done right but on the otherhand If it's done wrong than It'll probably end up being just another cheesy rock video...

*edit: darn typos

Hopefully not, and we'll get a great rock video instead of a boy band video  : ok:

That's exactly what I'm scared of, I hope this video will be tongue-in-cheek Just making fun of the cheesiness of it all...

some of the imagery reminds me of "show me how to live" by audioslave

They can't be serious with this idea... I mean 'Libertad' is somehow an ironic title, and as far as I know the album is supposed to tell Scott's view about the US politics... well, at least some way. ?The feel, the energy of Libertad is about the eternal struggle for freedom ? personal and social freedoms.?, he said. So this clip must be some kind of parody.

bwahahahahaha!!! what a joke!
it was too embarrasing too even finish reading!! oh lord, the cheese...

I really hope so? :yes:



And you signed up for that?, Wow guess we've just gotten ourselves another very intelligent poster...

Hmm, sounds... ok.
Some parts sound pretty cool, like the angel in chains, Slash's solo in the bar; but some of it sounds a bit odd, like muscle cars with all the communication equipment, and Slash throwing Les Paul's at people...
Could potentially be terrible... but could potentially be awesome! Look forward to seeing it either way.

Can?t wait to see it!  :D

surely this was a late april fools joke.

by far the worst idea for a video ever.

i mean.......it'd be perfect for a band like the darkness who like to take the piss out of themselves.

but velvet revolver?

"uddenly Slash (or his stunt double) will symmetrically begin spinning the guitars in a manner similar to a "Bruce Lee" nunchuk scene meets "V for Vendetta's" classic knife fight."

hahahahahha oh fuck. :hihi:

will be the most comedic video of 2007 atleast.

hopefully only 5% of these ideas are actually used.

but now that i think about it............the idea for muses video "knights of cydonia" would have sounded just as stupid on paper.

but that came out ok.

but thats muse and it seemed to suit them.

Either this is a piss-take, or the band have developed a unique sense of humour.  :hihi:

Sounds really....bad.  Hopefully they pull it off though.

Very cool.  Isn't it nice that you know that they are making a video already and you know when it is coming out?  I love the interaction with the fans with these guys.  You always know what is going on. 

i just want a performance video... dont want to see them trying to act.  :no:

From Blabbermouth...I didn't see a date before.

VELVET REVOLVER is in the process of shooting the video for its new single, "She Builds Quick Machines", with director Dean Karr, who previously worked with the group on the "Set Me Free" clip. Karr posted a treatment for the video on his MySpace blog and revealed that the band would be filming the clip on May 1-2. The overall theme of the video seems to be a futuristic western road movie. Check out the details at this location.

Good Lord - words almost fail me!? I haven't heard the song and can't comment on the storyline's suitability with reference to the track, but Karr will have to be a miracle worker if he imagines it'll be possible to give any of that tired, hackneyed narrative a "fresh approach".? Cliche-ridden and lacking any shred of originality, just reading the synopsis made me cringe - let alone seeing the man I once thought to personify coolness on stage demeaning himself by 'performing' in it.

Unless, as someone mentioned earlier, I've completely missed the point of course and it's intended to be a giant piss-take of videos from their collective past.? Or, maybe, given Slash's British roots, they're planning on making it into a kind of 'Carry On..' video, with Slash as Sid James, aka, the Rumpo Kid.? Now that I would like to see.? ;D

Time will tell..

It should fit perfect with the music they write.

i just heard this song on youtube from there rio show...is this seriosuly there first single? its horrible. ill wait till i hear the finished version but so far its really not up to par from there last effort. im really not trying to be a dick but slither is way better than this song. This sounds like a song some hot chick should be lyp synching too...

wow...hope they have some stuff that sounds like slith and ygnr on he new disc....ill even take some of there other songs over this

Seriously what other songs have you heard?

Matt Sorum has posted the following message on his blog:

"Hey everybody. Just gettin back out on the road. Had a great time in South America. Fans were amazing. Came home and made a video for our first single 'She Builds Quick Machines'. It's going to be kick-ass. I am playing a Harley-ridin' Freedom Fighter. Dean Karr directed. Old friend and super-talented guy. Anyway, played L.A., San Francisco, Seattle and flyin' now to Chicago. Fun to be out on the road again. The band is sounding tighter than ever. Playing a lot of new material on this small club and theater run. I hope everyone is enjoying it. Take care all and keep the rock alive!!!!"

In light of this treatment, heres an interesting video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=le_e9MRUMUU

OMG, I wonder how this video is going to turn out...