A crazy thought...

[pilferk]

Do it.? Absolutely 100% do it.? But I have some sugestions:

1) Don't go actually expecting to talk to Axl.?

2) Film the WHOLE trip, from start to finish. You mentioned Micheal Moore in your post.? If you haven't, already, watch some of his older stuff.? That's what you're going for.? The shot of you buzzing the gate (His house is in Malibu, FYI) and being told to go fuck yourselves would be, if done right, just as satisfying of a climax to the documentary as actually bagging the interview...well, not just as satisfying, maybe.?

4) Do some interviews with those who live nearby, work nearby, etc.? Random people who probably know absoltuely nothing about Axl.? Come up with a set of GOOD scripted questions about Axl and GnR.? Don't worry if you end up with a bunch of footage from people who know NOTHING about the recluse.? That could very well be the point of the film.

6) Watch the M. Night Shamalamadingdongdong "mockumentary" from the Sci fi network (you can buy or rent it on DVD right now).? Lose the supernatural leanings, and that piece would be a pretty good "model" for you.

7) Do other stuff in California...but film as much of it as you can.? The whole film should, eventually, when you edit it, be about YOUR search for Axl, not about Axl, himself, if you get my meaning.

EXCELLENT...now that's the kind of feedback I've been looking for...I get exactly what you mean...

where can i get these Michael Moore films from the early days? and this is something I could definately sell to my friends (the idea).

I have approx. 6 weeks to get this all together so lay it on me... I like where you're going with this.

I have a few questions...

Have you any experience with this? What is the best way to approach people? things of that nature...what type of equiptment would you use...etc...

I love it...keep the ideas rollin'

For MM's "early" films, I was thinking, specifically, of "Roger and Me".  You can probably find it at the local WalMart...you can definitely order it off WalMart's web site.  About $14.  Excellent stuff, especially his interaction with/interviews with the corporate world. Ditto for "The Big One" (which can be hard to find...best bet is the MM Collectors set, though you may be able to find it on ebay on the cheap).  Bowling for Columbine should be watched simply for interview technique.  I'd just Fast Forward past the "montage" stuff, though.  Not that you shouldn't edit in some historical "montage" into this film...you should...but it'd be a VASTLY different style than MM uses....quite a bit lighter, I'd think.

I have VERY little experience with documentaries, and any expierience I have with "filmmaking" is vicarious (friends, etc).  That being said, if you have a camera rig, and look at least quasi professional, I don't think you'll have a problem getting interview subjects.  You just approach the "man on the street (or woman)" and ask if they'd like to be interviewed for a documentary film you're putting together.  I'll bet you dollars to donuts you don't have any problems.  ONE THING..very important...make sure, if you have any intention of showing this in public, you get them to sign a standard image release, so you can use their image without paying them.  You can find these forms out on the web.

For equipment, I'm not sure what you have access to.  I'd steer clear of a simple "home video" camera, if you can.  Try to rent something that looks a little more professional, and is going to give you a good quality shoot.  The Panasonic DSR-500WS is nice, but expensive (and big).  The Canon XL2 is likewise a big rig, but less expensive. The JVC JY-HD10U is smaller, less expensive, less full featured, but good quality.  You can find a multitude of older equipment, as well, for rental.  Just gotta look around. 

Another suggestion:  Find some old footage of the band...and I mean OLD...like while they were playing the Strip.  It's out there...the only caveat is you may have to find the person who shot it to get their permission to use it.  I know that some of the film out there has an easilty traceable geneology, specifically some of the home shot Roxy and Troubador stuff.    It'll make nice montage stuff and the rights are pretty easy and cheap (mostly free) to use.

[railroadblues]

Name it Citizen Rose ---

since Citizen Kane is about Howard Hughes

[pilferk]

Name it Citizen Rose ---

since Citizen Kane is about Howard Hughes

Actually, it's "about" William Randolph Hearst.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/kane2/

One of the greatest movies of all time. 

Rosebud.

[railroadblues]

Sorry. Of course you're right --- must've been confused with The Axilator - you know, this guy who wanted to do the biggest record ever but never got it straight

[leesixxrose]

If you can get past the gates... the cameras.... and then if your lucky to get past EARL... yes that big black motherfucker that looks like he could snap your neck that never leaves axls side....


yeah if you can do that you have a good chace of making your documentary....

You could have easier access to President Bush than you do asking Axl Rose your questions....

you wanted suggestions... My suggestion is that you use your vacation doing something usefull like chasing chicks or drinking or go to the beach....

[pilferk]

Sorry. Of course you're right --- must've been confused with The Axilator - you know, this guy who wanted to do the biggest record ever but never got it straight

I must say...I like "The Axlator" just as much as "Citizen Rose" (the titles...not the movies you're basing them off of...Aviator was good...but no Citizen Kane).

[railroadblues]

what about Finding Axl?

But seriously, it's not such a bad idea. As a closing shot, you could have those gates again and then turn the camera around and walk it down a stretch of the boulevard or whatever there is, in an amateur 'un-steadycam' manner, that would express the disappointment ---

[GNFNR_UK]

Everyone in LA probably knows where Roses mansion is. You can see it clearly at nite because of a large light shining from the property. The problem is getting onto the property. Rose doesnt open the gates for just anyone.

The gates will be no problem, listen to me, I saw this shit on a movie once. What you need is a piece of steak, smear it with poison and toss it over the gate so the dogs snack on that and ultimately die. Now all you need is a blowtorch to melt the lock on the gate and your in!

Seriously though if you think you have a chance of meeting the man, in the words of Axl himself 'You're Fuckin' crazy'