Scorpions Film from the Fan's Point of View

[No One Like You]

After meeting so many cool Scorpions Fans at the 07/07/12 Jones Beach Meet and Greet, I felt a synergy from being with all these like-minded people at a Scorpions Concert..here they were, just like the Scorpions and their songs..Witty, Sexy, Kind..Interesting!! Even tho I know there is some fireworks between fans with all their differing opinions and backgrounds and that can be informative as well as entertaining, I thought it had all the elements of a great film..Obstacles, conflicts, common goals all in the name of supporting this genius of a Band, The Scorpions. I was joking with Drew (Flyingvee) and Cristy (VictoryRawks) and we were lamenting that so many people have not been met altho they have been on the Forum for many years and that a Film would be a reason for The Scorpions to come back to North America one more time??

The other angle to add to the interviews with fans alternating with Footage of Concerts and the Big After Party (Optimistic-yes!) would be to have an interview with the Boys focusing on the Best and Worst of their interactions with fans (honesty is MJ's forte' I hear) Because I imagine it could be both touching and Comical, and so that we can make life more enjoyable for them.

After this initial idea about North America, I then met so many AMAZING International fans, since becoming more involved in the Forum. I had no idea there are so many on here..In the Member Directory I counted 298 pages 20 fans on each page, so almost 60K? maybe there should be two films? or at the very least one? When (optimistic here) The 2013 Tourdates are announced, we could see which Location gets the Most votes North America and/or Worldwide.If it's North America maybe a central location, If it's worldwide, (a Castle!!) in Germany or maybe in Japan, The Original Tokyo Tapes site.

Or even if the Film is in a Country where they've never toured. I met a fan named Gisli at Jones Beach, who is a fan since 6 years old, for 25 years he wanted to see his beloved Scorpions, they have never been able to travel there..But there is more films being made there now, because it is so pristine, private, Beautiful! Ben Stiller is there now, Game of Thrones is filmed there.. Maybe Iceland??

I have volunteered for The Florida Film Festval for the last ten years here in Orlando, so contacted The Film Programmer in hopes of finding someone who might be interested in being involved in such a project. producers/directors? He assured me sound like a very interesting Subject, but suggested I contact the band (I wrote Matthias) and Forum Members.

So here I am. Ideas?

[flyingvee]

Yes, we did discuss this and it's a great idea. But not trying to be a pessimist but just thinking about how things have gone on here the past few years I worry about this. That the idea can be developed and a basic structure set up, but then in the end having some other people in higher positions coming in and talking over the project and leaving out the very people that we'd want to be the showcased fans. Like instead of the forum fans being interviewed, it turning out to be people that buy a super expensive ticket to participate or even management getting to pick participants. I look back to the movie Rock Star which was supposed be called Metal God and was going to be the story of Ripper Owens, but the movie people came in and wrote him out of the story, fictionalized it a bit and made a movie. So here we'd have to deal with the same sort of movie industry weasels and also we know the Scorpions management has not been reliable lately when it comes to fans.

But I also liked Beth's other idea, which was along with filming such a movie, to also hold the 1st annual Scorpions convention, much in the way that they do Kiss conventions. Have fans, merchandise, tribute bands, it can be done depending on how many people would attend and so on.

[Deleted User 13688]

It is a sticky situation when it comes to Peter Amend, since last time when scorpsnews tried to work with North American management; Azoff. See, even after Amend gave them my phone number to call me and I started a relationship with the rep of Azoff and then being that I was a Street Team member; turned them onto scorpsnews.com's webmaster, Gil and his admin; Scott...for whatever reason that we still don't know today, shut us down quick when he saw that we were going to go full force with the adverts and the interviews, etc.WHICH WE WERE GOING TO DO FOR FREE I MIGHT ADD, I would be afraid that he would put a kink in the cog on this project.

However, I think if we were to get some reps from several countries and they would interview fans, then this could take on some merit. There was a time when I went to Costa Mesa 2008 Scorps show and I had my vidcam and I went around and asked ppl to ask a question for Matthias for him to hopefully answer via a video on his website. Well, I don't know why, but that never got addressed after I sent him the questions. So another problem is, would the boys take the time to even care about this? As much as I love the guys, respect them and admire them and know they love us.....they have their own ways and thots and they don't always coincide with our ideas....no matter how great our ideas can be. Case in point, doing an on air interview with a certain member on a very popular internet station that would have gone out to hundreds of thousands of ppl. Well, it was totally ignored. I am not quite sure why they don't have an agreement of the minds of the fans, but I guess it's cuz they are staunch in their ways and maybe refuse to loosen up and give the fans credit for having some damn good ideas.

Also, I will say one last thing, I want to really try this, BUT not if it's going to be sabotaged by folks who hate that they are not doing it and bombard James or Matthias, since they are the only ones that have public ways to contact them, with hate mail to make this something the boys want nothing to do with due to too much drama bulls**t! I am speaking from past horrid nightmaric experience, that some fans are just not in this for the Scorps and can cause harm.

So if anyone else is on board and is not in it cuz they want glory, but just want to be part of a great project, please add your ideas to this thread.

AND I think that since America hasn't ever had a huge party/convention like other places like Greece, for fans and such, I would love to see one done here. PERIOD!! I would love to see Herman there with us too. But it cost money and he will be starting a teaching job in China next year!!

Beth, Matthias can get quite busy at times and he gets hundreds of emails per day, maybe if you could contact him again in about another week or so, if he doesn't answer right away.Let's hope he does answer you and that he finds it a great idea!!!! PLEASE MATTHIAS, OPEN UP YOUR MIND TO THIS!! Some of us can get the media on this and there would be some awesome recognition from the States for once!!!

[Scorplady]

Well, just to chime in a bit. I love the idea - it's sort of like the move Fanboys, but hopefully less geeky.

However I think it's best if we do it ourselves. For instance, I'm heading to the Munich, Germany gig and I can bring my HD video camera and get everyone to answer a question on camera since there should be so many people there. Should be plenty of crazy fans like myself and I would be happy to do that.

Then we can get folks that are going to the other gigs in other countries to try and do the same if there is a fan gathering (or even in the queue waiting to get inside if it comes to that - as long as they allow cameras of course).

Then once we have enough footage we can splice it all together (I'll happily do that if needed) and then we send it over to the guys in the band and management to see if they have any commentary to add. I'm betting they wouldn't mind adding to it.

I think while it would be great if there could be an actual budget and maybe a few of us would be lucky enough to be flown around to do these gigs (who am I kidding - I'll quit my job for the opportunity!) we should take the idea and run with it on our own. Just in case we don't get a response from you know who.

So I'm offering help but it will need to start with Munich. Maybe we can get others who are going to the other countries?

[flyingvee]

Let me chime in with this. So along those lines, along with your footage, what if we got fans to submit a quick video answering our (the fans) exposure the Scorpions, what they have meant to us and/or memorable moments? Something under 30 seconds, interspersed with concert footage relating to what is said. For fan purposes this works, but to go further, anything containing any Scorpions music and video footage would have to be okayed by badn management for public use or distribution. Any lawyers on here?

[Deleted User 13688]

Let me chime in with this. So along those lines, along with your footage, what if we got fans to submit a quick video answering our (the fans) exposure the Scorpions, what they have meant to us and/or memorable moments? Something under 30 seconds, interspersed with concert footage relating to what is said. For fan purposes this works, but to go further, anything containing any Scorpions music and video footage would have to be okayed by badn management for public use or distribution. Any lawyers on here?

Just Amend, Drew!
And Joanne, Beth knows someone in the film industry. I don't know if he will do it without band permission, but actually, unless we are selling the name or whatever, I can't imagine why the band or whomever would stop this project. However, we were stopped with dealing with Azoff, even AFTER Amend seemed to have given his permission by having Azoff contact me! So who knows what he can do. But why would anybody, whether it's a band, musician or management STOP the free publicity and promotion? It can only be an awesome thing for the boys!
Joanne, I love the Munich idea, similar to my Costa Mesa idea. It would also be so very cool, if you would contact Matthias and ask if you could visit his store and sit down and ask him fan based questions. And not the same-o same-o interview questions, blahblahblah! Let's get some unique questions, some anecdotes, etc. I once had a fan deliver MJ a set of questions regarding MJ Guitars that he was going to answer, then he got busy and I bet he lost that list. ha Anyway, so just an idea.

[YNWA]

Great idea Beth...

....and Joanne, I`d love to join in the start of the fanvideo in Munich. I, actually, was thinking to record something as a movie, but different one, but so far I`ve shared this only with Adriano, cause I though there is a lof ot time till October. But, of course, since you will be our director and editor (hope u`ll accept the roles ), I should email you soon, what`s on my mind!

[Scorplady]

Great idea Beth...

....and Joanne, I`d love to join in the start of the fanvideo in Munich. I, actually, was thinking to record something as a movie, but different one, but so far I`ve shared this only with Adriano, cause I though there is a lof ot time till October. But, of course, since you will be our director and editor (hope u`ll accept the roles ), I should email you soon, what`s on my mind!

Hahah - well I'll happily do whatever we need to so that we can document the amazing experience we'll all have in Munich. If Beth's idea works out with the band/management then maybe we can get it included with that (I hope!). So count me in!

Looking forward to hearing your ideas, I just had a few myself that might be fun too!

[Deleted User 13688]

Great idea Beth...

....and Joanne, I`d love to join in the start of the fanvideo in Munich. I, actually, was thinking to record something as a movie, but different one, but so far I`ve shared this only with Adriano, cause I though there is a lof ot time till October. But, of course, since you will be our director and editor (hope u`ll accept the roles ), I should email you soon, what`s on my mind!

Hahah - well I'll happily do whatever we need to so that we can document the amazing experience we'll all have in Munich. If Beth's idea works out with the band/management then maybe we can get it included with that (I hope!). So count me in!

Looking forward to hearing your ideas, I just had a few myself that might be fun too!

What about the MJG store idea?

[Scorplady]

What about the MJG store idea?

That would be a great location to have a video shoot - we could have a field trip to the MJ store.

But Cristy maybe you should see if he would be interested.

[Deleted User 13688]

What about the MJG store idea?

That would be a great location to have a video shoot - we could have a field trip to the MJ store.

But Cristy maybe you should see if he would be interested.

I think that either you or Beth should ask him, I have asked him so many things for him to consider or do that he gets frustrated with me. He is a good person and I consider him a friend, but I don't think he takes me too seriously. I still shake my head that I suggested guitar pins years ago and finally he made guitar pins. ha So you and Beth get your pretty heads together and come up with a great written proposal and send it to him with a very catching Subject line: so that it catches his attention since he gets so many per day! I would hope that he finds it a very good promo thing and for him to be in America's media again???? I think Scott should weigh in on this too. He has run scorpsnews.com even before THIS website was created. He was SUPPOSED to have been the interviewer for the boys back when we all were part of fan based promo with Azoff Management. So, I would love to hear HIS ideas as well! He has a lot of connections too.
I sure wish MJ would be serious about doing a Skype interview with me. But he just doesn't take me serious enuf.

[No One Like You]

Wow so many great ideas, sound advice based on experience!!

Joanne, great idea with the interviews and collaborating with Curry and involving MJ Guitars Cristy that's a win win. What sort of interview questions? Like Drew suggested a 30 second segment on 1) How have the Scorpions affected your life?

Funding by The Management would be great. but like you said JoAnne I wonder if wishful thinking. Of course still need to get approval from Management. I have not heard back from MJ yet I believe it's been a week. I wish I was Gates I would fund it!

At the Florida Film Festival two years ago there was a Filmmakers symposium and the Programming Director who chooses all the film for the Montreal Festival was there, saying Canada has a lot of grants and incentives for films shot in Canada, I will see if I can google it, or even ask the programming director here what he knows of it. It's considered a documentary Right?

It would be great to have other countries on the rest of The tour also Interview,and maybe those of us on forum who want to participate provide JoAnne (Thanks JoAnne great offer see how positive begat positive? ) of splicing.

Then when a Worldwide or North American Convention date is set to coincide with their 2013-14 Tourdates we can finish with Interviews from the band about the Best and Worst of their experiences with Fans or what Cristy was talking about as far as other questions. I would like to see how they view comments such as "They will go down in history" How do THEY want to be remembered as impacting the world?

Sites for a convention that have been suggested Tom-NY, Drew-Orlando (I like those) Germany, Iceland, Japan.

And the Final Footage would be of the concert and huge party. Right?

After the Anvil Film...Hey-they're Canadian I wonder if they got grants? need to find out... I saw them at the House of Blues. I think there may have only been 500 there..I stood near the stage age right next to The parents of the drummer Rob Reiner, and they told me stories before the show started of the guys friendship since boyhood,.Yes, and Lips played his guitar with a vibrator. (see photo 5 in my FB Album- Lips playing Mothra- https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 119&type=3) It was a kick ass concert, they played their hearts out. The band said they would come out and take pictures and sign autographs for anyone who wanted to stay, they were so happy to be playing again..it was very touching.

I envision a party after the concert like that somehow..I imagine if all comes to fruition there would be a lottery- FOS Fans first- and decide what the number or people would be. (?)

[Deleted User 13688]

Yeah a short synopsis from the fans of how Scorps affected them. Not long and drawn out. And as for questions at MJG, fan questions that are carefully picked out so that none of them are silly or inane or the same s**t you hear all the time. Such as, are you going come to such and such a country or are you going to play such and such a song? .....instead, questions that are unique and intriguing and intelligent. Also, wouldn't it be grand, if one of the other band members were at MJ's store at the same time so he *whoever* could also answer fan's questions? Whoa!

I am surprised right now that nobody else is stepping up to the plate; "on board" for those who don't know what I mean. There are so many of you who are going to this year's shows and yet it's sad that you don't want to be part of sthg that could very well be a huge booster for the boys. Not to mention that it would be an amazing adventure for the fans. So come on folks, lets get it going!!

[Scorplady]

Hey Beth! Thanks for putting the wheels in motion - my brain has been spinning out all sorts of ideas we can do for Munich (and hopefully other places!)

What we need to do is have a couple of plans designed, for all the different possibilities - first would be the basic with just the fans and a question we ask everyone. (I'm thinking maybe in the bar we all meet at with a cool backdrop flag and a place for people to sit) Time limit - while we all love to ramble on and on, we need to keep the answers short and I think 20-30 seconds is max. We also need to decide on what to ask everyone. We also need to make sure everyone knows where to meet and when of course.

Now if really cool things happen and we can do this at Matthias' shop - that would totally rock and give us a different angle. We can even do funny poses with the guitars for sale.

Now if the coolest thing happens and he is available for a short time, we can ask him the questions directly (or just hand him the list of questions...not trying to stump him, just trying to have some fun). Bonus would be if any other guys in the group would show up. But I highly doubt that this would happen, we would have to do it the day before the show and I can't see Matthias showing up at his shop when the city is filled with his fans. But hey I can hope! Of course being funded would be fantastic!

Canada does have some grants for films, at least I have heard of them, but mostly will only go to film students living in Canada, but if we can find some that are just for residents then I can qualify!

There would definitely be parties all over the place for the final event. If we got support from the band (well management) they could set us up at a hotel somewhere and we could have a real get together with cool prizes and the like.

Cristy - I'm not too worried about folks not stepping up, I think that between you and Beth over on this side of the ocean and myself and Curry over in Munich for the first stop - we could get what needs to be done. Then when everyone sees how much fun it is, they will want to be a part of it in other countries and we can get volunteers.

[Deleted User 13688]

I think there needs to be more involved tho cuz there are so many cities that need to have a rep to do the recording.
As far as MJ being at his store.....the last time there was a Munich show, he was at his store doing an M&G right before he headed over to the venue. Lots of fans showed up. So if he is in Munich either before or after the show, why not see if he can take some time to do the interview? I had a friend who did that and MJ was so awesome to her, took the time to take her into a quiet part of the store before the fans started showing up and another fan did that too at an M&G Matthias had at his store and filmed it.
And why can't someone like James be there too? He's been there before with Matthias.
And I don't think we need professional companies to be part of this nor the management. Sure wish we could hear from others who are more experienced with this. HELLOOOO????

[Gabi6912]

Hey Joanne, Curry, I will be happy to join to your project in Munich, of course.
I like your idea as well Beth.
I wish, a complete international fanproject became reality.

[flyingvee]

Well I'd like to hear some input from Scott, tom and Sherry on this too. Maybe as a prequel we can do the 30 second spots from several people and have someone edit them into a piece, just to get it started, and then work on filming fans at shows, and if there are ever to be any more US shows film at those too.

As for a convention, that could turn out great if planned well. I only mentioned Orlando as a spot because of the large convention presence here, but seems NY would be a more logical spot as if there were to be any future tour it most likely would be in NY on the east coast.

[No One Like You]

Thank you Gabi, I'm so excited that you and Joanne and Curry will be there together!

And Drew good points again. Tom, Sherry and Scott must be having a bang up weekend, hopefully they will be here giving input soon. The prequel and plans for convention all seem very do able. I nominate Tom, Sherry and Scott in absentia to organize the convention once the Tourdate are announced.

I loved being in NY, but wonder between NY and Orlando which is least expensive a stay, and which is less humid if it's a hot weather date. I'm hoping for cool weather, Maybe it seems minor, but of we borrow from Curry's dream's thread, I have only seen them in the hot summer, would love a change in weather.

[YNWA]

So, my idea was quite different, but it was also about fan movie. Since a lot of ppl, not only from Europe are comming to Munich show, I though it would be awesome if everyone shoots - with mobile, photo or video camera, his trip from the very beggining - airport till the very end - saying goodbuy to eachother.

I imagine it with not so much talking, more action, lot of music as a background and very dinamic. Starting may be with the map of the world and lots of airplains (as a animation) going to a one certain point - Munich. I imagined that everybody will shoot different things - from arriving in Munich, walking and sightseeing town, eating in a pub to MJ Guitars, FOS meeting and, of course, show and after the show.

Then, putting the most interesting and funny parts in the common video. So, it will be like a short movie for our expierience! But, I don`t know if it fits with Beth`s idea, since mine is only for Munich. But.. we can do 2. We`ll try to organize Beth`s one so that it spreads and becomes worldwide and the second - stick just to Munich show and just for us, so that when watching it after 3,4,5..10 years, it will bring so many good memories!

[Gabi6912]

I really don't wanna be a boring, repetative parrot, but I really like your idea Curry, and will be happy to be a part, if my hungarian Fosfriends help me to record the most important details of our trip.
You know..... I am going to trawel with them from Budapest by car.
Am going to leave by train from my hometown to Budapest, I won't be able to record that part, but it is not important.
The very first important one will be our happy meeting my partners in crime at the station in Budapest.