DECEMBER
31. December, 2000
What better way to end the year than with a great
pic of Stuart Townsend! This photo was taken at the St Albans warehouse on the last day of
extras shooting (8th December). (Special thanks to Krystel for this
pic!)
The IMDb has finally updated its QotD page to include what seems to be the
full cast and character list (what's known of it, anyways). These have all been reported
on my site in the past, and can be found on my Cast page. The
IMDb has now listed 16 actors along with 15 character names. Only Tayler Kane's character
remains unknown...
As far as I know, filming has now finished in Australia. As a
result, things have been pretty quiet lately and so there hasn't been much to report.
However, this is sure to change throughout the coming year... Happy New Years everyone!
Thank you all for your continued support and suggestions concerning this site. It has
certainly been an eventful year for the movie adaptation of 'Queen of the Damned', and
next year will see its much-anticipated release into cinema's worldwide! In the meantime,
I will keep searching for all the latest movie info to post right here! :)
24. December, 2000
It has now been confirmed that the
mysterious Napster MP3 was actually taken from an
MTV 'Diary' segment shot back in February of this year. The segment was filmed on a video
camera for for the US programme, hence the bad sound and hard-to-determine lyrics. Several
people who recognised the clip from the show have contacted me, and they claim the song
was definitely being worked on by Jonathan Davis and Sam
Rivers. I have been told that Jon also told the segment interviewer that he was working on
the QotD soundtrack. The word 'forsaken' is definitely heard in the lyrics... so, yes, the
clip could possibly be from the actual song called 'Forsaken', but there is no way of
confirming this until the official track is released next year. No official songs from the
QotD soundtrack will be distributed on the net before the soundtrack is actually released.
Another QotD site has been created by one of the ongoing extras in the film. 'The
Queen of the Damned - Extras Exposed' has been created by Mercy and can be accessed
through The Ultra Chamber. Hold down the
metallic wheels to enter, and then select the 'Queen of the Damned' link. Mercy has
included pictures of a variety of goth extras so, if you were wondering what people looked
like at the filming, here's a great opportunity to find out! :)
Finally, I'd like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I will be posting another update before New Years Eve,
although I don't expect there to be too much movie news between now and then! Still, I
will continue to work on updates throughout the festive season, with more set to be posted
soon after the New Year (and yes, that includes those much-awaited script updates!) In the
meantime, have fun and enjoy the holidays!!!
20. December, 2000
Update on missing 'Death Valley' t-shirts...
In my last update, I mentioned that
some Death Valley t-shirts are indeed being sold on eBay, along with some other internet
auction sites. There has been much speculation that these t-shirts are some of those that
were stolen from DQ Productions. However, the people selling these t-shirts have contacted
me in an attempt to set the record straight. They did acquire them legitimately, and I do
believe they are not responsible for the theft. The perpetrators remain unknown. I hope
that the following account will help ease any accusations towards the two sellers:
"Firstly, we would like to say the tshirts we
have had up for auction are no part of any stolen lot. We were given these at the event,
by event staff. Our circumstances are as follows....
Upon us receiving our 'showbags' at the conclusion of the nights filming, we boarded a bus
and headed back into Melb. Whilst on the bus I checked my tshirt only to find it was way
too small for me. I was upset and my Partner suggested we go back to see if we could swap
it for the correct size. We decided to find our way back, and upon arriving drove to where
the 'showbags' were being handed out, there were lots of empty boxes and only a couple of
partially full boxes left. I walked around and found 2 ladies - I asked them who was in
charge of the 'showbags' and was told they had packed up and already left - any 'showbags'
left were free to be taken as everyone there had received what they wanted. I checked what
was left - and the 2 boxes were only part full (approx 12 in each) one box had size 14 the
other size 16. I tranfserred both boxes into one - and they are the shirts we now have.
Also there was security still on the gate.
The first thing we heard about 800 being stolen was after we put some up for auction - I'm
not sure how many would fit in one of these boxes but I cant see anyone taking 800 via a
car .
Once we had slept the next day we decided to offer other enthusiasts the chance to own one
of these collectables. We have given some away to friends who have the same interest but
couldnt make the event and decided to auction some as well. We have received a few emails
(also a couple from the USA) thanking us, as they wanted to be involved as extras but
couldn't get to the filming - this made us feel great ! All these rumours that we have
anything to do with the stolen stshirts has saddened us and is detracting from the whole
experience. We had planned on putting some more of the tshirts up for auction, but now
feel that it's not worth being accused of a crime.
We have also contacted Ebay investigations to track the person sending the accusing email
to us and have it stopped - Ebay is aware of the circumstances, as soon as we were accused
we contacted them and set the record straight....
We hope this finally puts an end to these allegations and that the stolen tshirts will be found."
Many of you have contacted me about a mysterious sound clip that
is freely accessible on the popular MP3 site, Napster.
I actually discovered it a while ago, but I could not confirm its legitimacy then, and I'm
afraid I still can't confirm its legitimacy now. The clip has no real title, but can be
found simply by typing 'Korn' and 'Queen of the Damned' in the search box. The word
Forsaken can be heard in the lyrics and this has fuelled speculation that it is part of
the actual song called Forsaken that will be featured on the QotD soundtrack. The clip is
only 38 seconds long. It seems to have been taken from a recording studio as there are
pauses, changes in sound, and even people talking over the music. However, Korn fans have told me it definitely sounds like Jonathan
Davis so... perhaps it's real? However, like I said, I can't be sure. If anyone knows
anything more about this sound clip, please e-mail
me!
I have now added further updates to my Locations section with more pictures, links and full address
details. Another Script Suggestion has been posted,
and I have also added two more reports to my News Articles
section. These are from 'The Herald Sun' (7th December and 14th December editions).
Special thanks to Anne Paton for taking the time to type up the transcripts for me! :)
16. December, 2000
Well, it's taken me a few days, but
I've finally completed my new-look Locations section!
Areas covered now include the St Albans warehouse, the RMIT University (including Storey
Hall), Rosati's Bar, Portsea, Ripponlea Gardens, and the Death Valley Concert. I know
there were several other locations used around the city, but these are the only ones that
I've been able to gather information about so far. If anyone has any further details they
would like to share, please e-mail me.
Another new addition to this site is the News Articles section. I have now removed my old 'Local News' section and transformed it into an archive for local newspaper articles concerning the film. There is already a considerable collection of reports about the movie, and I'm sure there will be several more to add throughout the months to come!
Important announcement!
It has come to my attention that
there has been a theft of the commemorative t-shirts that were given to goth extras at the
Death Valley Concert. Details of how the theft occurred are limited. Some people claim the
shirts were stolen at the concert itself, while others claim they were stolen sometime
during the Friday night/Saturday morning. Either way, they are missing. The following
article has recently been reported by Jo Casamento in The Daily Telegraph:
"ABOUT 800 T-shirts
commemorating the concert scene shot for Hollywood movie Queen Of The Damned concert
currently being filmed in the southern States have been stolen from DQ Productions.
Confidential has discovered a person on the Internet auction site eBay is selling the
shirts.
Which begs the question: could they be the stolen ones? The sellers are offering sizes 12
and 14."
As this article suggests, there has been much speculation that the t-shirts are being sold on the popular auction site, eBay. While it is true that QotD t-shirts are definitely being sold there, it seems that this may have begun a misleading rumour... I searched the site, and I found only two t-shirts being sold. One is size 14 (womens) and the other is size 16 (mens). As of writing this, the respective auctions only had 19 hours to go. Current prices were AU$51.00 (approx. US$27.82) for the size 14, and AU$26.00 (approx. US$14.18) for the size 16. Yes, it seems these t-shirts can fetch quite a good price! However, the person selling these two t-shirts could have picked them up from the concert legitimately. They could have grabbed two bags, or simply got another one from a friend. However, at the same time, selling t-shirts one by one doesn't attract as much attention as selling 800 all at once. But then, perhaps the t-shirts have already been sold by someone else altogether??? The speculation continues...
Many of you have written to me expressing your disappointment and annoyance at this unfortunate incident. The theft is inexcusable. It turns out that all paid extras missed out on t-shirts, most likely as a result of this theft. I've heard there are absolutely no shirts left. Therefore, I think it is safe to say that whoever has stolen the merchandise has now acquired quite a few enemies! If you know anything about these missing shirts, please e-mail me and I'll pass the information onto DQ Productions.
11. December, 2000
Exclusive cast pics today!
These three pics were generously
provided by Duane Fernando who has been an ongoing goth extra on the film over
the last few weeks. These were taken outside the St Albans warehouse on the 8th December
where they held a great BBQ for all the extras, and allowed them to grab autographs and
photos with the stars. Duane said he *just* missed out on getting a pic with Stuart
(thanks to his security guard calling him away at the wrong time!) However, he did manage
to get one with Vincent... Click on the images above for larger images and descriptions! :)
My 'Music' section
has undergone some huge updates thanks to a very generous and reliable 'anonymous source'.
This brand new music information should put to rest any questions you may have concerning
the soundtrack and score. And, yes, the song lyrics have now been posted!!! More great
news is that my very own location pics have been scanned and have turned out very well
indeed... I am now working on big updates to my 'Locations' page, and these will hopefully
be up within the next day or two!
9. December, 2000
The first official pics have been released!!!
Click for larger images...
These pics were published in Friday's edition of
'The Herald Sun', and featured in Dark
Horizons. The first is of Akasha in full costume (yes, this was the costume she was
wearing at the concert!) The second is of Marius leaning over Lestat who is tied to the
bed for very good reason... sound familiar? I'm guessing this image is from the scenes
I've already posted in my Unofficial Script section (page 4, scenes 49-51) where Lestat has just taken the blood of
Akasha and Marius has tried to restrain him...
While the Akasha pic is great, and we can make out Marius quite well, we cannot really see much of Lestat. Don't worry, as more pics are definitely on their way! I have just received some great pics of certain cast members, and my own location pics are also in the process of being scanned. Plus, let's hope more official pics will be released soon!
Just
when I thought my cast list had been finalised, it seems we have another 'mystery' cast
member on board! Tayler Kane has been
added to the IMDb page and his character
remains unknown. Tayler is probably best known for his role as Rudi Kellerman in the
Australian movie, 'The Dish' (not yet released in the US). I actually found out about his
casting a few days ago and I've been trying to clarify this info with little success. The
only characters I can think of that may have possibly been replaced are Enkil or Mael.
Their roles are very small, and so I guess it wouldn't take long to shoot their scenes...
Still, these are cast predictions only, as there has not yet been an official character
designation. If anyone knows more about Tayler's casting, please e-mail me.
Filming requiring all those goth extras was reportedly completed yesterday. However, a
small group of these extras may still be called back for a shoot this Thursday... An
anonomous extra reported the following:
"Shooting for about 95% of the
extras finished today, however I'm still in a rather small group (the other 5%) in second
unit who might need to go back on Thursday to finish a scene - it's where Jesse is pushing
through the crowd just as Akasha bursts up through the stage. They filmed the stage
explosion on the main set with all the extras present... they said to look shocked when it
happens, but considering how big and loud it was it wasn't any problem trying to look
scared. :) Not long after they filmed another scene with Akasha floating above the
destroyed part of the stage, and she draws Lestat to her with Marius looking on. Looked
impressive!"
As shooting around Melbourne begins to wrap, I assume the next stop will be Los Angeles for all those 'location shots'! I have been told that all the props are being shipped overseas within the next week or two, presumably to the US of A! :)
7. December, 2000
My
Death Valley Concert Experience has
now been posted in its entirety! I have written everything in as much detail as I can
remember, and yes, my sightings of Aaliyah, Vincent and the band are complete. I am now
working on major updates to my 'Locations' and 'Music' pages... I have been inundated with
news lately, and I still have so much more to report! ;)
Important correction!
It has been bought to my attention that Stuart Townsend's hair was NOT black. It was actually medium brown with blonde streaks! From the audience perspective at the concert it appeared to be much darker, and I seriously thought it was black. I am sorry for any confusion that this observation may have caused! I can now confirm that Stuart's hair is indeed brown - and we will see some shades of blonde after all!
On a
more personal note... This site passed a massive 50,000 hits today! I created this site
almost 9 months ago, and I must take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you
for your continuing support! The response to this site has been amazing. It averages
around 400 hits per day, but these last couple of days have seen a dramatic increase to
570! I wonder why that could be... *smiles* As always, I will continue to provide all the QotD
movie information I can find in the months to come!
5. December, 2000
My Movie
Info section has finally undergone a much-needed make over! I have now divided it into
several sections. I've updated all the info, added some more pics... and yes, I have now
posted my first installment of my Death Valley Concert
experience! I am working on completing my account within the next few days... I'm also
working on updates to other pages, so it may take a while! You see, while in Melbourne, I
also visited several other filming locations including the RMIT, Rosati's Bar, and the St
Albans warehouse and I gots some pics! I am now waiting to see how well they turn out...
fingers crossed they're all okay!!!
Reports of people's concert experiences have been surfacing on several sites around the web... As well as my own account, I will be soon posting another page full of other people's views about the night. If you'd like to share your experiences, just send me an e-mail!
The Age published a great article specifically about the
Death Valley Concert today called 'Drama queens of
the damned'. The review is pretty accurate, and the reporter did well in trying to
convey the events of the night. Of course, once again I went out and bought myself a paper
copy in the distant hope that there might be a pic or two? Alas, there were none, but I
guess that was to be expected! ;)
4. December, 2000
Well, I'm back... and have I got some stories to
tell!!! *grins* The 'Death
Valley' concert was absolutely brilliant!!! I am still trying to get over the shock of it
all... I have to admit, I was totally AMAZED by the events of
the night. There I was expecting a few audience shots with 'filler' goth bands to
entertain us... I thought maybe I'd catch a glimpse of Michael Rymer and the crew doing
their 'thing'... I was under the impression that this would be about it... but I was SO
WRONG! The concert was better than I ever thought possible!!! My congratulations go out to
everyone involved with the production - well done, guys! And thank you for giving
Australians the opportunity to become involved with the production on such a grand scale!
Thank you thank you thank you!!! :)
It's going to take me a while to get all my thoughts and observations posted here on my
site so you'll have to bear with me... I'm now working on a brand new 'Death Valley
Concert' section... Unfortunately, I couldn't get photos of the actual concert itself.
Bags were searched and all cameras and mobile phones were strictly banned. But hey, if you
managed to sneak one in and snap some pics, I'd love to hear from you! *grins* In the meantime, I will be
describing it all in as much detail as I possibly can...
I'm still pretty hyped about the whole experience. I mean, I had no idea what was going to
happen. I went along with an open mind and ended up seeing so much
more than I ever expected! I can hardly believe it even now! So, what did we see?
We saw LESTAT! Yep, Stuart was there! And Aaliyah, and Vincent, and the band members of
Satan's Night Out... and they were in full costume!!! Yes, finally I can reveal how they
look in character!!! Let's just say I was certainly impressed, but more about that
later...
Right now, I have to clear up an important casting issue... I know how much mystery and confusion has surrounded the casting of Lestat. After we discovered that Tom would not be returning to the role, there were a whole series of rumours and speculations about who would replace him. When the decision was finally made, many people were sceptical of Stuart Townsend's casting. I think this was mainly because so many people know so little about him... However, let me put this matter to rest RIGHT NOW. Yes, I'm about to make a declaration here, and you can quote me on this (!)
**Stuart Townsend is going to make a brilliant Lestat!!!**
Okay, that's all I'm saying for now... All will be revealed tomorrow when I post my first installment of my Death Valley Concert experience!!! ;)
In
other news... The IMDb has now added two
more crew members to the QotD list:
Production Management
Production manager - Sue MacKay
Other crew
Unit publicist - Fiona Searson
And in casting news, Paul McGann has now been officially confirmed as David Talbot. David
was the only remaining character to be revealed. Last month, I announced the selection of
Paul McGann for the cast, but his role remained unknown. I predicted he would be David and
I was right! :) This now completes the cast list for the film
which can be found on my Movie Info page.
I
have recently come across two fantastic articles concerning the film. The first was
published in Sunday's edition of 'The Age'. I was
still in Melbourne at the time so I picked myself up a couple of copies! However, as
always, the article is also available online. It's called 'A second bite at
the cherry' and features info about the filming at Rosati's Bar, Michael Rymer, and
Australia's involvement in the film industry.
There's also a great article by Andrew L. Urban over at Urban Cinefile. I reported news of his audio
interview with Michael Rymer in last month's updates, but I've only just come across this
second written article. It's called 'A
Vampire Movie - My Bit(e) Part' and is all about Andrew's on-set experiences!