I Want My Rock & Reel

Some may argue that the fusion of rock and roll and film peaked back in the ‘70s with flicks like Brian De Palma’s Phantom of the Paradise, or Milos Forman’s Hair. And for others of my generation, the best example of this fusion was MTV in the ‘80s when they actually played kick-ass music videos. Who could beat Guns N’ Roses’ November Rain (a rock-themed wedding where Axl Rose’s wife dies at the reception during a freak torrential rain storm, and Slash leaves the church during the funeral to belt out a killer guitar solo)? And of course, arguably the greatest rock song and music video of all time: Dire Straits and Sting’s Money for Nothing (the long version!).

Ah, those were days, right? Well, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Today there’s a whole new generation of directors and musicians that is not only trying to relive the glory of the past, but defining a whole new genre of the music-film experience. And that’s where Providence’s Rock & Reel comes in. Set to begin in March of this year, aspiring filmmakers and bands will have the opportunity to combine their talents in a project that will offer prizes, screenings, and a live concert from the winners sometime later this spring. Visit RockandReel.org for more info.

Gene Simmons of KISS once said that, “Music comes from your heart and your balls …” So if you’ve got the chops and the guts, then it’s time to amp up the guitars, warm up the skins, and fire up the cameras. It’s time to Rock & Reel, baby!

Who knows – the next November Rain may be born in Rhode Island. In March.

Bio:

Nicholas Iandolo is the author of two books on screenwriting: Cut The Crap and WRITE THAT DAMN SCREENPLAY! and Cut The Crap and PITCH THAT DAMN SCREENPLAY!, as well as the Sci-Fi eBook series NLV (a.k.a. New Las Vegas). Follow him on Twitter @cutcrapwrite, email: nick@tenthsphere.com.