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  • Actor Adam Chandler watches as the barn located behind the old F.C. Cline Lumber building on Main Street burns. THB photo / Nicholas Benner

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March 27, 2006

Burn, Baby, Burn

Flames set scene of The Elms’ latest music video

By TOSHUA E. PHILLIPS

A Seymour-based rock band assisted Anderson in destroying a dilapidated structure Saturday. The production company and film crew working with The Elms burned it to a crisp, and Anderson Fire Department stood by for safety measures.

“It’s a public service type deal,” said Jerry Quire, AFD B-shift battalion chief. “We’re going to let it burn to the ground. It’s scheduled to be demolished anyhow.”

Days after Davis Excavating Inc.’s removal of hazardous materials, the film crew began set-up around 3 p.m. for the “Nothing! to do with Love” piece on The Elms’ “The Chess Hotel” CD. The midday scene captured Jack and Diane consumed with love at the beginning of the relationship.

“Rub noses ... little Eskimo-y thing ...” said Luke Renner, Fireside Pictures director, to Adam Chandler (Jack) and Calli Burk (Diane) while film rolled.

“That’s kind of an homage to John Mellencamp — his songwriting about people in the Midwest,” said Lori Perdue, second assistant director. “That’s what all artists do — base what they know and live into their work.”

Once Jack’s heart had been broken, he couldn’t stand the sight of the rendezvous spot anymore and got rid of it. The jilted character chucked a Molotov cocktail into the barn’s side. The blaze began at dusk.

So, behind the former F.C. Cline Lumber building, a red barn went up in smoke. And, naturally, spectators — friends, family and passersby — were attracted to the fire.

Renner and lead singer Owen Thomas concocted video ideas. The director acknowledged the “darker” scenes derived from his imagination.

Anderson’s Antique Mall was the scene for the band portion that will be intercut with barn scenes. The Elms’ other members are drummer Chris Thomas, Nate Bennett as the bass player and Thom Daugherty, lead guitarist.

“The Anderson community wants to see the eye turned back on it,” Renner said. “That’s why I wanted to film it here in my hometown. I’m thrilled about it.”

Renner said the building had been offered at no charge by the city.

Restaurant and hardware stores offered goods at minimal cost, he said. The crew shot footage in livable and condemned homes as a show of support by homeowners and others.

Dossett’s Garage, a local auto and repair shop, was ground zero for shooting on Friday.

Besides the two main characters, a mattress housed in the barn was the only other story prop rendered by the crew.

A McDonald’s cup, Sunkist 2-liter bottle, camping chair, comforters and a mound of clothes were said to be that of a homeless man, the director said.

“Being a local boy and having done enough independent films and small-scale videos, I’ve found clever ways to cut costs,” Renner said. “With some Hollywood films, the catering is thousands of dollars. They have massive crews. They’re just soaking up the budget.”

Video shooting continues for two to three weeks, Renner said, and is likely to be seen on major channels MTV and VH1.

“This is the real deal,” Renner said.

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John P. Cleary
Zachary Gillam, 16, and George Stokes, 19, go after a rebound as they play in a pickup game of basketball at Pulaski Park Monday afternoon. Late last fall repairs were made to the courts with new posts, backboards and rims along with resealing and painting the courts. With the warm February weather players have been getting out to check out the refurbished courts.

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