Apologies if this has been discussed before (probably 4 years ago), but now that I have too much time I am re-watching old Queen concerts after a long time and I noticed something interesting in the Rainbow footage.
The X marks on the floor.
I have seen them there before, but now I have realized that I don't remember seeing them in any other concert footage. I have now checked all the video recordings I have, and I didn't notice the floor marks on any other date. Now did I miss it and the marks were common, or at least in the early days? Or did they use them only in the Rainbow concert(s)? If so, does anybody know if they were used by the band as a part of their choreography or if they were there because of the camera crew / director needed them?
badboybez · Member since
Usually marks are put on the floor for the 'performer to hit the mark' as in the theatre world - especially back in the day when they was little intelligent lighitng and the lights were more or less fixed onto one spot.
sahm · Member since
could be for when they do now im here
Mkls · Member since
its a sign from bruce gowers 'i want my money back' - .. (sorrry couldnt resist)
earwig · Member since
I've just been watching Bowie at Glastonbury.... he has a mark to hit too. But its a 'T' rather than an 'X'
Vocal harmony · Member since
As badboybez has said, they are cue marks, usually for lighting for a set piece in a certain song (songs).
They are also used in theatre, directors marks, where they mark either places for actors to stand to deliver major lines or places for movable scenery to stand.
Technology moves fast, on the last Queen tour both Brian and Adam wore very small trackers which the intelligent lighting could lock on to. In theory if Brian for instance walked from the B stage up to the main stage, behind the drums and back again almost every light in the rig could follow him, while changing through 28 different colour tones.
pittrek · Member since
Well I know WHAT these marks ARE and WHY they are used, I was more asking why did I notice them ONLY in Rainbow. If it was something what the band used or if it was something what the director of Rainbow used
Queenman!! · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]pittrek wrote:[/b]
Well I know WHAT these marks ARE and WHY they are used, I was more asking why did I notice them ONLY in Rainbow. If it was something what the band used or if it was something what the director of Rainbow used[/QUOTE]
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The Rainbow shows were videotaped by a few camera's and were planned to be the first official Queen video release at the time. I'm not sure if there were plans to show itin the cinema. I read something about it in the past. The video director used these crosses/marks
and yes the marks were for the close ups/ solo parts of the bandmembers of Queen
Makka · Member since
Just guides for the performers on stage in regards to cameras and lighting.
AlexRocks · Member since
Really? How would it have been their first planned video release in 1974? Before there were any market for them by years?
emrabt · Member since
I've not checked it out but it's likely to be the spot where a set camera used for close ups focuses, anyone standing there will know they will be in focus.
As for home media releases it would likely have been on a home format for home projection.
dysan · Member since
Guys.. we know what it was filmed for. Come on.
emrabt · Member since
Do we though Dyson?
In the new movie continuity world we live in maybe Paul Prenter prevented it being sent to cinemas.
dysan · Member since
The Queen Mandella effect? You might be right.
Queenman!! · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]AlexRocks wrote:[/b]
Really? How would it have been their first planned video release in 1974? Before there were any market for them by years?[/QUOTE]
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According to a lot of sources Live at the Rainbow was mend to be Queen third album release at the time. The concerts were videotaped to support the live album at the time through cinema or TV.
Source:
That electrifying show was recorded by Roy Thomas Baker, co-producer of Queen's first four studio albums, and slated to be the band's third album (and debut live album) - a career defining release like James Brown's Live At The Apollo or The Who's Live At Leeds. Intended to be a recording that captured the magic of a live band firing on all cylinders, Queen: Live at the Rainbow '74 would undoubtedly have been a big success. But Queen's ferocious creative momentum produced a stack of new songs begging to be recorded and instead of releasing the live album the band went into the studio to record what was to become their breakthrough album, Sheer Heart Attack. As a result the completed Rainbow live album was shelved and consigned to the archives.
