Successes for 'The Save Denmark Street Campaign
Over the past two years 'The Save Tin Pan Alley Campaign', which I set up in May 2014, has seen three building listed, upgraded and protected; namely number 6, the former Sex Pistols studio outbuilding and flat, which at the front also housed Hipgnosis - the former Pink Floyd album design company run by Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey Powell . Number 7 is also upgraded and fully protected since March 22nd while 26, the former 12 Bar Club music venue, is saved for posterity with its ‘Old Forge' or ‘Smithy' having been moved while they build the new 200 standing-room-only venue beneath it. Meanwhile, recently signed deals put in place alongside new ‘Section 106' Planning Legislation will save many music-based retail businesses in Tin Pan Alley with upgraded protection as they undergo a further five year redevelopment process on the back of ‘Crossrail 1', which is due to open in 2018
‘Tin Pan Alley Tales - The Film' - Crowdfunding now atphundee.com
‘Tin Pan Alley Tales - The Film' (click to see their video)will feature exclusive stories from Denmark Street - the world famous 300 year old street of music. These will be told by twelve people who've either lived or worked there since World War 2. As with Geoffrey Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales', each ‘Tale Teller' will come from a vastly different background and career. So far we have exclusives from ‘Skiffler ‘Chas McDevitt who's offices were at 6 in 1956; Dave Davies who participated in the Kinks demo's of ‘You Really Got Me' at Regents Sounds at 4 Denmark St, Sex Pistol Glen Matlock whose Grandmother lived at 6 in the main building, too; and author Will Self who grew up around the corner from the street.
This film won't be solely concerned with the four key aspects of Tin Pan Alley's history that are known to most (music publishing, song writing, studio recording and music retail). The film will also reveal hitherto untold and secret histories concerning the street. These tales will be told by key people that I've either personally located or by those who have privately approached the campaign over the past two years. Expect exclusive untold tales pertaining to David Bowie, Ozzy Osborne , Black Sabbath, and the Rolling Stones amid secret histories outside of music, but also from within the street itself.
We will be interviewing the famous and the infamous and the known and the unknown. These will be their particular tales, their personal memories and their witness to over 100 years of Denmark Street's colourful and diverse history; tales from the greatest music street in the world.
So why crowdfunding?
Seeking documentary commissions in conjunction major production companies and TV stations can become a quagmire of executives, commissioners and third party interference, leading to a lengthy and seemingly never ending process of compromised development that might actually go nowhere after having spent many months or even years of pre-planning. Sadly, commissioned documentary film making can be hugely compromised if you are not very careful. Hence the preferable crowdfunding production route that we are taking here through Phundee.com
Video
https://vimeo.com/164817759
London Live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWKnkUo82wk
Henry Scott-Irvine
Producer-Director
Founder-Organiser of Save Denmark St Campaign