Big! Magazinw - (February 2000)
"Boys on Film – Like a rose video"
Close your eyes. Imagine a huge aircraft hanger on the outskirts of London. Imagine walking towards the middle of the hanger and finding yourself in a fairytale winter garden, with white trees and an ancient statue of a lion. Imagine rainbow colored 3D images projected across this scene. Then imagine that sitting in the center of this are four dazzling boys called A1. Open your eyes. They’re still there. Imagine!
Ben, Christian, Mark and Paul are in the middle of shooting a scene for their latest video for Like a Rose. They’re becoming old hands at this video lark – they’ve already scored three top ten hits with "Be the first to believe", "Summertime of our lives" and the number three smash, "Every time/Ready or not". Meanwhile, their live performances have caused near-riots everywhere they’ve gone.
You should know the A1 story by now, but if you don’t (shame on you!), Mark can give you a little reminder. “Our mangers spent nearly three years putting A1 together and they only chose one of us through an audition. I’ve worked with other bands and I’m telling you, it’s hard to find four people with the same talent and dedication.” And let’s not forget incredible good looks, Mark! These four boys are extremely easy on the eye, although Ben – the baby member of the band and the one most likely to out-cute Leonardo in the heart-throb stakes – is very much the front man for Like A Rose. But he’s quick to point out that’s not a permanent arrangement.
“Ever since A1 formed we’ve been adamant
there wouldn’t be a front person,” he says. “We all write the songs and
we all take turns singing the lead. It’s all about who sounds best for
the individual song. I may be singing this one, but later down the line
it’ll be one of the others.” Ben stands in the middle of the set pouting
at the camera, while Mark and Christian sit down behind him gazing moodily
into the camera. Paul walks across the set pretending to look at the amazing
rainbow effects which aren’t actually there yet (the special effects wizards
will add them in later) before disappearing through a door on the far
side of the room. “Cut!” yells the director, and tells the boys to stay
where they are. After a brief conference among the crew, the camera rolls
again. It’s all a bit confusing, but the boys are obviously having the
time of their lives. When Mark clambers off set for a breather, he can’t
wipe the grin off his face.
“This is going to be a fantastic video.” He says excitedly. “We’re having
so much fun.”
In between takes the boys joke with the assembled crew. But despite the clowning around it's hard work and the boys are real pros. As soon as the camera starts to roll again, they focus on the job. The video has to be signed, sealed and delivered by the end of the day and the boys have been on the set since 6am. Despite the early rice there isn’t a bleary eye in sight. The boys all look ruggedly sexy, dressed from head to toe in white. Mark’s sleeveless tops shows off his muscular arms, while Ben and Christian look soft and cuddly in their winter woolies. Paul in particular is very happy with his spanking new clobber. “Do you like my trousers?” he asks, pulling at his white baggy biker types and spinning round. “I’ve wanted a pair like this for so long. I couldn’t believe it when our stylist Al showed them to me. They’re great!” He wiggles his hips and flashes one of his trademark cheeky grins before bounding off to watch the latest take on a tiny TV monitor.
Ben and Mark wander over, checking their mobile phones for messages before settling down for a chat. Mark leans closer (shudder!), “You know Ben wrote this song when he was 16,” he tells me. “It shows just how incredibly talented he is.” Ben is staring at the floor fiddling modestly with his hair. “I’m really proud of the song,” he admits. “It’s very poetic and I think it’s something everyone can relate to. We all go through relationships – some are good and some are bad – but we all keep looking for that special someone to spend our lives with. "Like A Rose" is my view of how a perfect love should be and what being in love is all about. It’s not just staring into each others’ eyes and skipping through meadows y’know, love is actually hard work,” Ben confides. “But it’s worth it when someone means that much to you.”
He leans back, gazing into the distance, while in front of us the video crew frantically run around moving things on and off the set. The trees and lion disappear, and suddenly a huge, empty room appears with high ceilings and enormous windows framed by luxurious silk drapes. A carpet of snow covers the floor, while a soft breeze drifts in through an open window. Christian wanders back in, “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” he sighs. “I wish I had a bedroom like this.”
He breaks off as Paul grabs him and the two run laughing onto the set so they can be the first to leave footprints on the fake snow. As they joke around it’s obvious that fame hasn’t gone to their heads. Ben leans towards me, “You know we’re learning all the time in this business. You’re always striving to be that little bit better. The moment you think you’ve learnt everything is when you become big-headed.”
Mark agrees. “I think we’re incredibly
lucky to be doing this job. “It’s all we ever dreamed of and more,” he
says. Before long the camera is rolling, the video is well under way and
four boys are singing, “I’m in love.” Just imagine…
Thanks to Crimson who took the time to type this interview and forward the scans.