Nikita

While Sam was studying for his degree in Atlanta, I was working in the film industry in Hollywood. This was mid-1980s and I was hanging with another old and dear pal, Brad Laven. We were hired to produce 5 karaoke music videos for $5000 (for all) to be completed in 5 days. I wrote the concepts and directed these videos. Brad produced and kept the majority of the money. These karaoke videos are special to me. This was the first paying gig that I had complete creative control over. They may be a bit cheesy, but they have pretty good production value considering they were shot for next to nothing in no time. By the way, the 5 days included pre-production, production and post-production. The $5000 included the producer, director, cameraman, editor and actors. Believe me, it does not go far. Half of the time our actors, who were paid $100 for their talents, didn't show. That's why I'm in three of these videos and Brad's in one. I never made it big in Hollywood, but I have a weird feeling I'm a huge star in Thailand, or China and just don't know it. Hey, you never know. It's possible. Karaoke's huge over there!

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Karaoke
• Brad Laven
• Joel Ross
• Joel Rosenman
• Elton John
• Nikita
• Lake Hollywood
• Soviet Union
• Russia

[joelandsamfilms]

I don't like it either. I just saw Elton John's original video of it and I think I like mine better. Boring! Great name though.

[2720ni]

NO NOT THAT SONG

[joelandsamfilms]

Hey, I didn't have a choice. That was what the company gave me! You try making a Karaoke video out of a 30 minute song. Argh!

[MrJusinas]

new version on youtube stefan Nikita :)

[frankonerovier]

Best Karaoke-Version!

[2720ni]

I just don`t like that song... love the name Nikita becous that my name... but I din`t like the song