1.15.11 - St. Louis/Chicago

Not sure when I'll see my first edit online. The video is finished and in the hands of the higher-ups, but it will be up to them to decide when to post it. As soon as I see it, I'll link it here.

Yesterday we were in St. Louis, Missouri, where Ozzy and the band played a ridiculous set. I find I keep getting into the music while I'm shooting, which makes the job a lot more fun, but I have to also remind myself that I'm there to film, not to enjoy myself. With that said, I'm having a few laughs with members of the crowd. People respond well to the camera and the fact that I'm a kid working for Ozzy, so I use this whole gig as a tool to get stories out of people.

I buddied-up with the guys that set up the VIP package for concertgoers, and they told me someone flew to Missouri from Georgia to see the show. I wanted to capture her story on video, but couldn't manage to find her in the audience (I was told she was somewhere in the front row). Instead, I talked to a number of folks who told me all about their own Ozzy history. For some, this was their first show. Others told me it was over 20 for them. Almost any audience member I talk to is more than happy to share any Ozzy-related information with me. They're excited about the show, excited about the music, and I'm the one they get to tell.

I actually love talking to these people. It's a totally consequence-free conversation! If someone is rude, I can move down the line and talk to another one of the 4,000+ people at a given show. When people are polite and interesting, I've hit my target.

"One sec. Would you mind repeating that for my camera? I'm making videos for Ozzy's website and would love to feature your story."

That usually gets people pretty stoked about our interaction. In a way, it's like telling someone they've won a contest. Now they can watch the video online, say they were in a video on Ozzy.com, and show it off to friends and family. How cool!

Apparently there was also a member of the audience who made it on stage during the set. I didn't find out until in the van after the show when the band was talking about it. Apparently he ran behind Ozzy, behind the guitar player, and then jumped off the stage. I'm a little disappointed it wasn't more eventful. The tour is young, though.

Scottrade Center, home of the St. Louis Blues (NHL Team)

My own dressing room (behind that door is my own bathroom, too)! For, you know, when I get dressed and junk...

Today I got to relax a bit more. I went to lunch with keyboardist Adam Wakeman and guitarist Gus G. We got soup in a quaint little joint in Chicago, then hit up a Starbucks afterwords for some warm drinks and pastries. It might have been the simplest, most appropriate January meal I'll eat all month. I also left the camera in the room for this trip. On one hand, a soup run would have been great behind-the-curtain material. More importantly though, I want to do my best to establish a personal relationship with everyone I can on the tour because it breaks down the barrier of the lens between myself and the artists.

I forgot to mention the hotel provides slippers to its guests. Yes, I'm standing on a couch. What of it?

I also got a bit of a workout in yesterday. The gym is on the 20th floor, which was exciting for me, because I've never been to the 20th floor of any building beyond the wanting to say, "Hey, check out that view!" ...Here's the view:

More or less the view from my room, 20th floor edition.

Omaha tomorrow for a show. Slash joins in on the fun (he'll be the opener), then flying to Los Angeles. Everyone on the tour is feeling a little giddy for me since I've never been to LA before. I guess it's supposed to be cool or something, whatever. I also definitely keep stealing food from the flights. I jacked a tuna sandwich, some Peanut M&M's and Oreos yesterday (on top of our meal of a cheese plate (rock solid) and cesar salad (also rock solid)).