If anyone was going to release a DVD celebrating the last decade of dance music in Australia, Mark James would be the man to do it. He has been at the forefront of the Australian dance scene since the early 90s, with his production company Future Entertainment, over 15 years of experience behind the decks and record collection surpassing 35, 000. Lucky for us then that he did.
What motivated you and Scott Zero to make the ‘Decade of Dance’ DVD?
We had been filming the events we had been putting on since 1996; just to archive or to show to potential sponsors what Future Entertainment is all about. And as the years went on we accumulated more and more film and thought this DVD would be a great opportunity to utilise all of this footage.
You compiled the soundtrack for the DVD, was it different compiling a soundtrack for a DVD?
Well it was always going to be about the music. The soundtrack came first, and then we edited the film to co-ordinate perfectly with the DVD. So when the music builds up we have footage of the DJ lifting his hands. It took hours and hours of editing but we are really happy with the finished product.
You say the music came first, so how did you choose songs for the DVD?
I wanted to choose music that represented the events Future Entertainment had put on as well as featuring the DJ’s who feature in the footage. So you have Paul Van Dyk and Push who played at the events featured on the DVD. A bit of a mixture of local music too.
How do you see people making use of a DVD like this?
Well it is something to keep, memorabilia. So when we grow old we have something to show our kids what we used to do. Bit like a coffee table book, but with a difference. A document of how music changed, memorabilia. At the Melbourne launch at Room 680, we had plasma TV’s every where with the DVD showing, it was great, kind of like a virtual party.
So, how did you choose the events featured, Future Entertainment has put on heaps of events?
The larger events featured, like the first Gatecrasher, Two Tribes, Renaissance and Slinky. Everything wrapped into one DVD.
Why did you guys decide to only include Melbourne events in the DVD? Future has a lot of events nationwide.
It is much easier to set up cameras in Melbourne then carrying around equipment all over Australia. In the early days we weren’t’ filming with the intention of making a DVD so we only filmed the larger Melbourne events. Hopefully the next DVD will have more of a documentary feel to it including interviews with DJ’s and shots of events all over Australia.
So you will be doing another DVD?
Well if people like it, then we will work on another one.
Does ‘Decade of Dance’ include your favourite club moment?
I have lots of favourite events but the millennium year party at Docklands was amazing, we had 20,000 people turn up then the next day at Summerdayze we had another 20,000 people turn up. It was a special two days and two nights.
The DVD shows lots of different stages of a Future event, from the beginning when only a few people have arrived to the peak of the night, what part of the night do you enjoy most?
The smaller club shows I get to enjoy more as there isn’t as much to do as there is during a big event, so I get to enjoy it more. With the bigger events we have to make sure we have our wits about us and everything is going to plan. Luckily we are supported by a good staff, so we have a bit of time to enjoy and have fun.
Did you enjoy compiling ‘Decade of Dance’?
We made it over the last year so it is fun finally getting it together and getting it out there and others enjoying it. We’re very happy and proud of it. Decade of Dance shows people enjoying themselves and partying. That’s what it is about, having a good time and we think that really comes across.
What’s coming up next for Future Entertainment and Mark James?
We have the Sydney launch of Decade of Dance coming up at the end of November and we are lucky enough to have my good friend John Digweed coming along to help us launch that. Then there is the summer events to plan for, Christmas, Two Tribes plus I have a new single out at the moment and working on a follow up album.
Decade of Dance is available now, with the soundtrack mixed by Future Entertainment’s own Mark James. Put it on and indulge in your own dance party at home, immersing yourself in the DJs, the crowd, the lighting and the sound. ITM-VIPs have the chance to win tickets to the exclusive launch of the DVD featuring John Digweed at Yu in Sydney on Tuesday November 30th. To find out more about ITM-VIP click HERE.
