Saturday, July 19, 2014

The Girl in the Video: “The Boys of Summer” (1984) - again

Introduction to series “The Girl in the Video 2” (including list of interviewees).

The video: “The Boys of Summer” by Don Henley.

The girl-now-woman: Carol Seligson Fabi.





Though in the video for only a fleeting moment, Carol is memorable. And the video is so memorable that it is the first and only one in this series to be featured a second time.

How old were you when you appeared in the “Boys of Summer” video?

25.

Where were you living at the time?

I was living in Milan, Italy and visiting in L.A., where I grew up.

What music videos, shows, or movies had you appeared in prior to that?

I was modeling in Milan at the time, doing commercial and print work.


This may be the only photo Carol has from the 1980s. She lost 
her modeling book when she moved back to the U.S. 16 years ago. 

How were you cast in the “Boys of Summer” video?

I was working in Jeff Ayeroff’s office at Warner Bros. for a few weeks over the summertime and met [director] Jean-Baptiste Mondino. I am not certain how it all happened, but I think Jeff may have suggested to Jean-Baptiste that he consider me for the girl by the pool.

Do you remember what your reaction was when you were cast?

Yes, I was very surprised.

Where was the video filmed?

The video was shot on location and on stage. The pool scene was shot at a home—I believe on Blue Jay Way in the Hollywood Hills.

How long was the shoot?

I think 4-5 days?

How did you feel making the video?

I was extremely flattered and surprised that I was cast!

What was the hardest part of the shoot?

My participation was minimal so nothing was difficult. I remember that I was nervous about fitting into the gold lamé bathing suit. The costume designer, Katrine, was very kind and reassuring. :)

How was it to work with Don Henley? You don’t appear in scenes with him; did you meet him?

I met Don Henley the evening they were shooting the scene where he drives in a convertible down Hollywood Boulevard. I was with the producers of the video and we said a quick hello.

What do you remember about Charlie Hawke, the man on the beach?

We were not on the same shoot day. I remember that I loved the footage of Charlie and Claire running on the beach in the opening shot of video. The imagery was beautiful!

Any funny stories from the shoot?

At the Blue Jay Way location, the parking brake on the grip truck went out and the truck went rolling down the hill. Luckily, they were able to stop the truck and nobody was hurt.

Anything go wrong on the shoot?

Not that I knew about.

What did you think of the video?

I love the video. It brings back a series of great memories.

What did your parents think of it?

My parents didn’t know much about popular culture, but they did know who the Eagles and Don Henley were.

What did your friends think of it?

Friends were excited. The song was on the radio nonstop and it was an iconic video shoot to be a part of.

Were you at the MTV Video Awards when the video won a handful?

I believe I watched the awards when I was back in Milan. I remember the Warner Bros. producer, Randy Skinner, on stage accepting the award for Best Video [Video of the Year].

Did the video ever affect your dating life in any way (i.e. when you first told boyfriends you were the woman in it)?

Not really. I was engaged when the video was shot.

Did you receive fan mail?

I don’t think anyone knew who I was. :)

Did the video generate any controversy that you know of?

Not that I recall, but it drew a great deal of attention for the fabulous director.

What were you paid?

I really can’t remember.

Were you ever recognized in public?

No.

Did you appear in other music videos after that?

Yes, I was in the Pat Benatar “Sex As a Weapon” video. I was the nurse.


 

Did you ever meet other women who were female leads in a mainstream ‘80s rock video?

No one comes to mind.

If you went to college, where and what did you study?

I went to Immaculate Heart College and then transferred to UCLA. I studied sociology and Italian film.

What are you doing these days?

I worked for the Italian Film Commission for 12 years, produced wine/culinary tours with the chef and radio host, Evan Kleiman, and now work for Barbara Kraft Communications, a boutique PR firm in the visual and performing arts. I am also starting a concierge business (site is a work in progress) for visitors to Los Angeles.



Where do you live?

I live in Venice, California, with my fiancé and our two dogs.

What was your future husband’s reaction when he learned you were in this video?

My [former] husband thought it was great. He was in Italy during the shooting of the video but heard about the shoot through our friends. My daughter took care of informing my fiancé about my role in the video.

Tell me about your kids.

I have a 26-year-old son, 22-year-old stepdaughter, and 20-year-old daughter

What do they think of the video?

My 20-year-old daughter thinks it’s a hoot. She pulls the video up on YouTube every once in a while and has shown it to each and every one of her friends!

What did you think when you first heard from me?

I thought you had the wrong person.

Has anyone else ever interviewed you about this?

No.

Have you appeared at any fan conventions to sign autographs?

No. I can’t imagine that anyone would want my signature for such a minor contribution to the video.

Did you stay in touch with Don Henley or anyone else from the video?

Yes, I am in touch with numerous people from the shoot, though not Don Henley: Randy Skinner (the record company producer), Jeff Ayeroff,  Lydia Sarno (who has worked with Jeff for the past 25 years), and David Naylor (who was also in the video, a businessman). The director Jean-Baptiste I last saw in Los Angeles about nine years ago.

When was the last time you were in touch?

This summer. They are all friends of mine.

How do you look back on the experience?

With nostalgia. :)



Next: The Cars, “Tonight She Comes” (1985); Huey Lewis and the News, “Doing It All for My Baby” (1987).

11 comments:

tb727 said...

Wow I saw last year's didn't know you got another one up Marc! Great job per usual, so awesome reading this. So you got Audie and Carol now , is Claire next???

Marc Tyler Nobleman said...

Thanks tb727! I didn't find Claire but if I do, and she's game, I'd love to add her.

Martino said...

Thank you so much for your accurate research and the interviews, I finally found a site where somebody eventually talk about forgotten people (but not by us!).
I saw the "Boys of summer" video this evening after a long long time, and I wanted to discover who were the models, then I fortunately found your site. I hope you could find also the actors (Charlie and claire if got well) playing the girl and the boy... they were stunning in that video! Is it possible to be informed about that?
Again many many thanks!

Unknown said...

Hi Marc,

I noticed Carol mentions David Naylor of the people involved with the video as the businessman. I do know that a David Naylor is a producer of music videos. I'm guessing this is the same person. Have you done any interview with him? I haven't gone through your enter blog, yet. Just looking to see if there is any information on him. He may have produced it with Randy Skinner, I know she was a producer for this video.

Anonymous said...

Hi Marc

I have been told that Claire's full name was Claire Atkinson. She was a top British model who worked for the Ford modelling agency in the 1980s.


Julian

Anonymous said...

Here is what I wrote on her today:

https://davidcollard.wordpress.com/2016/05/29/the-girl-in-the-video-claire/


Julian

Marc Tyler Nobleman said...

Thank you Julian!

Anonymous said...

I was told by a guy who commented on my blog today called Oscar Reyes.

Julian

Anonymous said...

One further point. I think the Oscar Reyes who commented on my blog is likely to be the man of that name associated with "Elite Modelling Management". If you are interested in interviewing Claire Atkinson, he might know her contact details.


Julian

Tom Comelli said...

Great interview. Thank you.

Unknown said...

https://youtu.be/8-0upHlWfQ4
(The Ronettes "Be my baby" video)
I always wondered who the blonde on the upper right, in the front, second from the left was? She was freaking sexy!!