Many of us remember listening to 107.7 The End radio station when DJ Marco Collins was at the helm in the early ’90s. ?From introducing us to Weezer, and the?Presidents of the United States of America to leaking entire Pearl Jam albums on?the air, Marco Collins changed the way we listened to music in Seattle. A?documentary of Collins’ life entitled “The Glamour & the Squalor” has been released and is playing this weekend at the Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival (on Oct 17). It’s produced by Magnolia’s own Michelle Quisenberry.
The Glamour & the Squalor was the fastest-selling film at SIFF, and has gone on to win “Best Documentary” at Outfest Los Angeles and most recently the Programmers Award at Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham, AL.
Magnolia Voice had the chance to ask Michelle Quisenberry some questions:
MV-Tell us about how you got started in the business?
MQ-I have a passion for independent?film and particularly documentaries. I?ve been attending the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) since 1990 and have served on the Board of Directors for 7 years.? Through SIFF, I met Marco Collins?and we became instant friends.? When he was approached to have a documentary made about his life story, Marco asked me to assist me in weighing the pros/cons of such an important decision.? I then joined the project as a producer.? My initial role was to act as Marco?s liaison- to ensure that his story was told accurately yet honestly.? However, my role quickly evolved and it?s been nearly a full-time?job for?the past 3?years.? Now, I have the bug. I’d love to continue bringing the stories of visionaries to the world.
MV-How long have you lived in Magnolia?
MQ-My husband, Don Curtiss and moved to?Magnolia?in 2007 and we absolutely love it.? When we opened Volterra restaurant in Ballard 10 years ago, we were looking for a home nearby and we fell in love with Magnolia. It’s an oasis in the city.
MV-Tell us about the movie.
MQ-The Glamour & the Squalor is the story of Marco Collins, one of America?s last great rock radio DJs and a musical tastemaker that changed our culture. Before the internet made sourcing new music and rising bands a simple matter of keystrokes and RSS feeds, there was the radio DJ. No one epitomized this role like Marco Collins. He was the on-off switch for an artist?s potential career and was the gatekeeper credited for helping break the likes of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Beck, Weezer, Garbage and countless others. The film splices together archival footage of Marco and the bands he helped break with animation, recreations and interviews of Marco and the over 20 subjects that help shape his story, along with an original score by Pearl Jam?s Mike McCready. Marco’s?story extends far beyond music- battles with drug addiction and stints in rehab, as well as a life spent in the closet before becoming a champion for equal rights, combine to tell the story about a man whose relentless passion created a musical revolution
Michelle Quisenberrycourtesy of the Glamour and the Squalor website
MV-What challenges have you faced being a Seattle filmmaker?
MQ-We have an incredibly talented film community in Seattle. In order for the industry to flourish here, it’s crucial that Washington state expands its film incentive program so filmmakers can afford to bring their projects here. Film and TV projects bring money into our local communities but currently we do not offer competitive incentives.? More info on how to help the cause can be found at washingtonfilmworks.org.
MV-Anything else you’d like us to know?
MQ-We are just finalizing distribution for a wide release early next year but readers have one more?chance to see the film on the big screen this year.? We will screen the film on Saturday, Oct? 17 at 3pm at the Pacific Place as part of the Seattle Lesbian Gay Film Film Festival.? Follow our progress on Facebook and Instragram- glamoursqualorfilm and @glamoursqualor on Twitter.