“An Affair of the Heart” is a film based on the connection Rick Springfield has with his fans and they have with him. Total access and trust highlight the journey of an '80s rocker path to becoming a spiritual guide for his fans.
"An Affair of the Heart" is an independent film produced by Yellow Rick Road Productions and promoted by Doverwood Communications. This film is the creation of Executive Producer/Producer Melanie Lentz-Janney, and directed by award winning Director/Producer, Sylvia Caminer. Editor David Dean's genius permeates the entire film as he connects the viewers to Rick Springfield and his fans.
The Rick Awakening
The film " An Affair of the Heart" is how I rediscovered Rick Springfield and I am very grateful. I wrote about my epiphany in the article, Rick Springfield..'80s Rocker to Spiritual Leader of Rock and Roll. Like most people who grew up in the '80s, we wrote Rick off as a commercial Pop Artist when in reality there was a genius in our midst and we didn't realize it. Well, we didn't get it then, but some really astute people did. And this is the whole focus of the movie. When the world forgot who Rick Springfield was, his true fans didn't and have remained steadfast loyal for three decades. They kept the faith knowing that eventually the rest of the world would catch on. Well, I get it!! It took me only three decades, but I understand now. After viewing the movie, I guarantee you will GET it too .
How did this movie about a '80s pop rocker get made NOW?
Executive Producer Melanie Lentz-Janney went to Pepperdine University and graduated with a degree in Advertising and Marketing. She spent over ten years working at some of the top advertising and public relations firms in the country. Working with top talent like; Elton John, Dana Carvey, Kenny Rogers and media giants; Paramount Pictures, Miramax, VH1 and MTV gave her the confidence to open her own firm, Doverwood Communications in 2002. Melanie has been a fan of Rick Springfield since she was in high school in 1981. Almost 30 years later, that fan flame only grew and so did Melanie's realization that she was not alone. There was a fan subculture that fueled Rick Springfield's longevity and she decided to produce "An Affair of the Heart." This is the heartwarming movie that evolved from an article that Melanie wrote for the New Jersey Star Ledger, about that connection she had with Rick Springfield and the connection he had with his fans. These fans love this flawed rocker, they know all of his skeletons and they accept him regardless. His fans are the definition of loyalty and devotion. Rick rewards them with mutual devotion, sincerity, openness and access. Rick easily gives back more than he receives.
"An Affair of the Heart."
The theme of the movie is about the connection Rick has with his devoted fans. It follows seven devotees and their journey keeping the faith and making sure that when the rest of us came out of our respective comas, Rick Springfield would still be relevant and jamming. They are on the ground floor of his renaissance and are the focus of "An Affair of the Heart." Rick Springfield and his music are their common bond. Some fans never knew each other before Rick, but now they are the "brothers and sisters" of the Rick family. Rick sits at the head of the table and his thousands of fans surround him as his disciples. His fans transcend age, gender, marital, and economic statuses. Everyone is on equal footing at a Rick concert. It is a common sight to see three generations of his fans from one family at a concert or book signing. They spend thousands of dollars every year following him cross country to all of his shows and even go on vacation with him all in their pursuit of their "Rick Fix." Some of the fans have families they sadly leave behind as they support their favorite rocker. My two favorite fans showcased in the film are JoAnn Camporeale and Sue DeVita.
JoAnn Camporeale and Sue DeVita
These two beautiful women are devoted wives and mothers and also lifelong fans of Rick Springfield. These lovely ladies met through their mutual admiration of Rick Springfield's music. Living just 3 minutes from each other in New Jersey, they never met, but found each other thru Rick at one of his concerts and a friendship was born. It's probably why I liked them the most of the seven fans showcased in the movie. They complete the Rick circle and emulate the connections that Rick has with all of his fans. JoAnn and Sue attend a minimum of one show a month traveling as far away as Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Rick has a special connection with JoAnn and Sue as can been seen with Rick visiting them in their shared hotel room. A wonderful, "feel good" part of the movie is when JoAnn joins Rick on the stage to sing, "I Get Excited."
The story in the story
There is a story within this story with these two women center stage and it is the static that is created on the home front. They have two wonderful, supportive husbands who understand their need to get their "Rick Fix." These men are dealing with the natural opposition to sharing their woman with another man, especially a good looking, talented rockstar. It is a touchy subject and this is as far as I go. But I will say this, I have tremendous respect for the way both husbands support their wives and keep their wife's fascination with Rick in perspective. These are two healthy, good guys that any woman would be lucky to call their husbands. And these are two lucky husbands whose biggest worry is their wives are at a concert having fun and reliving their teen years in an innocent way. This is JoAnn and Sue's stress buster. It is a healthy way for them to refocus on their responsibilities as mothers when they recharge after an evening of their favorite rocker or a week long retreat at a Rick Springfield hosted cruise. Men have their diversions like football and golf. Why shouldn't women have their own passions?
"An Affair of the Heart" is a powerful film
After watching the film, it is hard not to reflect on the subculture of Rick Springfield fans. Some people see them as groupies and view it as an unhealthy relationship as shown in the movie. I bet this is the same critic who will devote themselves to a God they never saw or met, but see that as a healthy thing. Well, sports fans, these people have met their "crush." This isn't a "pie-in-the-sky" leap of faith. (Before you get all tiffy with me, I respect people that have faith. I don't. That's my prerogative, but I support your decision to believe in God, as you should reserve judgment on Rick's fans).
Smiles and Frowns
This is a two-way devotion. It isn't a crush as I just said. It is a relationship built on trust. Rick has had some bumps in his life and being a celebrity they are reported without hesitation. Media sites get viewers by being predatory hawkers of celebrity missteps. Dirt always sells well. Well, Rick Springfield isn't in the business of making people feel dirty, he is in the "feel good" business. Life can be described as one long series of smiles and frowns. We hope when we look back on our lives, we have more smiles than frowns when we depart this world. Well, Rick is in the "smile" business. That's all he does is make people smile. He makes people feel welcome. He makes them forget about their troubles. He makes them happy. He gives them goose bumps when he takes the stage. When his songs come on the radio, he transports them back to a happy time in their lives. Rick reminds some of their first love, their first kiss, or the necking in the Chevy after the prom. Rick transcends their lives. He is their mile marker of life. He invites people into his world and it is seen throughout the movie. Yes, Rick is a human time bomb who every few years will explode all over himself. That's his thing; Self destruction. But rather than focus on the "Bad Rick," his fans and I will sweep those few days under the rug, in exchange for his many years of positive contribution and the happiness he brings to so many people's lives.
Rick Connects
No one can fake their way thru a 30+ year career. People will eventually figure out they are being scammed. Well, Rick is the real deal. You get what you see. You take the good with the not so good. You look past his imperfection as a member of the human race and you watch as Rick peels himself like a giant onion exposing the core of his soul. Through the peeling, you discover yourself. Through his words and through his music, Rick helps others shed their "skin" and move forward past difficult life hurdles that for many are life and death struggles. Rick's "insanity" has saved his fan's sanity. His anger has empowered them to get mad and fight. His denial has allowed them to make a brief pit stop at the delusion of repudiation. And Rick's self acceptance has led by example. That people don't have to be perfect to be loved and have value. They don't have to be perfect to find acceptance. They can be their flawed, honest selves and Rick loves them and they love him. That's what makes this movie special.
The Power of film
Four long years of hard work by Melanie and Sylvia has delivered a powerful film. One they should be proud of because it captured the connection between Rick Springfield and his fans. We can feel that emotional bond between an '80s rocker and his fans. We can see the look in Rick's eyes that these "fans"; his family, are his strength. These fan's faith and devotion have kept him alive. Without them, Rick would have died long ago. His life was a train wreck waiting to happen, whether it be a headfirst dive into a fifth of Jack Daniels or driving his '63 Corvette off a cliff. His fans were his lifeline. His fans kept him relevant. They kept his music alive. They also kept him to themselves for long enough. This movie will unveil Rick to the rest of the world. We will join the other fans at his table. It is our turn to get to know him as intimately as they do. It is our second chance at rediscovery. We took him for granted once, let's not make the same mistake twice, who knows how long we have before the music will die. You can buy a copy of "An Affair of the Heart" at the Yellow Rick Road Store in either DVD or Blu-Ray. You can also get a copy at iTunes .
***Make sure you share this link to this article with 10 people who aren't a fan of Rick Springfield. Let's correct a wrong and let's help others find this genius.
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