Jean Claude VAN DAMME in his Jeans Factory RAW RUSHES FOOTAGE

Watch the completed edited TV interview show here: https://youtu.be/yjZEddc8g9g
Action Movie legend Jean Claude Van Damme meets British actor comedian Richard Blackwood in a British comedy interview TV show I produced in 2001.

Mr. Van Damme was very kind, funny, good-natured and very generous with his time.
He showed us round the factory making his Dammage7 brand jeans, in a time before everybody had merch.
At 3:35, see how I effortlessly bring the entire shot to a halt, when Mr. Jean-Claude Van Damme asks The King Of Jeans to make me a coffee to wake me up.
This is why I am a Series Producer. "Coffee for the man, he's sweating a bit!"
Found in my loft on VHS - it will never be shown again - This is raw Van Damme!

Jean Claude VAN DAMME in his Jeans Factory RAW RUSHES FOOTAGE



Transcript:
I was NOT safe with him!
I don't know what happened to Richard but now I know the real Richard!
That was cool gag.
Yeah, it's cool.
He helped me driving.
So let's go see how do we a stone wash the jeans.
Let's stonewash the jeans! I'll show you some stuff.
Here's the washing process - HEY GUYS!
How are you?
Ça va? How are you?
¿Cómo está, señor?
Bien amigos.
You're on TV England channel.
And those guys are making the jeans. Everybody.
Film the crew right here!
Film all of this, get all of that.
All my friends... and they're also here.
Cool.
They are the best.
What's up?
Film these guys they make the jeans.
S'up!
Wanna jean?
You wanna jean?

They look like they're finished. Is this all your line here?
No... they have the Lucky Brand, you've got Guess, you've got Gap...
Oh, okay...
Oh oh oh oh! AND of course... Dammage 7!
Ah, there you go!
Be careful of your lens! I came very close!
Yeah that was actually quite good.
OOhhh! [MARTIAL ARTS NOISES]
Your kicks are very good! Your kicks are very good!
The best! And that's where they put the jeans and they wash the jeans, I'll show you.
Okay, come through.

Oh, let's bring somebody - Arri, Ari, bring a guy and (whistle noise). Inflate the... M-F.
That's wind. That's hot because working here... and it produce also lots of dust and everything, so they don't get sick in their lungs. We have to be careful. All this stuff go away. And they wash the jeans with a... actually, can we have one?
Think I knew a girl with some legs like this once.
It's lunch break so it's great for them.
Okay, s'up!
They'll come soon.
S'up!
Film these guys having lunch right here. They're at lunch these guys.
¿Cómo está? They'll put you on the TV.
Alright! Okay.
Here's some people.
Gracias. [SPEAKS SPANISH]
How you doin?
How are you.

He's a people person, Jean-Claude Van Damme. I know he's that.
Hello, it's Richard.
Nice to meet you.
He's a very famous-- (star in England)
English presenter--
And now he's going to be a famous guy in America, and he's also a singer, he's an actor, and he has a TV show... and we're going to show him the process of how to make jeans for the Dammage7 jeans, but also this lady she's the king of jeans - she's working for all the big, big brand in Los Angeles, and I'm sure you're gonna beep me, but like Lucky brand, Guess, Gap, all those people.

There are a lot of beeps happening there but Dammage 7 is what we're interested in.
She's doing a great job for us.
They have a nice high-end line, and that's what's happening to denim.
All the big, high-end lines they wanna make it nice, they wanna make it good, make it something.
I hear that, I hear that.
So where is his brand, where's his Dammage7 stuff, where's that?
There's some samples in here but we keep it under lock and key until it's in the stores so nobody else sees it...
I understand.
So we're getting an exclusive right now.
You want to see- You want to see we have a new--
(OFF CAMERA) Demonstrate how they are made.

We made a brand new jeans, which she doesn't yet know about it. Er, for a big-- we cannot tell the name yet who we're gonna work with... (I understand)
on camera, because it's not yet...
Official
Official, exactly, better English.
Yeah. Of course.
Hey! Hey!

Don't forget the subtitles, Producer (I haven't thank you Mr. Jean-Claude Van Damme)
Come here Producer!
Every time I make a mistake in English, you have to put subtitles.
Subtitle!
And that means 24 hours a day for me.
Yeah.
All subtitles.
Because he's French. [Sorry, he's not, Richard.]
I mean I understand what he's saying, but just for the rest of the audience.
Okay?
Yeah.
Okay.
You always like that?
Yeah, yeah.
Okay, good.
You like a coca cola, a Pepsi cola to wake up?
A coffee?
That'd be lovely, yeah.
You wanna coffee?
Can we have some coffee?
Coffee for the man, he's sweating a bit!
He's very tired, he's working on stuff.
Have you got any Pepsi, or anything like that for me?
I'll have a Pepsi.
[JEAN-CLAUDE TO ME:] You know what, I'm gonna put your head in the machine.
Let's put him on the stone wash machine!

Do you know what, you're actually taller than I thought you would be.
Excuse me?
You're taller than I thought you would be.
Oh yeah?
A lot of people said you're short, but you're quite tall. What are you 5'8"?
5' er... 5'9".
5'9" yeah you're very tall!

I love your shoes man.
Yeah well I got these for free. At Dada's. Dada. But I like yours, those are Prada, right?
Yeah, yeah, yeah. For small feet.
Yeah well, I'm a size 10, what are you size 8?
9. Jeez-- That's because they're white.
Put your foot forward a bit! That's not-- that's not-- Is that the back of your feet?!
You know what they say about people with big feet? You know what they say.
Big feet... big, hands.
Big hands, big wallet. Okay.
Hey, you gonna show?

Show them how they use the jeans.
This is El Patron, Jorge.
I'm Jorge.
Hello bro.
Cool.
Jorge's cool, man.
It's kind of cool because people they're gonna see like... what they call a "movie star" like a normal guy right?
Yeah, that's what they want!
You too, you're a normal guy. And we're here in the factory with very normal people and they can see how they make jeans... plus the movie... and all the--
It's another side to Jean-Claude. The other side.

Hey Jorge [SPEAKS SPANISH] Like we're sparring! [SHOTOKAN NOISES]
See he's good! He's got the moves!
I reckon I could take him. But I ain't gonna try, know what I mean.
So they put the pants-- Camera! Camera! Camera! Hold on...
Camera - here.
[OFF CAMERA:] We've got a tape change!
We'll just do a tape change real quick.
One minute, one minute.
Uno momento... Gracias.
[SPEAKS SPANISH] Loco.
You're learning some of the Spanish, I notice there.
Si.
[FACTORY NOISES]
Come. So they inflate the jean, see?
Okay.
The way you want it, with this pedal.
Yeah.
Okay, and I think a special (CHEERING)

Look at the way he's gonna wash that. Not wash, he's gonna, he's gonna do the--
Oh the fade thing.
The sand blast. Sand blast the jeans. By hand.
So, every one's done by hand?
Yes, all of them. But it goes so fast, they're so good.
You getting this, this is exclusive stuff!
It's a trained hand here, this guy is special.
They're non-stop, and they're very good - they're the best.
(OFF CAMERA:) And you!

This is my, by the way that's Arri, Arri Arrous, who's my jean designer.
Oh okay.
He's the head of my company. Dammage 7. He's been in the jean business for the last 22 years. He's sacrificed all his life for jeans. But now finally he's going to work for his own brand called Dammage 7. He's the best.
So... I feel like I can know you now, can I get some free samples?!
Yes. We're going to make a special jean for him.
That's what I'm saying.

We have a new jeans on the market - you're gonna see like very unusual... let's go see the red jeans, you want to bring it here.
Thanks bro!
Ari...
Good stuff, good stuff.
Look at this right here. Yeah, look at that.
Cool, no?
That's bad.
On the-- I'm going to put on these jeans.
[SPEAKS FRENCH] When you open, it's the thick button and the small one because the other car's the small one, it's vice versa.

[RICHARD: He's making him move the car, move the Bentley, he's gonna let him move the Bentley, because my Bentley you can't ever get near it.]
You want to ask me some questions?
Yeah well the thing is-- oh, right-- But I want to know about, so what made you go into fashion?
Huh?
What made you go into fashion?
What?
[LAUGHTER]
What made you take that route?
No because, I don't know I want to do a special, a special jeans, that came with a special--
[OFF CAMERA:] Can we just stop you for 2 seconds, I just need to put a radio mic (microphone) on...
Yeah they need to put a mic on you.
Do we have to? Let's just leave it like that.
[OFF CAMERA:] It's very difficult - it's picking up a load of noise.

[STREET NOISES]
Excuse me, could you back up this is Jean-Claude's car I don't want you... scratching it.
Just get back there please. Thank you.
Park behind them! Right there, behind the Mercedes.
Yeah. This is Jean-Claude's Bentley. You know. He's wants to talk to you actually. Because, what he wants to do - come here.
You alright?
Yeah I'm fine, I'm more than fine! I was in his car.
We're in gang territory by the way, I just want to let you know that. We're in some serious-- Who the hell! Alright!
No what I'm saying is... Gang territory, know what I mean.
JEAN! This is the Producer guy, about next week?

Hello Jean-Claude.
Nice to meet you!
Thanks, really good to meet you. Thank you for er--
I was saying about what you were saying about next week.
Yeah, next week?
Yeah, when you come back, Monday, he said? You take off at the weekend?
Yeah that's right.
Monday, we'll fit in on Tuesday - okay we'll just see yeah?
We'll work together, yeah?
Fantastic yeah, are we safe here?
Excuse me?
Are we safe in this area?
Yeah you're safe. Those people are great. They're the real people, those people they go see my movies, and they go see your TV show, your TV.
Those are the real people.
Yeah.
We are like half-real, half-fake.
[LAUGHTER]

Was Richard okay in the car?
Yeah... he put his hand on my leg, and--
Now you see I don't know why he's trying to take it there.
I was NOT safe with HIM!
I don't know what happened to Richard but now I know the real Richard!
[LAUGHTER]

That was cool gag.
Yeah, it's cool.
He helped me driving.

So let's go see how do we a stone wash the jeans.
Let's stonewash the jeans! I'll show you some stuff.
Here's the washing process - HEY GUYS!
How are you?
Ça va? How are you?
¿Cómo está, señor?
[CAR DRIVING NOISE]
[FREEWAY NOISE]
I'll open the big gate there, you have a parking - follow me do U-turn there. Okay buddy hold on.
[CAR DRIVING NOISE]
Excuse me, could you back up this is Jean-Claude's car I don't want you... scratching it.
Just get back there please. Thank you.
Park behind them! Right there, behind the Mercedes.


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HOME SCHOOL FAIL KS2 LESSON PLANS TightwadDad Vlog KS2

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Why I went bald? TightwadDad Vlog

Why did I go bald in 2003? This is probably the hardest video I've made so far, showing my son the fate that's probably in store for his head... by showing him archive footage of me from Meridian Tonight 1993 and BBC News 24 in 1998. Is this the best way to get him ready for when that day comes... when he'll consider going Grade 1 (3mm)?

WHY I WENT BALD? Best hair shaver Wahl Cordless Colour Pro #TIGHTWADDAD VLOG



I really can't find the best head shaver though, so trying this: the Wahl Colour Cordless Pro (what makes it pro?!)
We're unboxing it with a tiny review to see if THIS is the one.
(It sort of is. I prefer the Remington clip on comb attachments, but maybe that's another video).
You can buy it here! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (Amazon UK) https://amzn.to/2PcSN0L
(Amazon US, where it's called the Wahl Color Pro) https://amzn.to/2obMoIe

TRANSCRIPT:

Do you wanna shave it?
Are you sure?
Yeah, go on. AGGGHHHH!

Hello YouTube we are going to show you this!
It is the best head shaver in the world.
I guess we're gonna put this on the Tightwad Dad vlog?
Security man.

So, you want to see this nice - we're gonna break into it as quickly as possible.
But I thought this would be a good chance to show you head shaving
Are you going to put the thing on my head?
Now... if you walk out the shop, it will make a noise.

So oh you have a lovely head of hair and I don't think... I don't think your hair's gonna end up like this?
Hope not.

Should we cut to like a shot of granddad saying the same thing to me, but in 1983?
I have to start do I?
Yeah
You, you have a lovely a head of hair. I don't think your head's going to end up like this!

It's the Wahl, Color Pro cordless!
This is what you get in the box
Wait!
I've tried one or two in the past...
These are exactly the same.
But you can't tell - you can't tell from the box. This is the biggest problem - this is why I wanted to make this video.

So I've actually had about ten of these so this is... welcome to number 11
That's what the handset looks like. What else is in the box?
You get different coloured combs for different lengths of hair... thing.
The one I use, do you know which grade I use?
Number 1, 3mm
So you spent all this money just to get, this, and a new shaver?
That's exactly right! That's exactly what all of this is about

Just one comb because obviously I'm not gonna shape my hair different lengths and that's the whole problem with buying hair clippers. It says...
Oil!

There you go. "Oil blades before using" but I've never oiled my blades!
You get a charger and bizarrely Joe, look, you get scissors with the clippers?
Maybe the scissors are used to open the-- the pack?
And there's a comb as well - as if to rub it in... how bald you are. They give you a free comb

But I've not found the ultimate Clippers yet and I think this THIS will be the one
It also says "great for family cuts"
But that's only if you use it on your head.
Right the combs clip-on like this--
Dad, a bug fell out my hair.
Do you wanna shave it.
Are you sure?
Yeah, go on.
AGGGHHH!

No it doesn't, it feels good.
It breaks your brain.
Is any hair coming off?
Yeah--
I didn't oil before use!
It's genius. They give you scissors. Dad...

Why do you think I still keep a little bit of hair?
I want you to grow some more.
You want me to grow it longer?

Hey I've got some footage - right so this is what I was like before I started shaving my head. When I had hair all video footage of me, with hair, is from TV news footage
Oh my gosh.

This is me in 1990, no, 1993
Let's see! Oh my gosh.
And then five years later - yeah - this is what I look like
This is when I thought that chunky oatmeal knitwear was a thing and walking around in Edinburgh
Five years after that I just went nuts one night and shaved all my hair off.

You're like Homer.
"You're having a kid?! AGHHGHGH!"
"You're pregnant?! AGHHGHGH!"

This is the hairiest I've ever been.
There you go. That feels really good.
Now usually these combs on things like the Philips, they're really sharp. My head is delicate.
How do you focus?

I've never seen my head from this angle.
This is what the back of your head looks like.
OH! There's a big gap!
No! That's what the back of your head looks like!
Does it? I've never seen it!
Right hang on, hold still.

See, hair IS coming off. It stays onto the shaver.
Yeah, that's because I oiled it. It's a big oily mess now.
Wow, you can really see it can't you.
That's what the back of your head looks like Dad.
I don't like it.

THIS - all of this - is bald.
Woah look it comes off, look.

I bought this - it's the BaBylis For Men... and it was absolutely useless - the smooth glide -
Can't you just give it back?
It says this -- this is the thing you can't take them back
And you can't like give it to someone because no man wants another man's hair shaver.
Then the trouble with this, this was a really good idea look I'll show you this...
Hand me down.
Yeah hand me... around.

Look, this - you're supposed to follow the shape of your head and that's that's good but it says it's a number three and it's not it's just too long
I look like a hippie.
But this this feels like a proper Grade 1.
Ugh it's coming off onto your hair.

I know - it's all that oil.
Ugh it's disgusting.
You're better at doing it than me.
I know but you gotta learn because you've got to do this some day.
Uh Oh.

I will never cut my hair. I wanna look like a hippie.
I'll have long hair for life.
Dad, I'm having long hair for life.
I wanna get your ear. I don't wanna get your ear.
Go on try it. Try and get my ear, it'll test the safety.

There we go. I can see the hair coming off. It's like an easier version of mowing the lawn.
You're getting grey, you're hair is going grey! It's everywhere!
This is why I don't shave it all off, down to a Grade Zero, because I want to know that I can still grow hair. I want people to know that I've still got it
I don't think you can.
I don't you think I can't either

Hey look now we've got these trimmings do you want me to donate these to your school for an arts project?
Okay. Why not?

So I've been looking for one of these for a long time - you know a shaver that actually does the job and doesn't hurt.
If you've reached this point in the video thanks for watching hope it's been useful.

Leave us a comment or give us a thumbs up just to let us know somebody reached this part of the video and good luck with your Wahl Colour pro cordless Clippers
There's a link in the description for somewhere to buy it and we might get some pennies for that and I hope you have a beautiful hair free future
Look at this mess! We'll have to clean up all this mess. I'm not. I'm going to watch PewDiePie. I'm gonna shave my head some more.
Can you please help my daddy get 1000 subscribers just click on his face thanks bye how's that?


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IMOVIE Can't delete project - video can't be moved to trash, error message? How to fix!

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Try my previous book! (UK) (US)

Being cool to the really cool older kids in Gospel Oak Primary school. Orchestra. 1981.

(I can name every kid in my class. I cheat, with a copy of the school concert programme, but I can still name them. I won't in case they want their privacy... but I know they were in my class.)

I remember really clearly being in thrall to some kids two years above me in Gospel Oak Primary School.

They were so cool because they were the Saxophone section of Mr. Hays School Orchestra.

(Richard Hays is uber-famous to the kids of NW3 - there used to be a facebook fan page dedicated to stories about him on Facebook, and he deserves a post in his own right. One day.)

In breaks, the three of them - in my head it was William Palin (son of the comedy god and national treasure), Demitri Doganis (the BAFTA award winning documentary filmmaker) and Alex Garland (Oscar award-winning novellist who wrote The Beach and 28 Days Later etc etc, but was better known to me then as Theo's big brother).

I'm sure I've got these names wrong - but those three were definitely in my school in the year above, and hung out with each other, and were really really cool.


(This is where it happened - only photo I could find of the hall was from this flooring company.
Funny thing is it's the exact angle I remember staring from as a kid).



They would play "that" tune from Geno by Dexy's Midnight Runners.

In the next little break that came up, I mustered up the courage to have a go at it on my clarinet. (I only started the clarinet so I could get up to a Saxophone, which I never did. Maybe my parents just told me that because they couldn't afford it).

Anyway, having worked out the tune under my breath to get the notes right, I let rip and blasted it out. And the three of them did a double-take... then... made approving noises and - William, in my head - said "Look at him - he can play Geno!" and they all gave me that older mentor nod of "hang in there kid!".

I was in seventh heaven in the second year.
Is it on - or in - 7th Heaven?
Either way, I felt cool.

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How Broadcast Magazine photos are done.

How Broadcast Magazine photos are made. (In 1998).

Photographer:
Dont smile. Look down.

I look down.

Photographer:
Now look up.

I look up.

Photographer:
WITHOUT moving your head.

I try doing that, but I can tell he still hasn't got what he's after.

Photographer:
Now look like you don't want to be here.

(See also "How to look AngryDrunk in print")


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