Chat transcript from AOL live w/Andre Csillag

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Date: Aug 10, 2000
Source: AOL
Submitted By: IVY C

On July 24, AOL Live presented a chat with Andre Csillag, the author of and official photographer for 'Backstreet Boys: The Official Book.' The authorized scrapbook features over 300 exclusive photos of the band on the road, hanging out and performing. Captions written by Howie, AJ, Kevin, Nick and Brian accompany each photo and were assembled by Csillag.

AOLiveMC3: Welcome to AOL Live, Andre Csillag.

Andre Csillag: Hello to everyone.

Question: I love your book and think it is wonderful. Have you ever thought about doing a book on another pop band, such as *NSYNC?

Andre Csillag: Thank you very much! I am far too busy with the Backstreet Boys to be able to work with another band for the time being.

Question: Did the boys ever forget that you were there taking pictures?

Andre Csillag: Yes.

Question: Who does the Backstreet Boys like better, Christina Aguilera or Britney Spears?

Andre Csillag: I personally don't know, but I know they have met both artists and like them both.

AOLiveMC3: Which BSB was most reluctant to have his picture taken?

Andre Csillag: Nick Carter was the most reluctant to have his picture taken.

Question: How long did it take you to put together the book?

Andre Csillag: The idea came up about 18 months ago, to choose all the pictures took six months, but the real work was then through the last US tour, which was five weeks. All the captions were done during the tour, and the layout and the finishing touches took a week after the tour.

Question: I saw the BSB book, and it is very good. Have you worked on any other books with any other stars? If so, who? Thanks.

Andre Csillag: I have contributed to various books in the past, but this is the first real book of my own. There is also a book on the Backstreet Boys’ video which was published only in Europe.

Question: Please tell us what a typical day on tour was like with the boys. Did you always have a camera in your hand?

Andre Csillag: Typical day on tour... there are no typical days on tour. We could be traveling all night and sleep half the day before the show, or travel all day to get to a show. But I always had a camera with me.

Question: Do you have a favorite photo that you took? If so, is it for its artistic merit or because of how you caught one of the boys in a special moment?

Andre Csillag: I don't have a favorite picture as such, as all the pictures in the book are my favorite pictures.

Question: About how many rolls of film did you go through while making this book?

Andre Csillag: Good question... several thousands. That's why I can't say what my fav picture is.

Question: Would you ever do anything other than photography?

Andre Csillag: Nah.

Question: Where can we find your book?

Andre Csillag: Any bookstore... on the Web, try Amazon.com. Everybody's got it, even all around stores.

Question: Did you get any embarrassing pix of the boys that they didn't want you to put in the book?

Andre Csillag: Several. Several, but if you look very carefully, there is one in the book too.

Question: Did you really get a feel for the boys' personalities taking the pictures in their whole career? Could you describe them, please, if you have time?

Andre Csillag: I don't think I would really have the time right now to answer that question.

Question: When did you find the time to interview the band? Or is the book made up mostly of your impressions while touring with them?

Andre Csillag: The captions for the pictures were done individually by each member of the band during the tour. I didn't need to interview them, I just gave them all the picture -- pictures -- and they gave me their impressions on them.

Question: Did you take pictures of Kevin’s and Kristen’s wedding? If so, when will you be showing them to the fans? We gotta see them!! =)

Andre Csillag: Yes, I did take pictures at Kevin's wedding, but the pictures are for his family only. I'm not sure if he will release them or not.

Question: Did the band have final say in the pictures you used? Did you use any that didn't receive an okay from them? Which ones? :)

Andre Csillag: Yes, the band did have final approval, but I was very lucky -- they approved every one of them!

Question: I love the BSB guys, and I just wanted to know if they really are that nice and sweet in person.

Andre Csillag: I've known the boys for over five years, and as far I can tell, they haven't changed. They are still the same nice, ordinary people that I met five years ago.

Question: Did you approach the band with the book idea? Or how did the whole project actually come about?

Andre Csillag: I approached the band, when I first started working with them, with a vague idea of the book, and 18 months ago Kevin decided that yes, they should go ahead and do a book, and here is the result.

Question: Will you work with the guys again? And if so, when?

Andre Csillag: I'm working with them right now.

Question: Did you have a personal goal set when you thought of the book idea? What did you learn personally and professionally while doing this book?

Andre Csillag: My goal was to try and show the fans something that they can't see in the magazines... and what I learned is that it's very hard work. You need an awful lot of patience. And I also had to learn about a whole different business, which is book publishing.

Question: What was the funniest thing that happened while you were with BSB?

Andre Csillag: The recurrence of Howie falling asleep -- he can sleep anywhere, even standing up.

Question: Do they sing when they are on the tour bus?

Andre Csillag: Yes!

Question: How has working on the book changed your attitude toward BSB?

Andre Csillag: In no way at all.

Question: Did you know any of the boys before they were a group?

Andre Csillag: No. I met them when they first came to England, and they were already signed as a band to Jive Records.

Question: Hi, Andre, do you ever let any of the fans know where you'll be taking pictures of BSB before the photo shoot?

Andre Csillag: No.

Question: Was there any time while working on this project that you wanted to just pack it in, give it up, that you felt it was just too difficult?

Andre Csillag: No, I enjoyed in immensely.

Question: How can I find out where certain BSB photos were taken?

Andre Csillag: Try writing to the publishers, and I'll try and answer you.

Question: Hi, my name is Sara. I just want to know what it was like to spend all that time with the boys, and if you have any special memories with them.

Andre Csillag: It is a great experience. Every day is a different day, but so far it's been a great experience.

Question: Were all the boys comfortable with you taking their pictures? Was one of them more of a ham than the others? :)

Andre Csillag: I'm very lucky that they are very comfortable with me taking pictures. If I had to select one specific Backstreet Boy... I would say AJ, who is the most extroverted.

Question: Do you have another book in the works? I think after seeing your book on the Backstreet Boys, there'll be other bands who would be interested in having you do one for them.

Andre Csillag: Not yet, no.

Question: How are the Backstreet Boys different than the other "boy bands" out there?

Andre Csillag: It's very difficult for me to say, because I haven't worked closely with any other boy bands in recent years.

Question: Have any of the boys done a prank to you, and if they did, what kind?

Andre Csillag: No comment! LOL. :D

AOLiveMC3: Wow! Where did all of the time go? Would you like to make a few comments?

Andre Csillag: I really enjoyed the questions. Thank you very much for taking the time -- and for buying the book! I hope that I will be able to show you some more pictures in the future through magazines and other mediums.

AOLiveMC3: Thank you, Andre Csillag, for being our guest tonight. And thank you, audience, for your excellent questions. Good night, everyone. :)

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