Starving Artistry

Killing Me

// July 9th, 2012 // Video

Throughout June, I wrote, directed, and edited a music video for the DC area band Rites of Ash.

It was a great experience and I’m proud of the product. Even so, I learned so much on this shoot that I can’t wait for a new project. Back when I shot my music video for Ben Powell Sketchbook, it was a very fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type shoot. Plus, I couldn’t be behind the camera for any of the performance shots. This time, I was armed with my new camera (5D mk III) a complete story board and shot list, and Taylor as my trusty PA!

Me working with my text-based storyboard

Actually, since Taylor accompanied me on all the shoots, she kind of chronicled the process.

Photo by Taylor
Back on June 11th we were in studio shooting the band on the white screen. It was at Union 206 in Alexandria, VA. It was incidentally, one of the first very hot days of the summer, and unfortunately due to the large studio’s proximity to the outer doors, hot as balls in that room! The studio lights didn’t help.

Photo Courtesy Jackie Garcia Photography

After we shot the band, we threw up the green screen to shoot Alex, taking advantage of the large open space we had at the studio. I threw on some green gaff tape to help with tracking points so we could get some motion into the green screen shots. Adobe After Effects CS6 has an amazing new 3D camera tracker. It was a risk, never having done a shot like that before, but it was worth it!

Photos Courtesy Jackie Garcia Photography

Pic by Taylor
Day 2 of shooting was supposed to be in a large warehouse-esque space. Somehow we wound up shooting it in weird looking closet type space because at the last minute we were denied access to the warehouse. Unfortunately that meant I had to recompose all the shots I had planned and work around a room that was only like 5 x 12. At least it looked sufficiently seedy!

Day 3 of shooting took place on the streets of Falls Church, right outside of where that Hoang’s Asian Fusion restaurant is (or outside the old hollywood video if you prefer). We were nearly running out of shade by the end of that shoot, but fortunately we made it!

Day 4 actually took place in Taylor’s parent’s basement. It basically looks like an apartment, so it worked for just about every shot we needed. Too bad the A/C upstairs was busted, so once again we had to film the final shots with Alex dying in 85 degree heat, WITH studio lights on! Blech.

Catch the video up top if you haven’t seen it yet, and please leave me some comment love on this post, if you’re reading this!