The Video is here!!

Today was a huge day for me.  I uploaded the final cut version of the latest video that I gave photos for in the last post.  Please click the link below to watch the HD version on Vimeo :)

B. Priest: Too Fast Music Video from Tony Willis on Vimeo.

B. Priest's "Too Fast" Shot, Edited, Directed by Me...

The Making of B. Priest "Too Fast" Music Video

Bryant Hamilton, AKA B. Priest, has been a close friend of mine for some time now. He contacted me about one of his new singles, "Too Fast," a couple of months ago and he wanted to know what I thought about making a video for it.  I didn't realize at the time that I was going to eventually be enamored with the project. I was captivated by the coldness of the song the moment I heard it. Usually, when you hear the word cold, you would think unemotional, lacking warmth or depth, but I was moved. The way that the song is able to breathe is calculating, and I was immediately motivated to be a visual solution to this project. In anticipation of the release of the video this Wednesday, I wanted to put up some photos from the day of the shoot... 

    This was at the start of the shoot...

                                                     

                                                     One Of the first Scenes you will see...

 

I had to cut this scene, it just didn't match with the rest of the video...

James, and Trey... 

The Dancers just arrived ...

Bryant "B. Priest" and James, It was funny to watch Bryant perform to the camera, because I knew he was freezing... 

I really liked the contrast of the wall and Bryant, but this scene didn't make either... 

I did not enjoy being out there on that fire escape... 

Still not enjoying it...

Trying out some different shots...

Myself and the Producer James Sims...

Going over the scene order on the computer...

That is a lot of cables....

Getting the monitor ready...

Going over some logistics...

All right, let's get started...

Bryant Hamilton "B. Priest."

 Getting the lights ready before it gets dark with Yo...

I really had a great time doing this, and I am so thankful for all the people that helped make this happen...

Robert Walker, my older brother came out to support...

 This picture was taken during the break, with the Canon 5D Mark ll 1.4 50mm lens...

Getting ready for the dancers to start their walking scene... 

Going over what we are looking for...

Had to walk up six flights of stairs all day... 

The location was great for the look that we were going for... 

I got up at the loft at 7am and stayed until 1am I should of not have been in Chuck Taylors...

Josh getting ready for the dance scene... 

This was really one of the best shots of the video... 

View from the loft window... 

But I pray to God that I am not moving to fast...

You will understand when you watch the video....

The generator that we rented was a great help... 

I was smiling but I was tired... 

Beautiful Image... 

The quality of the Canon 5D is truly amazing... 

In between shots... 

My beautiful girlfriend who was the DP for the behind the scenes...

Too Fast music video debut 2.23.11

Hope you enjoy the video...

                                    

In Search of a Story

 If learning the craft of film capturing and editing has taught me anything, the lesson is that everything looks, sounds, feels better when it contributes and has a place in a story.  The ritual of passing stories down for generations through the practice of orally reciting them over and over has been a treasured tradition for many societies throughout history.  Stories are what our young engage with before falling asleep, what our parents hope they can continue to write with their lives, even in the midst of ennui and mid-life crisis, and what our ancestors must tell before their journey takes them to another place.  Stories can evoke several feelings and thoughts from the hearers and good stories stay with the listeners throughout their entire lives.  It is my desire to learn how to join the several narrators that have come before myself.  I also hope that by integrating modern technology with the age old art of character development, lush descriptions of the setting, moving themes, and poignant symbolism, I can engage the listeners and onlookers in my gathered circle around me and invite them to interact with the narrative.

Join my process as I read books on film, branding identity, novels (old and new), and the occasional faery tale.  Come along with me as I take pictures of nature, architecture, people that I love, and the occasional stranger.  Read as I share my thoughts on short films, independent films, documentaries, and the occasional blockbuster.  Look on as I ask questions regarding life, love, friendship, and the occasional scripture.

It is my hope within all of this true looking at the world that I will, I must find a story.