That’s right folks… We shot one of them there movin’ picture thingies. With our great friends in JB and the Moonshine Band, who we’ve shot twice before.
…and the story begins.
The time was early… 6am to be exact. Daniel and I were on our way to see our friends over at Bolt Productions, to pick up some rental gear for our video that we were to be shooting. Pre-production, while we were used to it, was definitely a little different when you have to storyboard your full concept. As we picked items at the rental shop, like kids in a candy store, we chose wisely, and soon found our way back home… For it was less than 24 hours until we stared filming.
The next month, which you might have noticed, was absent of any blog posts. Our time was fully consumed by this project. Would we do it again? You know it! Will we do music videos in the future? We already have more lined up, to answer that question. Still imagery will always be my first and main love, but video is just so darned cool! (Excuse my harsh language there, of course)
We learned so many things throughout that month, from things that we’d do differently, to what gear we absolutely must acquire next, and so on. Also, Daniel rocked it. There’s nobody that I’d rather work with, and I really think that that’s part of what gives us such an edge… We have two creative minds working at 100% all of the time behind our work, versus just one. We critique each other, and build upon each other’s ideas. He was also co-director on this video, and pulled half of the weight, which is saying quite a lot! Speaking of Daniel, I’ll let him say something:
Since Matt is going to LET me talk here, I’ll humbly share a few thoughts of our experience…
Seriously, this was one of the most rewarding experiences of our professional career. I fell in love with motion picture before still photography, so when JB called us up to ask if we wanted to shoot a video for their single, “Whiskey Days,” I replied to Matt’s cautious consideration with a very confident “yes.”
After a pre-production meeting with JB to discuss his ideas and expectations for the video, we went into full-on Go Mode; writing, story-boarding, obtaining and ordering the necessary gear, etc. As Matt said above, this was a full-on collaboration, and we both put in hard work and long hours to get to the finished product. Every direction, focus, and movement was equally decided by the two of us, and was a testament to how easily and confidently we can work with one another. The first day of shooting was at least a 20-hour day for us, with the subsequent days of shooting being shorter, but no less action-packed. In all, the shoot covered at least 8 locations on 4 separate days, 6 gallons of Red-Diamond tea, countless liquor bottles, and over 490 clips of video to pore through.
We were blessed with perfect weather (especially the for the sunset shots) and a great group of people to work with and have on-hand to help us out. JB and his Moonshine Band-mates were naturals in front of the camera, and so cool and fun to be with, on and off set. Matt and I definitely felt fortunate to have such a talented band and an awesome song to do this video for. We learned so much, and through trial and error, compromises, and happy accidents, came out on the end with a better product than we expected to or could have planned. The “trick shots” I had in mind from the start each turned out great, with their settings and locations providing more than enough options to allow us to pull them off smoothly. I also had a blast hanging out of the Scrambler to get the shots of JB singing and driving. I thought to myself, “how cool that I’m hanging on the side of a Jeep going 30+ mph, in the beautiful Texas countryside, filming a video, and getting paid for it?” Those were my actual thought-word-for-words… in so many words. Back to Matt:
Now, for the most important question ever… Are you ready for the most random behind the scenes pictures ever, that were partially grabbed from test footage, and our cell phones? Are you ready to see a still of Daniel and I dancing after a shot was over? JB with a knife? Signing an autograph? What about Daniel hanging out of the Jeep as we were flying down the road, while somehow surviving? If you enjoy random images, then this day might just be a good day for you…
HUGE thanks go out to so many people for the way this video and experience turned out.
JB and the Moonshine Band (JB, Haydon, Chris, Gabe) – Y’all were awesome to work with, and we are proud to be a part of your work, as well as glad for you to be a part of ours.
JB’s wife, Regina – Thanks for the hours of time you put into this, and for bringing such a natural sincere element to the project. Also for the chicken and biscuits.
The Half Moon Grill and Saloon – Thanks so much for your cooperation and free-reign of your place, both during and after hours. Your facility, staff, and patrons were more than helpful and accommodating to our every whim and request we threw your way.
Red – The Scrambler is awesome. It was just as much of a character as anyone else in this. Everybody loves that Jeep. We want one.
Torren, Donnie, and the rest of the folks that helped us carry stuff, hold stuff, guard our gear, etc – Thanks so much.
Also, big thanks go out to our peers and fellow photographers for their advice and the use of their equipment. Without you, we would have been severely limited, and this project would be nowhere near what it turned out to be. Vanessa and Brent McKellar, Brandi Burkett, Allen Arrick, Alex Maldonado – Y’all rock. We owe you.
Lastly – but not least-ly- thanks to our circle of friends and loved ones for your continuing support and faith in us that makes it possible to do what we do. Thanks for the the excitement, encouragement, and patience (especially our girlfriends) with our long hours and late nights, and the art that all of that makes possible. It’s not for us, it’s for you.
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