My So Called Video

I have been hearing the new 30 Seconds to Mars’ song, “Kings and Queens,” for the last two months or so on Sirius. I thought it was a good tune, checked out the video on Youtube, and was like–Whoa!–the concept is eerily similar to the video I directed for The Airborne Toxic Event, “Gasoline.” Since “Gasoline” came out a year before “Kings and Queens” I can’t help but think something’s odd. Now, as you would expect 30 Seconds to Mars’ video had a huge budget, probably a huge crew and looks great. On the other hand, I shot “Gasoline” for next to nothing with a crew of two before the band was signed to Island Def Jam. It just makes you wonder, coincidence or not?

Tags: 30 Seconds to Mars, Billy Johnson, music video, The Airborne Toxic Event

New “Work” page up

It has been a long time in the making and finally arrived. The new “work” page includes some recent work and old favorites I dug out of the archives. I’ll be adding more in the future. Currently my archives are about 20 terabytes, lots of material to sift through and I have so many projects right now that I need to finish. In time more will be up.

Tags: Directed, Documentary, music video

The Smart Set “Tornados” Music Video on the Canon 5D Mark II

Last week I directed the first music video for a great new band called, The Smart Set. The song is called “Tornados” and it sounds like it is right out of an Apple ad. Super excited, the edit is just underway. The DP was my good friend Marcus Hoffman. Thanks to everyone who helped out, filmmaking is truly a collaborative process and I appreciate everyone.

We shot with the new Canon firmware on 5D Mark II with 14mm, 50mm and 85mm primes and 24-70mm and 70-200mm zooms. We brought out all the toys to give the camera a good work through. I’ve owned it for a few months but haven’t really had the time to use the video function. So I was eager to bring it out on set. We had our challenges. More on that later. Some sample footage soon to come.

Check out the band on their myspace page.

Tags: Canon 5d markII, Directed, Marcus Hoffman, music video, The Smart Set

The Airborne Toxic Event Official “Gasoline” Music Video Finished

Today we finished editing the video for “Gasoline”.  This is for the second single off of the band’s debut album.  I don’t think it will be released for at least a few months.  Sorry, I can’t upload the video until it is released, a screen grab will have to do.

Tags: Directed, music video, Panasonic HVX200, The Airborne Toxic Event

The Airborne Toxic Event “Does This Mean You’re Moving On?” Live Acoustic released

It’s been crazy busy, I’ve only been back a few days from DC and haven’t posted any of the new releases of the acoustic series. You can check them out on the band’s myspace page if I fall behind.

“Moving On” was fun to shoot. Filmed in a Toyota Rav 4 on Sunset Blvd starting in Los Feliz through Silver Lake and ending in Echo Park. That is right, seven people in a Rav 4! I was sitting on the dash with my back crammed against the window and the rearview mirror digging into my neck. The band didn’t have much more room with five of them in the back. Only three mics, one taped to the seat for Noah, one taped to Steven’s leg and the one Mikel is holding. We shot five videos this day, “Does This Mean You’re Moving On?” was the last. What a crazy, long day.

The audio was recorded on a Sound Device 744T using a 302 mixer for the vocals. Video was shot on my Panasonic HVX200.

UPDATE:
You can now view this video in higher quality on my Vimeo Page.

Currently on YouTube the video is up to 130,000 views!

Tags: Directed, music video, Panasonic HVX200, Sound Devices, The Airborne Toxic Event