Skills to pay the bills

There are many advantages to being a photographer first and then growing into videography. One of the advantages is having already developed a sharp eye for composition, lighting techniques and some colour theory. Other advantages include directing which I’ve learned snippets of from working with models. Photography skills definitely transfer and overlap with video but video and cinema is a much more complex and challenging pursuit. Once I was dealing with posed shots, be it in the studio or on location and with an element of control of at least a good portion of the shoot. I would say I would have 100% control of lighting and background in a studio setting and about 60% in an outdoor shoot (I can’t control the weather). But with video, there are so many moving parts and motion there is so much to consider. But it was these challenges that excited me.

Filmmaking and video production are all about trying to find solutions. Being on a film set is part-like participating in a giant team-building puzzle. There are only so many things you can prepare for but ultimately there will be many unforeseen challenges, compromises and issues that can arise. A good director will be able to make quick-thinking decisions to keep production moving while trying not to compromise the vision of the film.

MTV Generation

I’m a child of MTV. Growing up in Dublin in the 90’s I was on a daily dose of music television videos. They were my world. Music videos are like this creative bit of escapism that you can lose yourself to. Oftentimes videos were surreal and theatrical. They rarely bored me and nearly always inspired me. But as a kid, I never thought it could be a thing to pursue. All signs in school pointed to doing typical 9-5 jobs. Being a director or pursuing such a dream didn’t seem feasible. Heck, I’m entirely convinced it’s feasible now. But I’m obsessed. I need this. I want this. I’m compelled to make music videos. Music video production is the only thing I want to do. I’ve written and directed my first short film.

Eventually, I would like to make a feature film. I think making music videos is a right of passage. Nearly all my favourite directors have cut their teeth as music video directors before graduating in to feature films and TV series. David Fincher, director of such films as; Mank, Zodiac, The Social Network, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Gone Girl, Seven and TV’s shows such as Mindhunter and House of Cards. He made his name doing music videos first. He directed Freedom by George Michael as well as Express Yourself and Vogue by Madonna. There is also the legendary Spike Jonze and Anton Corbijn who I speak about in my previous blog.

Spike Jonze famously is the main dancer in Fatboy Slim’s Praise You. The story behind that video is hilarious. After producing and directing a plethora of classic and hugely loved music videos for the likes of Björk, Beastie Boys and The Pharcyde and Jackass he went to direct the acclaimed Being John Malcovich (1999) and Her (2013).

New camera gear

Recently I just purchased my first cinema camera, the Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro. I’ve always used my main photography camera (a good DSLR) to produce video. While this is fine for some music videos, some promos or documentary stuff, I now finally have a camera that has bit-depth capable of shooting raw footage. What does this mean? Well, simply, it means when it comes to colour grading my footage and getting that filmic, cinematic quality, I can do it. It allows me more freedom in post production. But with upgrading cameras comes with some challenges too. I need to upgrade a lot of other gear around it too. Stabilization is a factor, also storage (6K files are huge) and well as new battery power and being able to rig all these things together. All this gear should help me produce a better film. A better music video.

I’m confident I can deliver better music video production than ever before. All my cameras are now 4K capable, my DSLR and drone and my new camera is 6K. If you think you would like to discuss a project with me, a music video or promotional video for your business, please let me know. You can get in touch through our contact page and leave a number. I can call you or we can email.

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