Sacrifice

Released January 2021 - Content created by Undone Creative

DAYS AWAY

In The End

Released January 2021 - Content created by Undone Creative

MAKING OF THE VIDEO

I started working on this video in Canmore AB during the first lockdown Canada had in April 2020.

Originally I wanted to capture an entirely first person perspective of “A departure”, meaning I wanted to give the viewer the feeling of leaving this uncomfortable state of mind we were currently in. As I tried to figure out how to convey this through the camera nothing really feel right no matter what I did.

I later asked Chris to film himself, giving him basic notes about lighting and framing the camera. All I was looking for was decent exposure and the rest I would manipulate in the editing software. When I began to overlay Chris’s performance with the scenic footage the piece started to take shape. I was still lacking a decent transition from the “confines of the city” feel into the “expanse of nature” or “our imagination” that was needed.

Out for a hike in Alberta

A little stuck conceptually and pre-occupied with the obligations I had set for myself with “Pillars Of A Twisted City” this video took a slight back seat, although it was always on my mind.

At this point in my timeline I had no idea for sure that we would be moving to Montreal. When we eventually began our journey across the country I set the camera up in the dashboard to collect the cross-Canada drive. I thought perhaps I could use this footage for Chris and if not, at the very least I knew I wanted to document this epic journey we pushed ourselves to complete.

Your mind can take you down many roads.

It’s often helpful to have a mental road map, or leave yourself some bread crumbs to find your way out if you get too carried away.

In early November Chris pushed me to revisit the production. I remember this was at the same time we received the diagnosis that Delilah (our family Cat) was terminal and barreling towards the light. I was reluctant to say yes, and for the first time in my life I knew I was at my limit. Having a child has forced me to be present in ways I was certainly more cavalier about in the past. I used to say yes to everything no matter what trouble it would draw me into.

It wasn’t until we rolled over into 2021 that I could see what was needed to be done to complete this visual piece for Chris.

I sourced out some interesting areas in my neighborhood that I wanted to document specifically for this project, The issue was matching the new footage with the first batch I shot in Canmore. Luckily we received a dumping of snow here and I felt it was time to do my walkabout with the camera in hand.

MONTREAL

Originally I wanted to do the overlays of Chris' face for the “waves” Video.

Since that project never transpired the way it needed to, I took that element and applied it over on “In The End”. The next issue was trying to manipulate the footage to get the same look as when you close your eyes and rub them - you know that bizarre flashy random colours. The way I achieved this was creating a negative image and automating the RGB values against the negative. For each layer you see in the edit there are actually 4 overlayed clips, and the opacity is dancing randomly or in tempo with the music.

Test Footage From 2018

Again, if I have an opportunity to create a project from scratch with no obligations. I like to push myself to learn or know more about the tools I have and that I never get to use. Having no budget can be a huge deterrent for many. for this project I really loved the restrictions, and it inspired me to think in creative new ways. I am forever grateful for Chris to allow me to contribute to his vision for “seas”.

Tomhet

Released March 2020 - Content created by Undone Creative

MAKING OF THE VIDEO

This was one of the most memorable creations for me.

One of my dearest friends Joshua offered to help me. I would say he really directed the video. I knew he had the ability to take his character to the depths it needed to go. He would do several takes just to get his shoulders and hands right. I’m so glad we got to create something together.

We tried to have an opening shot here but this block was run by MAPLE LEAF MEATS and they thought we were making a documentary about animal cruelty and were asked to leave.

He and I biked around Vancouver looking at several locations and testing various types of camera equipment.

Josh wanted to remain ambiguous, he didn’t want to be featured. His character was to be observed and carried the viewer along in first person.

location scout 

I wanted to shoot the video in slow motion. But when I lined up the camera tests to the music it felt too surreal. It really needed to feel uncomfortable and as “real time” as possible. So I went hand held, and we shot at 24fps

I wanted to convey the feeling of distention, loneliness, and internal darkness.

High Contrast, with little a warmth

Location scout

I would meet Joshua at 430am and we would drive around to interesting locations I had discovered during the week.

As I was compiling the edit over several weeks of shooting it was clear I needed to add a transition from exterior to interior (inside our mind). Diving into the internal conflict.

I chose red flashing lights to continue with the tension and finally was able to shoot high speed for the bands performance. We had shot the “Evelyn” video earlier that morning and had all the equipment I needed to pull it off. We shot the band portion at “The Spot” in Vancouver right after the band had finished their Spot session. Easy peasy.

We shot this entrance way footage in the basement of Rufus Guitar Shop on commercial drive

I found this eagle sanctuary in Delta. It was supposed to be a location for a show I was working on at the time called “Resident Alien” . I knew if we got there at sunrise we could get some cool stuff.

For Jahmeel the footage shot at 60FPS really worked for his singing. I wanted to create a sense of uneasiness an unpredictability. I used projector to illuminate his body in and out of darkness.

Jahmeel embodied the song, I didn’t need to give him much direction at all.

We shot all of the projector stuff in my living room.

Evelyn

Released March 2020 - Content created by Undone Creative

All That I’ve Forgotten

Released October 2018 - Content created by Undone Creative

Without A Sound

Released Sept 2018 - Content created by Undone Creative