SMASHPROOF VID SHOOT: DAY 2

http://www.movethecrowd.co.nz

Check them out

A very wet and cold day 2. The crew had to work a bit harder to find the magic but with some fantastic locations such as Minginui (Many thanks to the locals out there) there was gold to be had. A real big thanks to Maureen who warmed us up with hot coffee and a stint by the coal range. For those who haven't been out there it can get bloody cold. Not more than two days prior to us arriving they were experiencing bone chilling -10 deg temps. That has my knees knocking just thinking about it.







Keeping the camera dry took precedence over the operators so by the end of the day we were left with a very hungry, wet and tired film crew. The final cut should be out there in about two to three weeks so everyone keep your eyes and ears open for Smashproofs new single "Ordinary Life".
Thanks to my Cuz (Kirk) for getting me involved in it all as well as Andy, Andrew and James (the crew) and my talented partner Mandy. Was a great experience.

Smashproof Vid, Day One:

Great day in Te Teko. Lots of interest and the locals are keen as mustard to help out. There was a general brief to go by but nothing could really be planned. Fortunately everything fell in to place with some great moments caught on film.
We are off to Opotiki and Minginui tomorrow so with fingers crossed for no rain, it should be a productive day. The video is being shot on 35mm film so should have a great tonality and feel to the finished product.

Check out the above image. No its not mine and no its not scanned from a fashion mag. This damn fine pic is a self portrait taken by my 13yr old neice. FANTASTIC. I have to show it off. I am talking about a family that all have amaizing talents and are rather creative with mind as well as hand. Great effort Melissa.

Forgive me folks for neglecting you for so long but I am alive and kicking. I have read in the past that the progression from stills to video can be a part of the natural progression of things and I must admit it has crossed my mind now and then but as soon as the thought of the $$$$ its all over. Playing cards should be the sport, hobby or passion of choice as at least you don't need a hefty bank loan to get started. Anyway, I have a Cousin in the big NY who works for one of the worlds biggest record labels. He had his rather humble beginnings in South Auckland working after school in a record shop and with alot of hard work has achieved his dream. He credits good old NZ for his successes and chooses to give something back to the NZ music scene with his label (Move the Crowd Records). One group getting their start under this label is "Smashproof" (checkout their single "Brother" on YOUTUBE, it rocks).

I have been given the task of scouting out music video locations for their up and coming single "Ordinary Life" so after many hours on the ph and driving around the bay its all on this weekend. I am rather interested in seeing how the whole process develops and comparing it with the finished product. All you Smashproof fans, keep an eye out for the bay making its way.

Photographing kids compared to photographing other subject matter, has a unique set of challenges. Nothing can be setup, planned or expectations set. So with this in mind and I will admit, not a wealth of experience with children, off I went to shoot an over active 18month old farm lad.

Every Body, Meet Dylan.













This little fella is tough as old boots. During the shoot, he had a rather nasty tumble and with only a minute of tears was back into it boots and all (see above haha). This little man was all over the place, so the best strategy with kids is to present them with things of interest, encourage parental input as much as possible but after that, its all up to chance.

The last image inspired me. It took me back to my own childhood with old colour snaps taken in the late 60s, myself bottle feeding my pet lamb, wearing leather sandals, stubby shorts and an oversize woolen jumper topping a rather unique collection of ill-fitting country-ware. I remember those pics well with rounded corners, subdued colours and a slight cross processed appearance.
Life as a kid in NZ was a great experience (as I am sure Dylan will testify to when he's my age). With an over active imagination and a tonne of energy, I was off in all directions exploring. Any new environment had to be checked out thoroughly. Even to this day I seem to have managed to keep my over active imagination which I am sure helps me maintain a good sense of humor and creativity my photography. I will have a dig around and see if I can find and scan a few of those old pics to post here.