We had planed this for about a month. Messiah had connected with me, and wanted to do a video, and I told him I could help him out. Originally we had planned on shooting in July, however the work for HBO came along and postponed our efforts until July. Never the less, here it is...
Donor Media Presents In The AM by MESSIAH:
The best part of the making of this video wasn't shooting on Utica ave with the support of the hood, commandeering a local bodega w/ clerk cameo's, seeing BK from a couple a random rooftop in Crown Heights, waking up at 4 am to see the sun rise from the top of the McKibbin lofts, rollin 2 packed cars deep into BK Heights to shoot the studio scene's, the "Urban Outtfitters look", or even the Red Stripe and Studio One reggae we wrapped production with...
(gosh, right now I cant help fucking around on Facebook haha!)
It was more so working with Messiah & everyone else involved in making the AM.
Messiah: [Royal Alliance] Writer, Poet, Performer brings wisdom to Hip-Hop.
Sophia Lauren: R&B Artist who lends her beautiful voice over the powerful home hitting hook.
Don Brodie: [Co-Director, and Photographer @Donor Media] One of the most Creative Artist I know (not just because we are related), provided fresh Ideas, and a great wealth of inspiration!
Nino Simpilo: [Cinematographer/Co-Editor] Brilliant Eye through a lens, I couldn't ask for a better partner in making this work!
Jay "Thae Cutta" Moralles: [Co-Editor @Constant Frames] Fellow brain in the operation, Jay was in close contact form day 1.
Megan Dixon: [Production Assistant] The Best PA in the freakin world!
Dave McDuffie: [Key PA/Representative @Royal Alliance] A great addition to the crew! As a Producer/AD of sorts, he kept us moving and made sure Messiah was on point at all times!
Friday came, and after running the city Don and I traveled to Crown Heights armed with a Seamless White Backdrop and a couple of cameras not really knowing what to expect. Nino was already in the hood scouting locations, and linking with Messiah.
Upon arrival, the crew waited outside while I entered the cousins house washed my face. Shook off some jitters (trying to get the ideas clean and clear). Messiah offered me a banana witch I originally turned down while he asked for the plan. It snapped:
"You know what, yeah I would love to get that banana!"
Came outta the house and started putting things in motion (meanwhile my starving crew of 2 looked puzzles as to how I had secured my essential nutrients for the day). For the rest of the evening, I talked the most..
I don't know how to explain it, [not to gloat but] I had an answer to everything. Suggestions from the hood flew round as we shot the crew and bodega scene's; weeding out the bad ones, but taking note of the good we got what we needed! (btw there is no such thing as a bad suggestion).
Dave had recruited the use of a local Bodega, who had shown us nothing but love! It took a second set of negotiation and a camera in sight to convince poppi (the original owner) to let us shoot. Reppin Messiah to the fullest, they even played the track on the booming sound system (usually reserved for a variety of Spanish rhythms) over and over again. (actually provided us with a few sync issues later on, but totally a symbolic gesture that they were on our side! I think after we wrapped, Dave went over to grab a drink at 1 am and came back mentioning that they were still playing the CD we gave them in a humble show of appreciation).
Having spent extended time growing in that neighborhood, Messiah knew his block. Funny thing about West Indians, everyone is a cousin! It was often a task figuring out witch of his cousins were blood, and witch were just hommies (everyone was a cus, or an uncle, coming from DC by way of Jamaica I know exactly what it is!). That said, a "cousin" had told us about a rooftop we could hold down located up the street. We didn't plan for rooftops until day 2, but much of day 1 was improve so we rolled with it! On the way up, Messiah let us know he was feelin it!
(gosh, right now I cant help fucking around on Facebook haha!)
Any way...
Right where the video ends we begin rolling camera and Messiah lets the whole track loose. Almost immediately, he performs The AM raw in its entirety for the first time of the day(during the bodega scene's we shot verse 1, cut the track then did another take.). That made it official; I know he was feeling it, and at that point so was I.
After the Roof top, we did some shots inside the actual building of the rooftop, but unfortunately they didn't make the final cut.. (2 girls were in that scene, and they came out just to be in the video. I'm sorry I never got to use them! They were so nice...)
Last few shots of the day came easy on the stoop, Then there were the Kids! Packed to the brim, gun power dynamite, I made the choice to call them over. You would need to see the Raw footage to fully understand... :)
I forget exactly when we wapped the evening, 2:30, 3 am perhaps? I got home and had less than an hour to sleep. More so thinking nervously to myself if we got what we needed. I cant help the but to host my unique thought process...
Saturday morning, 4 am came around, and I knew I had to be on time. The night before I had made sure to remind talent and crew we would be shooting the sunrise (AccuWeather informed me that would be going down at 5:22 am). after wake up calls, I arrived to the McKibben Lofts early and meet with a sleep deprived Nino. Don gave a call telling me he was gonna be late, but I talked him outta bed and on the train. Messiah was the hardest to reach, however I kept the faith that he would show. When we were ready for the roof top, we ran into a problem...
Project Pat wasn't home, and his roommate who I spoke to in advance was not answering the phone. Pat was chillin on Bedford, drunk and passed out, but promised to be over asap (and he was). Rolling up he apologized (wasn't really a problem; when you count on friends and they come through its one of the best feelings in the world), and we made our way to the roof.
We'll we had fun watching the sunrise... Messiah hadn't arrived, and all we could do was shoot some B-roll..
Pat was the ultimate host, providing coffee, and tape, and anything we asked for, while simultaneously planning a surprise Birthday party for his girlfriend that would be going on later that night... (a dope night indeed!)
Thank you Pat.
Messiah arrived, and we roll'ed camera.. One of my favorite shots (in fact, most of my favorite shots) came from that location(ask about it).
Oh Its worth mentioning that "The Best PA In The World" rolled through at 12 with egg sandwiches just in time to set up shots with Sophia :)
Sophia was great. Originally under the weather, she really got into the video once she saw we were legit! Met a dog named Meatball who had tagged the corner by the fence setup (watch where you walk), and we blazed through what would make up majority of the 3rd and final verse. Then it was off to BK Heights for the final setup!
After Dave told me my shoe's were tight, we caravaned our way to southern Brooklyn. I was feeling good, but also thinking about our story.
In a controlled environment, we can play music, build backdrops, and control temperatures... Don and I built the backdrop while the others regained some energy. I could tell everyone was hurting form a lack of sleep, never the less, it was time to put our experimental idea's to the test (this is where the Urban Outfitters reference came from, ask about that too)! After a few hours we got what we needed.
That's a Wrap!
Exhausted, yet accomplished we began packing up. It was a long weekend, and what better way to wrap than with a Red Stripe, and Some Reggae?!
Weeks later we began post production.
Nino provided a few cuts, however he was unable to lock down a final cut. I took over, and started joining the story where he left off. Jay, Jason, and Eric also provided wisdom during post that would stretch over a month due to busy schedules. The process of post was several late nights, and a story of its own. During this phase, I took to the streets a few days a week grabbing extra b-roll that appears through the video. It was nice to revisit some of the locations, running into the crew who were eager to see the final product; along with several other spaces that I had never been to. I wanted this video to feel really Brooklyn and I think we got it there.
Post was so intense, that it came down to the vary last day. Messiah's arrival to New York had prompted the beginning of the end. If it was up to me, it probably would have never felt finished.
Saturday August 1st, My tireless efforts to get a script in competition had slowed the progress on post the day before. Messiah was on his way to BK with the intentions of celebrating with family, and picking up the final screener. I had no other choice but to stay in all day working, perhaps missing one of the most beautiful days in Brooklyn! I really could have benefited form a picnic in central park, after having faced a really complex string of days the weekend prior. Never the less, I was home cutting, waiting for Messiahs call. (My hermit status wasn't totally on work's account; I also got a cool new roommate, so I decided to be around while she moved in!) I think originally we arranged to meet around 2 pm at Cobra HQ, however that never panned out. I thought I could enjoy a party, but showed up 2 min after everyone left.
Sunday would be the day! Still cutting, Messiah called and informed me he was on the way. I was nervous, and far from being finished! As he rolled up in the golden gipsy, I explained where we were at. There was pressure, He had a bus to catch, and couldn't go home empty handed. This is when I wish we had a camera rolling. We had to produce a final DVD without graphics before his cab left him behind. I was in such a rush, I tripped up the stairs, but kept running. We couldn't watch the progress bar on the render, we would end up pulling hairs, so we had a great conversation about the future. The funny part was Messiah had to run downstairs every few min's to make sure his cab didn't leave him behind; he told me each time he went down, this driver seemed more agitated and was a few extra feet down the block. 20 min's pass, and he's on his way out the door (DVD in hand). We walk and talk all the way to my stoop, and as he continues to get in the cab Messiah wraps up moving forward.
Shuts the car door.
We'll talk this week, (as the car pulls down the block) Los siento pappi.
And he's gone. The days that fallows, I make the post and write this blog. I'm sorry for the commentary, but I felt it was worth sharing. This is some of what I've been up to. This is my Birthday gift to you Messiah, I hope you enjoyed the process, and the final product. I'm sure we will be doing more in the future.
I hope you all enjoy In The AM. We all had a great time making it happen. Please support our efforts by telling a friend, and providing feed back :)
Big thanks to everyone who helped us make this happen!
Source: ronbrodie.blogspot.com
In The A.M.-The making of the video! Narrated by video director, Ron Brodie. Get a dose of the creative process. Live from BK!
http://ronbrodie.blogspot.
http://ronbrodie.blogspot.
4 comments:
This is great Ron. All of us have this power within us to produce something for the world, and have our names be heard loud and strong. Keep it up bro, I am always excited to see what you come up with next and what you put out. Your THE SHIT!!!
king of the stream of thought :)
good work.
Go'head, Ron! This is beautiful, both the video and your recount of what you all did to get it done. :D
Dope man!
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