|
March 2021 Issue #005  Last month, Video Girl pro's (VGPI) YouTube Channel was proud to host a LIVE WEB PREMIERE of the short-documentary, Making Mindy. This event marks the company's FIRST LIVE EVENT on YOUTUBE- that's worth celebrating! Learn more Making Mindy's release and feedback on why Video Girl pro is inspired to use the YouTube Premiere tool again >>> 
Watch newest release, Making Mindy, on Video Girl pro YouTube Channel!
REFLECTING BACK ON THE LAUNCH OF MAKING MINDY
0 Comments
January 2021 ISSUE #004  Nearly 10 years ago, I pursued a vision about the future, imagining a world where artists work, live, and build their identities across vast digital landscapes; a life attached to connections in technology of the future, while holding onto the past for inspiration; moving from the past, present, and future-- like an arrow of time; growing, evolving, and continually changing directions, much like within our dreams...
...pause to reflect and evaluate. ...fast-forward with perseverance. ...stop letting fear decide your next direction. ...record what is interesting and beautiful for your future-self to experience again. ...rewind back to basics and original truths, we can't change the past but we can change directions. ...play with creativity and ways to make the most impact with your time. 
Thanks for reading! Press PLAY below to watch Video Girl pro newest promotional video, "Which Direction Will You Go?" >>>  ISSUE #003 Have you ever imagined the kind of troubles to make a film? The long, unforeseen dilemmas, miscalculations, tensions among cast and crew, Murphy's Law--- well, you get the picture. One reason many artists continue to pursue these endeavors filled with potential landmines is because in this space passion CAN and DOES get celebrated and recognized. There are a few times in particular I have witnessed firsthand these well-deserved recognitions...
From 2014 - 2017 I worked behind-the-scenes of the indie-comedy film production, Mind Over Mindy, as a promotional video producer and documentarian. Every single event, large or small, I arrived to document with my camera the ins and outs and ups and downs of independent filmmaking plus all the roles involved. Particularly, I emphasized heavily on the perspective of close friend and mentor of mine (as well as the writer and director of M.O.M), Robert Alaniz.
Throughout the process, I felt blessed to have followed many other artists with my camera including: actor, Larry Thomas, famously known as The Soup Nazi. I followed his journey in M.O.M on and off-camera as he courageously took on his role of a schizophrenic psychiatric therapist, Dr. Fischer: a character with multiple layers to unravel and a script speckled with shades of comedy and drama rolled into one. I followed Larry's process all the way to the screenings and film festivals where he was deservingly recognized and rewarded for his work.
In 2016, I followed cast and crew (and fans of Sole Productions) to the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts for the BLOW UP International Arthouse Film Fest. On this special day, Robert Alaniz accepted the award for Mind Over Mindy as "Best Windy City Feature" and Larry Thomas accepted the prestigious Laurence Olivier Award for "Best Supporting Actor". Being involved with the celebration of Mind Over Mindy was one of my favorite aspects of this documentational journey. Through these experiences I regained strength and motivation to 'keep going'.
 ISSUE #002 Celebrating 5 years of connections and hard work. Here are a few of Video Girl pro's favorite lessons from the past 5 years...  . Find solace in the things that help you feel alive: Music. Podcasts. Films. Comics. To name a few. Over the years, I've found strength through the interaction of other mediums. It's not just stepping away from work or simply 'supporting your friends,' but building a deeper understanding about where your work lies in relation to the rest of the worlds' muses. . Learn to let go of so-so ideas. If you're a creative type, the ideas will never stop flowing. Then they begin to physically build up around you and take up your space to grow. Keep the great ideas that keep tugging at you. Get rid of the ideas that are only around because you feel the need to keep your original thoughts. Save that space for new ones to come. . For those who sit while they work, find yourself a good chair. A poor one can ruin productivity in more than one way. If you don't know what I mean yet, then you're lucky and you don't want to find out! Your physical work space is just as important as your internal space. . Success is when preparedness meets opportunity-- Kinda B*$LSH#! You will never be 100% prepared because life doesn't always go as planned. What I've learned from production is that the success comes from moving and thinking on your feet. Even through mistakes comes a lesson. Accepting change and adapting is an artform to continually exercise. . The research will never stop. Reading, journaling, filing-- those habits will never stop unless you quit. There is so much to learn about this world and never forget that knowledge is power. All disciplines have guided my every step to here. . Passionate people will often be misunderstood: by society, loved ones, and even one's own self. Trusting in the process is more than half the battle. Trusting in yourself is the full battle. Never stop believing in what you do!   ISSUE #001 Five years ago, the music video "My Shell" was released into the world, marking an important first for everyone involved...  There is something special to say about firsts: they're always a part of the journey. 5 years ago, the indie-metal-rock band Kadooge! and Video Girl pro teamed up to produce a music video that would be viewed by fans, musicians, and indie-film communities. After the video's release it was shared locally, nationally and even internationally across websites, radio stations, and film festivals. Now the first issue of Video Girl REP-presents will reflect on this important first and how the production process panned out between 4 passionate musicians and 1 determined producer. Let's take a look back...  In 2015, Video Girl pro was newly incorporated and ready to take on more elaborate video projects, such as music videos. PRE-PRODUCTION The journey of My Shell began in Aurora, IL, in a home studio: Patrick Good (lead vocalist, guitarist) and Tony Montana (drums, percussion, synth, keys) met with me (Video Girl) aka ME, to discuss song choices off their first album, Nothing is Almost Everything. I was drawn to their music immediately and as a director I felt compelled to design a visual concept.
A few weeks later, I met with the full-band to discuss the creative concepts and production script. There, I was introduced to the other two members, Aerie Dover (bass, backing vocalist) and Quentin Dover (lead guitarist,) both equally kind and passionate about the project at hand. Immediately, I sensed this was a solid group of passionate artists, all equally eager and excited to move forward on this music video project. At first we were strangers, all instinctively drawn in to making this first happen, but I felt deep down that through this experience we would also form a great bond. PRODUCTION DAY Despite our shoestring budget, the band and I were dead-set on creating an end product to speak just as strongly as the song itself. A video that would introduce the style of the band and atmosphere of their first album. We were imaginative and creative with the set, coming up with resources we could easily get our hands-on--
"Once the music started, it was easier to let go...it was great to start rolling film and just start focusing on the art"POST-PRODUCTION Post-production lasted approximately 3-months. There was plenty of footage to work with in the editing room. I spent much of this time paying attention to the cuts, FRAME BY FRAME, creating an organized yet seemingly frantic array of imagery-- all meant to excite and draw in the audience. To help them feel the song throughout each cut.
PROMOTION The video was received with open-arms by the online music community and promoters of independent musicians. After launching it on the band's Youtube page there was an overwhelming amount of praise and feedback for a job-well done. The video is still being shared and receives views to this day in 2020.
|
