ROS: Episode 6

This was, undoubtedly, one of our favorite *and* most infuriating shoots. We're both suckers for the colors, moods, and symbolism of dusk — a sunset, after all, is one of those things that routinely reminds us of the earth's beauty, every day, no matter where we may be: in the dirty city, on a plane, sitting on the patio at home... 

But filming a music video during twilight can be a nightmare. First of all, twilight seems to be done and over with in all of 20 minutes, which is decidedly never enough time for our needs. It's as if the sun just can't wait to get to bed, so impatient as it approaches the horizon. Then, the sun, ever-present in the background, serves as a visual clock for the viewer: it's an inconsistency time bomb waiting to happen. Everything must be filmed on time and in order, or the sun will appear to jump up and down the horizon like a yo-yo. To make matters worse, somebody in an ultra light helicopter kept ruining our "African Safari" shot!

Frustrations aside, we're really pleased with the result! It's our ode to dusk.

EPISODE 6 of 10: The journey has entered a new dimension: the alien landscape of the mind. As the seekers proceed inward, they begin to detach from the world around them. In the gloaming, they face the murky unknown.

P.S. Does the music sound familiar to you? R2-D2 and C-3PO wander the deserts of Tatooine to this music in the Star Wars films. (Apparently John Williams is a fan of the Rite of Spring too!)

Rite: ON! ROS: Episode 1

And so it begins ...

A century ago on this day, The Rite of Spring received its infamously riotous premiere in Paris. As a tribute to this milestone in musical history, we present the opening installment of our Rite of Spring video project:

Igor Stravinsky's groundbreaking, timeless composition has compelled us to push ourselves to the hilt and to challenge the parameters of our filmmaking abilities. One of our favorite pieces to perform, the Rite has proven to provide fascinating fodder for a music video (albeit a very lengthy one!): the literal and symbolic connotations of spring and rites of passage -- the resurgence of the earth in all its elemental glory; the poignancy of discovery; the loss of innocence; the heated intensity, even eroticism, of primal urges; the shedding of layers, physical and metaphorical; etc., etc. -- are full of rich cinematic possibility, and we've let our imaginations run wild in an effort to capture the searing vision of this masterwork.

{Future episodes of this 10-part, 35-minute film will be released on YouTube, every other Wednesday throughout the summer. The next episode will air on June 12, 2013.}

Trailer Released for 'Rite of Spring'

We are beyond excited to present the trailer for our latest music film--a reimagining of Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring." We'll be releasing the video in segments beginning on May 29th, the 100th anniversary of the first public performance. This project has literally involved blood (Greg's), sweat (both) and tears (the film crew's). So, without further ado...