— Vinod Bharathan

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Tag "filmmaking"

Traffic is a track from “No End In Sight“, an EP by NAVAHO240. Greg is the drummer and the manager of this band, and i did “owe” him a favor in return for his help in the production of REGULAR JOBS. Now that the band wanted a music video, i decided that my return favor to him would be a music video. But on certain condition – keeping intact my creative freedom. TRAFFIC is a straight forward ballad about a guy in love with a girl.

I wanted to keep my style and tell the story in a parallel situation, which of´course will include guns and bank robberies. It goes without saying that the visual aspect of this music video follows REGULAR JOBS. So does the plot, but coincidentally. Greg took full trust in the idea (he had no other option, he is getting it all for free ! ha ha), and he is now eagerly waiting for the final release. The visual pattern was made cooler with discussion with the team, like the cross gun sequence which was Paula’s input.

As for the cast, Kat Herlo was perfect bet for the cold, shrewd and sexy character Mandy. Greg followed as Red from REGULAR JOBS. I had worked with Søren Rossen at another production and i have always wanted to work with him ever since.

Since it was a one man production, i did face some heavy challenges. With a time constraint at shooting at locations, i had no time for any “reminder notes” or “story boards” what so ever. I did make a collection of “Mood board” and i had to remember them from the top of my head and shoot it. the set up was, me+my camera+the actor at a particular location, That was it ! Very basic, very Indie.

Since the camera body was light, it did suffer some rolling shutter as i tried to tune the focus while filming. And that when i later decided to upgrade my equipment arsenal with a JAG35 baseplate and a follow focus gear set.

WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO HERE 

TRAFFIC (the discussion)

TRAFFIC (the discussion)

TRAFFIC (the only equipment used to shoot the music video)

TRAFFIC (the only equipment used to shoot the music video)

TRAFFIC - the color that inspired it all

TRAFFIC - the color that inspired it all

 

 

 

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An indie filmmaker like me needs my own gear as i never wait to shoot my idea. But every time i face a constraint, i take a note down and search for the cheapest way to deal with the issue. I do a lot of hand held filming, and having a light DSLR camera in one hand and the focus wheel on the other can produce shaky results. So, i decided to invest in a “Follow Focus” gear. The cheapest and and effective gear was found on JAG35, an American company. Even though the cost of the items on their website was about just 200$, the import tax department of Denmark humbly handed me an extra bill amounting half the price of the gear itself.

After paying this surprise bill, i did get my hands on the gear packed in a “proudly made in America” sticker. The test drive gave fine results. I think it will definitely play a role in my film project “Karma Currency” to be shot soon in INDIA. YAY !!!!

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