TBS: As a former producer and now rep, the key to any great project has always been to know that collaboration is a tool for creativity, together you will inspire each other and create another great masterpiece. Having worked with Bob Packert throughout my own career, he’s always been and continues to be an open-minded collaborator. At times Bob has approached me with personal projects and tests to discuss their marketability. With Paper Cranes, as you will read through this interview; a bunch of artists had ideas – the talent each of them brought to this video represents artistry and the perfection of each role from poet, stylists, hair and make-up, artistic direction, music, editing and that sixth sense of everyone knowing what the end product will look like before it’s seen; Bob and the creatives he worked with are always pushing the envelope and to call this latest video simply a vision brought to production is an understatement.
TBS: Can you tell me how the video project "Paper Cranes" came together?
Bob: Stylist Amanda Antunes and I have collaborated on various projects in the past, and always with rewarding results. We both wanted to challenge ourselves with a project that would combine different things that we both share a passion for, the love of video as a medium, fashion, music and dance but with a bit of an edge to it.
TBS: How did you come up with the storyline?
Bob: Amanda and I sat down over a cold PBR and hashed out a rough script, a lot of back and forth of sharing possible ideas. For me personally doing any shoot whether it is video or stills, it is almost as much about the "process" and the collaboration along the way as it is about the final imagery, sounds corny but I like to use the phrase, "It's all about the journey". I learned early on that if you build a good team of people that can each bring their talents to the table, chances are the end result will be amazing.
TBS: How did you choose the talent for the video?
Bob: Amanda should take all of the credit on that one, she knows some amazingly talented people in the arts community and had heard good things about the female lead, Sara Murphy from other photographers. As for Jake Brennan, again all Amanda. They both brought their talents and energy to the table. Jake had never acted before but I have found that if you but people in their comfort zone in this case Jake and his guitar and music, it helps them relax.
TBS: How about the set and the props for the shoot?
Bob: The sets were created by Jennifer Dunlea and Daniel Brisson. I used an empty loft space located in Fort Point, Boston as a base, I was trying to convey the sense of a bohemian loft for most of the action to take place. I did some initial sketches on a napkin and showed them to Jennifer, from there she and Daniel kind of took the concept and ran with it. Seeing as this was a self funded production they came up with some great ideas to help keep the budget in place. I especially loved the idea of creating a room scene using old pallets as walls, I could already visualize a camera dolly move peering through the slats. I would also like to mention that Amanda "created" the amazing dress for Sara to wear. We had discussed the importance of a scene where Sara actually becomes consumed by the "power of the dress". I kind of "suggested" that Amanda take a crack at creating something unique and agreed to take on the challenge.
TBS: Finally, what about the edit?
Bob: Don Packer from EngineRoomEdit.com pulled all the pieces together. Don has a music background and plays a mean sax in his own band as well, so he was really intrigued by not only the visuals and the story-telling but also the mash up of different music genres. I wanted a sense that Sara and Jake were coming from two different worlds, Sara from a more classical background and Jake more from the world of Rock.
TBS: Bob, can we address the art versus making a living issue? Who would “Paper Cranes” apply to as far as growing your client list?
Bob: Not an easy answer to that, this video could be a pretty awesome piece for the client or clothing label open to what I would call “urban grit”. As far as specific clients, Levi’s or Wrangler or perhaps Converse would be clothing lines that come to mind for having a gritty edge and pushing creativity beyond the expected. That’s a bit of the bottom line that shows up quite often in my work: pushing beyond the expected, and making viewers think about imagery or story lines differently. I have always been inspired by combining music and fashion!
Im inspired with the exceptional and instructive contents that you provide in such short timing.
ReplyDeleteboom cranes