We wanted to do something that showcased the emotional content of the song, but also to produce a narrative that could help propel visual references to help relate the audience to the music.
APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network), a national television network in Canada funds Native artists for their music video show called ‘First Tracks’. They [...]
We wanted to do something that showcased the emotional content of the song, but also to produce a narrative that could help propel visual references to help relate the audience to the music.
APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network), a national television network in Canada funds Native artists for their music video show called ‘First Tracks’. They contracted Big Soul Productions to produce these videos and we scheduled a meeting to discuss concepts and logistics.
My first meeting with PJ Thornton (Producer) and James Kinistino (Director/Director Of Photography) of Big Soul Productions about the music video was at the golf course. We were also being followed by a documentary film crew from Make Believe Media from Vancouver who were shooting what the hell goes on in my days… but more on that in a bit… www.makebelievemedia.com
We first discussed a ‘vampire concept’ in Cuba, but that was quickly scrapped by the 5th hole because shooting would coincide with hurricane season. Then I thought, since I name drop San Francisco in the song, that we should go there and shoot something. We finished the game and I kept thinking muscle cars, women and rock and roll.
I’m always using Steve McQueen as a verb… ‘Steve McQueen’ the situation. Don’t let it get you heated. Stuff like that… keep your cool!
My second meeting with James Kinistino was funny. I suggested we go to San Francisco and recreate some of the elements in the movie ‘Bullitt’ with a different story to fit the song and to do a car chase. After they said that I was ‘off the reservation’ crazy, we checked out some clips online and started to map out a budget.
We scheduled a third meeting and would find that we wouldn’t have the budget to do what we wanted but thankfully the label Jukasa Studios could contribute some marketing money and we were able to do a ‘Bullitt’ themed music video in San Francisco!
With everything in place the only wild card was the color of the Dodge Challenger that we were using as the contemporary car to the 1968 440 Dodge Charger in the film. Turns out I couldn’t get a black one anywhere? We got a blue one though and it worked out for the best.
We found a fellow named Andrew Forgy who was willing to rent his 2009 Bullitt Mustang to us for a couple days though… thanks to you and your crew!
I also need to thank the following people for their help in the making of the video:
Laura Milliken, James Kinistino, PJ Thornton, Nyla Innuksuk and all at Big Soul Productions, Ken Hill and all at Jukasa Studios for letting us film the performance part there, Peter Moody, San Fran crew – Jason, John, Dan, Andrea, G and her helper (makeup and hair), the kids on the street who had a coffee stand set up… The 2 cops who helped with traffic…
The whole thing was a cool experience. There’s a whole behind the scenes video being shot by Big Soul as well. It will air in Canada for sure and hopefully it will air on all music channels globally at some point.
I can’t wait for ya’ll to see it… Give me a couple weeks… it’ll be on the YouTube soon i reckon! Stay tuned.
Update: 04.01.10
The music video is now online via YouTube:
www.youtube.com/bigsoulproductions99
www.youtube.com/derekmillerlive
comment by sam martin
just loving the new video of your fabulous song – it sounds and looks awesome by the way…your crew and partners did an amazing job – I can’t wait to see it all over…!! keep shining on and can’t wait to see and hear more…
comment by Dunkel McGregor
whatta outstanding story teller – thanks Derek, loving the tunes and the vibe you leave with it!