04.18.13

Perspective is such a relative thing; you could look in any direction and without thinking see nothing, your eyes wide open tearing from a dry wind or pollen. Images play around us, dusting our subconscious in angles and twirls which we likely send straight to a digital trash can. I dare you to look up, down, sideways backwards, quickly slowly, standing uncomfortably but existing within a thought that makes no sense in the sense of the word "sense". It's at least better than waiting for a change that waits for you.

Mark of the Widow

I found myself today, while crossing a scaffold to a small parking structure in my school, struck in hysterics. It started with a crack between my lips, my eyes covered by the tint of plastic and a smile emerging, fighting; breaking out. My teeth cracked in full motion as I realized where I exist and how I choose to live within it. It was only in high school 5 years ago that a fantasy like this sprouted and now, even when I can't nor am considered a success I feel this place within the future where I sit content and alive within a dream enjoying the stacks of pride. Recognition exists from perseverance and will never be overseen so long as you stay true to the integrity of your work, the people around high or low, and the family you were born to and create. I hope that when and if you read this you decide to grow with me, and to create something greater than what has been produced already. This is only the beginning and has only ever been intended as the beginning. The mark of the widow began with 2013; see you soon.

_Elinn
Half Widow

I The Mighty // Speak To Me Music Video

It's nearly impossible for me to design a compelling introduction to anything I write, in fact most of the time re-reading my drafts I find that I ambitiously jump into the details without any expression of what the project meant to me, in the end. I feel it right then, for this, to begin when there is nothing left to say and only the remains for you to watch. "Speak To Me", a music video for the most talented musicians in I The Mighty, created by myself, Michael Garcia, and Joe English is the result of 48 hours of production spent in a 40 degree warehouse and a crew of three. The result is nothing less than what was exactly needed; a visual vessel for you to feel the power behind this bands voice.

          

Everything that ever will be seems to begin with a phone call. 

The bands manager (Daniel Rubin) contacted me in late december and at the time (I have to be honest) I had never heard of I the Mighty. It wasn't until I was forwarded the song would I be entranced by the pure energy and raw style that it would deliver and soon inspire myself and creative crew to produce. Working initially with Daniel we had discussed that a room should be changing in appearance over the course of the video. After listening, and with the help from Michael Garcia, we developed the concept that an energy of some magnitude would be tearing it apart. Perhaps this energy was created by the bands presence within the room, maybe it existed from outside of it. Something beautiful to me as a director is that the answer never has to be concrete, even though I have my own interpretation of what is happening. In fact, I'd love to hear everyones own unique experience while watching this video.

Overall, the design was simple visually, with very few items collected on the walls, but still, in my opinion it never lacked character. This room (excuse the pun...) definitely spoke to me about some sort of life that existed within its walls. It's my own visual style and preference to keep things simple but not without interest. In fact, there are a few personal items within that hold some merit to the bands roots such as an old map of the Bay area on one wall, and beneath the deer are various images from my own photo collection. All seem inexplicably cohesive with the song still, and I know that's something we are all very proud of.

And so it began with a sketch, multiple cups of coffee, debate,  re-designing, and finalizing that we felt confident to begin scheduling and bringing it to life. We journeyed to our good friends studio spaces in Corona (The Good Die Young Rehearsal Space) and began constructing our single room set in an empty warehouse space he had. Day one was constructing the walls, and developing the logistics of it's inevitable destruction. The result I couldn't be more proud of and couldn't have asked for better people to create it with, including the band and management. 

This video in itself is the very beginning to a unique creative campaign, being shot in the first month of the new year. I don't believe in stepping backwards, and can only push myself and team to reach the limits of giants, never alone and always in great company. 

_Elinn