Sometimes I start to take experiences for granted. Things just happen so fast that live changing events happen and nobody even takes a second to notice. That’s the worst. When you finally get that long anticipated down time only to reflect on the fact that you should have taken the time to get the most out of all the things that flew by.
So as make-up is being applied and we are rushing around to get the actors ready for their music video I am in a preoccupied daze. Then I take that second to think, “wait, this is the filming of a MUSIC VIDEO”…. IN THE PHILIPPINES… in ASIA… and I’m a part of it. It is crazy to think of some of the things each and everyone of us is doing here. One day make-up, another modeling, maybe just enjoying dinner in the city. I guess I do so many of these things everyday here, that after a while they become habit, routine… I took that second to wake myself up and remember that this doesn’t get to happen to everybody or all the time. The temperature was hot. The video was being filmed in Sound Stage 2 and although there were fans and a light breeze, the air conditioning wasn’t on and we were all melting. Perspiration beaded up on each and everyone of our foreheads as we shot and re-shot scene after scene. The music was sped up to 36 frames/sec (I think that is the correct way to say that) so that it would match the actor’s lips when we filmed. Over and again the same track was played as he would sing from a different position or different angle. My roommate was the model he was singing to. The song sounded as though it was sung by a chipmunk because it was in fast forwarded time. After several hours, I grew to like the fast version as much or even better then the original. I can probably recite the song on spot now too. As soon as the music stopped, “Cut!” rang out and I was patting powder on their faces. Disguising the glow of the heat and humidity for as long as possible, which was only a few more minutes.
It was so cool to see how a music video is made. I guess it is because I have only been here about 2 weeks now that I am still so amazed at all the things going on here. Maybe the awe wears off after a while, but so far I am still really excited to do so many new things! The video was filmed with a green background, green floor, and everything else green. In editing they are able to replace the green with the background of their choice; city buildings, whatever they have in mind. It was so cool to hear the music and imagine what it will end up looking like in the final music video. I kept my eyes glued to the monitor checking for that infamous glow and prepared to rush up there and powder, powder, powder. Ben, the singer and main actor of the video had great eye contact with the camera and it was great to watch from the monitor. Mika, my roommate and the other actor in the video, stood looking around as though she didn’t know he was standing right behind her. When it is edited it should look like he is singing to her but from a distance so she doesn’t know. I think they pulled it off. It looked cool from where I was watching at least.
Working on this project has been my favorite so far. No comparison. Everybody was very laid back but at the same time very on task. We all knew what we had to do and got it done but still enjoyed each other’s company while doing it. It was one experience I am glad to not have taken for granted.
