This is a liveblog for the Dell “Create. Work. Inspire.” event happening today in New York. Photo.net’s Hannah Thiem will be onsite today liveblogging the process as a video for the band The Suzan is created. Scroll down for details.
12.35 pm
Create. Work. Inspire. by Dell/Intel.
Saori and Ikue from The Suzan
Kate Collins (makeup artist) + Luke Kalat (hair artist)
Photoshoot with Lizzy Sullivan
Rie from The Suzan
12.33 pm
More behind-the-scenes and key players in the making of The Suzan’s music video:
NICO (drummer) and Takayuki Sekiya (stylist)
Zebra!
The Suzan posters
12.30 pm
More images from The Suzan video shoot at the Dell/Intel Create. Work. Inspire. event.
Saori from The Suzan
Jules (choreographer) and dancers
details from the video shoot set
1.46 pm
I spoke with Ebenezer Bond, one of the producers for the music video.
Overall, his experience was great. “It was amazing to see this creative team of people who didn’t know each other and collectively make something happen, that normally would be next to impossible. This experience was so exciting to see all the artistic elements and creativity that went into it from choreography, hair/makeup, styling, so fast so quick. Inspiring. I keep going back to that word. We were brought in on this project 2 weeks ago. We sat down with Chris Butler from Super Alright who works with Dell quite a bit on different project and ran the idea by him. (He oversaw the last 2 Create. Work. Inspire. projects.) Incredible that this entire project came together in only 2 weeks!”
As far as timing, the video team wrapped the shoot at about 11p on Friday evening, and were dumping footage ’til about 2a. They started back up first thing Saturday morning. The director and main editor were still editing in the bunker Saturday afternoon where I was interviewing Ebenezer. He felt confident the team would be ready to premiere the video Saturday eve at about 8p at the party.
“Working with Mindy was wonderful–she has a real clear sense of what works and what doesn’t. She has a great feel for how to bring out the creative energy in everyone. She’s a wonderful force to push the creative energy of a community. Mindy was someone we had been wanting to work with for a while. Pretty badass.”
Ebenezer’s business partner Jessica Resler (participationagency.us) brought together Mindy Abovitz and Jules Bakshi (director and choreographer). With the time frame they were given, they found the best stylist (Takayuki Sekiya) who also spoke Japanese so it was a perfect match. Hair and makeup team Jess brought in. As far as video, they decided on Ian Wolfson as they were looking for a video director who was adaptable and fluid and also showcased a bunch of styles. Someone who had a comfortability working in a bunch of different styles and genres, as they didn’t know exactly what would be thrown at him in terms of concept.
1.24 pm
The device I used for the entire live blogging experience. The Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook is remarkably thin and lightweight–nearly blends into the background.
1.20 pm
The art director, Mindy Abovitz, holding up a finished poster with graphic design by Lauren Stec, photography by Lizzy Sullivan.
1.12 pm
Here’s the creative team behind this Create. Work. Inspire. pop-up creative project.
1.06 pm
To follow up with the post-video shoot experiences I had at Villain Studios on Thursday and Saturday, I interviewed The Suzan yesterday to find out more about their experience. It was a lot of fun chatting with Saori (vocals, guitar), Rie (keys), Ikue (bass), and NICO (drums). The songwriters for the band are Saori and Rie (they also happen to be sisters).
They all live together in Manhattan near Central Park. They’re transplants from Japan about 2 years ago. The original founding members, Rie and Saori are from Saitama (near Tokyo). Regarding rehearsals, sometimes they’re able to rehearse in their livingroom in their Manhattan apartment, depending on how their neighbors are feeling.
I asked them how they prepared for this music video shoot. The highlight comment is they do Korean ginseng face masks. Red Bull day of is another key element. Meditation, extra sleep, etc, didn’t seem to come into play here. The music video is for their song Ha, Ha, Ha. Inspiration behind this song? “Rie went to the park to walk with her dog and saw the sky, then she sat on the ground, looked up to the sky and saw all the buildings.” That’s about all I could get as far as storyline.
When asked about the dance aspect of the music video, they said that the dance moves were hard, but really fun. “We love to dance but we always are playing only instruments. We enjoyed working with the choreographer, Jules. She is so cool and very powerful, and gave us good ideas, she gave us moves that we could do, but also challenged us.” When asked about the colorful playful set design by Zac: “We loved it. It was pretty easy to get into the vibe and feel of the artistic concept.” For the video shoot, “At first we were a little bit tense because there was an audience–was difficult to play as usual without an audience. But later we could do it more naturally and better after more Red Bull.” Anything unexpected? “We had a partner for dancing. We each had a guy lifting and turning us. We weren’t expecting that!” Needless to say, they were very excited to see the premiere last night (which I unfortunately had to miss).
Next big thing: The Suzan has a tour next month. South Carolina, Georgia – Savanna Festival, possible offers on the table for a Swedish Festival this summer.
3.33 pm
All in all, this was a really fun experience for me to be a part of, seeing this very creative team come together, and live blogging about it from the new to-be-released-to-the-public-in-3-days Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook. I look forward to sharing a link to the final music video, some followup photos and interviews too. Thanks for reading!
3.30 pm
I interviewed The Suzan about their experience post-video production. My favorite quote from them:
“At first we were a little bit tense because there was an audience [for the video shoot]–it was difficult to play as usual. But later we could do it more naturally and better once we felt more comfortable, especially after more Red Bull.” I’ll be posting more quotes from them later this evening, along with an interview with Ebenezer, the producer.
NICO(Drums), Ikue(Bass), Saori (Vox, Guitar), Rie (Keyboard)
2.54 pm
I’m back on set at Villain Studios at the Dell/Intel pop-up creative headquarters in Williamsburg where the photo/video team have been shooting and producing with The Suzan over a 2-day period. I’m up in the bunker where the video team is editing the final music video for a premiere showing this evening. It’s been a pretty intense and artistically creative time for everyone. I’m speaking with the team to see how the experience has been for everyone. More soon.
5.59 pm
Thanks for following this live blog coverage of a real live music video shoot coming together behind the scenes. More over the next few days. All documented using the new Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook, the Nikon D700 with 24-70/2.8 lens, and a little Lightroom love.
5.57 pm
Entire team is prepping for the video shoot later today. Choreographer and backup dancers rehearsing their moves, video crew prepping the set for shooting. Seems like some of it will be shot tonight, some tomorrow. Unfortunately, I have to bounce before the real fun begins.
5.29 pm
Interview happening right now with Jules, the choreographer. I’m listening in. “What I love about the 60s and what The Suzan loves: we love the funness of that time period. The choreography brings the fun, the color, lack of pretention, be silly, have a great time.” Jules’ choreography for this music video includes lots of spirals, finger points, cutesy gestures, big eyes, silliness, and fun.
With regards to using the Dell, “For me, a computer is most useful to use as a recording tool. I set up the computer in a corner in the space and annotated the music with recording vocal notes of my choreography.”
and the full setup for the interview:
5.12 pm
Mood boards for The Suzan video and photo shoots.
4.58 pm
According to Mindy, “The concept for the music video is a 60s dance party inspired by their song Ha Ha Ha, infused with elements of different decades shown through movement/choreography and through some costuming. It will include balloons, confetti, staging for dancers and for the band, primary colors, circular design elements on the walls. We’re putting everyone in a colorful pallette alluding to the 60s.”
Jules Bakshi (Choreographer), Mindy Abovitz (Art Director) discussing the dance moves
4.49 pm
Mindy is the creator and editor of Tom Tom Magazine. She often features bands in showcases, in addition to features and interviews in her quarterly publication, all focusing around bands/music projects with female drummers. The Suzan is an all-girl band originally from Japan, currently based in Brooklyn.
4.46 pm
I spoke briefly with Mindy Abovitz, art director, about the concept behind the video shoot taking place tomorrow.
4.04 pm
While I’m getting set up on a fully charged Dell XPS 13 and transferring files over, I’m watching the various setups going on. In the 1st studio, they’re setting up an interview station with hot lights for video. In the next studio over, they’re setting up the band with instruments for another photoshoot.
RED interview with Lizzy Sullivan
3.14 pm
Finally, looks like I’m out of battery. I wouldn’t say that it’s a realistic estimate of battery life on this computer, since I haven’t doing very taxing tasks. Plus, during lunch I didn’t have the Dell on me. But all in all, the battery life seems pretty decent.
3.06 pm
To continue the brief story about Zac Mitchell, set designer, I spoke with him briefly to find out more about his inspiration for the set.
“I used reference images of the band–they use lots of color in their look. When I was preparing, I wanted to pull out key elements of color to tell a story. To be cost effective, I pulled balloons, hula hoops, and objects in both white and bright colors. Nothing that would take away from the band and what they’re wearing–wanted to add a graphic approach. It’s not about having a lot of elements, it’s about having key elements. I would describe the look as whimsy.”
3.02 pm
The best part about the Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook: the keyboard layout is excellent. Very easy to type with this keyboard. It’s also extremely lightweight. Would be a great accompaniment to any kind of travel photography for offloading images, light editing while on the go.
2.57 pm
I caught some shots of Zac Mitchell, set designer, being interviewed for the video. He was describing how the styling and wardrobe really inspired his set designing. All the bright colors, edgy garments, inspired a fun playful set–balloons, bright colors.
2.35 pm
Dell and Intel have been doing a bunch of pop-up experiences in creative locations (including today’s experience in Williamsburg, Brooklyn). Here’s a video of a Create. Work. Inspire. experience in San Francisco at the Carte Blanche gallery. 
2.18 pm
I just shot a whole slew of images outside–the photo team is using graffitti buildings and dirt piles as natural props. fits well with the zebra and crazy colors themes. I guess you could describe the look as edgy pop.
and a photo of the photographer in action: Lizzy Sullivan (Brooklyn-based fashion and portrait photographer):
2.00 pm
headed outside to get some shots of the band outside, with the photo team. posting photos shortly.
1.55 pm
the photo team just wrapped a shoot indoors complete with a blown-up zebra. lots of color, balloons, funky chunky jewelry.
12.22 pm
and the Dell XPS 13 is still going, currently running on about 1/3 battery power (started working with the laptop at 9:30a).
12.21 pm
time for a brief lunch break. crew is still in prep mode, band members still in hair/makeup.
12.18 pm
Shoe selection made by Stylist Takayuki Sekiya. You may see some of these shoes making their appearance in the final music video..
11.47 am
Makeup artist Kate Collins applying makeup to one of the band members.
11.41 am
Drummer from The Suzan getting her hair done by hair artist Luke Kalat.
11.26 am
Bandmembers from The Suzan are now in hair/makeup. Video team is documenting the behind-the-scenes with the RED camera.
11.03 am
The Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook will be available for purchase on February 28.
10.40 am
Just got Lightroom and Photoshop Elements installed on the Dell XPS 13. I’m now more prepared to rock.
10.32 am
The outside of the Villain Studios building in Williamsburg where all this is going down. They even painted the outside with the “Create. Work. Inspire…” slogan. Nice.
10.15 am
I’m anticipating a pretty awesome experience to check out the process of production on a full-blown high-end music video. Looking forward to seeing this all come together. And.. it’s about 50 degrees out, in case anyone is wondering what February in NYC is like, although we’re currently indoors at the studio. Excellent.
10.04 am
Very important to start the day right when live blogging, while awaiting a download of Adobe Photoshop Elements to edit these photo documentary masterpieces…
9.56 am
What it looks like… 
9.37 am
Just arrived on set at Villain Studio in Williamsburg where the video shoot with the Japanese rock band The Suzan is going down in about a half hour. I have the new Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook in hand, fired up and ready to go, and will be documenting the experience via this small lightweight laptop.
Dell and Intel are heading back to NY for their third ‘Create. Work. Inspire.’ event at the Villain LLC in Brooklyn, NY. This time the XPS 13 Ultrabook ™ is a key player in the creation of a music video “Home,” by Japanese Rock Trio, The Suzan. Mindy Abovitz, the creator and editor of Tom Tom Magazine, will be curating the production team and direction of the video. Photo.net will be live blogging the event. The live blog posts will appear in a box on the Photo.net homepage and the posts and images on the Photo.net blog page (http://blog.photo.net/).
The event will be on February 23rd-24th from 9AM to 9PM and followed by an RSVP event on February 25th at 6PM to 9PM. You can RSVP by emailing RSVP@CWIBrooklyn.com.
Here is the link to the venue below.
I just do not understand why anyone would want to read a step-by-step or blow-by-blow of an event like this. Is this not trivial information overload?