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Nov 2017 - p.9
overcame, was not being able to see exactly
what I was filming due to the intense sunlight
hitting my monitor; the aforementioned sand
could have been deadly to my camera lens and
when the wind changed direction I had to
occasionally run for cover. A brilliant band to film
and they always look ace when they rock out.
Loyal Coward
So this was
another outdoor
location, but this
time for my own
band. Nothing
too tricky - film
and direct a
Viking army to
raid a village filled with civilians. Being the
frontman & guitarist of WEAK13 as well as the
film director is slightly more stressful but no real
problem as long as you are organised and have
some form of schedule or system prepared. I
separated each group and filmed close up shots
first then, when I required everyone to be in the
same frame (including myself performing in it), I
filmed those scenes afterwards. When you are
directing a lot of people for different types of
scenes then you always need to be aware of the
time; I try and keep things moving at a
consistent pace and involve everybody in my
thought process where possible. Sharing what
you are doing with those waiting around you on
a film set can be educational for them and
sometimes extremely funny; it also prevents
extras becoming bored. The finished music
video will be released before Christmas this
year.
That's all for this month Gig Guiders. See you
after my tour.
NICK
J
TOWNSEND
Internet
Superstar
For this song
we had Base
Studios as a
location and a
crowd to watch
the band. One
thing I insist on when filming musicians
performing is plenty of camera angles, and
when you've only got one camera, then that
means one thing - make them perform the same
song many times. Obviously, when a band plays
a song live, it begins and then it finishes; what
happens in between are hand gestures, stage
jumps, facial expressions and the interaction
with the audience. The tighter, well thought out
and rock solid a performance on stage the
better it translates on camera, and if your band
can repeat that again and again like clockwork
then the filmmaker can predict where to stand
much easier. Buzzard are phenomenal live and
this ensured a strong depiction of their band on
film.
I Wanted You
When a rock
band asks "Can
you film us on
an island?" it's
hard to pass up
the opportunity.
I did have to
deal with sand blasting my camera lens due to
high winds, but thankfully I got away with it. This
was a long but rewarding day and involved
travelling with the band and being at the mercy
of the weather. Whenever you plan to film
outdoors and you require good sunshine, then
it's essential that you keep an eye on weather
reports (ya don’t say? Ed.). Fortunately for the
band, there was no rain and the video shoot
went to plan, but gawd knows what would have
happened if a storm had showed up. I'm not
even sure what we'd have done if it had pissed
it down. One hurdle I had, which thankfully I
BUZZARD
ELECTUS
Nick J Townsend is the frontman and
guitarist for British band Weak13
An experienced Underground musician and
music promoter, film producer and
all round good guy
Supporter of original music
WEAK
13
