You often collaborate and meet with brands that match your artistic vision. What do you think it is about your artistry that makes brands trust your artistic vision?
I usually have a very strong idea of what I want to accomplish on a given job. I think the integrity of the ideas and the hopeful earnestness of my approach shows. It’s always a battle however, Le Pere was a rare exception where I didn’t have to compromise.”
When making a fashion film that coincides with heavy story-telling, what were the main obstacles you were tackling?
I wanted to create ubiquitous experiences that relied on known landscapes slightly abstracted from their normal happening. I liked the idea of a somber view into the world of these characters which is reflected in the sparseness of the score. Small journeys of men are dramatized for the sake of the scene.
How did this partnership come along, did you hit them up first, or did you come with them with an idea?
I was approached by the brand which had collaborated with a few of my peers and was helmed by some industry acquaintances, I understand the vision for the brand and immediately had ideas on how to capture the essence without hyper-stylization.
Did “ANOTHER VERSION OF MYSELF" start out as something completely different before it snowballed into what it is now? Whether that be the subject, styling, shots, story-boarding, etc. Can you tell us about the progression of this video?
Almost any shoot starts as one image and snowballs into another. I originally wanted to shoot one take movie-quality scenes for each video but quickly realized this couldn’t be achieved. We all have great ideas I think it comes down to who can pivot and execute in real-time. Basically salvaging a denaturing idea before it becomes unrecognizable.”
In some of the shots, there were different lighting sequences, a spotlight on his neighborhood, etc. Can you speak to the lighting style in the 001 film?
The spotlight hearkens a feeling of being watched. I wanted the family and his static car posing to be under the audience's gaze for further questioning.
I don’t look at references. I walk outside. I stare at the sun. I eat my portion-controlled lunch at the corner of Lassens grocer parking lot in echo park. I think about the human condition, himself, and his family.
