Beautiful music vid here performed by Seattle hip hop pals Macklemore (@macklemore) & Ryan Lewis (@ryanlewismusic) and shot by emerging Seattle filmmaker friend Zia Mohajerjasbi (@DrZia)
You think this video emerged fully formed outta these guys’ brains? Hell no. It’s all a process. Usually, this process is not well chronicled. But in the case of this video, we get to see some special insights. Not just the ‘making of’ but the whole process of how this project came together in the new era of filmmaking… Hit ‘continue reading’ below to see…
1) raw video of the first time this song was performed more than 2 years ago (at my studio actually!)
2) video of Macklmore, Ryan, and Zia asking for fan support via Kickstarter
4) and finally a few behind the scenes videos showing how they made it..
Follow the progression…
First time “Wings” (was called ‘Air Jordans’ back then…) was performed at my studio via our Songs For Eating & Drinking project more than 2 years ago… A song whose lyrics were still taking shape, scratched out on scraps of paper. I learned that sometime that evening Zia told Macklemore he’d love to make a video for that track if the song ever evolved…
Here’s Macklemore, Ryan, and Zia asking for your support on Kickstarter…
And finally, here’s 3 behind the scenes videos showing some of the cooler shots…
IMHO, this is a great chronicle of the new era of making stuff in the world. Raw artistry, is put out into the world. Feedback and collaboration result. Fans and friends help support the making of this art. Great work gets made and shared, and the recipe of how it was all pulled off is given back to the world for consumption, edification, and repetition.
Onward & upward.
[And and overall, big ups to my Seattle homies. Congrats on a kick ass video AND thanks for sharing with us the evolution of the art.]
MAcklemore and ryan lewis are sick. if you like that song check out the track “otherside”
This is a great post. I loved the first performance of the song and I watched the full music video last and it did not disappoint. You seem to always have great behind the scenes posts. Very informative and helpful. Thanks for posting this.
I think that whole gangster talk is also part of the American Brand that needs to be taken off, and discarded. It’s a mask just like the products that people wear. Take off the fake gangster accent, and the Nikes, along with the Mercedes, or other material possessions that we are brainwashed to think we need or must have in order to be someone. Why can’t people use their real voices and not these adapted thug voices. I’d rather see someone wear a pair of Nike sneakers than listen to someone speak like a thug. I agree that material possessions don’t define you, but the voice and language you use does give a lasting impression.
I like the message in the video on the peer pressure of fitting in, though using slang language is also part of that. “Just sayin.’”
This was such an enjoyable post, Chase. Excellent music, and a very touching story of the BTS for this music vid. Thank you for sharing!
Chase: The final video is great — simply beautiful — but watching how the ideas and concepts behind the video progressed is absolutely fascinating. Please, please, please give us more of these “idea development” posts on your blog. The insight that they provide into the creative process is as valuable (or more so) than any classroom learning that’s out there.
Matt
Inspiring post, great to see where collaboration can lead to
Great post! Im not a big fan of rap but wow, these lyrics have a serious meaning to them! I would definably download this! And a fantastic video! Great post well done!
Nice song, but not so much of a revelation – So a pair of Air Maxes will make you a great basketball player? They could’ve make it a song about any “cool” product – an Apple computer will make you a great designer. A full frame Nikon will make you a great photographer (actually, scratch that – A full frame Leica is what it takes to be a great photographer these days)…
The production looks great though – except for the part with the fake DOF – that made me cringe a bit…
Is this a troll or are you being serious?
Dude’s legit….good work guys
Chase can you fix your inbeded videos? The full screen button seems to always be missing. Cheers
That is alot of effort put in there and people thought its easy!
It has a nice dynamic soul v sole. The question is which wins out.
Loved the video! It brought back memories of my first pair of Air Jordans. I couldn’t touch the basketball net back then, and I still can’t today. =)
Thanks for sharing the behind-the-scenes footage, as well. It’s so interesting to see what actually goes into pulling off a shoot like this. Very informative, Chase!
Nice! What is your view on the Arri Alexa? I’m waiting for the one we ordered months ago but still didn’t have the chance to get my hands on it. The behind the scenes shots are great. It’s always nice to peak at what others use to light and get great new ideas. Thanks for the post Chase.
Halleluyah! Gorgeous video, and amazing song and message. Well done. Wow.
Oh, and Chase, nice post ,thanx
Nice progression, loved the music, the video, and the making of. Thanks for bringing some more cool, new, and inspirational material to our attention.
Also, in this age of digital goodness, and instant gratification, is a good reminder that work this good doesn’t happen from one day to the next, lots of work, love, and labor go in it.
Thanks!
Looks like a really great and really long commercial.
The lyrics are very strong though. And the emotions are very strong too.
Can`t help it, looks somehow like its so sponsored… Or they are trying to get sponsored. I think I would do it too
Would I make a product placement like that to expose my material to the world? Hell yeah!
That could be a new niche…
Kind regards, Nico
Respect man. You must have considered the impact of anti-consumerist message of the music that seems to focus on people who may even be your clients? Hell, in some ways I guess this message is about images we make selling product and lifestyle. It’s interesting. Thanks for blogging it.
Well these are shot beautifully, lyrics and concept (Shoes) not my cup of tea.
Artist seems real, just needs better lyrics.
For those of you who think honest opinions are trolls trolling, Trolls could say
those of you who can not comment honestly are simply blind followers of the masses and have no real opinion, you just post kindly so to be a part of something you can not create yourself.
Thanks for working hard on getting in-depth posts about the process of these vids and the creators insights that are out there. It’s really important for visual, audio creatives to become a community and your blog is helping build that more and more. Even cooler that your keeping an eye on the locals!
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing chase
The video looks great and I always enjoy behind the scenes clips.
Is it me or does Macklemore look like Vin Diesel?