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Video Shoots and Studio Gigs
Keith, Shades Framed Art Print Mankowitz, Gered Buy at AllPosters.com 
Video shoots and Studio gigs: by Lance Reegan-Diehl (Part I)
Scott asked me to write a story about guitar related subjects, or gigging related subjects. I didn’t have any. But you know, it just took awhile for that brick to fall out of the sky on my head and make me say here it is!!
I was recently doing a video shoot for MTV. I was hired to portray the guitar man for a famous Korean Pop singer. OK, yes you guitar player’s got me, not much guitar playing here, but I have done this allot, as well as being the guitar guy ON THE ALBUM. (You can check out my 27 productions later… And, the upcoming Guitar Instructional Book/DVD) “Back to the Brick.” So, why not tell you about how to get ready for this type of gig? What to expect, the real work that goes into making a music career happen along the way. Here we go.
Today is like any other, at my house/studio tracking a bit working with a client in the morning, teaching a few lessons after lunch, then the phone rings. It’s a reliable contact that has traded info and music work with me for years. Hey!! got a video for you. I respond OK!!
First question is, what to wear? I usually dress clean, not too flashy. Basic black always works. I try to take three shirts with me. I take some of my favorites so I feel comfortable. Or, wardrobe will provide you with costume. This time it was basic black, easy.
What kind of guitar do they want me playing? Turns out it’s a nylon string guitar part on the CD. Well I have several instrument’s one is a black nylon string guitar. Now I’ll add a quick tip here. Maybe you don’t own all these instruments but, look around, a friend, or maybe a music shop where you have some ties, may get you what’s needed for a quick rental or a one day loaner. Be inventive. I have my backup’s incase I don’t have the right axe. (A Dobro would send me calling fast!!!)
Next on our list; how much time is involved? This time for me it’s 5hours. Actual camera time will probably be 2 hours. BE READY too because they will run overtime. Camera problems, set problems, lunch is late, ….ANYTHING. The last video I did, the wall paper on the set kept coming unglued, and falling down in the back ground. We had to stop film many times because of loose paper.
Now, we are getting down to where is the video taking place? This time it’s right downtown about 15minutes motorbike ride from my place. Perfect! This couldn’t be any better. (I charge more for travel time.) So I ride there on the morning of the arranged day for shooting. The P.D. (Production Director) has already called and arranged a meeting point and time (11am). And I get there (10:50am). My habit, I’m always early for shows NO MATTER WHAT. 11am rolls past me, I get a coffee, the keyboard guy shows up and we wait until 11:30am. The STAR van show’s up and we get on board. Turns out we could have walked to the location. (It was 5 minutes away on foot!!!)
The thing to remember here is make them comfortable, they are affording you a living with your talent/looks/and skills. Be patient, let them be late. They are always more accommodating when the late shoe is on their foot. Video shoots are always a chance to show what you really can do on your instrument too, by playing some of your stuff while waiting around. And I often secure more shoots and studio sessions by doing this.
On location at a fourth floor Jazz room, we see a smoky room/lounge feel, a grand piano, and some speakers being piled up all around the set. OK, time to say hellos to personnel, and find a spot to call my “corner.” I almost always bring a book with me to read, some Jazz charts, or solo piece’s I want to read through. Rolling Stone has some good stuff too, so I often carry that around. (Still can’t get my picture on the cover!) So I settle back a bit and wait for some direction, or a chance to see the list of scenes.
First the singer has to get some close-ups done with the camera crew. I usually watch a bit and listen to the track a few more times. They often send you the track on mp3, via email, the night before. And you play the parts the next day!! There will be close-ups of that guitar part in the finished product. I like to do it right, and as bang on or as close as can be. So I know I nailed it. (I get more call backs for using this kind of ethic!!)
Second it’s time for a screen test. The pianist and I get directed to our seats next to, and around the star. And… action!! I usually just play my part, look at the other musician(s) and look at the star a bit too. It has to feel like a band, even though you just met, you have to act like that. (More call backs for this…..) A couple run through’s then some takes are done and the director has time to review them, and get another angle set-up. This will go on and on for an hour or so. It’s real important here to remember your place. You, are guitar guy. They ask you to move, pose, dance, whatever! You do it. Never explain how in a traditional kind of blah, blah, you have to do this or that. You just lost your next gig with that kind of attitude. Be happy! Happy to do it over and over and over again!!! Your paid, and your face and guitar will be on MTV. Few can handle this!! (Be forwarned!!)
Third it’s lunch time so we decide to run a few local errand’s. To the music shop, and my endorser’s office just to say hi, and talk about my new gig today. You have to keep the endorser’s happy!!
After lunch it’s back on set we have to get ready for close ups. Piano guy goes first for close-ups. Bloomberg has some dumb things to say in the R.S. so I wait my turn patiently, and get a laff in. Next up it’s guitar, and now the moment we have all been waiting for. Simple you say, I got the part nailed, EASY, let’s roll, piece of cake……NOPE. The producer say’s to me; “Can you make more action?” “Can you make the part move more?” Here’s where you have to just deliver folks. I quickly translate some of the finger picked open string’s into fretted note, closed postion, and opt. for a different inversion for the second chord. OK !!! They see movement, and it’s in time, in tune, and all good!!! Now, let me back track here a bit. The night before the shoot I anticipated this situation. Often the part that is on the record, is pretty simple. But, film people want ACTION. So a good tip here, find a few ways to play the same thing in different places on your axe. Do open chord things in closed positon just to see where the notes would fall. All the while making it sound like the open stringed part. Practice the same lick in different postion’s (3 minimum). This is the only way any lick will ever do you any good.
Ahh it’s time to go home, great, we are done! Well, almost. Time for that happy together sing song part of the video. So we all sit on the speakers together, smiling, playing and laughing a bit. Three takes of this and we are off. The crew and the Star have to stay to complete everything, but our time is up and I am pretty quick to holler OVERTIME!! When they push for that extra time favour.
That’s a day on the set for you. This kind of work depends a bit on where you live and are located but , if you have the skills, and can create and copy on the spot, you can get this kind of work. Even making your own videos with people you know. Attitude and the way you approach it is everything. It’s long, boring tedious work, most can’t cut it. Remember that, when your tracking your next tune, or video, or taking a lesson, or getting fired, or receiving your next rejection letter from a record company (I papered a wall with these!!!) Don’t get all bent out of shape. The top is made up of people who never quit doing it. (Next time Part II : preping for a DVD product demonstration shoot.)
Lance Reegan-DiehlCanadian Guitar Virtuoso JM400 USB Guitarist www.myspace.com/lancereegandiehl
All about Lance : Lance Reegan-Diehl Biography
Lance Reegan-Diehl (LRD) is singer/songwriter/musician with seven studio albums to his credit; the most recent Internal Construction, is a testament to his talent and penchant for creating magic in the studio and transferring it to the listener via the digital and analog methods. LRD is the epitome of the indie artist with the necessary fortitude and drive to succeed in the competitive music market. He is the consummate musician and producer.
His inspiration entails more than music, he comes from a spiritual place and believes in transferring his enlightenment through music and words. Currently Lance is writing, engineering, and producing other artist's and working on his new productions at all times.
Lance Reegan Diehl will be a busy man for several months. Besides new recordings and promoting the JamMate, he will be appearing in Toronto Feb 25, 2007 from 2pm to 6pm at the Toronto Blues Society Master Guitar Clinic as an instructor, and recently TC Electronics guitar effects.You can visit the LRD site for downloads, updates, and scheduled appearances.
Contact: Lance Reegan-Diehl Company: LRD Music Address: Seoul, Korea Tel: 82-11-730-4716 Email: LRD@LRDmusic.com Website : http://www.LRDmusic.com
Updated: 3/14/07 |