KASH featuring OJ da JUICEMAN "Gotta Get It Back"
Directed by Antoine Watkins Sr. and Co-Directed by Sonia "Sypher" Tyler
Edited by: Antoine Watkins Sr.
This video was a whole lot of fun. This was the second video out of the Brick Squad camp that we put together.
One of the reasons I enjoyed myself so much was because the artist, Kash, was truly appreciative. Apparently this was the first video he's ever done for himself. Kash is in "The Hottest Rapper" video and song with Gucci and Waka Flaka that is already at over 3million views on WorldStarHipHop. It always makes the job AWESOME when you are appreciated.
The second reason I enjoyed myself is because the behind the scenes are incredible. Everyone showed up on set - Waka, Capp the Prez, the Duct Tape fam, and many more. I asked Waka a question that was apparently stupid (did he do any songs with Kash) and he said I was a mustard ass nigga that need to catch up. Lol. I appreciated that. The truth is, I don't listen to most music out of Brick Squad. They don't have music I can relate to. I don't understand the drug culture to the extend that these artists and their affiliates do. Not only that - truthfully, my music choice is a little different. When Waka and OJ talk about drugs, I don't understand, but when Biggie, Jay Z, or Scarface did - I was able to actually feel like I knew what was going on. It was poetry. But that's neither here or there. These kats REALLY do what they do. The money on the screen was ALL real!!! ALL OF IT! Our highlights during the shoot was when these serious thugs would smile and laugh. I learned how to make crack (all the props were fake except for the cooking pots). Kash told us so many things that people don't know, and won't talk about. We packaging this bad boy up and putting a bar code on it.
The third reason was because they had doone buggies and motorcycles and all types of cool contraptions! Nuff said - we were riding in style!
This was also sentimental because one of Kash's homeboys since the 4th grade, Lonnie was in the video and passed away a few days later. We were able to immortalize him forever. When Kash watched the finished version - I could see it meant more to him then everything in the world that we caught him on camera.
This was also sentimental because one of Kash's homeboys since the 4th grade, Lonnie was in the video and passed away a few days later. We were able to immortalize him forever. When Kash watched the finished version - I could see it meant more to him then everything in the world that we caught him on camera.
One thing I didn't expect was the criticism I got from people for shooting the video. I got comments that said we were supported the drug trade and shame on us for showing this aspect of life. I guess I can kind of see where they come from...but the truth is, we shoot what our clients want. My partner said if it was about a man that went around murdering people, he wouldn't shoot it. But that raises a serious question? In some ways, that is like murdering people - serving people drugs. The thing is, I look at my profession as a tool to make people's dreams come true, so they don't have to live that way. And if I were to truly be honest, I really am intrigued and think people should know the truth about how people live. To us, it's visually telling the artists story, and naturally feeding our stomachs. Rock and pop artists aren't beating our doors down to give us work (yet), so we take everything. But even if money wasn't an issue - I still would take a song with this content and produce a a video for it.
When you see the behind the scenes, you'll think I was horrible. I started asking all types of questions about "LEAN" and "CRACK" and the whole drug trade. I was intrigued. It didn't make me want to start selling drugs (although that money did make me feel like Gollum and his precious) nor did it make me want to tell them shame on you for living this way. It was a cold hard fact of life for these people and I appreciated being able to be a fly on their wall. Not everyone is allowed in. Especially a square ass chick like me holding a camera and coughing after just one hit of the LOUD. I saw a bunch of young men that could provide better schools for their children and way out for the people in their hood, I was appreciative to get cash with no haggling and no buts immediately so I could continue to make my dreams grow. I don't know....what do you think?
ALUMNI "HOTTEST IN THE CITY"
Directed by Antoine Watkins Sr. and Co Directed by Sonia "Sypher" Tyler
Edited by: Antoine Watkins Sr.
This was the first video that Voltron Productions and Mind Your Business, Ent. collaborated on together. I loved the song and everyone was so nice to work with. We were a two man crew. Antoine Watkins Sr. and I. We used a 5D camera and edited on iMovie (Antoine never edited on iMovie before and did a phenomenal job). AD Killa (From Gs to Gents) came out for a cameo, but he had to leave early. Still want to shout him out as well as Pent House Studios for allowing us to utilize their studio for the city shots. As always, Krog Street tunnel and Lil 5 Points are ATL staples that make you know its ATLANTA shawty. This is a video that only cost a few hundred dollars. The artists were in charge of the wardrobe, concept, and assisted with locations.
Seeing as though this was our first video, there were a few things I would've liked to change:
#1 - ladies - NO MATTER WHAT - YOU MUST WEAR MAKE-UP INFRONT OF THE CAMERA! There are shadows and lights that make it hard on your face, despite how naturally beautiful you may be. That small thing can make a huge difference in the look of a video.
#2 - lip synching is an art. You may have spit your song in the booth, wrote the lyrics, and came up with the dance moves, but when it's playing back, you MUST know your song and say it with AFFIRMATION. That means don't lip synch - actually spit like your performing on stage for Quincy Jones or Akon or somebody. In post, it's hard to do a good synch job when your mouth is moving lazily.
#3 - Don't ever go on set without GPS. We were LOST for the final scene (house scene) and it started raining. That added an additional 2 hours to the shoot.
#4 - Wish we did the intro to the second song somewhere else. Not feeling the curtains in the background...
#5 - We made an interesting mistake with this shoot. Before we let the artists see the video, we posted it on line. In the first day over 200 people viewed it on YouTube. Unfortunately, the artists wanted some changes so we had to bring it down to make those changes. Word of advice to artists though - if you want changes, it's cool to say so and the editors will do it, but don't be disrespectful and say you want to do it yourself, for some minor changes - that will make the steam for promotions completely fizzle from this production crew. (Notice they have the lowest amount of hits from all videos). We are more then a production crew - we also GO HARD to get our videos out there.
I would love to find out your constructive criticism. Please be honest. We're growing and appreciate all the advice and suggestions possible.
If you would like your video shot, please contact:
Sypher - MindYourBusinessEnt@gmail.com 404 914 7242
