CASE STUDY / 02 MUSIC VIDEO — 2021
MUSIC VIDEO
Trouble began as an independent music video collaboration with designer and creative partner Brittney. What started as a small independent production developed into an ambitious narrative project built through months of concept development, storyboarding, pre-visualization and production planning.
I joined the project to bring my video production experience to the team, serving as cinematographer, camera operator, co-director and editor while collaborating with Brittney on the concept, storyboard and final edit.
ROLE
Co-Direction · Cinematography · Camera Operation
Concept Development · Storyboarding · Editing
COLLABORATION
Creative Development & Post-Production with Brittney
PRODUCTION
2021
FESTIVAL RECOGNITION
Best Music Video — Nevada Short Film Festival,
Fall 2021
02 / CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
With a limited independent-production budget, Brittney and I chose not to begin the creative process by asking what we could afford. Instead, we allowed the concept to grow without immediately restricting the ideas.
We met regularly over several months—sometimes working in her studio at UNR, other times changing environments entirely to walk, grab food and continue developing the story. The approach was simple: expand the possibilities first, then refine the concept around what we could realistically execute.
From those sessions, Trouble developed into a surreal journey through heartbreak, isolation and the struggle to escape from something the protagonist ultimately cannot outrun.
A relationship ends, leaving the protagonist emotionally fractured.
He packs a red suitcase and begins walking alone through the desert.
As the journey continues, possessions are gradually lost or abandoned along the way.
A water-filled tub in the desert becomes the turning point between reality and illusion.
What appears to be a journey toward reconciliation ultimately reveals something much darker.
03 / PRE-PRODUCTION
Once the narrative was established, Brittney and I translated the concept into a detailed storyboard that became the blueprint for production.
We planned more than composition. The storyboard included shot types, camera movement, lens choices, frame rates, exposure notes and blocking. We even used measurements to determine where performers needed to be positioned within certain shots.
For some of the more complicated sequences, we went a step further and performed and filmed the scenes ourselves before production. These rehearsals allowed us to test movement, timing and camera ideas before directing the musicians on location.
ORIGINAL STORYBOARD — 2021
Shot design · Camera direction · Blocking · Technical planning
04 / VISUAL DIRECTION
The Nevada landscape became an important part of the visual identity of Trouble. Rather than placing the performance in a conventional location, we wanted the environment to reinforce the protagonist's isolation and make the journey feel larger than the production itself.
We chose an open desert landscape outside Reno, using the natural environment, distant mountains and expansive sky to create a world that felt lonely, surreal and almost Western.
The visual direction also leaned heavily on strong primary colors. The red suitcase and wardrobe elements were designed to stand against the blue sky and muted yellow tones of the desert, allowing important story elements to remain visually prominent within the wide compositions.
Wide compositions emphasize isolation and allow the Nevada desert to become part of the narrative.
Red, blue and warm earth tones create visual separation while helping key objects—especially the suitcase—carry through the story.
Small figures against expansive landscapes reinforce the feeling of a character traveling through something much larger than himself.
DOLLY ZOOM
A perspective-shifting camera technique influenced by the famous dolly-zoom language of Jaws was adapted for one of the video's more disorienting moments.
LONG-TAKE MOVEMENT
Continuous camera movement and coordinated action were explored for a sequence influenced by the immersive long-take filmmaking I admired in Alejandro González Iñárritu's work.
MUSIC VIDEO GRAPHICS
Minimal white on-screen typography positioned along the frame referenced the visual language of classic MTV-era music-video identification graphics.
05 / PRODUCTION
Production took place with a small independent crew in the Nevada desert, with each person taking on multiple responsibilities to keep the shoot moving efficiently.
I operated the camera and drone while directing the visual execution of the storyboard. Brittney coordinated performers, costumes, props and upcoming setups, while Kevin assisted with production needs and also stepped in as a performer for several scenes.
Because we were working primarily with natural light in an exposed desert environment, conditions became part of the production. As the wind intensified throughout the day, we adjusted the shooting order and moved quickly through the remaining setups while protecting the visual plan we had established during pre-production.
PLANNED: 8 HOURS - COMPLETED: ~7.5 HOURS
Pre-production allowed the team to move efficiently between setups, completing the planned shoot in approximately seven and a half hours—just before the wind intensified significantly.
MULTIPLE ROLES
A compact team worked across camera, performance, costumes, props and production support to execute an ambitious concept with limited resources.
WORKING WITH THE DESERT
The open landscape provided the scale and isolation we wanted visually, but required the production to adapt to changing outdoor conditions.
CHANGING THE PLAN
As the wind increased, the shooting order was adjusted so critical shots could be completed before conditions became too difficult.
KEEPING THE PRODUCTION MOVING
While I filmed the active setup, Brittney and Kevin frequently prepared the next scene, allowing us to transition quickly between shots and make the most of the available daylight and weather conditions.
07 / POST-PRODUCTION
Post-production became another collaborative stage of the project. Brittney and I edited the music video together, reviewing performances, experimenting with timing and refining how the narrative and performance sequences worked with the music.
The song became the foundation for the pacing. As the music grew faster and more intense, the edit followed—using tighter cuts and more frequent transitions while allowing slower moments to breathe.
Rather than simply assembling what had been storyboarded, the edit became another opportunity to shape the emotion and rhythm of the film.
08 / FESTIVAL RECOGNITION
Trouble began as a small independent collaboration between friends with a limited budget, a small crew and an idea we wanted to bring to life.
After the film was completed, Brittney submitted the project to film festivals, where it went on to receive recognition—including winning Best Music Video at the Nevada Short Film Festival — Fall 2021.
NEVADA SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
FALL 2021
Cordillera International Film Festival
SUMMER 2022
TROUBLE — 2021
Concept · Co-Direction · Cinematography · Editing
Have a project, opportunity or idea you'd like to bring to life?
I'd love to hear about it.