Publication Date: 3 April 2007
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As more UK artists embrace videography as a natural
part of building their catalogue we begin a new,
occasional series...
part of building their catalogue we begin a new,
occasional series...
OK... I think we can officially say there's something in the air.
Release schedules have begun to pick up. The quality of the releases themselves are getting back on track. In the meantime, more artists are investing more time and effort in the burgeoning promo video sector as a tool to give their music an even stronger marketing boost.
In the first of this new series, I speak to London-based VIZION, who - in my view - produced one of the stronger (if sadly, somewhat overlooked) tracks of last year in his RnB/Hip-hop hybrid single, MERCIFUL GOD.
And just in case you think I'm somewhat biased: the song made it to the finals of the recently-concluded International Songwriting CompetitIon. He released the video to the song a couple of weeks ago...
Release schedules have begun to pick up. The quality of the releases themselves are getting back on track. In the meantime, more artists are investing more time and effort in the burgeoning promo video sector as a tool to give their music an even stronger marketing boost.
In the first of this new series, I speak to London-based VIZION, who - in my view - produced one of the stronger (if sadly, somewhat overlooked) tracks of last year in his RnB/Hip-hop hybrid single, MERCIFUL GOD.
And just in case you think I'm somewhat biased: the song made it to the finals of the recently-concluded International Songwriting CompetitIon. He released the video to the song a couple of weeks ago...
Doing this video was more of a conviction than a strategic plan.
I felt convicted to ensure that as many people as possible hear the
song, and shooting a video came to mind.
I prayed to God, for many months, to acquire the resources I needed
to make it happen.
MERCIFUL GOD had been aired on several radio stations since its release in 2006, but radio stations in the UK can only do so much for a UK gospel song. But a video can be aired worldwide on the internet, and also on foreign TV stations, for an extended or
unlimited period of time.
I know that UK radio stations also broadcast online, but the air-life of the average song is about a month. But on an online streaming channel (such as YouTube), it can be watched indefinitely.
I felt convicted to ensure that as many people as possible hear the
song, and shooting a video came to mind.
I prayed to God, for many months, to acquire the resources I needed
to make it happen.
MERCIFUL GOD had been aired on several radio stations since its release in 2006, but radio stations in the UK can only do so much for a UK gospel song. But a video can be aired worldwide on the internet, and also on foreign TV stations, for an extended or
unlimited period of time.
I know that UK radio stations also broadcast online, but the air-life of the average song is about a month. But on an online streaming channel (such as YouTube), it can be watched indefinitely.
KIND OF OBVIOUS QUESTION TO START WITH, BUT: WHY WAS IT IMPORTANT TO YOU TO SHOOT A VIDEO...?
On location
AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS...?
It was fun all the way. I chose Graham Park
Estate, Colindale, London, because my church
already had a relationship with the residents, as
we own a drop-in, advice centre (the NOVO
Centre) for the youths within the estate.
I had ministered (with my church), in the middle
of the estate in the summer of 2006, when we
launched the drop-in centre. So, I decided to
recreate that experience as the plot for the video.
All the cast (except one) are friends from my church and I relied on a friend's help to secure the flat we used for the indoor scenes. The video was shot over two days. We worked from about 8am to 8pm daily.
The director, BEN PETERS, is a young, talented guy whom I worked closely with to achieve the result I wanted. I wrote the treatment/story in detail for him so during the shoot I would
Estate, Colindale, London, because my church
already had a relationship with the residents, as
we own a drop-in, advice centre (the NOVO
Centre) for the youths within the estate.
I had ministered (with my church), in the middle
of the estate in the summer of 2006, when we
launched the drop-in centre. So, I decided to
recreate that experience as the plot for the video.
All the cast (except one) are friends from my church and I relied on a friend's help to secure the flat we used for the indoor scenes. The video was shot over two days. We worked from about 8am to 8pm daily.
The director, BEN PETERS, is a young, talented guy whom I worked closely with to achieve the result I wanted. I wrote the treatment/story in detail for him so during the shoot I would
PRODUCTION STILL: BOY ATTEMPTS TO STEAL FROM HIS MUM...
supervise how the cast played their characters
and BEN would take as many shots as possible,
from different angles, using various lighting
techniques.
He understood my vision and knew what to do to
bring it to life. The outdoor performance scene
was the most fun. We turned the music up a little
and just enjoyed ourselves.
In between shots, myself, singer LUCILLE (who is soon to be my wife) REVOLUTION (rapper/singer), GEE PEE (rapper) and DJ BLOX would just minister and flow in the middle of the estate. We worked for long hours but it didn't feel like work.
and BEN would take as many shots as possible,
from different angles, using various lighting
techniques.
He understood my vision and knew what to do to
bring it to life. The outdoor performance scene
was the most fun. We turned the music up a little
and just enjoyed ourselves.
In between shots, myself, singer LUCILLE (who is soon to be my wife) REVOLUTION (rapper/singer), GEE PEE (rapper) and DJ BLOX would just minister and flow in the middle of the estate. We worked for long hours but it didn't feel like work.
VIDEO STILL: DJ BLOX, LUCILLE AND VIZION ON THE ESTATE
IT LOOKS GOOD. MUST HAVE BEEN A BIT EXPENSIVE...
Here's the great testimony: it cost two thousand, nine hundred pounds.
It was shot on HD (not film), but we used 35mm film lenses. I knew it would turn out well, but I didn't expect it to be this good. The results exceeded my expectations. I think it's important for gospel artists to invest in quality videos (if affordable) because, it's the only way were going to catch the attention of our youth and convince them that Christian music is an equal or even, superior alternative to the secular stuff they listen to.
It was shot on HD (not film), but we used 35mm film lenses. I knew it would turn out well, but I didn't expect it to be this good. The results exceeded my expectations. I think it's important for gospel artists to invest in quality videos (if affordable) because, it's the only way were going to catch the attention of our youth and convince them that Christian music is an equal or even, superior alternative to the secular stuff they listen to.
I think it's important for gospel artists to invest in
quality videos because, it's the only way were going
to catch the attention of our youth and convince them
that Christian music is an equal or even, superior
alternative to the secular stuff they listen to...
quality videos because, it's the only way were going
to catch the attention of our youth and convince them
that Christian music is an equal or even, superior
alternative to the secular stuff they listen to...
WHAT WAS THE STORYLINE/TREATMENT..?
The story is set around a Christian outreach project in the middle of a housing estate, highlighting the influence of the project in the lives of the residents. It tells two stories: one about a man living in fear due to demonic oppression and the other about
a teenage couple facing sexual temptation.
The highlight in the story of the man suffering demonic oppression is when he gets attacked by the demon in his sleep and wins the battle by reaching for Jesus, through a leaflet given out during the outreach.
This story is based on my real life encounters and it was how I learned of the power in the name of Jesus. As the song says:
a teenage couple facing sexual temptation.
The highlight in the story of the man suffering demonic oppression is when he gets attacked by the demon in his sleep and wins the battle by reaching for Jesus, through a leaflet given out during the outreach.
This story is based on my real life encounters and it was how I learned of the power in the name of Jesus. As the song says:
"It started in my sleep as I suffocated
In the presence of demons couldn't move, my strength faded
So I did the only thing I knew
Called on the name of Jesus, and the demons withdrew..."
In the presence of demons couldn't move, my strength faded
So I did the only thing I knew
Called on the name of Jesus, and the demons withdrew..."
In my experience there was no leaflet, I just called His name. Using the leaflet was just a way to express the great power of Jesus in the video.
In the story of teenage couple, the highlight is when the young boy tries to steal money (to purchase the condom that his girlfriend demanded) from his Mum's purse, but gets convicted when he comes across her bible and begins to read.
Having already heard the ministry in the middle of the estate, and now coming across this bible, he realized that this was no coincidence and could not proceed with his sexual intentions.
I know that there are a lot of talented gospel artists in the UK. The problem is when it comes to videos they compromise on quality.
If the artist is content with just getting the message to a Christian audience, then it is okay to shoot a very low budget video. However, the video may only get played on Christian channels,
In the story of teenage couple, the highlight is when the young boy tries to steal money (to purchase the condom that his girlfriend demanded) from his Mum's purse, but gets convicted when he comes across her bible and begins to read.
Having already heard the ministry in the middle of the estate, and now coming across this bible, he realized that this was no coincidence and could not proceed with his sexual intentions.
I know that there are a lot of talented gospel artists in the UK. The problem is when it comes to videos they compromise on quality.
If the artist is content with just getting the message to a Christian audience, then it is okay to shoot a very low budget video. However, the video may only get played on Christian channels,
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE VIDEOS OUT AT THE MOMENT: MOST OF THEM LEAVE A LOT TO BE DESIRED...
because they know the importance of the message.
But I want to reach the unchurched community and the best way to do that is to get on the mainstream, secular music channels, which will only play good quality videos. If we want to make Christian rap a household genre, we must push it in the faces of our youth. Television is an effective means to achieve this but we have to be bold and willing to take chances.
My advice is to pray about it first. God will reveal to you whether shooting a video is something He wants you to do or not. I say this because not every song is ready for a video.
But I want to reach the unchurched community and the best way to do that is to get on the mainstream, secular music channels, which will only play good quality videos. If we want to make Christian rap a household genre, we must push it in the faces of our youth. Television is an effective means to achieve this but we have to be bold and willing to take chances.
My advice is to pray about it first. God will reveal to you whether shooting a video is something He wants you to do or not. I say this because not every song is ready for a video.
If we want to make Christian rap a household genre,
we must push it in the faces of our youth...
We have to be bold and willing to take chances.
we must push it in the faces of our youth...
We have to be bold and willing to take chances.
ANY ADVICE TO OTHER ARTISTS ALSO CONSIDERING SHOOTING THEIR OWN VIDEOS...?
In my case, I gauged the responses of the people that had heard the song and they all loved it very much. So I prayed to God about shooting a video and He answered through people that offered (without my asking) to contribute to the budget. Then, I knew it was His will.
Secondly, if wrote the song, write your own treatment, because a director may not be able to tell
your story as well as you can. The ministry through the video is a lot more important than the entertainment, so pray to God for guidance on how to effectively get His message across.
Thirdly, an independent artist would only be able to afford shooting on HD (high definition camera) rather than film. But insist on using 16mm or 35mm film lenses to achieve a more film-like look.
Also demand that the video be color graded to achieve an attractive finish...
Secondly, if wrote the song, write your own treatment, because a director may not be able to tell
your story as well as you can. The ministry through the video is a lot more important than the entertainment, so pray to God for guidance on how to effectively get His message across.
Thirdly, an independent artist would only be able to afford shooting on HD (high definition camera) rather than film. But insist on using 16mm or 35mm film lenses to achieve a more film-like look.
Also demand that the video be color graded to achieve an attractive finish...
PRODUCTION
STILL:
A teenage
couple face
sexual
temptation
STILL:
A teenage
couple face
sexual
temptation
VIDEO
STILL:
A demon
stalks
a
young man
STILL:
A demon
stalks
a
young man
As a producer/singer/rapper VIZION is another one of those multi talented players that we seem to have everywhere. MERCIFUL GOD is a good tune. Very good. And
like I've said already, it was one of my standouts for 2006. In fact, DJ YEMI also features it in his new release VOLUME 1 MIX CD.
But - again like I like to say - you don't have to take MY word for it; head over to UKG SoundClick to audition his single and make up your own mind.
Keep an eye on the guy, though. I think he's still got quite a lot more to say, and I for one will be listening...
like I've said already, it was one of my standouts for 2006. In fact, DJ YEMI also features it in his new release VOLUME 1 MIX CD.
But - again like I like to say - you don't have to take MY word for it; head over to UKG SoundClick to audition his single and make up your own mind.
Keep an eye on the guy, though. I think he's still got quite a lot more to say, and I for one will be listening...
LINKS/CREDITS
WORDS: Yinka Awojobi and VIZION
IMAGES: STONEBUILT Productions
IMAGES: STONEBUILT Productions
(Look under 'Honorable mention')
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