MISTICA

“Mistica” won the 2013 Best Music Video Award at the “Jamaica International Film Festival” 2013, At the city of Ocho Rios. It was a real honour and I have to thank NatDUB’s leaders Ariel and Ali, for choosing me as a director.

Needless to say it was a great team effort, produced on a fairly low budget. Therefore, we used most of the kit and resources at the production company I co-owned, MediaLAB.

Unfortunately, neither myself nor the band were able to attend the award ceremony in Jamaica. The local press did cover the news, and that felt glorious.

Filming

The team chose a unique but complicated location on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Consequently, it had us and the crew climbing up and down a cliff to be able to access it. However, it was worth every effort.

We filmed on my Panasonic GH2 using vintage Canon FD lenses. There was one exception, the Jib shots. For those, we used the camera’s autofocus. If you have a good eye you’ll notice a difference in sharpness from one shot to the other.

I also hacked the camera to produce a higher video quality. Using the famous GH13 method, which allowed you to get a higher bit-rate, and therefore greater colour timing opportunities. 

Post-Production

After the shot, we edited and Colour Corrected using Final Cut. While After Effects became the tool of choice to remove a few minor imperfections, stabilize footage and fake camera motion in a handful of shots.

Talent

Tania Barth and Karmen Montero, were the two gorgeous models who kindly volunteered to join the band in the effort.

Principal Photography fell in the capable hands of DOP Antonio Bolandi. Along with Gaffer Jairo Gonzales and Rafa Perez as Best Grip.

Field production by Federico Lang, assisted by Antonio Chamu.