Chapter 1: Just Us… And A Mantra
Shooting a music video is a basic go-to for anyone who is serious about having a career in music. You need that visual to have something for the listener to visually relate to what you’re saying. So what would you do to make sure you’re video was EXACTLY what you wanted to convey your message. Usually the “Anything for the perfect shot” is a mantra saved for the insane photographers and videographers that live for the thrill of getting that perfect shot while hanging over a cliff. This time AV took that mantra to heart when deciding to move forward with getting the perfect shots for her emotionally packed ” Just Us ” video.
Chapter 2: Just Us… and a story to be told
Just Us takes us through a story as old as time; heartbreak… (cough cough) the story of our cold-hearted, shitty ex who put us through hell. When the idea of this video began, AV wanted to leave the country, and when there are $200 tickets to Iceland, why the hell not choose Iceland to shoot a video right?! I would too! After doing some research on locations Sólheimasandur Beach was chosen as the primary location for the shot. A black sand beach that has become one of Iceland’s most famous photography spots, which means tourists (a hint of foreshadowing). Little was AV aware of the series of events that were about to take place when trying to complete the video shoot while in Ireland (say that last sentence in your best Lemony Snicket voice for full effect; you choose which one. Netflix or the ’04 movie).
“I wanted people to watch and be able to feel the hell
of the cold and pain I was going through in the video,
because the song is about my ex who put me through hell”
Chapter 2: Just Us… And A Checklist
Would you put yourself through hell in order for others to be able to truly understands the hell you went through? That’s the question AV answered by going through with this video shoot. If you were hoping for a story of an easy easy video shoot that went off without a hitch in a foreign country. Followed by sharing a nice warm meal and drinks by a fire, I suggest you stop reading now. This is not one of those stories. (Again channeling my inner Lemony Snicket)
Tickets bought. Check.
Location Picked. Check.
Storyboard for Just Us shoot. Check.
Bags Packed. Checked
Weather Checked…. hmmm
Chapter 3: Just Us… And A Man With The “Right Equipment” 😉
Camera man is prepared… not check.
Our story begins with AV & her Ex-Boo Thang/Videographer leaving for Ireland to shoot the Just Us video. While she was planning the video and the trip, he was off not getting the camera equipment needed to get the shots they had discussed. I’d say this story is starting off swimmingly. Don’t you think? They land and look to buy/rent the equipment. Yeah, that’s a no-go. So ladies, when you’re man doesn’t have the right equipment to get the job done, you really have to have you’re needs met, and you’re looking for another one with some better equipment… what is one to do other than download Tinder and start swiping right (on anyone that says they do photos/videos). What’d you think I was talking about ;).
In this case, it only resulted in some date offers before they’d agree to work. Left Swipe that. Unmatch. Bye Felicia. Although a slight glimmer of fortune would shine down on AV. SHE FOUND A CAMERA MAN THAT AGREED TO HER BUDGET AND WAS LEGIT. We Charlie Sheen Winning in this bish!!
Now we have the camera man and a new shoot date. So check that off.
Chapter 4: Just Us… And I’m Naked & It’s Freezing
Also before the trip to Ireland, there was a blizzard. Did I mention that yet? So a black sand beach has been turned into a vast land of snow covered land and frozen water. The story boarded outfit (as in the one piece you see) was done with the notion there wouldn’t have been sub zero temperatures and another incoming blizzard on shoot day. Whoops. Tip for the rest of you out there, download the “What The Forecast” app and be prepared for shoot day.
“What else”, she said to herself with a sign.
Chapter 4.5: Just Us… And The “What Else”
Let me catch my breath. This next part is a mouth full. There we’re tourists who kept getting in the plane shot. Camera batteries keep dying from the extreme cold. Daylight is in short supply that far north. People (not named or dressed like AV) getting cold feet (like actual cold feet) and wanting to quit. Furthermore the shoreline froze over killing the water shot.
As a result, a 2 hour drive to a remote hot spring, filled with more people to convince to leave, was now in order. Yay. Having to do retake after retake of the water shot because, oh yeah there’s another blizzard on the way, resulting in sinking temperatures + sharp wind + the water being so blistering cold kept interfering with the shoot. The hot spring even started to freeze. Yes, it was so cold the HOT spring froze. Seems like this real life Baudelaire child couldn’t catch a break in a Kit-Kat factory, let alone Iceland.
Chapter 5: Just Us… And Some Pants (FINALLY!)
In conclusion of our story the Just Us shoot was done. AV was able to finally dry off and put some pants back on, but not before becoming physically and emotionally spent from the day. Honestly I felt exhausted for her by the end of the video. You should have to. That was the whole point. Anyone could have shot a normal video here in the states (or at least in a warm room), but AV is to much of a total bad ass for normal. I enjoyed every aspect of this song. Even more so the video. The complexities and stories behind almost any music video, this video, that you’d never have guessed by just watching it. Those are the things in music that happen all the time that us as fans don’t see or even think about.
Chapter 6: Just Us… And A Question
I got to catch up with AV earlier this week and ask her why she would endure such insanity; “I wanted people to watch the video and be able to feel the hell of the cold and pain I was going through for the shoot, cause the song is about my ex who put me through hell”. In the end the video was completed, it was shot and edited beautifully, and some tourists made a few bucks for getting out of the shot. I guess the story did have a happy ending for everyone and I’m glad I got the opportunity to share this story with you.
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