Benny’s Backyard Project: Sunset Mix
It all starts with an idea…
Sunset Mix was a special project for us here at Mates as it was something where we’d be able to combine our love for music and passion for video production into one sweet sweet project.
We’d been sitting on the idea of doing a long form music video/performance in a really awesome location for a wee while but were waiting for the right artist and spot to come along. Once we met Mattheu and Benny from Benny’s Backyard Project (BBP) at Destination Unknown we knew they’d be the perfect fellas to get along for this project to ensure it was a success.
The vision behind BBP: Sunset Mix was to encompass the beautiful landscape and have a full DJ set up right in the midst of it where you normally wouldn’t see something like that. Instead of being another set filmed in front of a blank wall or stage we wanted to elevate it to the next level and show off some of our countries beautiful scenery all while showcasing local, up and coming talent, a win win.
The Process…
Filmed out in Aucklands Stanmore Bay this production was no easy feat. It was an extreme hike from the roadside all the way down to the water. Making our way down a steep cliff, on one of the hottest days in December with all our equipment which consisted of some larger items like a 2 metre table, PA speakers and an extremely heavy generator. Then realising after a long day we had to get it all back up the there in the dark afterwards. Believe me when I say we had earned our beers that night.
The biggest concern with this project was it relied so heavily on the weather being good or else it couldn’t work. We also had a really tight window of crew availability so absolutely had to get it! Our original day started getting forecast with rain so we moved to our rain cover day and it ended up being an absolute pearler and held out for us the whole time.
After the shoot
We shot the BBP: Sunset Video on 6 Cameras and a drone which meant we had plenty of footage to sort through, sync and then cut together. We decided we’d like to throw a launch party for the video and set a date for that which meant post production process had a tight deadline to meet, and considering the video is over an hour long it wasn’t just a ‘bang it out quick’ type edit.
We really wanted to get this first long form performance video right and try to keep it interesting and engaging throughout. Some of the ways we did this was individually grading every single clip as the light was changing so much as the sun set. Another thing we did was add a digital push in or out to every single locked off shot in the video, some more subtle than others.
We ended up getting the video in time for the viewing at the party. With a bunch of close friends around in the back yard we watched the set on a huge projection screen (neighbours cinderblock wall). It was a great time, it was received really well. Now it was time to get some trailers out and then look to post the full video for people to enjoy.
It was a really fun evening that ended up carrying on into the early hours of the morning, and the video was cranking all night.
