Oakland, Calif.-based landscape photographer, Terri Loewenthal, (who’s also an accomplished musician) recently created the official music video for the artist Antonionian’s Into the Night. Terri directed, shot, and edited the entire piece into a work of ethereal art. I got in touch with her to learn more about the project and get a little behind-the-scenes info.
Check out the video here, then read our Q&A. Enjoy!
How did you get this project?
Antonionian, whose real name is Jordan, is a good friend of mine. Years ago, we played music together. We were a rhythm section—Jordan on drums, me on bass. It’s a very special thing to have musical chemistry with someone, and I was happy to see that chemistry translate into the visual realm as well.
Have you ever shot a music video before?
Yes, one – for a Canadian band called “Snowblink.”
How much freedom did you have with the project? Where did the concept come from?
Complete freedom. The label that funded the project liked the previous video I’d made, so they gave me free creative reign. The project was very much collaborative, by choice. Though I work with art directors, models and various subjects regularly in my photography career, I spend a lot of time alone as well—with the images, with my concepts, conjuring new ideas. I cherish that alone time, but I’m a team player too and sometimes I crave a team. I was happy to take this opportunity to collaborate closely with a creative person like Jordan, whom I respect and admire on so many levels. Though Jordan isn’t a photographer or filmmaker, he loves film, so much so that he named his project after filmmaker Michelangelo Antonioni. Jordan has amazing conceptual ideas and he was the prefect sounding board to the ideas that i brought to the table.
How did you prepare for the shoot?
Knowing that I’d be spending plenty of time in front of the computer during editing, I chose to storyboard the old fashioned way, using a paper and a pen. I listed each scene across this massive strip of taped-together printer paper, and color coded details like location, model logistics, props and gear required. I’m tempted to scan this just for the comedy factor, but that would just be silly.
Any challenges on this shoot?
We chose to shoot on a beautiful 40 acre piece of property in Ukiah, California. I’ve spent some incredibly life and career enriching time on this land, including various artist residencies. It’s an inspiring place, with so much natural beauty, but there’s also a fully equipped house there, with all of the modern amenities that make shoots like this easier. A big challenge was that the property is a 2 hour drive from my house, which made scheduling tough with the models and the assistants and folks who had regular lives to lead back in Oakland.Also, it was also freezing cold. Not a huge deal for those of us bundled in sweaters and scarves, but the barefoot model turned blue pretty quickly. Lesson: shoot quickly!
Did you learn anything from this project?
The biggest lesson I learned, aside from exactly how long it takes to complete a project like this, is that you can usually make it work using the footage you’ve got, even though what you might really want to do in an ideal world is go back and do that one last shot that you didn’t have time to do.
I also learned that I need to find an editor I trust. By the time I finished conceptualizing and shooting this, I needed a break, but the editing still needed to happen. an editor needs to be fresh since it’s such important part of the process that can make or break your footage and concept.
What was the response to the video?
Antonionian’s record was recently released on different labels in different countries. Each label does it’s own publicity run, so I’m happy to say that it’s receiving some nice global buzz. The video lives in many places online, but most notably as #9 on La Quenelle Culturelle in France or on DailyMotion. I find it on lots of blogs in other languages that I don’t understand, like Maisonhate, Bigger Than Life, Buzzmoica, and The Art Chemists.
What is it the draws you to music video projects?
The only thing more beautiful than a still image is an image that moves. I love the conceptual aspect of making music videos—that “anything goes” mentality. I also love the challenge. With the entire internet only one click away, that video you’re making had better be riveting, or you’ve lost the battle.
On top of photography, you also create your own music. How does that factor into your photo business?
It factors in on so many different levels.
Inspiration is one way. like every other artist I know, I have a quenchless thirst for inspirational moments—whether they come from viewing the work of others, or discovering new places or learning new things. Making music and performing brings such a deep happiness to my life. It’s this pleasure that serves as a spring of inspiration for new ideas. It’s all part of the cycle.
I’ve also traveled around the world playing music – to Scandinavia, Europe, Russia and Japan. Aside from the obvious photographic opportunities born from visiting new places, I’ve also had the privilege of meeting so many folks around the world in my particular fields, and I’ve gotten so much new work from agencies and artists whom I’ve met.
Any fun stories from the shoot?
One funny anecdote is that Jordan learned to play his drum parts backwards in order to film the ending scene.