In case you wondered, GoPro cameras aren’t just for capturing extreme sports and activities. For proof, consider “Nothing to Prove,” the first GoPro music video posted on MobileMovieMaking.
So as not to mislead, we should add that this music video does include terrific action shots…
In the following interview, Dan Bailey, the group’s founder, takes us behind the scenes:
MMM: Who directed and edited the video?
Dan: Nothing To Prove was directed by Zach McDuffie (School of the World’s founder) and Mark Hopkins (who works with Lucas Films and spent several months sharing his talents with School of the World). It was edited by Lauren Chu (singer in the Tribe and video).
MMM: Who thought up the concept?
Dan: The concept was a collaborative effort between School of the World (Zach and Mark) and Dan Bailey Tribe (Dan and Lauren) The video was storyboarded by the very talented Lauren, which is where the idea for the camera inside the guitar originated. Additional thanks to our PA, Jack Albritton.
MMM: What is School of the World?
Dan: Founded by Zach McDuffie, SchoolOfTheWorld.org has an amazing GoPro program in Costa Rica and are the ones that helped us make this video.”
MMM: Why did you choose the GoPro as opposed to a conventional camera?
Dan: We wanted to make the most of the beautiful location we were in and get lots of underwater, action and surfing shots as well as the unique angles you can only get with GoPro. Since School of the World offers a GoPro program they had all the tools we needed at hand including cameras, mounts, accessories and the professional experience of working with them. We also knew that GoPro will promote videos filmed on 100% GoPro, so we resisted the temptation to use the School’s fancy expensive cameras. Sharing through GoPro was the distribution plan for our single and a unique way to deliver this song to fans of the surf/action/travel lifestyle.
MMM: Was there any particular big challenge during the shoot—something that required extra ingenuity to make it happen?
Dan: The entire shoot was pretty ingenious and I’m really proud of our team for pulling it off, especially since we were shooting blind most of the time. Certain shots took extra innovation like figuring out how to get the shots from inside the guitar (we loosened the strings, mounted it using an adhesive and used the GoPro app to check playback and trigger recording from an iPad). Then there was the obstacle of shooting in a higher frame rate and singing double time so that the background was slow motion and the lips synced. Another interesting challenge was getting the shot of me surfing with the guitar. During the first attempt, I paddled out with it strapped on my back in some pretty heavy surf at Hermosa. A guitar gets quite heavy when its full of water and the strap broke so it was crazy catching a wave to get back in. We had to go back for that shot.
MMM: Where was the video shot?
Dan: On location in Costa Rica. The beaches we filmed at were Playa Hermosa, Playa Jaco, and Playa Escondida. We were in Costa Rica for some shows, workshops and amazing festivals (Jungle Jam, Best Fest and Envision) and we wanted to make a music video during our tour to share the amazing pura vida lifestyle with our friends and fans back home.
MMM: How did you hook up with School of the World?
Dan: We met Zach in the middle of the desert at Burning Man 2013, through our mutual friend and musician Samuel J. He filmed our performance at Burning Man’s Center Stage and invited us to come play a show at School of the World. There he provided an excellent team, cameras and an editing suite, not to mention lots of creative input and technical expertise to help realize our dream into a final product.
MMM: Based on your experience in making “Nothing to Prove,” is there one piece of advice you’d give to other moviemakers—or bands—who are working on their own music videos.
Dan: Have fun and try everything! No matter how crazy or unrealistic an idea may sound at first, go for it! You got nothing to lose!
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About the band: Dan Bailey Tribe brings an original fusion of beach funk, surf soul, rhythm and reggae to fans from Montauk to Brazil. Dubbed “The Beat Master” by the New York Times, Dan Bailey is known as the ringleader of the African drum circle phenomenon in the Hamptons. His Tribe expresses the sound of summer, intoxicating audiences with positive island vibes and powerful rhythms.
For more about the band, please visit www.danbaileytribe.com.
Wow! Everything about this music video is pure gold!
Very gutsy decision to work with the guitar in the ocean-
and the editing and cinematography choices are outstanding…
WAY above average!
ALREADY I can’t get the song out of my head lol!
Love it!
Love it!
Love it!