My First Hip-Hop Video Shoot

For more than a year now, I’ve been working with Roderick S. Red Jr. on a number of different projects. Some have been for Hope Credit Union (see post here). Others have been for The Clarion-Ledger’s Voices blog project. The latest, which is called The Cypher: The Mississippi Edition is the biggest, hardest, and in lots of ways, the most satisfying. First of all, it’s Rod’s baby. He had the idea, he gathered partners (JessicaSimien.com and me), he convinced stakeholders (Parents for Public Schools of Jackson, Kamikaze), he raised money, and he’s pulling it off — with style. On Saturday, I helped shoot the video.

Rod is adjusting the jib.

Explaining the concept.

Giving notes to his brother Jordan, the most experienced among the crew.

Checking the shot.

Checking the straight-on camera, operated by Mercedes.

Giving notes to Dolla Black.

Giving notes to J.Skyy.

Getting the still shot, after “It’s a wrap.”

Showing images to Slimm Pusha.