Tuesday, August 31, 2010
OnSMASH x 2DopeBoyz x YouHeardThatNew Presents: The ILLZ - In Between Video Series (Video + MP3)
Innovative! Props to this talented new MC on doing something this ambitious as an unsigned artist. And check out his amazing The Pursuit LP HERE if you missed (or skipped) it.
About the In Between Video Series
August 24, 2010: The ILLZ along with Hot Mop Films and Kristopher Rey-Talley are releasing a unique project entitled the "In Between Video Series" The projectl features new songs from The ILLZ, which will all be released visually and download-able. The main goal of this project is to prove that simplicity truly is the highest form of sophistication. The project features production from ILLtal, Cito on the beat, with Hot Mop Films and Kristopher Rey-Talley providing the visuals for the songs. This project is unique in many ways. Firstly, every song was released by the release date of July 27th by way of video without the download option. Then every song and video will be digitally packaged and made available for download via TheILLZ.com and online blogs/sites. Secondly, almost every song in this project consists of one verse with no chorus, with the exception of the first release "Dreams of Life & Beth". Lastly, the videos were met with the same approach. Minimal editing and shots. It was the collective effort and goal of The ILLZ, Kristopher Rey-Talley, and Hot Mop Films to create moving visuals for the songs on this project that embodied the same minimalist approach. This project will provide a series of videos that will lead up to the forthcoming video releases from The ILLZ critically acclaimed solo project "The Pursuit LP".
VIDEO CREDITS & SYNOPSES:
01.
"Dreams of Life & Beth" (Directed By: Kristopher Rey-Talley)
Synopsis by filmmaker Kristopher Rey-Talley: When The ILLZ approached me about the "In Between Video series", I was struck by the simple brilliance of it all. Releasing video and song simultaneously, as one piece of content, was a bold and strong move. I signed on immediately, and within a few days, we began shooting the first few videos. Simple, often low concept, but brimming with ILLZ insistence on cinematic imagery. With "Dreams of Life & Beth", I decided to go with a very cold, morbid look. The song is introspective and haunting, and I wanted to convey that through a simplistic set of visuals. Shooting on the Manhattan bridge at 5:30am, we got that clean ambient light, and complete desertion. Everything was shot on long lenses, creating a sense of deep space and complete loneliness. The video is a mood piece, low on concept but high on artistry and emotion. It is but the first chapter in a varied, complex and beautiful set of upcoming videos, one unlike that of any artist I've worked with thus far.
Produced Credit: Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man.
02.
"Turpentine Weed" (Directed By: Kristopher Rey-Talley)
Synopsis by filmmaker Kristopher Rey-Talley: Here we go, Round 2. Its funny, The ILLZ and I have wavered back and forth about how to release this video series, and what video would come when. It become clear, after Life and Dreams of Beth", that 'Turpentine Weed' would be a nice followup, as it would crush expectations set forth by our first two collaborations, The Moment You Feel Definite Hope, and the aforementioned Beth. This video was a 180, and it needed to be. The record is laid back, fun, and I wanted to create a video that felt that way as well. The ILLZ is a very multifaceted person. Not only is he intelligent, and one of the most ambitious and cinematic thinking musicians I know, but he also knows how to kick it. If you met him in the street or at a bar, you'd never know how intense and moody his tracks can be. So with Turpentine, we wanted to show off another part of his personality, or two parts in this case. We have the smooth motherfuckin ILLZ and we have the ILLZ as "The Dude". Talented, well spoken and educated, but also has the ability to kick it and not give a shit. Its a low fi concept done in a creative and hopefully, entertaining way. And watch out for part three, as this series grows deeper and the style conquers another bit of cinematic history.
Production Credit: ILL Tal.
03.
"M.P.A.(My Public Apology)" (Directed By: Kristopher Rey-Talley)
Synopsis by filmmaker Kristopher Rey-Talley: Round 3: don't have a ton to say this time. Beauty of this video is what it become in contrast to what we set out to do. What was supposed to be a simple picnic vid became a sensual and romantic ode to French New Wave Films. I wanted it pretty, so I shot long lensed, and to give it that easy, nice flow, would give them topics to talk about and just let them interact as I shot. It was almost like I was staging a documentary and then capturing it. Of all our collabs, this may be the one I'm most proud of. I figured out how to rig a new lens system (my own secret) to give it a very cinematic feel. There's something effortless and earnest about the video and that's what I love. Even the performance shot was nailed in one take and I have no qualms about it, as it looks damn great. So enough talk. The ILLZ and I present "M.P.A. (My Public Apology)" Enjoy.
Production Credit: Duke B, Telepopmusik with Vocals by Angela McCluskey. Model Co-Star: Lourdes Madera.
04.
"Persistence" (Directed By: HotMop Films)
Synopsis by HotMop Films: It's a pleasure to be around hard working people, even more it's truly an honor to be around people who inspire creativity. The ILLZ is one of those people. A while back The ILLZ hit me up, we spoke about his original concept for the "In Between Video Series" 7 new tracks, 7 new videos. I was like, "Cool, which one you wanted me to do?" he simply said, "You can do all of them, but lets start off and do 3." He must have seen my face drop, I could do 7 videos but I wouldn't have a life, hahaha. So, HotMop partnered up with The ILLZ and Krystopher Rey- Talley to take on this project. This is HotMop's first video and we're very excited about it. We shot the "Persistence" Video in the green room (more like the red room) of Santos Party House living in the moment. We were blanketed by that red light bullshiting and laughing together and I saw an opportunity and said " This room is ILL, let's shoot a freestyle video". But, the minute we were done with it... I was like, "Fuck a random freestyle let's shoot one of the videos." He gave me a pound "Let's do it." Nahgee (good friend, business partner, and HotMop filmer) walked in with the second camera and we got two angles going at the same time. IN 20 minutes we walked back out to The ILLZ soundcheck and that was it, the "Persistence" video was a wrap. You know, some times you live for the future but to get there you need to live in the present. I am truly blessed to be around hard working, creative people. OBRIGADO (thank you in Portuguese) Huge shout out to the HotMop Family: Jazz, Ronin, Nahgee, Good Fella Radio Crew: Justin, Q, Rob and especially the homie AR.
Production Credit: Cito On The Beat
05.
"Antonio Tosca" (Directed By: HotMop Films)
Synopsis by HotMop Films: With Antonio Tosca we wanted to create this character that The ILLZ embodies but also is a look that is opposite to what “Hip Hop” portrays. What we set out to do was flip the image of Hip Hop, I shot performances just like in the 90’s but rather it be grimy and in dark locations. We went to the west village and walked around. We let the city inspire us and dictate the shots and the mood we were feeling at the time. This is the second video we did for The ILLZ’s “In Between Video Series”. It’s awesome working with creative people who are comfortable enough to live in the moment and in their own skin to just meet up with you and create on the spot. He took care of the bars and we made sure to capture the moments and make them as cinematic as possible. The pianos lent to this dreamlike but very real summer feel; so I went with these light refractions, that we shot through crystals in the studio, adding that overlay to mirror the beat and mood of the track. Proud to introduce to you Mr. Antonio Tosca. ENJOY!
Production Credit: Tosa
06.
"Ode To New York" (Directed By: Kristopher Rey-Talley)
Synopsis by filmmaker Kristopher Rey-Talley: "So, sadly, this concludes my contribution to the ILLZ' In Between Video Series. This is the lowest concept of all the vids. Intentionally simple and straightforward. A portrait of an artist praising his love for the city just over the water. The city that makes him fall in love, that eats him alive, that makes him alone. The city he must conquer. Thank you for your time and energy. Working on this video series has been a freeing and exciting experience. Stay tuned for the next big project between me and the ILLZ.
Production Credit: Cat Power
07.
(VIDEO COMING SOON)
08.
"Where We're Going (Stop and Stare)" (Directed By HotMop Films)
Synopsis by HotMop Films:
This song is a mix of very upbeat techie flow and feel but the words are very aggressive and commanding. We shot this on the rooftop of The Cool Kid List, we played of this batman vibe of overlooking a moving world. The whiskey represented to us this comfort level that The ILLZ posses and puts out. The color treatment was meant to be a bit surreal because as you grind towards your goal you loose sense of day and night (ironically i write this at 4:39 in the am). In this city that never sleeps it's easy for you to loose yourself in your work. Keep your head in the clouds and your feet on the ground. We do this. THIS IS "WHERE WE'RE GOING" ENJOY Thank You to AMK @ thecoolkidlist.com
Production Credit: Fenech Soler | CutSeen
Download the videos HERE. [mediafire link]
The ILLZ - TheILLZ.com | Twitter | Facebook | Myspace | Vimeo | YouTube | Flickr
Labels: The ILLZ
