Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to work as a Technical Producer on a music video production at Pangaea Studios in Atlanta, GA. Known for its cutting-edge technology and creative environment, Pangaea Studios is a hub for artists, producers, and film creatives who are passionate about bringing bold visions to life. The music video was for Emily Ryan, a new up and coming artist who’s hit track ‘Dididumdum,’ is quickly trending on top US Spotify playlists.
The Creative Process
Music video production is a collaborative art form, requiring a balance of creativity, technical skills, and coordination. From pre-production meetings to final edits, every stage requires attention to detail and teamwork. My role in the process allowed me to dive into multiple aspects, from brainstorming initial concepts with the director to working hands-on with lighting, set design, (in this case collecting video assets for the LED wall) and post-production planning and execution.
One of the things that struck me most was how much the setting at Pangaea Studios contributes to the creative process. The studio is massive and it boasts ±47 acres of gated and fenced property in metro Atlanta, Georgia with office buildings, 6 sound stages, back lots and street scenes. They offer state-of-the-art LED Virtual Production stage equipped with everything you need for a successful music video, television show, or product shoot Their advanced equipment and dynamic spaces offered endless possibilities for creativity, that allowed us to experiment with unique visual effects, camera angles, and set designs that really brought the music’s story to life.
Collaboration at Its Best
Music videos are highly visual expressions of an artist’s identity, and it’s crucial that everyone on set shares a unified vision. Working with my brother, director and producer Christopher Scott and our DP Ted Nemeth we carefully storyboarded Emily and Chris’ vision of what each scene of the music video would entail. Then when it was time to start rolling, every department, from lighting and camera to wardrobe and choreography, we came together like Voltron with a shared goal: to craft a visual experience that resonated with the music.
I had the privilege of working alongside talented professionals—lighting designers, hair/makeup, wardrobe, studio heads, special effects supervisors and production crew—all of whom brought unique perspectives and expertise to the project. It was an inspiring environment for sure that not only fostered creativity but also encouraged us to push the boundaries of what a music video can be.
Challenges and Rewards
Like any creative process, music video production comes with its own set of challenges. From last-minute changes to tight deadlines, there were moments that tested our ability to adapt quickly. Shooting in front of a massive LED wall had some challenges. Lighting needed to be just right, footage playback have to be in-sync with the camera’s shutter speed and some of our shots required recalibration which at times was frustrating. But we figured it out and these challenges were often where the magic happened. In the face of obstacles, we were able to discover new solutions that enhanced the final product.
Now that the shooting is wrapped I’ll go on to edit the music video remotely from my home studio in Florida. I’ll cut the video on BlackMagic Design’s DaVinci Resolve Studio and share rough cuts with Chris via Black Magic Cloud Collaboration.