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Aqua Hair Extensions

Light gray Aqua Hair Extensions Logo
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Aqua Hair Extensions

At C&I Studios, we were tasked to shed the right light on the brand, Aqua Hair Extensions, and to capture the community it created in the fashion and beauty niche. For a brand like Aqua, which already has a steady following, we knew that the challenge would not be to break the market but to create a better understanding of how it is a lifestyle for those that use it. That reason was not lost on us when we began planning the project. The job could have been given to anyone but they came to us because they trusted our sound judgement. We came to a conclusion that we would create a series of videos that showed Aqua educators how to put their training into practice.

 

We shot over three days to get the job done and used two different cameras on different session days, our RED Scarlet and Monstro one day and the Raven and Dragon on the other. We developed the studio into an interview setting so that we could have renowned hair stylists who use the products tell us how they improved their business with it.

“There is one thing the photo must contain – the humanity of the moment.”

We needed to project the unique image and style the brand is known for, their idea of beauty, and how they appeal to consumers from various walks of life. It was also important to highlight all the unique hairstyles, textures & colors to justify just how much more than a trend Aqua Hair extensions are. So we also had a product shoot where we captured all the products in Aqua’s inventory.

 

Aqua Hair Extensions are known by the fashion-savvy for their 100% high-quality human hair extensions and accessories.

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The Gear We Used

Method

Approach

Delivery

Our method was to capture various content related to the attendee’s reactions to everything. This allowed us to let viewers get a deeper perspective on Aqua Extensions classes which are engaging and fun.

 

The challenge was shooting in a very standard hotel conference room with little room to maneuver, so we needed to get shots that did not focus on the location as much but directly on the subject and what they were doing.

Two women wearing hats working on a wig on a female dummy
Side view of woman with long blond hair working on a female dummy model with a wig
View from behind closeup of female dummy model with wig being worked on by two women
Side view of tattooed woman with long blond hair smiling and posing with a female dummy model with a wig
View from behind closeup of female dummy model with wig being worked on by a woman
Closeup of female dummy model with wig being worked on
Woman with long blond hair talking
Woman with long brown hair wearing a black and white dress shirt and earrings posing for the camera
Black and white still of a group of thirteen women posing for the camera with lighting equipment shining on them

We also made sure to include the core that the company reaffirms to all it’s consumers.

 

The core mandates of the company are:

  • To continually provide high-quality items.
  • To deliver dependable and outstanding customer service.
  • Constantly researching and developing new and fascinating items.
  • To deliver advanced beauty instruction to professionals.

At the end of the sessions, we had created a masterpiece for Aqua, who trusted us from onset. Best of all, we had fun.

Side profile of woman with long brown hair wearing a black hat giving a lecture
Six women with long hair posing with brown bags with Aqua logos on them
Side profile of group of four women with long hair listening to a lecture
Side profile of woman with long brown hair wearing a jean jacket listening to a lecture
Closeup of black towel with white logo
Group of three older women listening to a speaker with one wearing tattoos and another taking notes

At C&I, we offer all the services you could possibly need to take your business to the next level. Contact us here to get started.

Anna Sofia

Anna Sofia
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Uncreative Shop

Uncreative Shop is a fashion brand that creates apparel for men and women. It is rare to get full creative control over a project, but that’s exactly what the Uncreative Shop team gave us when they asked us to help with their photoshoot. We were able to capture the perfect mood and atmosphere for the brand, while keeping it authentic and real at the same time. Our model, Anna Sofia, was great to work with – she brought so much energy and fun to the shoot.

Anna wearing white pullover and black thong posing for the camera
Side profile of Anna wearing white pullover posing for the camera
Anna wearing white pullover and black thong posing for the camera
Anna wearing white pullover and black thong posing for the camera
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Anna

Creating images that evoke the right emotion is not just about technical know-how. It takes having a talented director on set to create an atmosphere that allows the model to be themselves and capture their authentic expressions on camera. To us, this is where art collides with business.

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White Uncreative Logo
Anna wearing white pullover posing for the camera with hand on her cheek
Anna wearing white pullover posing for the camera with eyes closed and arms over her head
Anna wearing white pullover posing for the camera with arms over her head
Anna wearing white pullover posing for the camera looking down
Headshot of Anna wearing white pullover posing for the camera with hand on her neck
Anna wearing white pullover posing for the camera
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Art Battle

White Art Battle International logo
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ART BATTLE

For our monthly Artwalk event, we hosted Art Battle International, a grassroots painting competition that travels to select cities around the globe.

Our studio space made for the perfect venue as there was ample room to set up a painting ring for the competition. Spectators gathered and the artistry commenced. We opened up both of our bars in Studio A and Brew Next Door to cater to the guests and artists. The first Art Battle event was hosted during FATVillage Artwalk due to the increased foot traffic and the attention to local art.

 

Art Battle has been back time and again to utilize our studio space after this very successful first night of competition. We’ve continued to promote their event via email marketing and filmed this artist showcase for future promotions. 

Tattooed man painting on canvas
Woman with long blond hair wearing a black and pink cap on backwards painting on canvas with people behind her
Side profile of a man painting on a canvas
Closeup of a brush applying touches to a painting on canvas
Side profile of a woman with long brown hair painting on a canvas
Side profile of a man wearing a black glove painting on a canvas
Closeup of a drawing of a woman wearing a very small American flag in her hair
Overhead view of various colors of paint on glass plates with an artist dipping a brush in one of the colors

Kimpton Hotels Art Basel Installation

Concept December 2018 with closeup of hotel
December sixth Opening Night with young tattooed man in the rain looking up with eyes closed
Illumination Installations, Interactive Tech, Community and Diversity and Outdoor Activation
The Power of Illumination with various images
Starry Night Display with images of starry sky art and fireworks
Pool Glistening Words with overhead image of swimmer
Influencer Magic Community Engagement with image of champagne being poured into a glass
December seventh Magic Connection with side profile silhouette of woman shaking her hair in the rain
Music, Movement, Share and Connect with various images
Dance Under the Stars with two images of crowds at music venues
Share and Connect with image of small photos and another image with icons on a wall
Print Your Moment with various small images
Share Your Moment with image of icons on a wall
December eighth Fashion is Magic with headshot of woman with long red hair posing
Catwalk, Fashion Design and Performance with related images
The Shows with image of catwalk and bald person wearing earpiece
Potential Fashion Brands with images of female and male models wearing glasses or shades
Potential Fashion Brands from MontceSwim with images of various female models
Headshots of potential performers Post Malone, Jaden Smith, Erykah Badu and Chance the Rapper
December ninth Magic Under the Stars with image of palm trees on a starry night at dusk
Big Splash, Cinema and Exclusive Art with related images
The Big Splash Pool Party with overhead view of people in a pool
Move Magic Outdoor Film Screening with two related images
Art Exhibits with two images of artwork
Soto with two images of his artwork
Timmy Ham Nickname Sloth with two images of his artwork
Elisabetta Fontone with two images of her artwork
Image of man using a sewing machine with yellow tape measure around his neck
Display with six images

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FATVillage Artwalk

Black and white C&I Artwalk logo

THE FATVillage ARTWALK

The humble beginnings of a cherished community gathering.

When we moved C&I’s headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Fort Lauderdale, we saw an absence of art in the community. This wasn’t so surprising given the underdeveloped area we set up shop. FATVillage — Food, Arts, and Technology — was nothing but a rundown street of warehouses situated between downtown and more underdeveloped neighborhoods. But there was a vision for the area and that was enough to get us started.

 

With a little help from local artists, we pioneered what would become one of the most recognized monthly community events in South Florida. That was over ten years ago! Today, our monthly art walk boasts local vendors, street artists, musicians, food trucks, pop-up bars, and much more. In the spirit of the festivities, we gather our team every month to conceptualize and execute original ideas that connect our community with the art we produce on a weekly basis.

 

Our history with the FATVillage Artwalk inspired our team to integrate unique gathering places along NW 1st Avenue. In addition to Studio A, where we showcase live art exhibits, we also established The Garden, an outdoor space where vendors gather and live art shows commence, and Brew Next Door, a laid back lounge space with a full bar and live music.

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PAST ARTWALK EVENTS
Black and white C&I Art Walk C&I Storm logo with dimmed background showing hanging art
Black and white C&I Artwalk Self Projection logo with dimmed background showing woman with long brown hair posing for the camera with red and white art behind her
Black and white C&I Artwalk Sabela Live logo with background showing videographer surrounded by other cameras in a studio

Artwalk has been a major contributor to the Fort Lauderdale community. 

Perhaps the most important effect that our monthly art walk has had locally is proving that art is at the very center of our culture. For a long time, this was overlooked. Even though our city was home to outstanding performing arts centers, like Broward Center and the Parker Playhouse, there remained a disconnect.

 

Fast forward ten years later to 2020 and we are beginning to see the impact of our outreach. Not only has art walk encouraged the installment of artistic centers in nearby neighborhoods, like MASS District, but it has also encouraged thoughtful residential development which has connected Flagler Village to nearby epicenters, like Las Olas and the Riverwalk.

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C&I Studios' Art Installations

We use the FATVillage Artwalk to connect our community to our art and to invite our peers to be a part of our global mission. 

 

We want the Fort Lauderdale community to be a part of our artwork, so we strive to create interactive installations for their enjoyment. Every month is unique. Sometimes the artwork demands the audience’s participation. For instance, in our exhibit “C&I Storm” we installed a digital drawing pad and projected illustrations and poems (some by C&I Studios craftsmen and others by the audience) on our cyc wall for all to see.

 

During other events, we showcased the production arm of our studio. For instance, in a “Sabela Live,” we filmed a live music video complete with live music and choreography. And for “Gears & Gals,” we executed a full set production with live models, hair and makeup, costumes, and vintage cars.

 

No matter the installation, whether it’s political, creative, interactive, or philanthropic, we strive to challenge our community to think differently. That has long been a tradition of ours.

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Lit sign advertising FatVillage Artwalk
Closeup of interior of a Chevrolet car with white seats and trim
Closeup of woman with short brown hair wearing black top and black and white checkered pants posing for the camera crouching down on a motorcycle
Closeup of front of black Chevrolet car with black and white tires and chrome
Closeup of woman with short brown hair and bright red lipstick sitting in a car looking off to the side
Side view of black Chevrolet car with unique doors
Closeup of woman wearing a green wig and leopard patterned dress and speckled pantyhose posing in a black car with red and black seats and trim looking off to the side
Side view of black Chevrolet car with hood lid open
Closeup of woman wearing red bandana, black leather jacket, jeans and black heels posing in a black car with red and black seats and trim looking off to the side
Closeup of Chevrolet logo on side of black car
Closeup of woman with short black hair and red lipstick wearing a black leather jacket and red bandana posing for the camera sitting on a motorcycle
Back end of Cadillac Continental car on display
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C&I Studios' Art Installations

The performances we host are often the main attraction at the FATVillage artwalk. In a way, they have become an expectation. And we are quite proud of that. This level of involvement carries with it certain responsibilities, of which the most important is promoting the monthly gathering.

Every month leading up to art walk, we create digital advertisements and flyers to inform our community of upcoming art installations and pop-ups, and to promote drink specials available in The Garden and BREW Next Door.

Though many new businesses have taken up residence in FATVillage of the years, for a long time we were one of the few here. So, it’s kind of the unspoken agreement that we lead the charge of inviting the community on the last Saturday of the month.

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BREW Next Door

BREW Next Door is the local’s favorite watering hole during Artwalk. It’s one of the unofficial headquarters of the event and is packed at all times of the night. We often host live music featuring local bands, DJs, and rap artists, which provides a cool dynamic between the art installations in Studio A.

 

The connection between Next Door and Studio A is one of the reasons both locations are packed throughout the night. With two full bars to choose from and the option of live music and interactive live art displays only a bookshelf door away, it’s the best 2 in 1 pitstop.

 

Next Door is definitely more focused on the drink specials during Artwalk, which gives it that vibrant party feel, which is atypical of the space but super fun!

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The Garden

As Artwalk began to gain popularity, we wanted another outlet to serve the community.

There was an empty space just across from the studio and we knew that would be the next expansion for Artwalk. When we moved in, we painted murals on all of the walls and branded the space as our own. Today, in addition to hosting Artwalk, we also put on other creative community events, like Crew Call.

 

Since its opening, The Garden has been the heart of Artwalk. Though Studio A and Brew Next Door see a ton of foot traffic, the location of The Garden is in the very center of the festivities. It’s impossible to miss it! This is where the majority of vendors set up shop. It’s essentially a big loop with a bar in the center. On most occasions, you’ll have local art vendors, farmer’s market vendors, clothing shops, vintage creations, and small business pop-ups.

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THE PINEAPPLE PYRAMID
A GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS ATTEMPT

For this Artwalk, we hosted a Guinness Book of World Records attempt on the largest pineapple pyramid constructed in a single day. Local vendors donated an entire truckload of pineapples for the event with all proceeds going to C&I Reach.

Artwalk 2018 May Pineapple Pyramid Banner
Man wearing a black knit cap smiling posing for camera with pineapples surrounding his head on a teal background
Two men building a pineapple pyramid with a moving van nearby
Man wearing a black knit cap smiling posing for camera holding a pineapple with pineapples surrounding his head on a teal background
Man wearing black pants working on setting up the pineapple pyramid with another man nearby
Man building a pineapple pyramid with other men nearby. There is a white box truck and artwork on the wall in the background
Ad and items on a table
Man sitting in the middle of a pile of pineapples building a pyramid formation with many pineapples in boxes all around it as well as a few other people working with pineapples in the boxes
Closeup of person wearing black sweater with onepineappleatatime hashtag
Side view of Joshua Miller using phone with two women standing by a table with various equipment on it
Three men looking over pineapple pyramid
People working on unloading pineapples in boxes from the truck and assembling the pineapple pyramid with boxes of pineapples and pallets surrounding it
Woman wearing black tank top balancing two pineapples on her head with pineapple pyramid in the background
Aerial view of pineapple pyramid with people standing around and one woman looking up at camera holding two pineapples
Man working on pineapple pyramid with boxes of pineapple surrounding it
Group of people posing with green pineapple tops on their heads
Artwork on a wall with child jumping in front of it and white box van parked nearby
Man building a pineapple pyramid with another man nearby working with boxes of pineapples with a few people looking on
Side profile of man building a pineapple pyramid with some people looking on
Man working on setting up the pineapple pyramid at night with another man nearby
Side profile of man building a pineapple pyramid at night
Three men assembling a pineapple pyramid
Pineapple Pyramid on display at night
Pineapple Pyramid display with many men and women posing in front of it at night

Metisha Model Profile

METISHA
model profile
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Metisha Model Profile

A look into the Fort Lauderdale Talent Pool

We have deep ties to the artists’ community. Especially here in South Florida. We host creative events, like our Crew Call talent event, and use our resources to shed light on rising talent, regardless of their industry. Our collaborations with artists, like Metisha, are mutually beneficial, which is why the media content comes out so beautiful.

 

Our business’ marketing strategy requires that we are constantly producing original media for our brand. Sharing our passion for art is how we connect with our audience, so shoots like this are always at the forefront of our agenda. They are our segue into new frontiers. And we are always on the hunt to capitalize on those newly presented opportunities.

 

But these model profiles are not solely about us, which is another reason we enjoy them so much. They are about the people we work with: the people behind the camera, as well as those in front of it. Understand that everyone in the creative business relies on media reels to show off their skills and get hired for new jobs. When we watch a model reel that is completely dominated by the brands they’re modeling, we’re somewhat disappointed. Not in the model. In the fact that their talents are being overshadowed by a product. This is one of the reasons we started doing these model profiles in the first place.

 

Models are always in ads and working hard for other brands. We wanted to do something that was purely about them; where nothing — no product, no logo, no agenda — is stealing their spotlight.

Metisha posing in a yellow dress looking off to the side sitting on a red railing
Metisha posing in a yellow dress on the ledge of building holding red railing
Metisha posing in a yellow dress on the ledge of building holding red railing
Closeup of Metisha posing in a yellow dress with arms over her head
Metisha posing in a yellow dress
Metisha posing in a yellow dress holding on to red railing behind her
Metisha posing in a yellow dress leaning on red railing of building
Side view of Metisha posing in a yellow dress with hand on her chin

Behind the scenes on the set of the Metisha Model Profile

For this shoot, we used our RED Monstro 8k with the Vista Vision sensor because of the outstanding dynamic range and higher ISO. We outfitted the Monstro with a Leica Vista Vintage Lens to incorporate a tone that couldn’t be applied in post-production.

 

Leica has always been a beacon for incredible craftsmanship, so incorporating their gear into this shoot was a no brainer. The combination of high-tech, ultra-modern tech with Leica’s old-school equipment created a unique cinematic tone, which really made this production what it is.

 

We were fortunate to work with Metisha on this shoot. The original talent canceled last minute. Rather than scramble to reschedule, we were able to find Metisha, who showed up at 5 AM to deliver on an awesome performance.

 

Perhaps the highlight of this shoot (and most definitely one of the most nerve-wracking moments) was when Metisha scaled the edge of the building. There was nothing separating her from the ground eight stories below — no guard rail, no harness, nothing. Capturing that daring maneuver put this model profile on another level.

Metisha posing in a yellow dress sitting on red railing of building with male crew member filming her
Behind the scenes on the Metisha model profile Metisha posing in a yellow dress on the ledge of building with male crew member filming her
Behind the scenes on the metisha model profile Male crew member looking over his shoulder holding a video camera while female crew member looks at the camera
Behind the scenes on the metisha model profile Metisha posing in a yellow dress sitting on a red railing of building with male crew member wearing a black cap filming her
Metisha posing in a yellow dress on the ledge of building with female crew member taking a picture of her from the side
Behind the scenes on the metisha model profile Male Videographer holding video camera looking back at camera and female crew member adjusting yellow dress on model

Jellyfish

JELLYFISH
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JELLYFISH

JELLYFISH is a short film produced by C&I Studios.

The film was written by the lead actress, Katherine Montgomery, and directed by our good friend Joe Perri.

 

Joe is a photographer by trade — an excellent one at that! Check out his artist profile! But he wanted to explore the intricacies of directing Film. Katherine’s script proved to be a great introduction for him, so we lent our services and helped them bring their passion project to life.

We love Film. And we love being a resource for those who do, too.

In the case of Jellyfish, we had the tools, the software, the expertise, and the strong arm in production. Katherine had a fully hashed out script. And Joe had a plan to execute her vision. So, we collaborated to create this fine work of art.

 

At the end of the day, we love films. It’s why we got into the content creation business. When we meet people who are equally passionate and just as curious as we are, we often do what we can to help them execute their art. This was a great project to work on and we are thrilled with how it turned out.

These Frame Grabs are some of our favorites.

We capture moments in everything we film. These instances, though they are part of a constant flow of visuals, stand out independently and elevate the meaning of certain scenes.

 

It’s really quite captivating when a sequence stops and all the viewer can interpret is that very moment. It’s why we showcase frame grabs of our films. Each still holds power.

 

If you watched the film above, we encourage you to explore the frame grabs below. Analyze them, feel them, breathe in their colors, then go back and rewatch Jellyfish. Will those scenes impact you differently now that you have a new perspective?

Man and woman with blond hair looking at each other by the window with man holding a red cup
Woman with long blond hair headshot
Side profile of man with short blond hair sitting
Side profile of man and woman with blond hair sitting next to each other with the woman's head on the man's shoulder
Closeup of someone making a drawing on paper with a pencil
Closeup of man with short blond hair headshot
Woman with long blond hair headshot
Man and woman with blond hair looking at each other over a table with plants by the window
Person holding yellow flowers by a window with plants nearby on a table
Ground view of weeds growing by a walkway with a person walking past it

The Story of Charlie Villanueva

White Charlie V The Story of Charlie Villanueva A Video Documentary Series Logo

What is Alopecia?

The Story of Charlie Villanueva

What is Alopecia? is the first chapter of a video documentary series about former NBA star, Charlie Villanueva. The video documentary was produced for NBA SeasonX.

 

Charlie Villanueva is a longtime friend of the studio. We’ve worked with him on a number of projects in the past and most recently on our History Matters series where he shares the life and legacy of Michael Jordan. This video documentary not only covers the life and career success of Charlie Villanueva, but it also raises awareness on alopecia, a condition in which hair loss is experienced in specific areas or more commonly throughout the entire body.

INDUSTRY
SERVICES
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Redefining Strength Through Alopecia

Alopecia, though physically painless, causes immense psychological stress. This is something that Charlie Villanueva dealt with his entire life. Though he overcame the obstacles imposed by alopecia by making a professional career in the NBA, he continues to live with the burden. In this first chapter, Charlie V shares his experiences and bonds with others dealing with alopecia. This uplifting and informative documentary series is the first of its kind. We expect that it will change perspectives on this uncommon and misrepresented ailment while shedding light on the life and psyche of Charlie Villanueva.

Side profile of woman with the condition posing by windows
Charlie Villanueva wearing a grey sweatshirt sitting on a couch with girl and woman with the condition
Charlie Villanueva wearing a black shirt
Woman with the condition wearing a flowery shirt

C&I Video Reels

White cropped C&I Studios logo PNG

Reels

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C&I Interview Reel

Our production team are masters of the interview format. The subject is allowed to feel candid, and Producers make it their business to understand the brand in and out. Knowing the right questions to ask, how to ask them, and when, is key. That way a message can be followed which runs parallel with the video’s business goal.

 

C&I Studios functions as a well-oiled machine. Interviews can be staged and readied for shooting in record time. Existing content, or that which our team is tasked to capture, is spliced with interview footage to create something seamless yet purposeful. It is stress-free and cost effective. And the outcome is invariably a video of import that holds high sensory value. Both a verbal and visual presentation which leaves a lasting impact on the viewer.

Aerial Mastery

C&I Drone Reel

 

Step into a captivating world of aerial mastery with our drone footage reel, where the sky becomes a canvas for storytelling. Our skilled drone operators navigate the skies, capturing breathtaking landscapes, urban panoramas, and dynamic scenes with precision and artistry. Through these aerial perspectives, we craft immersive experiences that transcend conventional videography, offering an unparalleled view of the world from above. Each frame is a testament to our commitment to excellence and innovation in visual storytelling, bringing a fresh dimension to every project.

 

With state-of-the-art equipment and skilled pilots at the helm, our drone footage provides a bird’s-eye view that amplifies the impact of each video production. Each shot is a testament to the quality and innovation we bring to every project, allowing us to soar above standard visual storytelling and deliver an experience that’s truly awe-inspiring.

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Adventure Has Its Rewards

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Repurpose Video with Purpose

One of the many advantages of video content is the ability to repurpose footage to meet current business needs. No other media is as versatile. This is why we encourage our clients to be adventurous in their video productions. You should want to travel to outstanding locations, incorporate memorable faces, and diversify camera work to include everything from close-ups to drone shots. We can repurpose all this to create stellar video reels for you to share with your audiences.

 

With our video production work and editing expertise, your business can’t fail. We film expecting that your content will be reused to expand your brand story. We craft stories knowing that they should build upon the last chapter. We only use the highest-quality gear because we understand what the consumer’s standards are. We have an eye for storytelling, and that will be your advantage.

Our Team Is Your Greatest Ally

Marketing Your Brand

You can be strategic with your video reels, showing them when they answer a particular need, or extremely generous, sharing them with anyone who interacts with your brand. Best of all, video reels never go out of style. Since they are synopses of your brand story, summarizing your narrative as it unfolds, they will always remain relevant.

 

Evergreen content with this much power and versatility is hard to come by. Fortunately, if you have already worked with us, there is no need to start from scratch. We keep all of our content for life, so we are prepared to edit a video reel for your brand storytelling needs whenever you need it. And if you are starting from scratch, trust that we will use our entire bag of tricks to create a video that can be tastefully reproduced into your first video reel.

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Masterful Storytellers

A public-facing brand such as ours must outline benchmarks beyond traditional business goals. In short, we have to engage audiences frequently and on a more intimate level. This requires that we budget more time and resources in the creation of original content.

 

The advent of social media has made this the case for nearly every brand that aims to engage the public and gain value from consumer participation. A major part of business success is, therefore, dependent on the consumer-brand relationship.

 

There is no such thing as passive consumers anymore. Obviously, there are, but they do not benefit your business beyond a single sale. The consumers that businesses need to attract to thrive are the ones who want to be involved in the shaping of their brand story. This puts content creation at the center of your business interests.

Telling Your Story Your Way

Consumers have more control than ever, especially over the way audiences interact with brands. This is a good thing… if you play your cards right by staying at the forefront of content creation. Brands should allow consumers to participate in the telling of their story, however, by no means should they allow them to narrate it for them.

 

We implement video reels to ensure that the telling of our story remains in our control. Through fast-paced, high-quality, and engaging media we are capable of providing a synopsis of our brand, our mission, our successes, and our many adventures in a matter of seconds. The more video reels we have the more control we have over our public-facing image.

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Shall We Get Started Then?

Amanda Felix

AMANDA FELIX
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Amanda Felix

"You'll Find Your Way"

Amanda Felix is a rising star who is introducing a new style of music to the Christian genre. Though she stays true to her country roots above all else, her musical approach is a showcase of dance, pop, and hip-hop. Her collective, all-encompassing nature creates a rewarding sound, which is most evident in her latest single “You’ll Find Your Way.”

 

“You’ll Find Your Way” is an uplifting track about the tribulations and triumphs we all face during our journey in life. Felix’s lyrics are undoubtedly a reflection of her own struggles and victories. During early adulthood, Felix toiled with her own demons, falling victim to abusive relationships and alcohol abuse, before finding God.

 

In a recent interview, Felix said, “‘You’ll Find Your Way’ expresses all of what I wanted someone to say to me when I was in a dark place. I needed to hear God’s voice to save me. I wanted to start with this song because it is just the right encouragement to not give up and know that God will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Roya Zangoui

ROYA

Model Profile

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Roya Zangoui

Roya Zangoui is a Miami-born, Brooklyn-based CPC certified life coach and professional model. Her perception of femininity, sexuality, and the self truly distinguish her from other models we’ve worked with.

 

We’ve worked with Roya on a number of productions over the years. She starred in both our #UNCREATIVE clothing launch promotion as well as select advertisements we produced for Archives — a hip clothing brand located on Las Olas Boulevard in Downtown Fort Lauderdale.

 

If you want to work with us to elevate your personal image then click the button below to get in contact with our management team.

 

From her caring personality to working with children with autism, Roya uses her creativity to help people every single day. She is passionate about the world, using her platform as a model to send out a message of love and find new ways to fight for real change. We photographed and filmed this model profile for Roya Zangoui before she left for New York City.

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Uncreative Shop & Archives

#UNCREATIVE has evolved from this t-shirt into a full-on creative mission.

The Uncreative Blog highlight artists, like Roya, Mercedes, Sabela and those using their art to connect with the world. We shed light on undergound artists breaking out into the industry through our Freestyle Friday series (we recommend starting the series with the debut episode featuring South Florida rapper, Sam Stan, and go from there). And we also host Uncreative Radio, a podcast series that explores politics, pop culture, modern art, activism and more with well-known creative professionals who are making waves in their industry, such as 103.5 The Beat radio personality, Stichiz.

 

Within this creative umbrella exists the Uncreative Shop. This is the artist’s calling card. We design and sell limited apparel (hoodies, hats, t-shirts, shoes, headphones, etc.) to further our creative mission. Our morals are grounded in artistic expression — no matter the art form. Our style is clean, simple, and comfortable. Look out for the Uncreative X.

 

Roya Zangoui helped to bring the Uncreative brand to life. Her involvement in our first marketing campaign showed the world who wears Uncreative apparel and why the Uncreative lifestyle belongs to you and us.

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Roya headshot posing for camera
Side profile of Roya posing for camera wearing a red, lacy bra and off white colored thong
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Roya headshot posing for camera
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Roya posing for camera with her head tilted wearing red, lacy bra
Side profile of Roya posing for camera wearing a red, lacy bra and off white colored thong
Roya headshot posing for camera looking down and smiling wearing an orange sweater
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Black Violin

Red and white Black Violin Logo
Man playing violin in a field under cloudy blue skies as another man looks on

BLACK VIOLIN

Black Violin is a classically trained violin duo with a versatile musical range that blends hip-hop with triumphant instrumentals and lyrics.

 

Violinist Kevin Sylvester (Kev Marcus) and violist Wilner Baptiste (Wil B) use their talents to reach beyond the stage. Their art, music, and activism benefit young students across the U.S., advocating freedom of expression, pride, identity, and unity.

 

We first worked with Black Violin when collaborating with the Kennedy Center on their Turnaround Arts Program. Our perspectives on society and our vision for the future were similar and, ultimately, became the building blocks to our relationship. So, when Kev and Wil asked us to conceptualize and produce a few music videos for their new album Take the Stairs, we were all in!

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"IMPOSSIBLE IS POSSIBLE"

“Impossible is Possible” is the second music video that we wrote, directed, and produced for Black Violin’s new album Take The Stairs

When brainstorming this music video, we toyed around with a few concepts before writing this script and moving into production. Some of the other concepts are what you’d expect… there were the ideas in a concert hall with Wil, Kev, and a ballerina (overdone), the radical “no-care-in-the-world” concepts that you’d expect from Kanye and Jay-Z, and the uplifting wanderlust ideas of people living their out their best life. But none of these seemed right to us. No, we wanted to tell a real story — something that was genuine, true, and would fully capture the essence Black Violin’s beautiful song.

 

The chorus, “show the world the impossible is possible” kept ringing in our minds. It stuck with us. It begged the question,  what is impossible… what’s possible?

 

Now, this holds a lot of different meanings to a lot of different people. Naturally, what’s achievable for some and hard to come by for others is decided early on, literally at the time of birth. Yes, the circumstances we are born into can surely dictate what we are capable of achieving. This idea of opportunity is what we gravitated towards and what we chose to articulate in this video.

 

It’s an important theme and more relevant than ever. As the super rich continue to accumulate wealth and deepen the inequality gap that separates the haves from the have-nots, the opportunities afforded to everyday people will continue to shrink until even the slightest success seems like an impossible feat.

 

With this in mind, we told the  story of a young boy born into poverty, who pursues his dreams despite the odds and excels in life because of the beautiful support network he was blessed with. His mother and father sacrifice everything to provide him with a better life. And what’s important is that he sees their sacrifices and turns this into success, He make the impossible possible; he changes his stars.

NOMINEE The Nickis 2023
OFFICIAL SELECTION Reel Teal Film Festival 2023 White logo
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There's a moment when you realize
that everything we're told was lies

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"ONE STEP"

‘One Step’ is the headline track for Black Violin’s new album, Take The Stairs, which released November 1st, 2019. When we first listened to the single, we immediately felt a connection to the song and the message therein. We knew that we wanted to create a music video that was equally powerful. To do that, we had to stoke controversy and take a stance. Black Violin’s song is an anthem. The video we produced together is a war cry.

The chorus chants ‘one step to the future.’ This had us questioning what that future looks like.

When we look at the state of America today, it’s impossible to avoid scenes and stories of violence and oppression. Yet, despite these disturbing circumstances, most of us are able to ignore them and carry on with our lives. Society has tuned out. We’ve grown accustomed to seeing and consuming aggression on a daily basis. It has lost is affect. What were once conflicts that would inspire progressive action have become entertainment components wielded by the news media. This digression is being passed from one generation to the next. That is how we are stepping into the future. And we fear for our kids and their kids (should humanity even survive that long).

 

Understand that we, nor Black Violin, are making a political stance. We are spotlighting reality. That may disturb some people. It may anger others. But the truth is a hard pill to swallow, and that truth is that most people don’t care to stand up against oppression anymore because they are complacent. And god forbid we risk our comfort. The world we live in today is not a safe place for our children. That is the message. If we are going to step into the future to create a brigher tomorrow then we must address these issues hurting us today. And in doing so, we must identify them and talk about them first. That is what this video is about.

We are born with our father's names
and we, too, inherit their sins.

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Kennedy Center

There was no way we could have captured the essence of this event with just still photos. The production needed to be emotional and cinematic in order for us to showcase the real impact Black Violin had at Walker Elementary.

The goal was to use emotional language and high-quality visual media to create an original video that captured the essence of the Turnaround Arts program.

Our production crew covered every aspect of the event. It was important for us to capture every aspect of Black Violin’s involvement with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and how they served as an inspiration to the students at Walker Elementary.

 

The visuals are an important part of our storytelling process. In order to show the whole story and bring out all aspects, we interviewed the organizers as well as Will and Kev. We also had individual conversations with them so that every part could be captured accurately. All the visuals came together in post-production. During the editing process, we added in the background dialogue and went back through the video in fine-detail to perfect every pixel in each frame. We took our time to make sure that all the visuals came together and that the overall story was clear and engaging. Our film editing services are meticulous, but worth it to create a high-quality finished product.

African American man wearing black ball cap, black t shirt playing a violin on stage facing a man wearing a white t shirt next to him also playing a violin
African American man wearing black ball cap, black t shirt playing a violin on stage with a man wearing a white t shirt next to him also playing a violin
African American man wearing black ball cap, black t shirt and gray jeans talking with children in a parking lot with cars in the background
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The Gear

Scouting locations for Black Violin’s music video was quite the task.

We had less than two weeks to find talent and secure locations and permits in Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale. One of the leading settings in “One Step” is the rooftop sequence featuring Will and Kev. They’re overlooking downtown Los Angeles, using the rooftop as a platform to address the world. To make these scenes possible, we had to figure out a way to get a grand piano on a roof! As you can see, we got the job done.

 

The equipment we used (mainly when shooting on the rooftop) also made a great impact on the quality of the video. We used the Orion anamorphic lens for these scenes. Whereas some lenses flare red, the Orion lens flares blue, which really played to color palette we developed. Similarly, these blue sun flares add to the message communicated in the lyrics, adding a somewhat heavenly voice to the language.

Shooting with RED Digital Cameras

One of the best parts of working with RED Digital Cinema cameras is the quality of the frame grabs. No other camera in the industry can generate such crisp, flawless stills. One of our favorite cameras in our arsenal is the 8k RED Monstro VV. It’s capable of pulling 8k stills at over 60 frames per second. These screen grabs are a result of RED’s masterwork engineering.

Our children are our greatest treasure.
They are our future.
Those who abuse them tear at the fabric of our society and weaken our nation.
- Nelson Mandela

Finetuning The Story

Check out Dailies 0056 for BTS of the production! 

We are a turnkey agency, in that we take each project from concept to delivery. Because of this, we house a full creative suite of editing and post-production software. One of our most powerful editing software, which we used to put the final touches on Black Violin’s “One Step” music video, is DaVinci Resolve. This is the best color correction and non-linear video editing application for macOS by Blackmagic Design.

 

Since editing is one of the most critical steps in our process, nothing is overlooked. DaVinci Resolve helps us zone-in on key points of interest to create maximum clarity and outstanding color harmony. In this phase, we take all the footage, audio, and additional assets and lay them on a timeline to arrange the absolute best narrative flow. This process is extremely time-consuming. According to the industry standard, every minute of shooting translates to an hour of editing, which makes sense since this is where true storytelling comes together.

 

After editing, the project moves to color correction and audio mixing. This is where we balance the footage for proper exposure and grade the footage to give it a look that improves the overall story. Audio mixing is similar to video editing. While video editing pertains to video only, audio mixing has to take all of the audio sources and blend them to broadcast quality sound. All of this is done by our very strong and talented post-production team, who work around the clock to meet our client’s deadlines.

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Polaroid University

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Polaroid University

A web-based instructional video series for amateur photographers.

 

What could be cooler than being commissioned by Polaroid to film an entire set of instructional videos on how to create stellar media content?

 

For the pilot, the C&I crew ventured out to the Bahamas to shoot this short instructional piece on iPhone photography (featured left). We opened up our bag of tricks here, with everything from subtle motion graphics to drone work, to create a beautiful and attention grabbing video.

 

Our work paid off! Following the success of the pilot episode, Polaroid asked us to write and produce a massive series to teach amateur and professional photographers how to create the most stunning shots using their iPhones. Check it out!

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Heart Piece Plus

White Heart Piece Plus logo
Cartoon graphic of two African Americans Master Joe and Master Wife

Heart Piece Plus

An upcoming lifestyle sketch docuseries

Heart Piece Plus creates a dialogue around social responsibility, using video games as the framework for a grand, interconnected (and shared) coming of age story. The inspiration for Heart Piece Plus is based on “new game plus,” or NG+, which is an added component to video games that allows the player to restart the main storyline upon completion.

 

Essentially, when a player finishes a game, they are given the option to start from the beginning using the same character. Though the game is made more challenging, it offers players an opportunity to explore the game world on a deeper level; to explore bypassed areas; unlock missed puzzles; interact with new NPCs; and find elusive easter eggs.

 

This notion of starting anew — and using the knowledge/experience from a previous playthrough to enrich the narrative — is what drives Heart Piece Plus. The lifestyle sketch docuseries caters to gamers and gaming enthusiasts. The hosts, Doctor D and Master Joe, a.k.a. Desinia and Joseph Miller, speak to people whose lives were shaped during (and, in part, by) the heyday of gaming. Using nostalgia as storytelling fuel, they show how lessons learned in gaming can be used to enrich one’s life during adulthood.

You're an adult now.
You're starting over.
And everything is harder.
-- real-world NG+ --

Know the brand

Analog vs. Digital

Within the context of video games and gaming culture, exists a comparison: the difference between analog and digital. These rival components to gaming, which distinguishes OG gamers from the new-age geeks, is the chosen metaphor for the program.

 

In gaming culture, analog is authentic and real; it is tangible and true. There are no hidden layers, no secret buttons. Whereas digital is replicated and plastic. Though it is modern and more technologically advanced, it is also distant and disconnected. In the real world, it is best to live an “analog lifestyle.” In the gaming world, it is more fun to play with digital software. Finding a healthy balance between both worlds while navigating life as an adult is what Heart Piece Plus teaches.

 

In other words, authenticity is their message. They remain true to first-class gaming software and hardware, using original products to solicit emotional connections and to bond with their audience. At the human level, this translates to staying true to oneself; never faking or pretending; to being proud of your likes, dislikes, emotions, and preferences because they are all uniquely you.

 

One way Heart Piece Plus illustrates this idea is through, well, illustrations. Viewers will notice a clever balance between graphic design and photography. These different mediums allow Master Joe and Doctor D to draw comparisons and create similarities, ultimately creating a marriage between an analog and digital lifestyle.

Graphic of a man and woman with graphics of audio cassette player, video game controller and heart
Graphic of three men and three women interacting with each other in a group
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Heart Piece Plus is a realistic lifestyle brand that accurately reflects and celebrates the well-rounded nature of the gaming community.

 

Unlike other gaming outlets, Heart Piece Plus provides introspective offerings that extend into areas of interest beyond games while maintaining their bond with video game culture. These metaphors cultivate a better sense of representation and connection to the individual at the human level.

MarioKart t shirt and toy, Transformer toy, and action figure memoribilia
Wearing your heart on your sleeve

How product photography creates anticipation

The content featured on Heart Piece Plus belongs to a niche sub-genre of video gamers. To attract their targeted audience, we created photography that would evoke nostalgia in their viewers. We used product signature to this very particular gaming culture to appeal to their interests. We also paired the items associated with gaming culture, particularly Nintendo, with other reputable brands from the 90s and early 2000s, which our audience would recognize.

 

Situating the content within this timeframe was the first step in conditioning their audience. Additionally, this shows that the hosts of Heart Piece Plus belong to this culture. One of the challenges we faced in creating this product photography was avoiding cliches and stereotypes. Many of the brands and images we used are widely recognized. Imposters often repurpose similar memorabilia to appeal to the same demographics. However, those who truly belong to this class of ‘adult gamers’ can identify the fakes. Even still, this approach walked a fine line. In the end, however, our product photography fulfilled our intentions of driving curiosity and creating a sense of belonging in the viewers that Heart Piece Plus wants to attract.

 

Similarly, the content and the channels where these photos are circulating were always destined to appeal to certain people. We made them appealing to audiences new to gaming culture, or simply attracted to saturated colors. The bright, clean aesthetic was intentional and used to appeal to the senses first, attracting the viewer’s gaze so they are interested in taking a deeper look.

Gray Scooby Doo t shirt, jeans, game controller and purse on display
Zelda and Monopoly board games on display with Zelda book
Candy, cards and game pieces on display by an open book showing cartoons
Black top, jeans, audio cassette, audio cassette player, box of Nerds candy and black headphones on display
Orange Randy's Roadkill BBQ & Grill t shirt with jeans and leather high heel boots along with Nintendo controller on display
Jean jacket, MTV t shirt, Wii game and a red and green Wii controllers on display

A growing social media presence

The look. The feel. The purpose.

The product photography created for Heart Piece Plus differs from the media used to build their Instagram profile. Keeping the two separate made sense. We did not want to fatigue their audience with repetition. The photography purposed for ad space needed to remain true to that intention, while photography used to engage the audience needed to remain casual, authentic, and personable.

 

Heart Piece Plus uses a structured Instagram grid, building cohesion through consecutive clips that make up a larger image. This pulls the viewer deeper into the grid, prompting them to explore older content with the same enthusiasm they would a new post.

 

To balance personalized photography that showcases the hosts, their interest, and their love for each other and gaming, we created crisp, minimalistic isometric photography. This adds pleasant white space, which helps the grid breathe and feel modern. Moreover, the isometric photography ads three-dimensional depth to a two-dimensional plane. The placement of these images on the grid also creates a plus sign which emphasizes the brand’s image and the iconography used in their logo.

Two hand held video game consoles as well as another gaming console on display
Three various gaming consoles on display
Old red and white TV on display
Three LP records on display
Old red and white TV on display
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Old Sega gaming console on a green box with another Sega console nearby
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Three vintage radios on display
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Show us the audience

We all have a little geek in us

One of our strategies to accumulate immediate viewership is to show our audience who Master Joe and Doctor D are, as well as how they interact with their core audiences. This works in conjunction with their product photography. By showing our audience that we know who they are, as well as showing them things they are interested in, we can create bonds of trust early on. This is extremely important.

 

A program such as Heart Piece Plus relies on consumer loyalty and audience feedback to propel the narrative. Therefore, we needed to portray the two hosts as being approachable, relatable, and, you guessed it, authentic.

 

We achieved with ease. It’s amazing how fantastic lifestyle photography is when the models are instructed to be themselves. The imagery is playful, humorous, and quirky. Deep down, the viewer thinks to themselves, “Yeah, I’ve done that…”

Joseph doing a thinking pose for the camera in a light blue light in a black t shirt with someone doing rabbit ears behind him
African American woman wearing a red Science t shirt with graphic of atom smiling and posing for the camera
Woman with short hazel hair with a red ribbon in it doing a Rosie the Riveter pose for the camera with a light blue background
Woman with short brown hair wearing glasses posing with clawed hands wearing a turquoise sweater with a graphic of a hamburger with an eye on it
Woman with long blond hair in a gray and black dress suit posing for the camera with her arms crossed
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Sabela Artist Profile

Sabela artist

artist profile

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Sabela Artist Profile

Sabela is a model and singer/songwriter.

From the very first time we worked with Sabela, we knew she had an affinity for the spotlight. Her mannerisms are effortelss when placed in front of the camera. And her personality is nothing less than captivating. Everything we’ve produced with her is supercharged with charisma and glamour. She possesses this rare sense of authenticity and mysticism that makes you want to get to know her on a deeper level.

Sabela's Model Reel

In addition to being a stellar performer, Sabela is a beautiful and talented model. She’s relaxed on camera, which is intoxicating to the viewer. For her model reel, we invited her to the studio to film a short, seductive video to a musical soundtrack. It was all on a whim. We asked her to bring a beautiful outfit, handed her a cigar and watched the magic come to life.

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Closeup of Sabela posing for camera laying down and smoking a cigar
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Love Jones Live

We first worked with Sabela in the filming of her music vide “Love Jones,” one of her breakout singles (shown above). “Love Jones” has an upbeat, pop music vibe with notes of longing, romance, and desire. The official music video captures these emotions by showing Sabela’s various intoxicating personalities. Following the successful release of the “Love Jones” music video, we invited Sabela to perform live in our studio at the FATVillage monthly artwalk.

 

We wanted to inject new meaning into Sabela’s song. With her artistic guidance, we repainted the atmosphere, using lighting, visuals, and authenticity to manipulate the way the song is perceived. The live performance equips “Love Jones” with a new sensation. It blends provocation with artistry, creating a sensual experience that the audience was able to vibe with.

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Sabela singing
Sabela and woman performing
Sabela and woman performing
Sabela singing
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Sabela and woman performing
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Mary Danielle Model Profile

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Mary Danielle Herman

Mary Danielle Herman, also known as Dani Oliveros, is a professional actress and model based out of Los Angeles. To take her modeling career to new heights, she came to us to film this model profile reel. When working with artists to help brand their personal image it is always great when they want to assist in the artistic direction. In a way, it strengthens the bond between the talent and the video production team, which really resonates in the final product. Mary was a pleasure to work with and (as you can see) amazing at what she does.

 

If your business is based out of L.A. then we highly recommend working with Mary on your next project. If you want to work with us to elevate your personal image then click the button below to get in contact with our management team.

Let’s Work Together
Mary Danielle posing for the camera by the windows wearing a long black dress
Headshot of Mary Danielle posing for the camera
Headshot of Mary Danielle posing for the camera
Mary Danielle posing for the camera by the windows wearing a long black dress
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Mary Danielle Headshot
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K I D S

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Kids

Kids is a six-piece American Indie-rock band formed in 2012 by Josiah Sampson (guitar), Joshua Diaz (lead vocals, bass), Matthew Barrios (drums) and Christian Gonzalez (guitar). Kids is licensed by C&I Studios and Hard Rock Energy, who featured “The Standoff” from Rich Coast and guitarist, Josiah Sampson, in their debut commercial.

 

Kids released their debut EP Sink or Swim in 2013 and quickly established themselves as local heroes in South Florida before securing fame nationwide. Kids’ thrilling performance at Florida’s Coastline Music Festival, where they shared the stage with St. Lucia, Surfer Blood, The Neighbourhood, and indie-icons Passion Pit, Matt & Kim, and Capital Cities, started a new chapter in the musical career.

 

Our collaboration with Kids marked their insurgence into the national music scene. We helped them film a number of music videos and teasers leading up to the debut of their latest LP release Rich Coast.

 

The following video (featured left) is a live recording we shot in our recording studio in Fort Lauderdale, known locally as The Barn. The setting shows the soul that keeps the band together, as well as providing great insight into the recording process and the band members’ skills as musical performers.

Rich Coast

Kids are not just musicians, they’re storytellers. We wanted to give their second album, Rich Coast, the debut it deserved, so we created the following video series to tease the release.

 

Each video is a glimpse inside the album and the artists’ inspirations for writing it. It is a blending of their literal and spiritual journey — the sacrifices they made and their reason for making them. The series is about abandoning conventional living in pursuit of something greater. It’s about being lost and being found; of knowing your place and knowing when to move on. It’s about solitude and the lessons we can learn from being alone.

 

Our video series received great success. Each week, thousands of viewers tuned in for the next chapter of the saga. Each teaser was paired with a musical soundpiece from Rich Coast. The combination excited Kids’ audience. It allowed them to embrace their music in unique ways, which led to a successful album release.

 

Ultimately, this journey was the impetus for the theatrical music video of “Second Star On The Right” featured below.

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Four men-two without shirts and have tattoos on arms and chest.
Four men in the forest by a creek. Two are shirtless and are standing on a log and two are sitting sideways on a log facing each other with one holding a stick.
Four males walking across a log on a sunny day in the forest. Two males are shirtless with tattoos on their arms and chest.
Four males walking in a creek on a sunny day in the forest. Two males are shirtless with tattoos on their arms and chest.
Four males walking in the forest on a sunny day. One is shirtless with tattoos on arms and chest. Two males are looking ahead into the distance while the other two are looking to their left.
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"Second Star On The Right"

When working with Kids, each production injects the song and the purpose of their performance with new meaning.  They are such a colorful, vibrant and expressive band. Their lyrics contain unheard messages and their instrumental evoke uplifting, energized feelings. Their ability to bend emotion and understanding like this make them an incredibly fun band to work with. So much so, that we filmed two music videos for Kids’ single “Second Star on the Right.”

 

The artistic version of “Second Star on the Right” shows what inspires Kids’ music. Their lyrics lean on fairytales, such as Peter Pan. We used similar elements to drive this story. For instance, the attic setting, and peering into (or rather inviting) an unknown world into one’s reality, is a play on Jumanji. Using popular culture, such as this, created the framework for this story and those shown below. It was really amazing to see how the same song impacts the listener differently when the setting and context changes.

 

The following photos were captured at For The Love Music Festival, hosted by us in Fort Lauderdale. You can see more from the artists headlining For The Love here.

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Male guitarist with black hair and beard jamming with yellow guitar with fellow male musicians and guitarists around him.
Male guitarist with black hair and beard jamming with yellow guitar with fellow male musician and guitarist behind him.
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Male drummer playing the drums
Black and white of a short haired with a beard flute player posing for the camera holding the flute in his hand in front of an audience
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The Kennedy Center

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The Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is located on the banks of the Potomac River near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. and was opened to the public in September 1971.

 

Its roots date back to 1958 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed bipartisan legislation creating a National Cultural Center. To this day, The Kennedy Center stands as a beacon of artistic excellence, perpetuating love for arts and culture in America. That is what our video series for the Kennedy Center represents: an unfathomable love for the arts and artists around the world.

 

In our video series, Arts Across America and Turnaround Arts, we showcase the humble beginnings of art while accompanied by some of the most profound artists of our time, such as famed concert musician Yo-Yo Ma and violin duo Black Violin.

 

This is where art is born.

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Young adult posing with a man holding a trumpet with a student band behind them
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Yo-Yo Ma posing with a student band with many holding violins
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Group of children with adults celebrating in a classroom

Arts Across America with Yo-Yo Ma

We house all of the work we produce for our clients. This means that at any time we can repackage the final product to infuse new emotion or appeal to a different audience. With the Arts Across America series, we provided two additional edits to The Kennedy Center, all of which paint a new picture of arts in America, the individuals helping to extend arts to our youth, and the children who benefit from this amazing outreach.

 

We worked with Yo Yo Ma on the Arts Across America series and with Black Violin for the Kennedy Center Turnaround Arts Program. We shot a lot of footage on each occasion, so we were able to piece together additional material for The Kennedy Center.

Turnaround Arts with Black Violin

Turnaround Arts at The Kennedy Center began in 2011 with Obama’s President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.

 

This program truly elevates the arts by instilling a deeper appreciation of its value in our youth. This whole-school adventure in the arts helps move the needle of education by teaching children how to express themselves and how to appreciate the perceptions of different individuals and their cultures.

 

A part of their outreach is introducing young and ambitious students to their idols. Black Violin joined The Kennedy Center at Walker Elementary to share in the value of art. We captured the event, filming video and shooting photography for The Kennedy Center to promote on their website.

 

If you’d like to see more we created with Black Violin, check out the “One Step” music video we conceptualized and produced to promote their latest album Take The Stairs.

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African American man playing a violin
African American man speaking in a microphone holding a violin
Two men playing violins on a stage in front of an audience of children behind them
Two men playing violins on a stage in front of an audience of children behind them
African American man speaking in a microphone with a group of children behind him
African American man wearing a black cap playing a violin with an audience of children behind him
Group of African American girls sitting on a stage
Young woman performing on a stage in white dress with another young woman in a black and gray outfit
Young woman performing on a stage in white dress
Young woman performing on a stage in white dress
Boy wearing a turquoise colored shirt and black and turquoise vest addressing a crowd
Young woman performing on a stage
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The Kennedy Center Gala

When The Kennedy Center decided to create a video introduction honoring the recipients of their 2019 Award for the Human Spirit, they knew we’d be perfect for the task.

 

We were asked to write and produce a 6-minute video introduction honoring Chicago based philanthropists Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan, and Academy Award-winning actor and producer Forest Whitaker. Pat and Shirley Ryan were honored with this year’s Distinguished Philanthropist Award for their charitable contributions to the arts, education, healthcare and beyond.

 

Forest Whitaker was honored with the Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Award for his involvement with The Kennedy Center Turnaround Arts Program and the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative. Our video introduction reflects on the life and legacy of these amazing individuals by showcasing their involvement in the arts and how their selfless deeds have inspired citizens at large to connect through artistic expression. Contact us to discuss your marketing needs and learn how we can craft ultra-specific content for your brand.

PH5

Gray PH5 Event logo
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PH5

393 NYC, now known as LUME Studios — a pop-up event space located on one of New York City’s most dynamic streets — recently hosted an event for advanced contemporary woman’s fashion brand PH5. PH5 was looking for a creative agency that could capture the energy of their latest fashion show, how they transform LUME’s space, and how their audience experiences their art. They asked for one video that would tie all of this together. What we created was the first piece of story-driven media that is going to elevate PH5 as one of the most adventurous and outgoing fashion brands in New York City.

LUME
PH5
Two dressed females with long hair. One is painting white roses red and the other is holding a painting palette.
Multiple females at a fashion show. One wearing a blue see through dress with long blond hair partially covering face posing for camera.
Person painting a white rose red.
Multiple white roses on display.
Female with crimp braided hair getting a haircut from a tattooed hairdresser with comb and scissors.
Female with long crimped blond hair posing for camera with pale lips.
Woman facing away from camera applying makeup.
Image of multiple styles of paintbrushes of different shapes and colors.

Fortune Magazine

Fortune Magazine

Fortune Magazine

When Fortune Magazine invited Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to our studio for a private photo shoot, we asked Hollywood’s biggest star if we could take his photograph. This is the result.

 

Dwayne, if you’re seeing this, you’re welcome back any time.

Black and white side profile of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson with Fortune Magazine posing for the camera
Black and white of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson with Fortune Magazine posing for camera looking off camera and smiling
Black and white of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson with Fortune Magazine posing for camera looking down and smiling
Black and white of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson with Fortune Magazine posing for camera looking down
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