VIDEO DIRECTORS - UNCUT! (CARL DAVID P. PALISOC)

INTERVIEW WITH (LOCAL OPM) VIDEO DIRECTORS - A SERIES

CARL DAVID P. PALISOC

Another music video director that falls in line for this issue is genius of his own crafty director Carl David P. Palisoc. Who obviously schooled himself for a determined goal in Ateneo De Manila University wit a degree in AB Communications.

Meanwhile, here are some of the music videos that fall under the spell of his baton: Nimbus 9 feat. Cosmic Love – Island Lovin, Daydream Cycle – Avenue (co-directed by Marco Ortiga), Pupil – Dulo ng Dila (co-directed by Wincy Ong), Nyko Maca + Playground – Turn My Head, After Image – Musikero, Brownman Revival – Walang Kasing Sarap, Pumping Pluto – Kalye ng Pag-ibig, Pumping Pluto – Pag-asa, Prank Sinatra – Droning On, Check – Kaiisisp, Pupil – Monobloc, Katya Santos – Sayang (co-directed by Quark Henares), Ramon “RJ” Jacinto – Mashi Mashi, The Out of Body Special – Sexy Beast, Sponge Cola – Puso, Rico Blanco – Yugto, Rico Blanco – Your Universe. More and a lot more to come in his career, the way just anybody else are expectant for the sunshine to shine in another promising day.

Direk Carl could just reminiscence the day when he directed his first video and it was for the band Daydream Cycle, he commenced, “the first music video I directed (out of college) was for a band called Daydream Cycle. I was 22 then.” Little did he know that things are coming big with what he did not expected, he continued, “what was surreal about the whole experience was that I didn’t know until the day of the shoot that Daydream Cycle was actually a side project of the brothers Sergio (Japs of Rivermaya and Dok of Pupil). A month after shooting, Dok called me to make the music video for Pupil’s ‘Dulo ng Dila’. I was overwhelmed. I never thought I would get to meet and to work with the most talented musicians in the country at 22. Saya! It's a matter of grabbing the right opportunity to promising persons themselves.

Bearing with the reality that worth keeping endeavor are hard-won, he keeps obstinate on what he wants and dears what he believes, “gaining the trust of the artists. Especially when they haven’t seen any of your works, or rather when you don’t have anything to show yet. That’s why we had to literally kneel down and beg to bands for them to let us direct their music videos. De joke lang,” he kids.

Opportunity always peeps and that would promise something for anybody new. He explains, “anyway, despite this, there will always be an opportunity to make a music video. We got our first music video from a forwarded email in some mailing list, saying that their band is looking for someone to direct their music video. We took advantage of that, and we finally convinced them to let us do their video. Tuluy-tuloy na pagkatapos nun.” He only wants you to keep few things in mind, “Be careful. But enjoy it.”


MORE VIDEO TALKS

Do you have early role models or mentors?
I consider Quark Henares as my mentor/role model. Ever since I was in college, I’ve been a fan of his works. Then I took his class (twice), and showed us the works of Spike Jonze, then he got us, his students, to talent for his music videos, so there. Wincy Ong is also one of the people who helped me when I was starting out. The guy taught me everything – from shot compositions to the business of music videos, to loving the craft of music video making.

What are those things that test your patience in making your craft as music video director?
A lot of things. But more importantly, 2 things. Listening to the song multiple times before thinking of a concept. And more than 2 revisions in post-production.

Looking back, how bumpy was the road when you were just starting to get your feet wet?
The first ever music video I directed was back in college called “Island Lovin”. The shoot lasted 19 hours, and it the location was in an unused showroom that was full of dust and had no ventilation. We almost died after that shoot.

How bumpy was the road?
Very bumpy. In fact it still is. I think the will always be bumpy, especially since music video making is not really the most glamorous job. But honestly, these bumps just make the journey more rewarding.

What are the perks of being one?
You get to work with the most talented musicians in the country. I always wanted to be in a band since high school, but I never really had the chance to. So the closest thing to actually being in a band is during shoots. At hindi lang isa, iba-ibang banda pa! san ka pa?

What's the hardest part in being a music video director?
Not getting enough compensation for your work.

Growing up, did you envision yourself doing this?
I wanted to work for a music channel when I was a kid. I was really fascinated at those weird TV blurbs / TV plugs, and I wanted to make stuff like that when I grow up. Turns out I get to work for music channels. Only I get to make music videos. No complaints.

What are the common misconceptions about music video directors?
That music video directing is a glamorous profession. IT’S NOT! But hey it’s fun!

Do you usually base your visual concept on the meaning of the song itself?
Not necessarily. But I do listen to the song a lot of times before thinking of a concept. For me, the most important thing in music videos is the song. Because without the song, there’s no music video. So what I do is I think of a concept that will supplement the strengths of the song, instead of overpowering it. For example, if the song’s strength is the lyrics, then I think the concept should not distract the viewer from listening to the lyrics. The song is King, the concept is Queen; it should be a healthy marriage of music and video.

Does adding visuals to the song make the song more expressive?
What do you think and in what way? I think adding visuals to the song can make the song more expressive. But it doesn’t mean that it does so all the time. There are times when the video distracts the attention of the viewers from the song, which I don’t think should be the case.

How do you choose song or songs to be made into a music video?
Of course the most important thing is that I like the song, or that it can grow on me. Although im not really picky on choosing songs for music videos, it’ll help a lot if the song is interesting, and that you believe that the song deserves to be heard/have a music video.

As a particular director with particular taste of music, what type of music or song do you usually direct or interested in making a video?
I like doing music videos for songs that try to explore other genres that are rarely heard in local mainstream music. Mas challenging kasi. Electronic, maybe? Or songs that have influences from European bands.

Years after years of directing (producing) music video, what is the shortest time you've spent so far to come up with one?
Less than a week. Including post production.

And the longest one?
About 2 months. Mostly because of post production.

As head and director which gives imperatives every now and then, how do you get into terms with the artists themselves?
In working with artists, I think it’s important to be able to establish a good rapport with them. It’s hard to work with someone whom you aren’t comfortable with. So there. When everyone’s comfortable with each other already, that’s when you give them imperatives. Hahahahaha joke lang

What segment or part in the music video making that makes you exited or expectant?
Shooting and getting the shot that you’ve been imagining during pre-production. And editing. Especially once the first cut’s done!

When a music video does takes a lot of finances to make?
When the concept is big. Meaning, when the concept has a lot of production requirements. For example, if the concept is a performance video along EDSA, then it means that they have to close down the whole of EDSA just to be able to shoot it (unless guerilla style, of course, but you get my point), which will definitely cost a lot. But if the concept is just a performance video in a park or a field or something, mas tipid yun definitely.

What do you think makes a music video salable in terms of market and popularity?
Again, I think the song is the most important thing in a music video. Given that, the video more or less will be salable if the song has an appeal for the audience. However, if the video can support the song and make it more appealing, then that’s how the music video will be make an impact on the market.

Does making a music video, makes a living too?
Not so much.

So far, whose music video you wish you would have directed?
Local? Sugarfree, Itchyworms, and Eraserheads. Foreign? Radiohead and Blur.

What would you tell an aspiring music video director?
Congratulations! You are officially in the business of having fun.

Would you recommend it to other people who are thinking of going the same route?
Do it for love. Love for music. And love for video.


NEXT IN LINE:

WINCY ONG
TOPEL LEE
AVID LIONGOREN
RA RIVERA
PAUL SORIANO

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Special Thanks to:
Pinoy Mag 5th Anniversary Issue
Released Date: 06 November 2008
Special Feature: MUSIC VIDEO DIRETORS
Facebook: Pinoy Magazine (official)
And for all the proceeding and preceding articles in this blog.