Becoming a film maker takes a lot. You can watch youtube, read books, and talk to other film makers. If you really want to learn film making you have to get out and shoot. This is how you find your strengths and weaknesses. You see what works and what doesn’t. Hands on failure is the best way to get experience. Also watching others and seeing how they control the set. Understanding there creative process helps you define yours.

I had the opportunity to watch one of the top music video directors in my city Nimi Hendrix go to work. The day started at his apartment. From there we headed to our first location; the Airport. Now, being that we do not have permits of any kind this is the foundation of gorilla film making. We drove around scouting locations. Looking for a place with the lease amount of people and law enforcement. We found a one that was good but not ideal. Nimi took his camera and adapted a 70 to 200 mm lens. We set in a black Escalade like we were hit men for the mob waiting for our mark. He used a walky talky to direct the scene. He shot a hole scene siting in the passenger seat. Do to some interference by law enforcement we had to move locations. We scouted for another one. Found it and finished the shoot. This time Nimi was out in the open shooting. We wrapped with out any issues and moved to the final location.

The final location was a loft in Hoboken, the scene is a party scene. After shooting the talent entrance to the loft, we started to set everything else up. To see how his wheels turn to set the best scene to tell a great story. I learned a lot when it came to lighting and the way he controlled the crowed. He lit it with 3 lights and had someone follow with another. His focus was laser and the over look was crazy.

For the last and final scene, we went to the roof. Once we got to a good spot that overlooked the city the wind was fierce and cutting. He lit it with 2 lights. He shot it as quick as he could do to the weather. It was freezing up there. He got the shot and it was a wrap.

Having this experience taught me a lot about my self. Watching him let me see my own weaknesses and my fears. If you truly want to be good at something you must be willing to work for free at times. Understand what i mean by free. You may not be getting paid in cash but the knowledge is priceless. If cash is not involved you have to be getting enriched someway shape form or fashion. Just don’t do it and get nothing out of it. If you want to be the best at something you must learn from the best. If music videos are something you want to do, Nimi Hendrix has a intern program that you can get involved with. You can follow him on

IG @nimihendrix