Unsolved Mysteries “You Only Live Once” from Ryan Dickie on Vimeo.
Director: Ryan Dickie
Music Video: Unsolved Mysteries | You Only Live Once
Tell us about yourself. How did you become a DP?
I studied film in college, focused on editing and at some point I became really interested in what the camera was capable of, I fell in love with being on set.
How did the concept come about?
I guess I just wanted Jon to become master of the universe for a minute and define himself as a sort of icon for exuberance and joy. Definitely playing into the American pop archetypes of the past like Michael Jackson and Bruce Springstein, but also cultivating from our contemporary cultural landscape and expressing the passion that exists within the song and the personality behind the performance. I mean, who doesn’t wanna just live by the edge of their seat and sort of succeed at everything they put themselves into and finish out on top? Live fast, die hard and leave a scorched corpse with perfectly messy hair.
How long was the production schedule?
We had 2 principle days and 2 pick up days, mostly preproduction was spent scouting and adapting the concept around what we had available to us. Since there is a pretty direct sequence of events we just worked on how to tie it all together with the right elements. I really wanted Jon to jump off a highway overpass but that ended up not really working out…
What camera did you shoot on and why?
We shot on 2 Canon 5Ds, mainly for their discrete size because we didn’t have any permits and it was easy to take them anywhere, especially in low light.
Was there anything that you didnt like about shooting on this format?
I’m pretty happy with the image, we tried to work with some of the “faults” of the camera like the rolling shutter and rough lens stabilization to make them a defining part of the look. The hardest thing was keeping focus just using the non-articulating standard def on camera monitor, they need to fix that shit lickety-split.
The video has a very frenetic feel. How were you able to capture that energy?
One of the biggest influences on me is the drumming in the song, combined with Jon’s vocals there is just a playfulness that gives the song an undeniable pulse. I really want the audience to feel as excited as I am when I hear this song and find myself surrounded by these great people and wonderful positivity. There’s just something going on I want other people to be a part of.
Were you able to light any of the video or was it more run and gun than that?
We only lit the basement performance scene, everything else was natural light controlled with flags and silks. We really tried to make a convincing progression of the day and thankfully got lucky with the weather.
You directed and shot this. Do you prefer to work this way?
I do, I like the relationship to the performance behind the camera, at times I feel like you can bring out some of the more cinematic elements of what’s happening in front of you by taking a more objective view through the lens. Also, when you can’t afford a detached video monitoring system its easier to know that you got the take you wanted when you’re the one operating. I bet James Cameron feels the same way when he shoots his kids birthday parties in 3-D, we’re both control freaks.
How has the Internet affected your career and the way people have seen your work?
The internet has made it possible for many people to have a level of exposure that is unprecedented in this industry. I think its really exciting to be right there taking advantage of this new way to connect to others and to tackle things from a different business perspective that’s adapted more specifically to what I’m doing. I don’t need a million dollars to get a million people to see my work, that’s liberating.
If you could give your 15-year-old self what would you tell him?
Stop looking for buried treasure and making excuses, kick down doors and light shit on fire.
