Vice Vega - The Suburb Sessions

So you may have read previously that OPTION//CONTROL is now Vice Vega. 

A crucial part of this change included the addition of "The Suburb Sessions" - a collection of covers created by the band to help show their dynamic range of talents. The band has always set out to prove that they could compete with those "Top 40" artists that rely so heavily on digitally created instruments and sampled beats. "The Suburb Sessions" allows Vice Vega to now literally show how they can stand toe to toe with said artists by taking their hit songs and turning them back to an organic performance (played by real musicians).

We have more on the way, including a cover of Karmin's "Brokenhearted" this week.

Until then, Enjoy

-P

"The Stakes'" Joshua Thomas Stars in "Othello" This Summer

The Stakes' actor Joshua Thomas will be appearing next in the Shakespeare in the Park production of "Othello." He will be playing the role of Cassio and local St. Louis magazine Vital Voice took some time to interview the actor about his role in the play and other works that he is currently involved in.

Take a few minutes to read the article and get to know Joshua. You can see him this Summer in The Stakes.

Othello's Joshua Thomas

-P

OPTION//CONTROL Is Now Vice Vega!

I had the amazing opportunity recently to revisit some of my first few music videos and sort of fix some issues that weren't a part of my skill set at the time in which they were first released...

Basically, I pulled a George Lucas. 

Last week, OPTION//CONTROL made the tough decision to change their name to Vice Vega, a decision that finally opened up the chance for me to make some of these crucial fixes, while also having the ability to premiere the videos to a whole new fan base. 

Some things you may notice, is the difference in frame rate on "Saw Her There," the video now plays completely at 24fps, instead of the variable rates which were seen in the original. We consciously made the choice from the beginning to have the video seem like it was shot from different perspectives all at the same party. Unfortunately the end result was something of an embarrassment for me ever since. Finally you can view the entire video, the way it should have been seen.

For "Falling Star," I was finally able to add moving text elements via motion tracking. I had originally wanted the logo of the band and other text to be floating within the cityscape during the first few minutes of the video, but unfortunately, I was not skilled enough to pull it off at the time of its release. The new effects were both to mine and the band's liking, so it will be a permanent fixture from here on out!

All videos also include my updated tag at the end and new Vice Vega logos.

Thanks for watching!

-P

"The Stakes" gets it's first piece of press...

University of Missouri - St. Louis' online news magazine "The Current" has released the first piece of press about my upcoming film, "The Stakes." UMSL was a huge part of bringing this production to life and its only fitting that our first piece of promotion come in its campus newspaper. 

In the article, you will find quotes by Producer - Joshua McNew, Actors - Joshua Thomas and Maurice Walters II and of course, yours truly.

The film is nearing completion, with the finalized musical score being finished just this week! Within the next two weeks it will be out the door and hopefully in the hands of Cinema St. Louis and those responsible for getting it into the St. Louis film festivals this Summer/Fall.

In other news, McNew and myself will be teaming up again this weekend to film his short student project, "Oblivious." While Joshua will be taking up the reigns as Director, I will be stepping in as Director of Photography, which is something I have never officially done before on anything other than my music videos. I am happy to add this credit to my resume, and am even happier to see this short comedy come to life.

You can read the article above online at The Current

Keep watching!

-P

Steryo Type Clothing launches its Spring 2012 line!

A few weeks back, I had the privilege to spend an afternoon filming in a hollowed out building alongside the Mississippi River that is currently inhabited by the homeless. A giant hole in the ground, where some large pipe must have once existed, extended down all four floors. The only sign alerting you of its presence was a small warning in graffitti that read: "GLORY HOLE," with an arrow conveniently pointed to the gap.

It was here that we finished a day of shooting that would become the new series of promotional videos for Will Massanet's STERYO TYPE CLOTHING. Launched in the Fall of 2011, Steryo Type began with a modest line of two t-shirt designs. When I met Will at the OZ Nightclub in Sauget, IL during the Tear Out The Heart video release party in November, I fell in love with the style, creativity and attention to detail that he brought to his products. I had to have BOTH shirts... even though one has my greatest fear in life adorned upon its front... a giant gold cobra. I recently learned that snakes are Will's greatest fear also and much like The Batman, he uses its image as a symbol for good... and possible vigilantism. 

Anyway, enjoy the videos and make sure to order your shirts online at STERYOTYPECLOTHING.COM

-P