Filmmaking | Interviews

Interview with Filmmaker Jeffrey Blake Palmer about his music video ‘Mulligan’s Island’

4 Oct , 2014  

Written by NewEnglandFilm.com | Posted by:

Filmmaker Jeffrey Blake Palmer turns We Govern We's song into an imaginative music video in his short Mulligan's Island, now screening as part of the 2014 Online New England Film Festival. Here, Palmer talks to NewEnglandFilm.com about how he started making music videos, his inspiration for his film and his future projects.

Filmmaker Jeffrey Blake Palmer turns We Govern We’s song into an imaginative music video in his short Mulligan’s Island, now screening as part of the 2014 Online New England Film Festival. Here, Palmer talks to NewEnglandFilm.com about how he started making music videos, his inspiration for his film and his future projects.

When did you know you wanted to become a filmmaker?

Sitting in an avant-garde cinema class at college, surrounded by creative types and movie nerds in the dark, watching bizarre imagery accompanied with wild sound and music… yeah, I think that’s when I got the itch to make films. It’s the rare art form where you get to entertain with writing, acting, set design, costumes, sound design, music, editing, lighting, special effects, and so on. After college I worked on some independent films then started writing and making my own, with varying degrees of success; always trying to improve and learn new skills with each project, big or small.

What inspired you to make your film?

Producing music videos is something I came to late in the game, making my first back in 2011 in California. I quickly found the process of interpreting lyrics and music into visuals that compliment the song’s message and themes to be an interesting challenge and offered its own brand of creative thinking. Mulligan’s Island from the rock band We Govern We would become my 5th music video.

After listening to the track I imagined a group of young kids on a journey who discover a carnival-like environment surrounded by magic, illusion and spectacle. I pitched the band using a 3-D model of the set I had in mind, along with an mp3 of me talking them through the concept, and they enthusiastically gave it thumbs up. The song’s message spoke to me on many levels which made the collaboration a joyful experience. I think that’s key with music videos, ideally the visuals should compliment a song and not distract from its content and message. It’s an interpretive medium that can be a lot of fun with the right band.

Where has the film been shown?

To date, Mulligan’s Island has screened at over 30 arts, music and film festivals and has claimed several awards and nominations, which has taken us all by surprise. I’m thrilled when the band members can attend a festival and get recognized for their musicianship. They really make some wonderful music.

How did you find your cast and crew for this film?

The band’s bassist Adrian Burke was instrumental in casting the kids and dancers for our production of Mulligan’s Island and Anna Karakalou, the band’s singer, brought in the skeleton crew like wardrobe, make-up, and a camera assistant. The team spirit was strong in this one!

What are you working on now?

At the moment I’m looking at a few music videos, prepping to shoot a short comedy, co-writing a TV pilot, and tinkering with a few screenplays. It’s always a work in progress and I’m always open to collaborating with other like-minded folks.

Any advice on making films you want to share?

Be present in the process. Know that making something special might take a lot longer than originally expected. Support fellow filmmakers when you can. Listen to feedback and be open to criticism; it all helps strengthen your craft. Compete with yourself, not others. Follow your strengths and produce the work that makes you happy.

For more information, visit www.FlickerPictures.com.


For more information, visit www.FlickerPictures.com.

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