….and then last Sunday (end of July) it happened. Another dream came true. My first ever music was shot. But let’s start from the beginning.

So far, I have received only positive and encouraging comments on my new CD “Yarmouk”.

But how could a well-aged singer/songwriter like me promote his work most efficient? Marketing myself through all these new media channels is still new territory to me. Nowadays, it seems, a good CD is not sufficient; one needs to have a music video too. So, I started to dream about my first own video clip. What better song than The Leaf Blower Anthem to create a humorous clip of a matter that so many people can relate too.

Often things start to fall in place once the idea is out there in orbit. After having spoken to film makers in Cairns and Brisbane and after having received infos about cost and first script ideas my friendship with Paul (sound man at Cross Roads) deepened. I learned that he had been a professional film editor for many years and that he also did some music videos and documentaries. There was my man. The project started to take off.

Paul and I started to collect ideas how this movie could be shot and then Paul couldn’t be stopped any more. He developed a script, checked with me, improved it, improved it even more and then came up with a timed, structured and very detailed plan. Still the professional he used to be back then in Melbourne.

So back to last Sunday. At 10 am the whole crew arrived at our house: film maker and director Paul with his assistant Lisa, actors/helpers Steiny, Dennis, Manuela, Renee and Freddie. Steiny was the main act, the perfect guy for this role. Both Dennis and Steiny made everyone else laugh.

Bags of leaves had been collected days before. They could be spread around for Steiny and his leaf blower to blow them around. We were allowed to use the neighbouring houses left and right for some of the shots.

The way Paul shot the scenes no one could tell anyway where exactly the action took place. Paul and Lisa shot scenes from different angles, some parts needed to be done again but by late afternoon all was done. Unbelievable how effective Paul works. With clear instructions and the end product in his mind, Paul wasted no time.

And what did I do? Well, that is the smart part of the project concept. Paul placed me into the scenes as the singing narrator. I wasn’t part of the action but still part of the video. It works really well.

As a wrap up Renee and I invited everyone to the local Thai restaurant and we all enjoyed some great food. After a day of action and laughter we were all tired but relaxed. Now we are looking forward to Paul editing the video. In 4 weeks’ time we intend to submit it to the Port Douglas Short Film Festival. Dennis is convinced we have a chance to win.

Let’s see. We’ll  keep you posted.