Of course I have to ask: how did the opportunity to be a part of the making of this video come to you? What was your reaction to being approached for this project?
The opportunity came about when I was reached out to by Hometeam.
Hometeam is an in demand, global network of the best filmmakers from around the world who tell larger-scale, more culturally rich stories. When I first got the email I was shocked and a bit doubtful as to why me, but when I reflected more on it [I realised that] I have been creating a lot of unconventional films recently (1%; [a] one [minute] film, Murphy’s Law; [a short film]) which [have] been making waves both internationally and regionally and [I’ve] just been working really hard within the filmmaking space.
But once I got over that I welcomed the challenge and was excited to perform on the world stage.
Did Puma x Fenty specifically want to work with a Bajan for the Barbados-based portion of the video?
I would like to believe this was their intention, as it was part of the concept Puma x Fenty in collaboration with Hello Superheroes and That’s Jimmy and Hometeam; to let their global filmmakers create locally in their homes. Because the idea is that local creatives can capture their homes better than if you fly in [a] crew from overseas who [have] never been to the area, but go out there and film.
Shoutouts to the entire team who made me a part of this moment. It was real vibes.
Once I heard the concept and added my two cents, I knew this was going to be epic.
What was the actual process of shooting like? How quickly did you have to put together your part?
The shoot [took] one day and a half due to the weather and constant tourists coming to visit Rihanna’s home. Traffic on the road was insane. Every second or five minutes there were people in and out on this small street taking pics of her home and it just so [happened that] out of all the days, on this particular day, the rain kept falling in and out.
So what would usually take me thirty minutes to shoot took an hour. And then that led to four hours [and] to a crazy over seven hours of shooting and waiting. So instead of just relaxing I often practiced my camera movement in the rain, spent time calibrating the light and working out my camera angles, and stayed in communication with the team around the world so I [could] deliver the best possible results. All in all it took one day and a half [and] over 115 shots for just six to fifteen seconds [of what I shot making it into the final video].
“Once I heard the concept and added my two cents, I knew this was going to be epic.”
Did you work on any other part of the campaign?
Let’s just say there are other things in the works. Crossing my fingers. Hopefully this campaign does well so more opportunities, not only for myself, can come, but for others on [the] island as well.
How does it feel now that it’s out and how has it been received?
Honestly it feels great. When it dropped it was like an adrenaline rush because of the unexpected nature of the shoot. I’m sure a lot of people were shocked or stunned and it created a “wow” effect in most people’s minds.
I saw it pretty much [at] the same time as the world, so I got to feel the same feeling everyone had at the same time. Which was awesome. Especially everyone back in Barbados; it hit different seeing one of your own share a vision on the world stage. Everyone reaching out expressing themselves was [a] really cool thing to hear, see, and experience. That’s the power of filmmaking and art. I love it.
Do you feel like you’ve, sort of, “made it” to any degree or like this is a step (small or huge) toward where you want to be as a filmmaker?
Definitely is a small step towards building my creative career, but I don’t think about things like making it or being on top. I just focus solely on the process. It’s the process that makes it fun and gives it a challenge for me. Now the process is gone and it’s out, I’m over it already and ready to create something else – which I’m working on; my first feature film due in 2024. That’s my main goal right now.
How does it feel to represent Barbados in this way, on the world stage?
It feels great man. I hope I made all my fellow Bajans and Caribbean people proud. We are all one so when one of us wins, we all win. Especially on the world’s stage.
You recently didn’t a screening and lecture at your alma mater, the EBCCI. How was that experience and what was it like being on the other side?
It was really an honor to go back to where it started for me. To give back in this way really humbled me and fueled me to keep going on the creative path. It hasn’t been easy. In fact, it’s been the highest of highs and lowest of lows, but to inspire the other students and creatives who were there in the same place I was, it was [an] honor for me.
