UPDATE: AJAPOPFILMS takes Director of Photography role for action-horror feature film Vampariah currently in productionl; AJAPOPFILMS vs. Las Vegas
Hello friends,
Its as if the turning of the clock to 2012 was the go signal for myself and all things production wise. We have a a lot of big projects in the timeline including pre-production on a new music video for alt-rockers Seeking Empire and editing a next-level videosong from chiptune renegades Awkward Terrible and The Glowing Stars for their split EP.
In between editing sessions I’ve been on set as Director of Photography for action-horror feature Vampariah written and directed by Matthew Abaya. We’ve worked on projects together in the past and with our creative powers combined we’ll make a rockstar vampire movie to rival them all. This guy also funded a part of the film with a Kickstarter campaign which is pretty awesome. I’m glad to see we’ve got a supportive community behind this vision and I know our picture will get some miles.
So far so good on set. My first day on a feature film was with 50 extras was for a huge goth-fetish club scene. It kinda knocked me around working with extra crew. I’m used to having myself and maybe one or two extra crew people with me to shoot a music video and I’m usually solo when shooting live video. Once I get behind the camera though it all gels over pretty quick and shooting goes smoothly. We probably have the best crew ever and I’ve grown to love my camera and lighting peeps. I can’t show you what was in the viewfinder yet but I’ll share some production stills courtesy of our crew’s cell phones from various days.
Also, watch this.
Love,
^♥^
AWKWARD TERRIBLE VS. THE GLOWING STARS – HORCHATA EP
Up and coming chiprock superstars and dear allies Awkward Terrible and The Glowing Stars just released their split EP titled Horchata available for download on their Bandcamp. AJAPOPFILMS produced this teaser video with a full length video for track REM SAVEREM coming soon.
Seeking Empire | “Fairytale” Soundcheck In Studio Session with Aaron Axelsen LIVE 105
Reflections of streetlight and bored traffic signals were the only things living on the empty streets outside the radio station. The bums must have found a warmer doorway away from Battery and Broadway. The weight of my gear and the walk to the studio was comforting but when you’re waiting outside in cold like this, everyone’s a smoker. Nikki rolled up to the curb soon enough with Phil. Guitar case and camera in-hand, the three of us checked past the old Filipino security guard and went upstairs.
Fans of Jimmy Century | MR. LAS VEGAS – Live Promo
Recent transplants to Las Vegas, FOJC came to me asking to edit a promotional video featuring their dazzling live performance and match the fire and spectacle of their new home. This was filmed in part by myself and the fabulous local Crew 152 mastered by Laurence Iriarte. The stage is really another world common people can only reach out to touch but Fans of Jimmy Century take it in their hands and deliver it right to you in a truly entertaining fashion.
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[LIVE VIDEO] Cast of Thousands | MILEAGE
Post-hardcore/indie rock trio CAST OF THOUSANDS celebrate the release of their new full length album. They perform title track “Mileage” live in San Francisco.
SEEKING EMPIRE | “Caving In” [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]
Directed and Edited by Angelo Ibañez facebook.com/ajapopfilms
Band Official: seekingempire.com
SEEKING EMPIRE is: Nikki Aclaro, Alan Kao, Phil Pristia, Paul Thomas
and Cary LaScala
Starring: Seeking Empire, Jessica Bystry, Anthony Kane
Director of Photography – Matthew Abaya, Angelo Ibañez
1st AD – Choncy Shu, Lizzie Cuevas
Lighting – Lion Bellamy Chiu
Key Grip – AJ Ibanez
Production Assistant: Jessica Hook, Diano Mulimbayan, Eugene Ibañez
Hair and Makeup – Veronica Sjoen, Monica Bolyard, Sanaz Azad
Styling – Tietjen Fischer – tietjenfischerstyle.com/, Joy Fan – vintagejoy.com/
Nikki’s dress by Marilyn Yu – Plutonium Clothing – plutoniumclothing.com/
Special Thanks: Adam Andreini, Maggie Blane, Ralph Blas, Leo Guzman, Patrick Khoumphonh, Patrick Murasaki
Angelo here from AJAPOPFILMS and director of “Caving In” by Seeking Empire – here I wanted to share some behind the scenes treats from the video shoot because bringing you closer and deeper is all a part of what AJAPOPFILMS is about. It started when Alan and Nikki from Mud approached me in December. They they just started recording an EP for the new project with Phil and Paul. The band needed a video to launch in support of it and were shopping for directors. I worked on some video and photo material with Mud before and myself being a fan of their bands, we clicked. We had a few meetings and afterwards developed treatments and collected locations that fit the Seeking Empire style. So “‘Caving In’ is a freight train of time rumbling through bedrooms and streetlight.” That was the logline or theme that we were working with. The end piece came out to be raw, evocative, honest, moody – all with a glimpse of hope. I’m pretty happy with how everything turned out and myself and the band are very proud to share it you guys. It was awesome working and evolving with a talented team that helped bring it to life along the way. I just want to say thank you to everyone who was part of this video. Big thanks to my go-to guy and Director of Photography Matt Abaya and my brother AJ, the universal Grip, who also does my sound editing for my projects. You’ve probably seen the in-studio AJAPOPFILMS and Seeking Empire videos floating around the past few months while the band recording their EP and I’m glad you’ve all been enjoying them. Trust me there’s more to come. This is the first official AJAPOPFILMS music video. Don’t forget to keep up with us for more.
Peace, Love
^♥^
[Preview] “Caving In”
I thought it would be nice to add some more color here. Currently working on live event photos and videos from the weekend so those should be coming up soon. Also, an AJAPOPFILMS video with Beta State vs. Seeking Empire is sitting in a timeline. Check out Beta State out at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco next week 9.15.11! Myself and the SE crew should be there.
Are you ready, world? “Caving In” has been in production for some time. We are very proud to premiere it next Wednesday 9.14.11. Catch it here at AJAPOPFILMS HQ or at Seeking Empire’s YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/seekingempire.
See you next week!
^♥^
[PHOTOS] 2011.9.3 | IDENTITY FEST
In early September, I was still putting the final touches of Seeking Empire “Caving In” onto the timeline when I was approached by MYX.tv to cover Steve Aoki’s IDENTITY FEST music tour. It was great time and was glad to have AJAPOPFILMS contribute to the Asian-American community.
The following is my unrated report:
It felt like KasKade tore through the Shoreline Amphitheater main stage tent this summer night. In the haze of sweat and body heat you felt the thousands of house music fans, ravers and hipsters dancing as one with you under the Mountain View stars. The bold beats and climaxing crescendos kidnapped your cognitive functions and moving your body was a small ransom to give to get back your control. You are mesmerized by lights and shapes bursting from the stage sometimes reading “Be Still” and “Show Me Love” – you start to feel what all that PLUR shit is all about.
In the sunshine not too long ago the Ultra Records hero was joined by legendary Dim Mak fearless leader Steve Aoki for a surprise tag-team DJ set at the smaller Advent stage. Expressions drawn by the music electrified the crowd which was upon the toes of jubilation and unbridled mayhem. People upon people crowded the small lawn to grab a piece of the moment. Hands, tits and legs were flying through the waning sun dancing with KasKade and Aoki. Through my shades and camera lens the only thing my eyes could register was punlsing skin tones and naked flesh until it was broken by the green of a tree. An emotionally charged crowd praised the duo as they flew 10 feet over greasy Shoreline staff into the loving arms of their audience. Still hungry, they leaped with only faith in hand from the stage twice more to embrace the accepting hands of the fans which have come to celebrate their music. The only God praised here was the 4/4 beat. As the tempo expired, Steve Aoki introduced Astralwerks sweethearts Nervo onto the decks and continued the worship-service.
Identity Festival is a national touring cathedral of the hottest electronic artists and DJs from the worlds of house, electro, dub and techno. Of the many acts this day, Nero, Pretty Lights and The Crystal Method also performed.
You can find the FULL SET of IDENTITY FEST 2011 | Shoreline Amphitheater here on FLICKR:
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Fans of Jimmy Century | LIVE at Hubba Hubba Revue 2011.8.26
Here are some of my fave photos from last week’s Fans of Jimmy Century set from Hubba Hubba Revue, DNA Lounge. As always, check the full set on AJAPOPFILMS FLICKR.
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[PHOTOS] 2011.8.12 | Club Retro-SF | FIGHTING THE VILLAIN, DISGUST OF US, THE LIGHT IRIS
AJAPOPFILMS is at the HQ Putting the sweet patented sauce on Seeking Emprie‘s debut music video. Keep abreast for that AND a special rare live performance 8.27.11 at Bottom of the Hill. Its a Saturday night. Do not miss it. It will be hella meta. Remember last time? it was sold out and we expect a repeat. Check out the video-flyer we released.
When AJAPOPFILMS is not making videos we also enjoy shooting photos of the local bands here in the Bay Area. Nikki and Alan from Seeking Empire, myself along with Leo from Those Charming Crooks visited brand new venue Club Retro-SF to see Fighting the Villain and our longtime dear friends Disgust of Us (YOU MUST LISTEN TO THEM, TRUST ME. CLICK IT). Honestly the venue was huge surprise. Its basically a gigantic multi-storied warehouse in a primo downtown San Francisco location. Not at all far from the BART. From the bands hosted and venue its kinda like 924 Gilman and the Oakland Metro got together, grew up and had a baby, raised it in San Ramon then the kid left to find itself in the City but still calls home and has dinner there every Friday – not sure if that made sense, but if you did, 
. Its new and never been done before and I hope it launches well. Its also great to hear new sounds in the SF clubs. Here’s some photos. You can catch the full set on the Flickers HERE OW!
Disgust of Us
Fighting the Villain
The Light Iris
Thanks for reading. Ajapop will now go back to clicking and scrubbing tirelessly. I’ve seriously developed quite the trigger finger with all this editing and sore thumbs from tweeting and mobile facebooking. Keep track of AJAPOPFILMS there. We’ll watch you later.
Love,
^♥^
