Carl Casseus

1. This project was an elaborate undertaking, traveling extensively to capture the stories of trailblazers in the music industry, all of whom were deeply influenced by their experiences with vinyl records.
2. The main goal was to unveil each individual’s unique story, offering glimpses into the past and illustrating how vinyl has shaped their musical journeys and careers within the industry.
3. We aimed to conduct each interview in environments that resonated with the subjects, choosing locations rich in texture and natural elements. The overall aesthetic was designed to reflect the gritty, edgy, and authentic nature of vinyl, rather than polished and pristine.
4. Our lighting approach varied across different locations to enhance the mood of each scene. Some settings featured a calm, cool three-point lighting arrangement, while others embraced a more natural look with minimal lighting to highlight the authenticity of the artist’s surroundings. In contrast, some environments utilized bold lighting choices to emphasize the distinctive impact of each individual on the music landscape.

Summary:

Beyond The Surface – A Vinyl Record Story serves as a tribute to the profound influence of vinyl records on some of the most significant figures in the music industry. Through extensive travel and thoughtful interviews, the project captures the raw authenticity and richness of each artist’s journey, showcasing the deep connections between music, memory, and the vinyl format. By selecting environments that resonate with each individual’s story, we create an immersive experience that celebrates the spirit of creativity, grit, and the lasting legacy of vinyl in music history. The varied lighting techniques further enhance the storytelling, ensuring each scene reflects the unique essence of the artists and their contributions to the world of music.

1. This was one of the largest productions I had the privilege to be part of, telling a profound story that reflects our traditional past and highlights how music has played a pivotal role in elevating America’s cultural landscape.
2. This commercial was a collaborative effort, with six distinct production teams coming together to weave a narrative that celebrates the rich history and impact of music on American society.
3. We filmed in the historic Howard Theatre, a venue with deep generational ties to musicians, artists, poets, and thought leaders. This setting provided an inspiring backdrop that resonated with the cultural significance of the project and served as a hub for artistic expression.
4. For the lighting design, we opted for a three-point lighting style that employed extremely soft, dynamic, and cinematic techniques. This approach enhanced the richness of skin tones and the depth of the environment, allowing us to fully encapsulate the inspirational nature of the story being told.

Summary:

The Musician Green Book serves as a powerful homage to the heritage of music in America, exploring its profound impact on culture and society. By uniting multiple production teams and utilizing a storied venue like the Howard Theatre, the project succeeds in bringing forth a rich tapestry of narrative and visual artistry. The careful attention to lighting and the focus on authenticity creates an atmosphere that not only honors the past but also inspires future generations to appreciate the transformative power of music. This production is a testament to the unifying force of art and its enduring legacy in the fabric of American life.

1. For this clothing fashion shoot, we focused on creating an environment that embraced an abstract yet vibrant aesthetic, allowing the energy and spirit of the brand to shine through without a singular focus.
2. Our goal was for the clothing to appear exciting, fun, and comfortable, with an emphasis on mobility that speaks to the lifestyle of the modern consumer.
3. Working on a high-scale project with a minimal budget presented its challenges; however, with an energetic, insightful, and efficient team, we successfully exceeded expectations while maintaining creativity and quality.
4. Throughout the shoot, we aimed for a heavy contrast look, employing dynamic angles and innovative transitions to create a visually striking commercial that captures the essence of the Cash by Cash App brand.

Summary:

Cash by Cash App showcases a unique intersection of fashion and financial savvy, appealing to a young, trendy audience. By combining an abstract artistic approach with a focus on comfort and mobility, the commercial brings the clothing line to life in a way that resonates with the dynamic lifestyle of consumers today. The creative use of angles and transitions, along with a dedicated team working within budget constraints, results in a captivating visual narrative that highlights the brand’s fresh and innovative spirit, inviting viewers to engage with both the fashion and the financial aspects of Cash App.

1. We creatively staged a location to resemble a vast desert, utilizing a construction site near our studio. By carefully positioning the camera, we were able to conceal our surroundings, immersing viewers in the illusion of a remote desert landscape.
2. Crafting a comedic advertisement within a tight 30-second timeframe presents a unique challenge. In this narrative, a lost family encounters a charismatic Genie, navigating the comedic chaos of an angry wife, a clueless husband, and a frustrated daughter. The tension between these tempers creates an entertaining dynamic.
3. In this Doritos ad, effective storytelling and framing were essential. Due to time constraints, we faced missed opportunities for alternative framing options, which limited our ability to execute the vision to its fullest potential.
4. Notably, this video made it to the quarterfinals of the Super Bowl 2024 challenge, highlighting its impact and appeal among viewers.

Summary:

Doritos’ “One Wish” resonates with audiences through its humorous portrayal of family dynamics and unexpected encounters. The innovative setting and well-crafted narrative come together to create a memorable experience that captures the essence of enjoyment and connection associated with Doritos. By emphasizing comedy and clever storytelling within a limited timeframe, this advertisement stands out, further cementing Doritos’ reputation as a brand that knows how to entertain and engage its audience.

1. This commercial was thoughtfully produced in a studio that mirrors the vibrant theme of the restaurant, creating an engaging environment that showcases the delicious food we are featuring as a central focus.
2. While some viewers may find the use of raw chicken visually unappealing, the intent behind this choice was to tell a compelling story that takes the audience on a journey from raw ingredients to a crispy, mouthwatering delight.
3. The commercial features a range of levitation movements that give the chicken a whimsical personality, infusing the presentation with a sense of fun and family-friendly charm that embodies the spirit of Uncle C’s restaurant.
4. To enhance the visual appeal, we employed beautiful, soft lighting throughout the shoot, with strategic backlighting to accentuate the texture of the chicken, making it look even more appetizing and enticing.

Summary:

Uncle C’s Chicken & Waffles is known for its delicious and comforting combination of flavors, bringing together classic Southern cuisine in a welcoming atmosphere. This commercial not only highlights the restaurant’s signature dishes but also captures the essence of family fun and culinary storytelling. With a focus on the transformation of raw ingredients into mouthwatering meals, complemented by engaging cinematography and thoughtful lighting, Uncle C’s invites viewers to savor the joyful experience of dining at their establishment.

1. This commercial was meticulously crafted in a studio to evoke a subtle, elegant vibe that perfectly complements the crisp, refreshing essence of Linganore’s Spiced Apple wine.
2. We focused on sourcing vibrant, high-quality fruit shots that would entice the viewer’s taste buds and stimulate their thirst, emphasizing the delightful flavors inherent in this exquisite wine.
3. Lighting was of utmost importance in this production; we employed backlighting techniques to enhance the clarity and shine of each drop, highlighting the beautiful contrast and texture of the liquid, which draws attention to the wine’s luxurious qualities.
4. The voiceover played a pivotal role in the commercial, using a rich, deep tone that effectively communicates the sophistication and indulgence associated with enjoying a premium wine experience.

Summary:

Linganore Spiced Apple is celebrated for its unique combination of freshness and warmth, offering a delightful twist on traditional apple wine. This commercial not only reflects the elegance of the brand but also immerses viewers in the luxurious experience that comes with every sip. The careful selection of vibrant visuals, intentional lighting, and a captivating voiceover work harmoniously to create a compelling narrative that invites wine lovers to discover the sophisticated charm of Linganore’s Spiced Apple.

1. This commercial was expertly filmed in a studio setting, where every moment was crafted with precision to create an atmosphere that feels vibrant and alive. The design was intentional, emphasizing a lively and engaging experience.
2. The primary goal was to evoke a playful attitude, showcasing crunchy, spicy foods that ignite excitement and make viewers’ mouths water, enticing them to indulge in Hot Lola’s irresistible chicken.
3. Lighting played a crucial role in this project, requiring an extremely colorful and vibrant palette to create a warm ambiance. This approach effectively draws attention to the enticing sandwiches and succulent chicken, making them visually irresistible.
4. The editing style was fast-paced, punchy, and infused with comedic elements. A plethora of sound effects enhanced the playful vibe, ensuring that the final product reflected the fun and lively nature of Hot Lola’s brand.

Summary:

Hot Lola’s is renowned for its flavorful, bold, and spicy chicken, bringing a fiesta-like experience to every meal. By combining creativity with a playful spirit, the commercial effectively illustrates the excitement surrounding their menu. The vibrant visuals, lively atmosphere, and quick-paced editing all contribute to a fun and inviting portrayal of the brand, enticing new customers to join in on the flavorful journey that Hot Lola’s offers.

1. This commercial was entirely shot handheld, utilizing natural lighting in an urban street setting, which enhances the authenticity and vibrancy of the scene.
2. One of the primary challenges faced during production was managing the position of the sun. The team skillfully explored creative angles to ensure the actors’ skin was beautifully illuminated without being overly exposed, achieving a cinematic quality that elevates the overall visual experience.
3. The actors’ movements were all freestyle, showcasing a spontaneous and organic feel. This approach truly captures the invigorating essence that Celsius embodies, highlighting the energy the drink provides in real-time.
4. The commercial is characterized by dynamic camera angles, including an overhead shot using a crane and a striking shot descending with elongated models in vibrant poses. This emphasis on urban dance styles serves to inject energy throughout the narrative, effectively communicating the lively spirit of the Celsius brand.

By synthesizing these elements, the commercial not only promotes the product but also embodies the essence of vitality and movement that Celsius represents.

1. The mission of this project was fun, energy, and high vibrant colors.
2. We had to create a way to introduce different platforms for different characteristics throughout the video.
3. We also had to create polarizing personalities to tell the story.
4. The high aesthetic shoots take much labor, especially creating all ideas in a specific time. These take a good team’s attention to detail and Time management to the finest.

1. This shoot was run & gun to the finest. We had to turn around the shoot within five hours to open the restaurant in time.
2. We had to simultaneously shoot different scenes while keeping a large group of people entertained. I think it’s vital to keep your client’s energy high.
3. The song had a feel-good warm and energy. We added elements to sell the practicality of the story. So everybody can relate.
4. We came into the shoot thinking we didn’t have enough time to get all the shots we wanted. But we did it through having a storytelling check-down list, efficient time management, and sticking to the game plan.

1. Outdoor shooting can be challenging due to weather, sun positions, and venue limitations. We positioned ourselves in a small section in the park and utilized reflection in bouncing for lighting.
2. We wanted to see a very soft life image throughout The video, to highlight love, romanticism, and jubilating scenery.
3. I can honestly say the storytelling didn’t come out the way we originally wanted it to. But we ultimately came out with beautiful visuals.
4. Three location shoots can be challenging, primarily because of breakdown and setup. So we kept our production cause relatively low with more ambient lighting.

1. Originally, this project was totally out of the whim. I came up with a creative idea that I wanted to pitch to see if the restaurant would sponsor it.
2. I wanted to make the food presentation fun. Add movement surprises and the Irish pub feel of the actual restaurant.
3. Decided to use many sound effects to keep it entertaining and compelling.
4. Working with the food, you need to be incredibly innovative. Find different ways to animate movement to provide a story and compel a future client to visit.

1. In this project, my sole responsibility is camera operation. And the scene construction.
2. We went with creative angles to give an original effect, unlike most music videos.
3. We wanted to keep people on edge and alternate perspectives that all not usually produced.
4. Communication was significant because we worked with a new team from different production levels. And it was essential To try to take away everybody’s expertise to develop an excellent product for the client.

1. This was a freestyle project; I wanted to use all the food elements that the restaurant provided. And capture the food in the way that it was presented.
2. The most important part of the shoot was setting the stage for aesthetics in the environment. To present in ways, you can believe what happened in the restaurant.
3. Most of the food wasn’t the most cooperative for the movements we were trying to create, so adding stop motion elements and transitions was the following option to give a different type of flare was our choice.

1. The client wanted to re-create The type of treatment that they provide at their salon. They’ve never done anything like this before and decided to trust us with the video.
2. Dealing with live animals can be challenging because you use a big camera on their faces. So doing production in a small room with inconsistent subjects was the biggest worry.
3. The lighting treatment was the most important here. We wanted to make it cool to be a dog owner that went to salons.
4. in this video, we added a voiceover to be able to tell the story from a dog’s perspective.

1. As the lighting technician in this video, we wanted to create two dramatic looks Plus contrasting emotional elements. One lighted very happily and warmly. Then switch it to very drastic and dark.
2. Storytelling can be conveyed in lighting, especially using bold and low colors. To try to translate the character’s mental state.
3. One big takeaway was mixing the color pallets in times when the color didn’t represent the mood or the behaviors.
4. Windows placements are significant for the scenes; the differences between the car home and basement are tough to sell the story and placing the lighting in different Ways To sell the same concept.

1. This is the most challenging shoot I had to produce: fast-moving cars, Low light situation, and a vast cast.
2. So, how do you create fast, intense pacing without the necessary equipment? Our solution was many drones. Placing the cars and ways they can create creative visuals allows the pilot to fly in and out of slow-moving vehicles with fast-moving Drones.
3. Visual effects or something that we wanted to illustrate in this film. So given that it was very low-lit outside, having pops and flashes would give the Film high production value and make it look cool.
4. Since we were outside without electricity, many power battery-powered elements had to be used to create this project. Some lighting elements weren’t powerful enough. So using high reflective elements to re-create beams of life saved the day.