Videography Videography is an art form that I have come to embrace as much, if not more than, still photography. There's something about the moving image, especially capturing live music performances that I love. It's the uniqueness and spontaneity of each live gig that once over, is gone forever, unless caught on video and/or film. I must make it perfectly clear that I am NOT the type of videographer/paparazzi/stalker like on E! Entertainment's 'Celebrity Uncensored'. No amount of money could convince me that invading people's private moments is an honorable, moral, righteous or legal way to make a living. I've never been offered such work nor have I sought it out. If an opportunity presented itself, I would turn it down for the good of my soul and out of respect for the privacy of celebrities. I want to end each day with a clean conscience. Paparazzi (videographers) that prey on celebrities are the type of media who are, in my opinion, responsible for more bad than good. Princess Diana's death, for example, was, in my opinion, a direct result of her driver speeding away from predatory paparazzi. Was the price these of the pictures worth her life? Absolutely not. I've done a great deal of work in videography and if they say a picture is worth a thousand words, I'd have to say a moving image is worth a million. For a complete videography list of the shows, events and concerts I've shot, click HERE!
"ABBY TRAVIS" & "MATA HARI" www.abbytravis.com www.clubmatahari.com
The latest thing I've shot and one of the BEST nights out anywhere in Hollywood/Los Angeles (outside of the rarely done Club Makeup)! Full of passion, humor, drama and sensuality, this night shows phenomenal potential. Mata Hari - July 2004 Video Stills...Click HERE! Mata Hari - August 2004 Video Stills...Click HERE! Read below for the spot on LA Weekly review of all things Abby & Mata Hari: "If anyone can take nightlife hobnobbing to a sophisticated new level-and local-it's glamour gal Abby Travis, who debuts her exotic new club-and-cabaret concept, Mata Hari, with an array of striking performers and music, all at Tangier on a Monday night, no less. Ms. T performs early in the eve with her creative cohort Kristian Hoffman on piano, and later with a full six-piece band featuring guest Jane Wiedlin, followed by androgynous fatale Constance of Bar Marmont fame, and everyone's favorite dynamic dame, Ann Magnuson. Music between sets will run the gamut from Erik Satie to Ute Lemper to Roxy Music to Siouxsie & the Banshees, and the crowd promises to be as opulent as the setting. Think the Cotton Club - in Morocco. Though this diva-licous opening night is on a Monday, the plan is for the gathering to take place every third Wednesday, with future performers to include the city's best chanteuses, belly dancers and more. It's an enchanted vibe that Travis calls "musical espionage": With her music-biz connections and gang of talented pals, you never know what seductive sultans or turbaned temptresses you might spy." - Lina Lecaro
"THE MAX" with your host...Mack Daddy Myles In full "Mack Daddy Myles" host mode on "The Max". Each week had me in different compromising positions with the above "AJ...The Lovely Lady". I took full advantage of my tongue in cheek character. The ultimate "MackDaddy", I was the talk (good & bad) on campus. It was surprising how many took me seriously, thinking I actually was the egotistical, vain and full of himself player I portrayed. In one episode while talking to the camera and "AJ" kisses me all over my face, I said, "If you want this to happen, you better start liking Prince." Shortly after the episode aired, a couple of guys who recognized me from the show revealed they wanted to kick my ass after seeing my cocksure alter-ego. I guess I acted out my "Mack Daddy Myles" character perfectly. The above stills are from one of the 10 episodes of "The Max", a weekly one hour music video show I did at Southern Illinois University for their SPC Cable channel. The show spotlighted lots of Prince along with hip hop, r&b, rap, soul and artists Prince protogees like The Time, Sheila E., Vanity 6, Carmen Electra, Wendy & Lisa, Ingrid Chavez, The Family. The reason I took my show in a "Princely" direction was not only because he's one of my favorite artists but to spotlight a largely underrated performer/songwriter/producer and to show the 18-22 year old college students of today that Prince is not only more alive and musically vibrant than ever but has more to offer than played out songs like "1999", "Kiss" and "Let's Go Crazy".
"THE Mack Daddy Myles HOUR" Video stills from my weekly one hour music video show that I produced the year following "The Max". This show showcased retro & new wave from the 80's as well as freaky Hollywood footage I had shot. The cool thing about this show was due to the station's editing equipment being down that year, I took control of the situation by completely shooting the show off TV (editing while shooting) on a Hi-8 video camera.
"LOOK - International Sportswear Show"
This was one of many events I videoed. It was a cool and hip fashion show. Local performer Candy Ass was a model in the show and got me the gig. The show was full of energy, great tunes, wild video imagery, and way cool clothes. "THE ZEN COWBOYS" - "Look" after-party!
The after-party was a night of unforgettable glam rock heaven as band "The Zen Cowboys" (w/guest Candyass) took the stage and blew the roof off the place with their own brand of sexy dance rock!
LA Models Fashion Show @ The Gate in WeHo
Not your typical stroll down the catwalk, this show was full of funk & sex appeal, making for an unforgettable night!
Gaultier Fashion Show @ World in Hollywood Full of the beautiful people, this shoot was short but sweet.
NICK HEYWARD & INDIA DUPRE: "MAYFLOWERS" @ Largo
For many more fantastic video stills of Nick, India, Mayflowers and Michael Irwin, click HERE! Their Hollywood show consisted of a mix of acoustic based pop/rock and storytelling and was great fun. Nick Heyward rose to fame in the 80's British band 'Haircut One Hundred' which is spotlighted on VH1's Bands Reunited. The name of Haircut's first (and only with Nick Heyward) album is 'Pelican West', a highly recommended batch of songs. What's truly amazing about that album is the incredible originality of his guitar style, songwriting and arrangements. Pure pop genius! On this night, he mixed his old repertoire along with the new to make for a seamless and most perfect night. With the addition of singer/songwriter India Dupre, their new group "Mayflowers" was born.
E.G. DAILY @ 'The Mint'
This show was shot circa 2000. Getting her personal permission to shoot the gig, by way of my friend Marc Loren, I captured a great show with all the artistic flair I could add using only one camera. Along with a complete band, she was in beautiful form, giving an energetic performance that tore the roof off the place.
Joseph Brooks & Jason Lavitt present... C L U B M A K E U P!
Ann Magnuson (singer/actress) C.C. DeVille (Poison guitarist)
Leif Garrett (singer/teen idol) Monique Powell (Save Ferris singer)
Gilby Clarke (ex-Guns n' Roses) Jack Atlantis & Ann Magnuson
Xander Smith (singer/guitarist/musical director)
Scarlett & Mz. Alanna
Host & MC Alexis Arquette - "Space Freak much?"
Makeup Band Guitarist and Keyboardist Eric Mayron in Action "Club Makeup" was a monthly night promoted by the legendary Joseph Brooks and DJ extrordinaire Jason Lavitt. The night only reappears for special events and is a glam & rock type club which features many special performers & celebrity singers. From the first moment I saw the midnight concert @ Makeup, I knew I had to document it. I ended up shooting over half dozen shows, the last of which was Halloween 1997. August 2002 saw the end of the monthly Makeup after 3 1/2 years. It reappears for special occasions like Halloween and New Years Eve. For more Club Makeup video stills, click HERE. Club Makeup! shows shot: "David Bowie Bash!" January 2001 "2nd Anniversary!" February 2001 "Magical Mystery Tour" March 2001 "Cleopatra" April 2001 "Warhol!" May 2001 "Halloween" October 2003
"CHILDREN UNITING NATIONS CHARITY EVENT"
Pierce Brosnan Paul Rodriguez
Jane Seymour Marla Gibbs
Jennifer Love Hewitt Josh Ryan Evans
James Keach Illeana Douglas
Bruce Davison Mary Steenburgen/Ted Danson
Corbin Bernsen Martika Press Pass and stills from a charity event for underpriviledged children held on the Santa Monica Pier. The entire day benefitted "Children Uniting Nations", a local charity founded by Daphna Edwards Ziman. My job: the videographer. My friend Marc Loren's: the interviewer. We were hired to conduct video interviews with arriving celebrities and document the event which included games, rides and concert performances by Martika, Dave Mason, etc. The results were brilliant...especially considering our lack of "press" experience.
JACKIE BEAT @ 360 Restaurant in Hollywood
Part stand up comedy, part song, part verbal abuse, this solo performance by the always flawless Jackie Beat was a stunningly original, one of a kind show! The genius of her comedy is with her biting, observant humor mixed with parodying well known songs by changing the lyrics and titles to fit her fierce imagination and storytelling.
"Run Run Run" - First Ever Gig in Hollywood
"Popism" @ Goldfinger's in Hollywood
Having befriended the singer Vylette, I asked and was given the pleasure of shooting her band "Popism" @ the legendary "Goldfinger's" in Hollywood. I always loved their fantastic Blondie-like sound and wanted to capture this rare concert performance. Shooting this show using digital effects turned the usual concert viewing experience into quite the art project. Full of visual experimentation, this is one of my favorites.
ASTROPANTIES @ Rodney's English Disco Hollywood 2001 Rodney Bingenheimer's hosted the night, introduced "Astropanties". Fronted by the stunning Vylette, the goth type band were a mix of Blondie, Siouxsie and Bauhaus.
"MARBLE with CANDY ASS"
The very first thing I shot and produced in Los Angeles 1995. I had met Candy Ass at the time he was performing with local band 'Marble'. He asked if I'd shoot one of their gigs, so I got a two video camera set up along with two people/camera operators, ran them through a simple video mixer/editor (along with PA and mic sound) directing and editing LIVE to video between the two cameras.
Sally Sandoval on Bass CandyAss Rules the Mic The budget didn't allow for a head set system to communicate with the camera operators, so I gave them pre-instructions on what angles I wanted each to capture. Adding effects and titles in post production, the end results were flawless. While a simple production, it worked, giving the finished product a raw, punk like energy and feel.
Candy Ass during a song with "Marble" and at the point where the wigs come off and he twirls them above his head in trademark style.
"DRAG DIVAS FROM HELL"
This short video project was put together using my pseudo name "Myles Wells" (tongue in cheek/play on words homage to Orson Welles). The short consisted of previously shot performances of Jackie Beat, Eva Destruction/Alexis Arquette and Candy Ass. Showcasing one performance from each, it was shown at the Los Angeles film/video festival, 'Outfest 97', entertaining and raising a few eyebrows in the process.
JACKIE BEAT @ Luna Park
This solo performance by Miss Beat was complimented by the invasion...er, addition of "The Jackie Beat Dancers" (Candy Ass & Alexis Arquette) on a few numbers. One of the highlights (pictured above) was the performance "Do it A**hole" (a hilarious parody of "Do The Hustle"). The reinvented lyrics (courtesy of Jackie) told the dysfunctional story of Hollywood and the tragic wannabes whose careers have amounted to nothing. Jackie's message...If you're one of the many failures in Hollywood and are considering ending it all...Well..."Do it A**hole"! Brilliant and full of camp!
Jackie Beat's "LIZAPALOOZA '96" @ Luna Park
Masterminded and hosted by Jackie Beat, this amazing night was a mock benefit/tribute for all things Liza Minelli! This was before VH-1 and E! jumped on the bandwagon and before husband/producer David was on the scene. I was brought on board to capture the night by Candy & Jackie Beat and capture it I did. It was a fierce show full of camp, biting humor and insane fun, courtesy of a slew of talent: Margaret Cho, Andy Dick, Viva Sex, Alexis Arquette, CandyAss, Kim Maguire and many more. To say the evening was unforgettable is an understatement!
Eva Destruction/Alexis Arquette Margaret Cho
Kim Maguire Andy Dick
The Many Faces of Jackie Beat
Jackie Beat CandyAss
"Ladies and gentleman...PUNK BUNNY!"
A style of music has hit the local scene: Electroclash. "Punk Bunny" led by Gil and Sally (brother & sister) have done shows all over La La Land and they are a one of a kind ball of energy, mayhem and sexual tension...with a bit of comedy thrown into the mix. With Sally on lead vocals (and in tight & revealing 80's style outfits), Gil on guitar, vocals, keys (along with a fake moustache, ball cap, shorts, & erratic movements) and two beyond crazy/bizarre dancers (one in skivvies, the other in a too tight bikini), this is a synth heavy band. Part sleaze-fest, dance troupe & freak show, this is one band that's short on mainstream, long on originality and one you'll never forget.
"Club Swank!"
"Shitting Glitter" "The Art Ghetto"
"MQ Musik" Shot at a bowling alley turned club somewhere in the valley, "Club Swank" was an amazing night with three distinct artists that were fierce! The audience may only have been 15 strong, but it didn't phase any of the musicians who played like it was a standing room only crowd!
JACKIE BEAT @ Cavern Club Theater
Another fierce night...this time Jackie brought along her jealous, vindictive and evil sister "Jennie". In the end, they made up and lived happily every after...at least until next time.
"Shitting Glitter, Bow Wow Wow & Berlin @ LA Pride 2006"
Abby Travis & Band 'GlitterMouth' Record Release Gig @ El Cid - July 2006
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