Public invited to attend Music Video Initiative community mixer
Following the success of Kingston’s first Music Video Initiative in 2020, which paired area musicians with local film production companies, creating over a dozen homegrown music videos, the project is back this year for its second edition. This Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, the public is invited to attend a community mixer at the Tir Nan Og Pub to learn more about this year’s program and network with the various production companies and artists.
According to Moira Demorest, Special Events Coordinator with the Kingston Canadian Film Festival (KCFF), this weekend’s mixer will be the first chance for producers of this year’s slate of videos to share what they have in store. “Sunday is where all of the production companies are going to have an opportunity to give the ‘elevator pitch’ of their music video [and] introduce their artist and who they’re working with.”
The program is a joint initiative by KCFF and the Kingston Film Office, both of which have an enthusiastic interest in supporting Kingston’s emerging film industry. In 2020, the initiative was able to support the production of 15 music videos, with Kingston artists like Oakridge Ave., Sian Alcorn, and Spencer Evans teaming up with local producers to create new music videos.
This year, the initiative will fund 11 videos, with companies like Happy Kid Productions, JL Creative Agency, and James Media all signed on as producers. “We pared it back just a little bit because of the production companies that were available, and just to sort of curate this to make sure that we’re churning out 11 really professional music videos,” said Demorest.
One of the main goals of the initiative is to support emerging artists throughout the Kingston region, equipping musicians with high-quality professional music videos that will help them attract new audiences and gain respect in a difficult industry. “[In 2020] musicians walked away with these amazing videos that are still circulating and still part of their marketing,” Demorest added.
After announcing the second edition of the program earlier this spring, organizers spent the next several months selecting production companies on a rolling basis, after which applications for music artists opened, with the production companies then selecting the artists they wanted to produce videos for.
“These are artists that the production companies have selected and are excited to work with,” noted Demorest. “Some of [them] have a history of [working together]. Some of [the companies] were just inspired by [the artist’s] music and really wanted to work with them.”
Sunday’s event will also give members of the public the opportunity to sign on as volunteers for the various productions. “All of the production companies are open to community engagement… Whatever facet or level you are in the production, there’s [always] something that is going to be interesting.”
According to Demorest, organizers hope the program will attract volunteers from local high schools and post-secondary institutions, with the initiative offering numerous behind-the-scenes opportunities for budding filmmakers and those interested in video production. “If you’re interested in getting involved from a film perspective, then this is a really cool opportunity.”
Production on the videos will take place this fall in and around the Kingston area, with all projects slated to have their official premiere screenings at the 2023 edition of KCFF, which runs from March 1 to 5. The following is a list of the 11 production companies taking part in this year’s initiative.
- bnice films
- Happy Kid Productions
- AKAFLK Productions
- JL Creative Agency
- Jamstone Productions
- James Media
- Little Friday
- Mickayla Pyke Media
- Michael Pontbriand (YourTV)
- QR The Band
- Outpost 12 and Visual Menace
Sunday’s Music Video Initiative community mixer is scheduled for the Tir Nan Og Pub, 200 Ontario Street, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Additional information, including the registration link, can be found online.