Moving. Right. Along!
Today is another edition of our #PghSupportPgh blogs where we highlight positive people doing positive things. This interview I sat down with Lil E (does the Lil E dance) and we discussed other directors and who influenced him and also how it was working with Mars Jackson on the "Diamonds" video. This is one of the best interviews we've done and this interview also includes a special treat at the end.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a director and why?
Ok well it all started back around the age of 13, when I used to video tape my lil bro football games and edit them to send to my family that doesn't live in Pittsburgh. From there I always had a thing for editing, I really didn't do to much but it was something light. Then I went on to get caught up in the streets dropped out of high school, you know I basically became a product of my environment. Started my own little rap group call DREAMTEAM where I used to record all the studio sessions and put them on YouTube. I got serious about working with videos in 2010. I went back to school got my GED and went to the Pittsburgh Art Institute. I dropped the Art Institute and just was learning on my own. Then I started going to the Pittsburgh Filmmakers in August of 2011. I was contacted by Pittsburgh's well known music director Dan Meyers to play a character in a music video. I told him I was in school for film and from then he took me under his wing and showed me more hands on video work and let me work with him. So basically from there it was on!
Growing up watching videos from Lil X, Hype Williams, and Benny Boom who would you said had the most influence on your art and why?
First off I want to say they are all great music video directors, but none of them influenced me growing up watching videos. I never seen myself behind the camera I always wanted to be the person in front of the camera. But now, I watch their videos to learn and see what they've done to make them so famous and try to follow what they accomplished but with my own twist to it feel me?
Can you see yourself getting into movies like how Hype Williams did with "Belly?"
Belly is my favorite movie of all time. The way the story was shot I personally think it was perfect if you ask me. Getting into films is my main goal, I want to tell stories and put them on big screen for the world to view and enjoy. I'm more of a story teller so shooting videos with people jumping around flashing money and guns gets old, feel me? People love a good story well shit at least I do.
How was it working with Mars Jackson for the video "Diamond?"
Working with Mars Jackson is just fun period. I seen his first video and didn't even know he rapped we chilled a few times at a friends crib and I never heard him talk about rapping. So when I seen the video I DM'd him like hit me up. We talked for about 45mins, I told I just brought my camera and I needed someone to work with and he was down and that's how our friendship started. But as far as the "Diamonds" video it was a great time. We didn't go out to Vegas thinking of shooting a video that just happened and we came out with some dope footage. I got to kick it with some pretty dope people while I was there too, theres way too many to name but y'all seen them in the video. The best thing about that is they came up with this dance called "The Lil E." Its basically a dance I do when I'm drunk and they seen me do it on multiple occasion and thinks it hilarious. Lol one day I might record some footage so y'all can learn it
How can people get in touch with you for a video and how much do you charge?
People can hit me up via twitter @THEREAL_LIL_E (EMAIL) THEREAL_LILE@ME.COM OR (PHONE) (619) 752-4299 I don't have a set price they just gotta hit me up so we can talk numbers.
One more thing before I go, I want thank y'all for giving me a spot on y'all blog this week. I read every blog and I support y'all movement peace out!!!!
This is the world premiere of the video Lil E shot with Mars Jackson in Vegas. Shoutout to everyone who came out to Vegas we had a great time and we MUST go back again, I'm personally thinking later this year but we'll talk!
For the world premiere of Mars Jackson "Diamond" ---->
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgvoYmsRyGc&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Follow Lil E @TheReal_Lil_E
Follow Mars Jackson @MarsJackson
And follow the whole First Class Blogs team myself @Rell_Mac @I_WhiteMike and @E_TRELL
Written by Rell Mac (@Rell_Mac)
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