Title: Family Strings: Billy Strings and His Dad Terry Barber
Role: Director, editor, designer
This special live performance of Billy Strings and his dad, Terry Barber was more than just a concert—it was a heartfelt homecoming. Traverse City, MI, one of Billy’s hometowns and the place where he launched his professional music career, provided the perfect setting for this unforgettable night. With a dedicated local fan base and family members in attendance, the atmosphere was electric with love, pride, and musical magic.
Produced in collaboration with City Opera House and Billy Strings, this free live broadcast reached over 50,000 viewers in real time and has since garnered over 3 million views. As director of the live multi-camera production, I worked with a talented crew of TACM volunteers to bring viewers intimate close-ups of Billy’s jaw-dropping guitar work and the warm, playful chemistry between him and his father. In addition to directing, I also edited the final cutand designed the titles, ensuring the production reflected the deep personal significance of this performance.
Title: Moby ‘The Right Thing’ Official Video
Role: Cinematographer
For the official music video for Moby’s The Right Thing, a group of filmmaker friends and I were invited to create a silent short narrative film to accompany the track. Inspired by the song’s lyrics—"Oh lord, save me, I want to do the right thing, oh this time"—the video follows a protagonist who feels they can only be their true self when away from home, while their partner waits, unaware of their inner turmoil.
To add another layer to the storytelling, we collaborated with vocalist Inyang Bassey to film a VHS karaoke video, capturing her singing through the streets of New York City. This lo-fi, raw performance is woven into the narrative and is also shown below as a standalone alternate version.
My cinematographic approach blended intimate handheld close-ups with static wide shots, creating a simple yet cinematic visual language that reflects the emotional contrast between the main character’s two worlds.
Title: Moby ‘The Right Thing’ Alternate VHS Version
Role: Cinematographer
This VHS karaoke video, originally created as an embedded element in the official The Right Thing music video, stands on its own as a raw, lo-fi companion piece. Featuring vocalist Inyang Bassey, this version strips away the larger narrative and focuses purely on her electrifying performance as she sings through the streets of New York City.
Shot on a shoulder-mounted VHS camcorder, we roamed Soho and Chinatown, capturing spontaneous, high-energy moments that feel both immediate and intimate. The grainy, analog aesthetic enhances the organic feel of the performance, making it an evocative contrast to the polished cinematic style of the official video. While originally intended as a secondary element, I find myself drawn to this version for its authenticity and uninhibited energy.
Title: Northern Scene: Hearth & Hymn
Role: Videographer, editor, designer
Northern Scene is a live music series by Traverse Area Community Media that showcases the talent of musicians across the Grand Traverse region, featuring multi-camera recordings and high-quality audio.
Filmed on a crisp winter night inside the intimate yurt at Little Fleet, this episode captures the haunting harmonies of Hearth & Hymn in a truly unique setting. With limited space and no room for a full crew, I operated three cameras and recorded pristine audio solo, crafting a visually compelling and sonically rich performance. This episode highlights both the duo’s artistry and my ability to adapt to challenging environments while maintaining high production value.
Title: Northern Scene: Hot N’ Bothered
Role: Director, editor, designer
This episode of Northern Scene features Hot N' Bothered, a high-energy five-piece bluegrass and Americana band from Traverse City, performing on the historic porch at Fountain Point Resort in Lake Leelanau, MI. Capturing the spirit of their lively set, this production was filmed with the help of a dedicated volunteer camera crew, while the exceptional live sound was mixed by Maria Ulrich of Leelanau Sound. The result is an immersive performance that showcases the band’s dynamic musicianship in a stunning lakeside setting.