“Starman” In The Making – Photos
This week we’re going to finish off our Lanzarote video productions with some photos and a little story behind the filming of our video for ‘Starman’ (watch the video here). And in the Tidbits section there’s a new jigsaw collection waiting for you puzzle nuts.
We gotta say we loved this location. Which was good, because we had to visit it 3 times in total to get the video shoot done. Surprisingly, we found it only a 10 minutes’ drive away from our headquarters, which wasn’t bad either.
Up the volcanic mountain, behind the rocks, protected from the strong winds, with the sunset in our backs and the rough ‘Martian’ landscape in front of us, the views were outlandishly striking.
To get the most eerie lighting we wanted to film the sun as it was about to set. Naturally, the window to get all the shots we needed was narrow, and for that reason we had to film on three different evenings.
Setting to work on day 1, we were chuffed about the most beautiful sunset. Exactly what we were going for!
Unfortunately, it got too dark too quickly and we couldn’t use much of the footage. We also realised that, with the sun gone down, even one of the warmest islands of Europe can still get quite chilly during January nights, especially at the breezy top of a volcano. It’s getting ridiculous, we know. Not even flying down to the equator would save MLT from being cold during a video shoot!
So ticking that off as ‘learning experience’, we returned on day 2, prepped with multiple layers of tights and jackets, hoping for an equally colourful horizon.
While the sky didn’t do us the favour of all its orange and purple magic, the clouds were still quite dramatic. Thus we could get most of the filming done, including all the drone scenes.
This time around, the place turned out to be even more ideal: Only a few steps behind “our rock”, dad and Michaela found a small cave where they could hide out so they wouldn’t be caught by the drone camera. As it was starting to drizzle they also hauled in all our equipment to keep it dry. Only we were left to the forces of nature …
Thankfully, it dried up quickly, and we were able to finish filming in time. However, as the drone landed, we could see a HUGE black cloud front making its way towards the mountain in lighting speed. We knew, this time there would be no mercy, and we hurried to pack up and make the usual 25 mins hike a 10 mins run back to the car. Not an easy feat when packed like burros.
Sure enough, halfway down we were caught in what could only be described as a post-apocalyptic rainstorm. It really was that bad. We flew downhill as fast as we could. But within seconds we were soaked through ALL our layers of clothes and felt like we were ‘swimming’ towards the car more than running.
It was almost pitch black by then, and hysterical laughter alternated with expressions of disbelief. We’ve never been in anything like it … the worst UK weather couldn’t hold a candle to that.
Amazingly, we survived. They say there’s nothing a hot shower and a cuppa can’t fix.
On day 3 the clothes stayed dry, and we were rewarded with another stunning sunset pretending there’s never been anything else. PHEW!
Pictures were taken pre-rainstorm and in good spirits 😉
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”90″ gal_title=”2019 – Video Shoot Starman””]
Well, we certainly appreciate your effort and putting up with the weather. The result is a spectacular success!
Hi Mona & Lisa, I thought too when I saw the ‘Starman’ video, That looks like one of the Canary Islands, looking at the typical Canarian village in the background. I’ve been to Lanzarote in January myself, and yes it was freezing!!. We went on an excursion up Timanfaya volcano where they tried to demonstrate the natural underground heat by cooking some meat over a hole in the ground; After 10 minutes, they gave up, and didn’t particularly like my offer of a Firelighter to get the fire started!! [I can still remember the look the guide gave me!!] I was only trying to help. Anyway, great song, great video. Nuff said.
Sometimes mother nature just doesn’t play along 😉
Glad you got a chance to go regardless, the scenery it to die for and we had the most productive and relaxing time there the two times we went ♥
Such a fantastic setting for videos and pictures. Great setting, awesome, creative, artists and two of the best parents in the world! I think everything that you create from Lanzarote is going to blow us away! Love the photos!
The “thumbnail” picture of your dad with his camera and light (far right row, third from top) looks like Darth Vader holding a light sabre.
I love those pictures, and I love reading your posts. You always write so well and I can imagine running down the hill in the pouring rain. Your description is so funny that it makes me cry. The pictures are so great and we want to see Michaela too! I just want to say that your descriptive writing is so humorous and it draws us in like we are there too! I love that.
Thank you! This is so great!
????
Glad you made it out OK!
What great rock area, the place is fantastic. And it even has rocks that shine in the right direction ?
Knowing the story behind this sublime, far-out music video makes it even more wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing! Team MLT makes even the most challenging tasks look easy. What Pro’s!
Cool!! I love seeing the pictures of you creating magic! Great video and far out cover! I love the cover way better than the original. Fantastic!!!!
Always love to see the “behind the scenes” of one of your masterpiece videos in the making. Your vivid narrative here leading into the photos was as fun as watching the photos themselves. What’s a good MLT video shoot without that ceremonial freezing in the cold moments. 🙂 You all always look like you’re having a lot of fun despite braving the cold and rain down pour later. Loved those smiles between the shoots, and Rudolf looks like the incredibly cool professional cameraman/pilot with the lamp sticking out of his pocket holding the big pro camera. Thanks very much for showing these, and again, a truly, truly remarkable music and video production. 🙂
Thanks for this Mona and Lisa. Once again it’s really useful for us to see the effort that goes into your video productions. Just like your first concert way back in 2007, all we see is the beautiful result that just seems to appear out of nowhere, without any effort. I know just how much practice and hard work went into that first concert and now I know what dedication you showed producing the ‘Starman’ video. And yes, you really know how to pick cold, windy and wet days. I still get a chill every time I watch your ‘Wide, Wide, Land’ video.
“Puzzle nut” thanks you. New Fender acoustic?
We didn’t bring any of our guitars to Lanzarote (planes and guitars don’t mix well) but friends we met there back in 2016 were kind enough to lend us theirs 🙂
I’m not surprised. I would lend you my guitar any time!! 🙂