Remember the band Sugar Ray? A few years ago they had the number 1 hit song "Every Morning." After that hit, except for a few guest hosting gigs, Mark McGrath and the rest of his band have all but disappeared. Or have they...
We were recently contracted through a great client to put together an on-site highlights video in Puerto Rico for a corporate awards party. You know the type of video. It's similar to the "Cruise in Review" DVDs, that you feel obligated to buy as you leave a cruise vacation. It shows all the people on the ship, acting a little foolish, waving to the camera, and just having the time of their lives. Well this gig was similar. A well known investment bank was throwing an "Awards Party" for about 1000 of their top sales staff, and they wanted a video done to highlight their trip. We said yes to the gig, and headed out to Puerto Rico.
The week was spent shooting and editing all the candid moments and excursions. We even added some sight gags, and dynamic shots, just to give that special comical touch to the show. The video was to be shown on-site, so our nights were spent editing in our on-site travel edit bay. As I think about this type of work, I tend to cringe a bit. Highlights videos? I mean, come on, that's not why I went to film school. How is this going to allow me to direct my feature? Besides, it's tough work; all night edits, hot daytime shoots, all for a video that is going to be seen one time? Why put in that much effort?
Then came the closing night gala. All the attendees were decked out in tuxes and gowns, and the final awards had been given out. Dinner had finished, and the entertainment segment of the evening had started. Our video rolled to approving laughter and applause. Our job was done, and we were congratulated. The emcee then announced a surprise concert for all the attendees. Who was playing? None other than Mark McGrath and Sugar Ray. "Hmm," I think to myself, "Didn't they have a number 1 hit?" I wondered how Mark felt about playing at a corporate gig. Judging by their performance that night, they absolutely did have a hit, and that night they proved why. Without hesitation or pride, they attacked the grand ballroom stage with the same energy and passion as they would have for an arena full of screaming fans. It was a private concert put on by first class performers. Whether fans of their music or not, I'm sure that everyone in the room was appreciative that the band was giving them their best performance.
So I took a moment to review our own "performance." Highlights videos have taken us all over the country and beyond. We've filmed in the Carribean, Jamaica, Aruba, Curaçao, St Thomas, Cancun, and more. Our various clients treat us well. We enjoy the travel. We enjoy the posh resorts. We enjoy filming in exotic locations all over the world. We even enjoy the challenge of putting together an entertaining highlights piece in a high-pressure on-site environment. It's not the only type of work we do, but it is a part of our portfolio, and deserves our best performance.
So I have to say "Thanks, Sugar Ray," who proved their success by putting 100% into whatever the gig might be.
