Behind the Scenes of the Music Video "Sunset Blvd"
A Journey into the Creative Process of Scott Grimes' Hit Single
The music video for Scott Grimes' hit single "Sunset Blvd" was a labour of love for all involved. Written, Directed & Edited by Bryan Pitcher, the short film stars Jason Gray-Stanford and Grimes himself, and features many of Grimes' family and friends, including the song's co-writer Dave Harris, who appears as a dock worker in the opening sequences. Mickey Jones also stars in the video as the dock supervisor.
Shot on Kodak 35mm film by cinematographer Darren Genet, the video was filmed over three days at the Lacy Street Production Center in Los Angeles, CA. The result is a visual representation of the story told in the song, about a young man named Brian with dreams of making it big in Hollywood.
Sunset Blvd (the Official Music Video), 2005
The music video was produced by Susan Cohen, who oversaw the production and helped bring the creative vision of the director to life. From the industrial location to the talented actors, every detail was carefully crafted to bring the song "Sunset Blvd" to the screen.
With its compelling storyline, stunning cinematography, and memorable performances, the music video for "Sunset Blvd" is a testament to the hard work and dedication that went into its making. If you're a fan of Scott Grimes, or simply a lover of great music, this video is a must-see.
Exploring the Creative Process Behind the Music Video 'Sunset Blvd’
If you're interested in learning more about the making of the music video for "Sunset Blvd," this section has you covered. Here you'll find behind-the-scenes photographs captured on set during filming, storyboards from the pre-production and planning phase, and the screenplay written by Bryan Pitcher himself. It's a unique opportunity to see the creative process that went into this exceptional piece of work.
Bringing the Vision to Life: The "Sunset Blvd" Screenplay and On-Set Notes
Bringing a story to life on screen is a collaborative effort, and the script for "Sunset Blvd" is no exception. In this section, we invite you to take a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process behind the music video, starting with the original screenplay written by Bryan Pitcher. The script not only includes the pages of the screenplay, but it also features the on-set script notes documented by script supervisor Blue Van Zandt. These notes offer a glimpse into the adjustments and refinements made during filming, giving a deeper understanding of the evolution of the story.
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Filming of 'Sunset Blvd'
Step behind the lens and get a glimpse of the hard work and dedication that went into capturing the storyline and performances of "Sunset Blvd". With 16 captivating photos taken by set photographer Alex Lane, you'll see how the team braved three long days of 12 hour shoots to bring the music video to life.
On Set Photos by Alex Lane.
Copyright © 2005 Bryan Pitcher Films, LLC., all rights reserved.
From Concept to Storyboard: The Evolution of "Sunset Blvd"
When developing the music video for "Sunset Blvd", Bryan collaborated with storyboard artist Jack Avetisyan to bring the early script to life. Initially, the script featured a climactic performance on Sunset Blvd, but after considering the costs and logistics of securing a location, Bryan made the decision to revise the ending to take place in a bar. Another key change was to keep Scott as an invisible narrator, guiding Brian's journey from quitting his job to performing for an audience. These changes allowed Bryan to bring his vision for "Sunset Blvd" to life through stunning storyboards.
Here, we present a glimpse into the creative process with three of the most impactful scenes from the storyboards - the Motel Sequence, the Audition Scene, and the Sunset Blvd Sequence. Immerse yourself in the visual storytelling journey and experience the tale of Brian's rise to fame.
Motel Sequence: Brian checks into Motel Hollywood and discovers an audition notice on a bulletin board. Overwhelmed with excitement, he spends the whole night composing a new song.
Audition Scene: Brian's stage fright takes over and he steps back from the chance to showcase his music.
Sunset Blvd Sequence: Brian cruises down Sunset Blvd, unaware of Scott serenading his story from the back seat. Suddenly stuck in a gridlock, Brian stops the car. People from the neighboring vehicles are leaving their cars and walking in the same direction. Brian opens his door and steps out onto Sunset Blvd. He joins the crowd and heads towards the center of attention, only to find Scott performing on top of a car's hood. This is not just a traffic jam, it's a street concert. Brian realizes in that moment, “He never knew of the hopes he made. Until forty thousand people stood and praised.”
Storyboard Artist: Jack Avetisyan
Copyright © 2005 Bryan Pitcher Films, LLC, all rights reserved.
Production Credits
Written & Directed by
Produced by
Unit Production Manager
Production Coordinator
Production Supervisor
Assistant Production Supervisor
Production Assistants
Director of Photography
Film Editor
1st Asst. Camera
2nd Asst. Camera
Steadicam Operator
Still Photographer
Costume Designer
Production Designer
Makeup Artist
Gaffer
Best Boy Electric
Electric
Key Grip
Best Boy Grip
Swing Gaffer/Electric
Camera Truck Driver
Production Sound Mixer
Script Supervisor
Catering
Craft Services
Bryan Pitcher
Susan Cohen
Edward Turner
Alie Ward
Jay Guerra
Seamus Phillips
Brooke Denton
Nicole Pitcher
Matt Spicer
Jason Fischer
Scott Kamler
Darren Genet
Bryan Pitcher
Felix Aroeneaaux
Paula Huidabro
Conner Vandeer
Alex Lane
Darragh Marmostein
Tamara Roberts
Heather Howard
Gabriel Lewis
Tommy Upshaw
Bob Shoemaker
Stephan Taylor
Adam Orellana
Wyatt Denny
Gabriel Lewis
Mark Patino
Blu Van Zandt
Indie Chef: JoEllen Resare
The Kitchen
Breakfast at Orly’s: Orly Tepper
