One Year Dagrin!

Its a year already, seem like ystdy! we lost one of Naija's best talents. DAGRIN!

It was a privileged to have shot a video with him. Im talking about the Turn me around video for KSB, it featured him.

RIP OMO OGUN!

My First Music Video for 2011!

And so, ladies and gents, i give you my first music video for the year 2011.

Watch here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgQtdbJqmSE

Its was great fun making this one. Awesome song and singer too Seyi Solagbade.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=772810418&sk=wall&v=wall

My Longtime D.O.P - Marthins Harrison (http://www.facebook.com/marthinsharrison) did a good job on the cinematography of this video.

I'm also making a second video for him which by the way is already in its post-production stage. The video however isn't a visual effects one as dis one, but expect some very crazy and fascinating concepts. Meanwhile, enjoy this one.  Its anoda Gbenga Salu Production.

Updates: Wot ive bin up to : upcoming videos : Bellanaija

Been kinda very busy as usual. Well, since the year started i have been sort of caught up in the election "steez". So, the bunch of work i have done this year has been campaign animation/adverts. (im sure u be thinking, ive "eaten money", well....).

And also being doing some series of adverts for an upcoming comedy UK show (The Nigerian Comedy Show) www.nigeriancomedyshow.tv. check those out too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_NqdUoPpWE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBpKOfso-L8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmzDp6QHE94&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR4KQTerEF0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1HW6Dk21z8&feature=related

Dat accounts to why y'all haven't seen any music video from my stable this year. But the wait my friends, are over...a couple of brand nu videos are dropping any moment from now. Here are some stills of what to expect.

I also had an interview on www.bellanaija.com. Its a cool one.

Read up here: 

http://www.bellanaija.com/2011/04/08/the-kid-with-the-master-stroke-meet-gbenga-salu-award-winning-music-video-director-visual-effects-artist/

New Works!

Its being a while i updated ma blog. I was only reminded again of how important this blog was recently when a fan told me of how much he had missed my entries. So, once again i'm "repenting"...

Here are some of the reasons why ive not updated in a while.

In the picture order: 

Wizzboy - Screensaver

K'ore - Somore, 

Lolo - Green kpali

Infinity - Press on

Frank Edwards - You too dey bless me

Ibiyemi - Ore

Victor Olayeni - How great

You can watch the videos on my youtube channel www.youtube.com/gbengasalu 

and dont forget to subscribe to the channel.

WIZ BOYY : DAPRINCE : FELA VIDEO (3)

Above are screen shots of a BRAND NU VIDEO i just finished for Portharcourt's finest artiste WIZ BOYY! (why he has double Y in his name i stil find it hard to understand: let's just say its for emphasis sakes). Y'all watch out for that, its pretty pretty cool and fresh. Will let u be the judge wen u finally see it, dunno wen it wil be out though, trust me to let u know sha.

And by the way, he featured the highlife maestro beat maker J martins. Nice sing-along song he titles: Screensaver!

Also done and almost dusted is the OMOBA video for Daprince (mohits). Almost dusted because, the client may just hv last minutes adjustments to the already smoking video. Anyone that has seen the vid finks if pretty much pretty...that includes me, hehehe!

The VIVA AFRICA vid i did for FELA has been enjoying so much attention and reviews from all directions. To all that has called, mailed and commented on the video on my facebook page, Thank you. Maybe, maybe you may just see the vid on the screen soon... i'm uncertain because the vid was originally made just for the FELABRATION celebrations last year. I shuld believe baba is turning in his grave.... Forever Lives Fela! Viva Africa! AFRICA Awooo! (end part lifted without permission from JJC's song)

FELA VIDEO (2)

Here's the link of the Fela (Viva Africa) video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6kspdxqGk

Ive also uploaded it on ma facebook video page. So check it out!

THE FELA VIDEO!

One of the biggest highlights of my career so far has been doing a video for the ABAMI EDA himself, FELA ANIKULAPO-KUTI! The story goes thus: The legend has always had this song called viva africa dat he had recorded many year bck. According to wot i heard, the song was NEVER released. So for last year's FELEBRATION ceremony, the organisers felt, i'd be cool to hv a befitting video for the classic song. And since the Abami eda is no longer with us, they (organisers) tot id be too normal/usual to use clips from his live performances as the video. So there came the idea to hv it done animation style. Well the first/best name that readily came to there minds was...wel...well...you know. And so the rest is history! Got great compliment from beyond naija's shores, where the video has been screened! I like it too...wot u fink? Here are some snapshots frm the vid. Shuld post a link where u can watch it soon!

WORKS UPDATE!

Hey! Tomiwa's shoot was cool, but we could not finish the shoot because the music maestro himself, i'm talking about Cohbams (he featured on the song, coby did some bad rap on it), wasnt around. So ama hv to do his shoot some other tym. Too bad sha for Tomiwa, cos he'l hv to cough out additional cash to get dat done! I'm sure its gonna b worth it though!

Aight, lemme let the cat outta the bag, the artist i was tryna kip anonymous in ma last post is Daprince (Mohits). Im editing his new vid for the reigning hit "Omoba". Here's just a lil snap shot of wot to xpect. Lookin cool shabi? i lov it sha.

Meanwhile, Here is a lil quizz for y'all. Below is a frame from anoda video im editing at the moment... the question is: WHO IS STEPPING OUT OF THE LIMO? Correct answers will win something, for real, i promise!

2010 VIDEO WORKS SO FAR!

Two months into the year and already it sure seem obvious its gonna b ma busiest year yet! Shot a total of six videos already. Most are in different stages of post production. Only one has been done, delivered and its currently ruling the airwaves, im talkin about EVA's Na so video.

The reviews/feedbacks has been very fantastic. Check it out for urself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQR81k9en4o

It really sets the pace for wot to xpect this year. The next video to drop shuld be nxt week (I hope). Its of a very popular Nigerian act and an equally popular song. Permit me not to disclose the identity, cos of ehmm....i dunno. just permit me not to. Meanwhile, i got a mail from a UK based management company as regards doing video for their artist. Talks shuld be on, hopefully. Fingers crossed on dat for now. Oops! i culd i forget...I have anoda video shoot tomoro., its for TOMIWA, remember him? The guy that came third at the last MTN project fame reality show.

Shuld be a wao, that one too!

WOT I HAVE BECOME!

When i started this blog years bck, i had no idea wotsoeva wot video/film makings was about! Five years down the line afta buyin ma camcorder for N85,000 (my life savings at the time) wot have i become?

* An Award winning Music video director (Best special effect/editing: Soundcity Music Video Awards, Most Promising Director Nigeria Music Video Awards amongst several other nominations)

Ive directed and edited quite a lot of videos, and stil do!

Ama be tryna blog ma day to day or week to week work activities.(i sure hope i kip dis promis) You shuld enjoy the journey. And i wil also try to chip in tips, ideas, advice, pictures or even tutorials, hopefully someone wuld find 'em useful someday!

E kaabo sori eto yi.

BACK BLOGGING!

Its been almost four years since my last blog. Recently got a request from a facebook friend "harassing" me of abandoning my blog! It was a blow below the belt. Believe me, i really forgot this thing still existed and neva tot it was being read anyway! Thank God i got the password back and here i am blogging again! Tnx...Belinda, u made this happen, lets hope i keep it going on this tym.

MY FIRST SHORT FILM DONE!!!

I finished the editing of my very first short film. It runs for 8 minutes. I called it "A SIMPLE PLAN". I have sent it out to a couple of professional friend in the US and the response i have been getting has been very encouraging. It will also be featured on a budget filmmaker website in the UK soon. If you want to see, pls feel free to mail me, i'll send it to you. thanks. This is just the beginning.

PROGRESS REPORT

Still cutting and fitting. One thing i noticed at this juncture was the fact that i should take more shots. There are some gaps that needs to be filled but unfortunately no clip to fill in. I will just make do with the shots i have. Suprisingly the whole sequence is gradually getting shaped up, and its making more sense.

FIRST FILM SHOT!

SHOOTING MY FIRST SHORT FILM
I finally made the giant leap further into the world of movie making today as i shot my very first short film that i intend to run for 10 minutes. Everything went on very smoothly. I was also amazed at the cooperation of my brothers and friends. They really gave me all the support i needed, though i never gave a dime! Thank you so much everyone. I must also say it was a very exhausting day for me, i had to rely on my determination and dreams to carry me through. So, work starts on editing immediately!

SHOT REHERSAL!

Today, i went with one of my friends to do a final check on our location and rehearse my shots. It was a real eye opener for me and it has really boosted my confidence towards what the job i had to face tomorrow.

PROGRESS REPORT

I seem to have everything in place. I got my camera,tripod,reflector,blue screen material ( cos i will be doing some effects works), tapes, script,my casts and crew (all made up of my friends). No lights-because my location is outdoor, am just gonna use the reflector to get good lighting. No Microphones- because there aren't going to be dialogues on set. any voice overs are going to be recorded in the studio later. I will be shooting on wednesday thats 11th January. I hope for the very best.

THE COMMENT ON MIKE'S SITE
Mike Bartlett had my blog featured on his site today( www.makingthefilm.com). Thanks mike.

THE SHORT FILM CONCEPT

The script is actually a very very simple common story but i am relying on my creativity, the use of subtle visual effects and my graphic experience to carry the project to the next level.Infact its a story of a guy trying to woo a girl (as simple as that).I must confess, i have not done this before, but i am very sure i have everything under control.That's why i am taking my time! Anyway, its a test run.
I got in touch with a friend of mine that was a location manager for a drama group back in school. He is to handle my locations issues for me while i'm still touching up the script.

EFFECTS SHOTS

Happy New year, folks! I have drawn out storyboard for my short movie and i am still taking time out to plan how to go about shooting some scenes. Some shots are really very tricky. its took Dupe (my cast)and I some time to figure how we are gonna shot them. For this short movie, i am going to be doing some effects short and it will require that i get a blue or green screen. Wonder what i'll be doing with that! Its all part of the trick. Well, just wait till i get to the buttom of this project!

FEW TRICKS!

CG Snake composition
When i'm not fine-tuning my script or i am not doing official duties, then i'll be practicing my visual effects skills. I must really say that i have impressed myself, though not perfect yet. Above is one of the practices. I composite a CG snake into a 2D background using MAYA. I made the snake crawl across the scene, quite convincingly. Its amazing to see how a 2D plate can be made to look like its 3D by the way the CG interacts with it. I have also done some couple of other stuffs, which i'll let you have a taste of later.

SCRIPT FINE TUNING AND SHOT PLANNING

With the help of my partner and fiance, i have been able to come up with a script for a short movie.I have realised over the years that Proper Planning Precede Progress! So i am taking my time to properly plan, everything i need to put in place to make sure all goes well. Even to the very last detailed take. I just want to get on set and start "acting out" the shots i have rehearsed in my head. I am also scouting for locations to use.