This term, CAT’s film studio has been filled with the sound of country as the Digital Filmmaking students create a music video for local artist Jeff Piatelli.

If you wandered by the production studio in the Sutherland Building this term, you may well have heard the sweet sounds of country pop drifting out from beneath the closed doors. The reason? Digital Filmmaking students have been busy filming a music video for local artist Jeff Piatteli.

“The fourth term sees students in Cinematography and Production 3322 (CPROD 3322) move into the development and production of Music videos,” explains Victor Poirier, Digital Filmmaking Department Head. “Each class engages with a local artist in the development of the project and either record the video here at the college or out in the field.

This represents the students first foray into working directly with clients and artists outside the program which helps to hone both their professionalism and technical skill sets.”

Piatelli is an Kelowna-based singer/songwriter who – with 12 tunes on SoundCloud – is establishing a loyal following here in the Okanagan. He brought his new song ‘When I Met You’ to the students to create a music video.

“The song had already been released,” says Noah Arnott-Gannon, Digital Filmmaking student, and producer on the project. “We were looking for an artist to create a video for, and Logan MacDonald, one of the CAT CSA’s, gave us a list of local artists creating a buzz. Jeff was one of the names on it, and we really loved what he was doing.”

We really wanted to bring his vision to life. Jeff himself is really humble and he really captures that really nice family dynamic. The song is actually about him meeting his wife, and he actually proposes to her – for real – in the video.”

Noah Arnott-Gannon

Students contacted Piatteli, who loved the idea. He came in to college, sat down with the students and talked to them about the ideas he had for the video, and then they created the treatment.

“We really wanted to bring his vision to life,” says Arnott-Gannon. “Jeff himself is really humble and he really captures that really nice family dynamic. The song is actually about him meeting his wife, and he actually proposes to her – for real – in the video. They also do a little pregnancy reveal for their new baby.

The students found the whole process really enjoyable and loved the fact that it gave them the opportunity to go through the entire process – from finding an artist, to creating the concept, to filming and then editing the final product.

The process it forced us to not only work as a team but a crew as well, to deliver the best product possible.”

Noah Arnott-Gannon

“The music video was such a fantastic project to work on and a great opportunity as well,” says Noah. “It allowed us to go through the process of finding our own client and working out their personal vision and how we as filmmakers could bring that vision to life. Through that process it forced us to not only work as a team but a crew as well, to deliver the best product possible. I, myself, learned so much, along with all of my peers.

It can be challenging working with music artists – finding the common ground,” explains Noah. “Working with him on his vision, and how to bring that vision to life. All in all this was a project for a client, so we wanted to do him justice. It’s also challenging to work out ideas that are attainable; simple yet impactful.

I can’t wait to see where this leads and to just continue pushing myself as a film maker!” says Arnott-Gannon. “Also a big thinks to CAT and our department head – Victor Poirier – for letting this happen!”

Words by Deborah Lampitt-McConnachie