On The Set of Stephanie Berlanga's Music Video

It was a little after six in the morning that past Saturday when a pink fade began to creep across the sky. At this time, depending on the class, most Full Sail students were either still asleep or just beginning to fall asleep after a long night of working on a project. But thirty minutes away beyond the Orlando city limits, and tucked away on a private piece of country land, Full Sail film students (both current and graduated) were already hard at work, preparing the set of Stephanie Berlanga’s “Band Aid” music video. 
It was an extremely impressive scene. 3300+Climbing has always been student ran. But this...this I admit, took the idea of student ran to a completely different level. Taylor Hayes, an alumna of the graduate film program, was the director, and current New Media Journalism graduate student/alumnus of the Bachelor’s film program Nestor Vera was producer. And between the two of them and Director of Photography Michael Fallon, Full Sail film students worked diligently to create an amazing music video for Stephanie. Instructors were not around to keep a watchful eye on these students as if they were in class. And in fact, students weren’t even doing this for a class. This project was completely put together by students on their own free time.

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Yes, 3300+Climbing was there of course. In fact, one of our faculty advisors, Israel, got to play a cool part in the video (but we’ll keep the details on the down low until the video is released). Interns and coordinators also got to stand in as extras. Being that we are music and entertainment business students, it was slightly different hanging out on the set of a music video. But it was extremely fun, eye opening, and informative nonetheless. And a huge shout out goes to 3300+Climbing intern Jason Gordon, who went above and beyond to help the film crew with setting up (the night before and the day of). As a coordinator, I observe our interns a lot during meetings. Jason has always been quiet, possibly observing others just as much as I do. But this past weekend when I walked on set, Jason was all about production in the most natural and helpful way possible. He was definitely an important asset to the film crew that day as well as is an important asset to our artist development initiative. Kudos to Jason! 

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Fast forward to mid-morning. Most crew begins to show up. 3300+Climbing interns begin to trickle in as extras and as extra hands. Stephanie arrives, excited and fresh faced, ready for a long day of work. The rest of the main cast are not too far behind her. 
​It was a relatively smooth shoot I believe. No one got hurt. No one broke equipment. We weren't too far behind on time. And it only rained for about twenty minutes (thanks, Florida, for reminding us that we are indeed in Florida). The skies cleared up just in time however for a crucial scene outside and by six in the evening, it was a wrap.
I was just an extra and I was completely exhausted. Imagine how tired Nestor, Taylor, and Michael were though. They dedicated all of their time and talents to putting together a music video for our artist and 3300+Climbing is forever grateful.  Their talents may be have developed over the years of training but the entire crew had a natural flair of hard work and drive that cannot be taught (even at the famed Full Sail University).  
Stick around for Stephanie’s music video coming out soon. It’s definitely something that you don’t want to miss. But in the mean time, if you need a music video, Nestor, Taylor, and their crew are a group of people that will definitely deliver. 

Written by: Claire Contevita 

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