Leafy Green

Today I’m going to re-share one of my favorite videos from last year and give you a BTS synopsis of what went down to make this magic happen, all while answering some of your questions about stop motion videos.

So the best way I can describe a stop motion video is as a flip book because it is a series of anywhere from 300 to 1,000 photos used to tell a story. Along the way, I create chapters that flow seamlessly with different products, clothing, background and colors to simulate the image of magical changes throughout the story.

Right now Paris shoots my stop motion videos unless he’s in them, then a family member or a friend takes them. My mom has filmed maybe 3 of them and my brother 2? My old assistant Kristin also filmed one with the help of my mom.

2 years ago, I wanted to explore how to make videos. My friend Rique was working for a camera brand at the time so I reached out to her to ask her advice on videos that could be tied to my brand, and she turned me on to stop motion. When I first started she would help us with film and editing depending on the project. About a year and a half ago she moved away so Paris and I started experimenting so he could film them and I could edit them.

1 – My mom shot it, she did such a good job at helping to line everything up. Line me up is a term I often use on set with Paris who has gotten really good at helping to make these video, and lining me up. “Lining me up” is probably 50% of what makes the video, if its not lined up the video doesn’t work. the video is also 25% planning, 10% shooting / what happens on set and 15% post editing.. If one of any of those is off the whole video falls apart, but lining up is a HUGE PART and thankfully Paris, my mom and my brother are ALL amazing at it… way better than I would be.

2 – It was shot at Pizza Beach in nolita, but we had to show up at 7 am to get these shots before they open the windows.

3 – Paris says I had an attitude when we were shooting this, I have no memory of this and deny everything LOL!!!!

4 – It started raining when we shot this towards the end and I was VERY upset lol (maybe thats what he was referring to IDK I PLEAD THE FIFTH) but If you watch the floor you can see how it changes.

5 – The wooden leaves I use to turn Paris like me were part of a wooden tulip bouquet I bought in Amsterdam last year.

6 – Paris didn’t move in-between shots because I didn’t trust him to line up correctly LOL. I made him hold still while I changed in my portable changing room. And Yes, I own a portable changing room.

7 – do you recognize this song? Its a cool version of the Jungle Book song that I found on youtube. We had just seen the live action movie when making this video, so I had it stuck in my head while editing and thought it worked perfectly because A) jungle prints, jungle book (HELLLOO) and B) it’s like Paris is singing he wants to be like me and then I make his dream come true, ouuhhh