Jason Beattie, a 1996 Bainbridge High School graduate and music video director, is planning another project in his old stomping grounds. Beattie, now with Ghost Town Media of Los Angeles, in July shot a video at Bremerton’s Skateland featuring U.K. singer Cheri Moon.
On Friday, he was back in Kitsap, speaking at Bainbridge High School and planning for an upcoming video production of a song by Steve Aoki, a nationally known DJ and founder of Dim Mak Records. The song, called “Wake Up,” features electronic music and essentially no lyrics, unless you count when Aoki screams, “Wake Up.”
See an example of Aoki’s music below.
In choosing Kitsap County as the location for the video, Beattie wanted to break out of the monotony of L.A. videos by showing viewers a new area of a the country and a culture they may not be familiar with. He thought a spot featuring Native Americans would fit with the message of the song.
“Obviously, growing up here, (local tribes are) a big part of all our community here in the Pacific Northwest,” Beattie said. “The concept is really kind of shining a light on the Native American community. I think a lot of people don’t see this community, and it’s kind of a wake-up call for some people.”
Beattie is drawn to Kitsap County for obvious reasons, but will Kitsap become the next big location for music videos? Why not? We already have our partially rotten foot in the door with “Zombies of Mass Destruction,” filmed in Port Gamble.
Beattie said of Kitsap, “I’d love for it to be my hidden gem here, because I think it is. For this video, I’d like to shine a light on the community.”
Beattie has contacted members of the Suquamish Tribe to broadcast the need for Native American families, children and dancers. Members of other tribes also are welcome to tryouts at a yet-to-be-disclosed Poulsbo location Monday through Jan. 17. Contact aokicasting@gmail.com.
