Panic Films

Here is it! This is the last installment in my Chinatown trilogy of music videos for Swoon Method. This one is personal for me too because I wrote the lyrics to the song with Keith from the band adding the “we’re just amateurs in love” part to the end. Now that the videos are done, I’d like to shoot extra stuff to make them into a short film with parts between all three videos, making it around 20 minutes long. For now, I’m glad that the videos are done and are online.

Today I’m happy to post “Pink Lady Snow Doll” the 2nd video of my Swoon Method Chinatown Trilogy. The song title may also be a reference to something I may or may not have witnessed in one of our many adventures in Chinatown. I also may or may not be mentioned in the song as one of those who left town. The memories of this are vague and washed in blurry images of pizza, toy robots, Tsingtao beer, invitations for a massage, parking tickets, dim sum, VHS videos, and a friendly cat sitting on my lap. Part 3 in the trilogy coming soon. Stay tuned.

With 3 DJ gigs in a row this past week (Three Aces, PANIC!, Benefit for Habitat for Humanity Nicaragua) and 2 music video shoots, and my winning battle against an amazing breaded steak sandwich in Bridgeport I just haven’t had much time for blogging. That trend changes now.
(more…)

I’m excited to post this video for “Tiger Tom” today. It’s the first in my Chinatown Trilogy for Swoon Method. I started this trilogy about a year ago by accident, just by hanging out in Chinatown with Keith from the band and my camera. Since then, there were more trips to Chinatown, more dim sum, more adventures, and I even wrote my first song. One video led to another, which led to this idea for a trilogy. Stay tuned for more updates but for now, here’s “Tiger Tom”.

Here’s Swoon Method’s new video for “Cinderella Denise”.

Update: My video for Swoon Method’s song “Pink Lady Snow Doll” is just about done and waiting for the final version of the song.

Yesterday I had to go in to work for a couple of hours. I decided to do the 4.5 mile walk downtown in 90+ degree heat. I survived thanks to the Whole Foods fresh lemonade and Subway lunch.
After work I checked out the Transformers 3 filming on Michigan Ave and took some photos with my phone. Here’s one of what seems to be a Stunticon.

There was also an explosion by the Tribune building and the bridge was up with burnt out cars on it. Awesome. There’s more pictures on my Flickr page here and hopefully I’ll post more soon.

After that I made my way down to one of my favorite spots in the Loop, the Exchequer for pizza with Keith and Tim. I found out that Keith was named Best Underground Filmmaker by The Chicago Reader! Here’s a link to the article about him. I’m still working on 2 videos for his band Swoon Method loosely based on Derek Jarman’s videos for The Smiths. They will still be done within the next year and posted promptly on this web site.

I shot this video last night at Reggies Rock Club of The Handsome Devilz performing “Nowhere Fast” by The Smiths”. I DJ’d before them and Swoon Method along with DJ Tony Macias. It’s always a family affair to do shows with this bunch and I had a blast. People even came from other states to see the show. Good times for a change….

Don’t forget to turn on the 1080p for all the HD goodness.

I’ve been collaborating a lot lately with Swoon Method. There’s a music video I’m half way done with for “Pink Lady Snow Doll”, the “You Are the Component” music video from last year, and song writing. I’m also always involved with The Handsome Devilz and Chicago’s best drummer Tony Macias, so this should be a good night of music and friends.

My friend’s band Swoon Method has a new EP. I’m working on a new music video for them which should be released before the end of the decade. Until then, I recommend you listen to the new EP here and buy the CD:

When I started Panic Films, it was to make music videos and involve myself with musicians because of my love of music and video making. That led to the live VJ thing, then the party videos. Here are some of my favorite Panic Films music videos.
A Place to Bury Strangers – To Fix The Gash In Your Head

Airiel – Peoria

Swoon Method – You Are the Component

Airiel – Sugar Crystals