‘In Bed With,’ a live performance video series created by Leo Burnett creative director Debbie Mudd, video director Jake Brusha and edited by Keith Kristinat out of The Colonie, celebrates live music in a whole new way, by bringing bands and banter together in the bed of an old pickup truck. Recorded and mixed by Nealle DiPaolo, the popular web series has begun production of its second season.
A shared passion for music and belief that everything is better in a truck – the view, the music, the conversation – was the creatives’ impetus for turning a 1973 Ford pickup into a stage for a series of one-of-a-kind performances by an eclectic mix of blues, folk, rock and hip-hop groups.
“There’s something so real about turning an old beat-up pickup into a musical venue,” says Mudd. “It just seems to bring out the best in people and their music."
Debbie Mudd, a mid-Missouri gal, developed an affinity for old pickup trucks and music as a child, during weekend visits to her Granddad’s farm. He’d drop the tailgate; she and her siblings would hop in back, and they’d barrel down old country roads with the radio blaring, enjoying the simple pleasure of listening to great tunes while taking in the view.
Singer/songwriter Griffin Peterson’s performance of ‘Take Us Away,’ showcases the kind of stripped-down sessions that the series tries to capture. Raw performances by artists and groups – that include Jelly Roll, Jimmy Burns, Marc Scibilia, Sidewalk Chalk, Elephant Revival and Leagues – give the show its distinctive signature style.
Producing an acoustic, live show out in the real world has not been without its challenges. Mudd once had to find a free piano on Craigslist to make a performance. The team also had to take over an old auto body shop so they could work through Chicago’s winters.
Once the initial shows were in the can, Kristinat was tasked with shaping the footage into an intimate concert with an organic feel that engages its audience. His team at The Colonie also provides color corrects and finishing services for the series.
“The biggest challenge when editing 'In Bed With’ is trying to weave three takes of one song, each played at varying speeds, into one seamless performance," says Kristinat, who is cutting the series on The Colonie’s Avid. “Maintaining the integrity of the live performance is paramount to our team’s approach.”
“We’re always shooting under less than ideal conditions, with a limited timeframe, fighting for daylight, etc. — so editing is key to making everything come together,” says Brusha. “Keith's an exceptional storyteller with a filmmaker’s eye for editing. He’ll experiment, use the resources available to him at The Colonie, and consistently deliver a final product that wows us.”
The initial location shoots set the tone for the series and give it context and texture. As Mudd says, ‘In Bed With’ is a unique way to see the world with a one-of-a-kind soundtrack playing. It's a snapshot of a city, a place, a time, that helps frame the stories every musician wants to tell."
Currently, the project is a true labor of love,” says Brusha. “Our team does it because we believe in the idea and want to help champion these amazing musicians; not to mention it’s a heck of a ride!”
Brusha uses three cameras to shoot the series: A Canon 5D3 (EOS DSLR) with Magic Lantern Raw firmware, the Canon 7d (EOS DSLR) and an ARRI Alexa Mini camera.
To date, Mudd, Brusha, and Kristinat have wrapped over a dozen videos, which can be viewed on the show’s website as well as on YouTube.
About The Colonie
The Colonie (www.thecolonie.com) is an award-winning Chicago-based creative editorial, motion design, visual FX and finishing boutique with a seamless, full-service approach to creating spots and cross-platform content that engage, entertain, inform and move audiences. A multi-disciplined collective of creative, technically skilled storytellers work as a creative partner with clients, following a shared vision – from rough-cut through completion.
A wide range of national and global clients, such as Toyota, Payless, BCBS, Facebook, Anheuser-Busch, McDonald’s, Nintendo, Levis, Pepsico, and Bayer, have relied upon The Colonie’s accomplished team of talent to deliver compelling creative content that elevates the viewer’s experience and connects them to brands.
