Silver Girl

Indie Americana band ‘Vanaka’ shot this stunning video in the Highlands, Scotland. Silver Girl is about finding the ‘Silver Linings’ in life, even when touched by cancer.

Filming Silver Girl was a film makers dream! First I was given the freedom to come up with the complete production design. As the lyrics and song were so beautiful, I had the challenge of making the music video propel the song on a journey that would suit. We had the incredible privilege of filming in the gorgeous Highlands of Scotland, and having been given full filming permits to aerial shoot via helicopter all around ‘Old Mann of Storr’ on the Isle of Skye, by The Scottish Ministry… it was literally a full on visual and physical feast of pleasures!! Directing the shoot in 65 knot winds was an incredibly interesting experience… one I’m not sure I’d like to repeat!!

It was important to me that the storyboard evolved with lyrics. We did this subtly both in camera and in post with the film being rather desaturated at the beginning, in the depths of despair, and then having the child (little Silver Girl) bring in the color of hope and optimism.

Not only did the band do a wonderful job, but I have to say, Oriana Sanders whom is the featured lead singer in Silver Girl, did a stunning performance. Oriana stood on cliff tops in 65+ knot winds, island hopped in tremendous turbulence to find the right location and sang like a bird… just stunning! As Oriana herself is a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Cancer Survivor, she brought a depth and passion to the song that others would not be able to. We were also incredibly blessed with the folks and locals in all our locations, whom were nothing but outstandingly hospitable to our crew and the band! I’d be happy to move to Scotland after filming Silver Girl…

MIN REID