MUSIC PRODUCER
The Vision Makers How Meg Gámez is helping give voice to today’s young, fresh minds By Mi chae l J . Pa l l e r i no
“Man’s status in the natural world is determined, therefore, by the quality of his thinking.” T he opening lines that scroll across Mario’s I Need More video—a visually stunning, dance-inspired lightshow for the senses—was part of the vision that director Meg Gámez helped the Billboard-winning singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor create. The four- plus minute video not only helps accentuates the performer’s stature as one of Billboard’s Artists of the Decade, it also solidifies him as one of a number of young voices that continue to inspire the masses. The video’s star, its message, and the carefully crafted framing are all Gámez: the visionary director who not only specializes in music video and commercial work, but is guided by the premise that young, fresh ideas are the future. Her company, Famous After Death (FAD), shines a soulful light on fresh ideas and voices. Famous After Death is a collective of visionaries—a music video production company with offices in Atlanta and Los Angeles—that delivers striking content to the masses, i.e., facilitating productions to deliver music videos. Along with a team of in-house creatives, the FAD team includes an extensive arsenal of experienced film crew members in all major cities that produce visually striking material. It also employs in-house producers that work around the clock with clients to maximize the budget and maintain creative license. Over the past year, Gámez and company has worked with representatives from all major and many independent labels, including RCA, Empire, Atlantic, Roc Nation, Epic, and many others. The process begins by receiving music videos solicits from labels. From there, directors pitch their best idea. “We can be one out of a dozen other directors pitching for the same song,” Gámez says. “Once our directors get their ideas chosen, we move to budgeting the video. Once a contract is received, we are greenlit to shoot the project, then move to post-production. Once editing revisions are made and artists and labels are happy with the final video then we deliver the project. We oversee the production from idea, to conceptualizing, to delivering the video.”
Megan Gámez on set
One of the keys to the whole Famous After Death’s process—any process, really—is communications. Gámez says that nothing works if there is no transparency and trust. “The most important part about the film industry is not only creating great work; most of it is about repu- tation too. Being easy to work with and always maintain- ing a trust and bond with your client.” And as the Famous After Death team continues to make its mark in helping give a voice to those who need to be heard, they are eyeing the future with bigger, bolder plans. “Our future holds a lot of promise,” Gámez says. “With our company growing in music videos, we are looking at doing branded content and commercials in the near future.” When the transition is made, you can bet that Gámez will test the limits by extracting every ounce of the creativity needed to get her message across—in this life or the next.
Famous After Death (FAD), shines a soulful light on fresh ideas and voices.
As the name of her production company suggests, some of the world’s most influential artists never receive the recognition they deserve in their lifetime. Famous After Death’s mission is to change that equation by finding the most unique voices and bringing them to the forefront. This goes beyond just the usual suspects. “This extends further than just directors and writers but also every voice on set, from PAs, to art departments, to lighting, to whomever,” Gámez says. “No voice is too small. We have built a network of people that feel included in the film making experience.”
www.famousafterdeath.com
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