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Behind the Scenes: The Red Carpet

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7 years ago

Hi again,

As I mentioned in my previous post, this was my first-ever video art piece, but it’s also the first time I have ever done an aerial photography series where my subject(s) below were choreographed. Needless to say, it was a momentous shoot in many ways; especially considering the numerous ‘firsts’ I was checking off a list that I could never have imagined, including working with a brand that has been an everlasting a favorite from childhood to now, Disney.

To accomplish this multi-faceted creative project, I enlisted my longtime friend and choreographer, Mary John Frank to help bring what I had imagined to life.

Gray Malin - Behind the Scenes - Creating The Red Carpet with Minnie Mouse

After many weeks of planning and prep, we kicked off the shoot in the early morning at a studio space that allowed myself and photo assistant to be positioned 44 feet above Minnie Mouse and her Red Carpet dancers below, all donning their Hollywood glam finest paired with the series’ (& Minnie’s) signature white parasol.

Gray Malin - Behind the Scenes - Creating The Red Carpet with Minnie Mouse

Gray Malin - Behind the Scenes - Creating The Red Carpet with Minnie Mouse

While I was up in the air, Mary John kept busy directing the dancers and Minnie from below. Each step was meticulously delivered by the dancers, observed and critiqued by Mary John and then executed, again and again.

Without question, it was an impressive sight to behold from any point of view...

Gray Malin - Behind the Scenes - Creating The Red Carpet with Minnie Mouse

Gray Malin - Behind the Scenes - Creating The Red Carpet with Minnie Mouse Gray Malin - Behind the Scenes - Creating The Red Carpet with Minnie Mouse

..in particular, my perspective was a complete dream unfolding 44 feet below, and I am so thrilled with the outcome from this incredibly memorable day on the RedCarpet. Gray Malin - The Red Carpet Horizontal

Red_Carpet_Horizontal_Template

Gray Malin - The Red Carpet Vertical Red Carpet Vertical

Although it was a lot of work, it was irresistibly fun getting to spend the day with Minnie Mouse, herself, and so many talented dancers, whose stamina was impressive, to say the least - take a look at this Behind the Scenes video to really understand what I mean!

Gray Malin - Behind the Scenes - Creating The Red Carpet with Minnie Mouse

Gray Malin - Behind the Scenes - Creating The Red Carpet with Minnie Mouse

The best part is that The Red Carpet series will live on forever, which is probably the most rewarding part of it all.

Red Carpet Triptych Red Carpet Triptych

A very special thanks to Disney for choosing me to execute my vision for such a fun and special task of celebrating Minnie Mouse and National Polka Dot Day! I am extremely proud of the outcome of both the video and the fine-art photograph collection— and how this project celebrates the timeless landscape of a red carpet.

xx

GM

Gray Malin - The Red Carpet Series