Merry Christmas from Mikedesigns

We hope your Holidays were as strange and entertaing as this photo. These two seem to have the right idea. Seasons greetings creative thrill seekers!

-Mikedesigns Staff

Donate for my Birthday!

Another year worth of accomplishments. This year I unfortunately won’t be celebrating. 😦 My birthday falls between two huge production days that could determine a VERY positive direction for my career. So rather than buy me gifts, and alcoholic beverages, I’d love if you’d spare a a moment and donate to a powerful new web series about 4 girls coming of age in the rough college world. I’ve signed on as Director, and I can’t describe how excited I am. From the cast, to the unique writing, and the very excellent story, anyone who could give ANY amount would do me great honor. Check it out!

Lena Street Ladies

-Mike

 

Verse Simmonds: STC2

We spent two days shooting two music videos for Verse Simmonds off his latest mixtape, The Sextape Chronicles pt 2. I contributed my Cinematography skills to another Bluecinamon production. Check em out.

 

-Mike

The Gabbie Rae Chronicles

We we’re very fortunate to recently work on Gabbie Rae’s entire vision campaign. The little girl with the big voice is the newest signed artist to Big Boi’s new Purple Ribbon Kidz label. We had the honor of introducing her to the world through our lens. A very special thanks to Ian Burke at Burkestone Entertainment.

PHOTOSHOOT

Here is a small EPK behind the scenes of the all day photoshoot that captured Gabbie’s shining light.

VIDEOSHOOT

We traveled to Gabbie’s home town in Myrtle Beach, South Caroline to shoot “Don’t Look Down”. This song and video speaks out against bullying, and its very rewarding to be able to work on a project with such a powerful message behind it.

Gabbie we wish you all the best on your way to the top. You’re on a rocket to the moon and you have the full support of MDSGstudios behind you.

-Ash

Unity through Hip Hop and Pride

“What are you going to title this blog post? Are you going to call it “A day in the GayTL?” – Kathleen McNeil

Each year around this time in October two very different events take place in Atlanta. The huge three day Hip Hop festival, A3C, and the Atlanta Gay Pride Parade. Both these events, however vastly different, celebrate one common theme, unity. Hundreds of people dance, party, rap, frolic, shake, and shimmy together for one whole weekend and we find this mass “togetherness” to be a breath of fresh air in today’s current climate. Armed with a Nikon, a battery powered beauty dish, and a trusty photo assistant, (a huge thanks to Angus), we set out to capture the spectacles. A big BIG thank you to our supporters this weekend. Fadia Kader, Chilly-O, Yelp Atlanta and Turner Broadcasting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photographer: Mike Cooke

Photo Assistant: Angus Baptise

 

 

Foreign Camera Captures

While I was down in Trinidad I linked up with some of the finest beauticians they had to offer. This is what we came up with.

 

Model: Keisha Bertand

MUA: Machel Sandy

Stylist/Designer: Stacy Smith

Photo Assistant: Aaron Richards

Photographer: Mike Cooke

Trinidad Trippin’

Puncheon Rum and Stag Beer fill my veins. I smell like the bottom of Laventille and the gutters of Port of Spain. This trip to Trinidad and Tobago was great. 11 days of shooting a feature film unlike any other, I was blessed to be apart of it. I was graced with the daunting task of Director of Photography. Along side the director, Damian Marcano, he and I shot, lit, rolled, and recorded in some of the most eye catching locations known to man. Of course my camera accompanied me throughout my trip. Here is a still frame recap.

Trinidad has a curfew due to its current state of emergency. That means it was clear coasting from the airport to my hotel the night I arrived.

Great view from my hotel

Our awesome Maxi Taxi production van

Our lead actor Muhammad serenades cast and crew

Drug dealers love cameras…

Tough break guy

This was one of the hottest days of production. It was also one of the most beautiful scenes.

Blocking before a scene

We really had no choice as far as security went on set. It was all or nothing.

It kept following me.

My last day in Trinidad.

Great experience, I encourage everyone to leave the country atleast once a year. This is my second time working outside of the USA and each time I gain a valuable life experience. Until we meet again, WE REACH!

-Mike

Across the World

Currently shooting in Trinidad as a Cinematographer on the feature film production God Loves the Fighter. More details soon.

-Mike

Voyage to New York

“Make sure you take the J train that don’t smell like pee.”

-Strange homeless man

Things have been rather busy to say the least. This post is currently coming to you live from Trinidad and Tobago. I’m down here for 3 weeks to DP a feature film directed by Bluecinamon Group. But thats another blog post all together. I hit up NYC a few weeks ago to shoot some documentary work of BLISS the fabulous female singing group. I stayed on a little longer to do some editorial photo work and take in the big beautiful city that is NYC. Check it out.

Photographer: Mike Cooke
Models: Jose Chu/Marta Rojas/Marie Effect/Kristina Lezhepekova
Hair: Cy Brown
Make up: Emily Edgar
Styling for women: Karin Elgai
Photo Assistant: Paul Kawmau
 -Mike

MUSIC VIDEO: Uh Oh_Director’s Cut

The background action on this shoot was massive. Getting three international pop stars camera ready takes a village. Thank you to all the MUAs, Stylist, and Hair Dressers who pressed, curled, combed, and pinned these ladies to perfection. Oh yeah we shot a video too.

Director: Mike Cooke
Cinematographer: Sam Laubscher
VFX: Sugartooth
1st AD: Keith Woodard
Production Manager: Mia Barnett
Key Grip: Angus Baptise