The Longest Time: Billy Joel would be proud
We wanted to do something extra special for Gail + Joel’s wedding. As Manny, the best man, put it, we wanted to do something “worthy of Joel’. There were rumblings of a music video, but I initially didn’t want any part of that. There’s just too much work and time was ticking. I originally wanted to do “auditions for a wedding DJ”. How do you find a DJ for the wedding of a DJ? To me this seemed achievable and effective at the same time.
During a late night discussion, “The Longest Time” by Billy Joel was brought up. We used that song for our warm ups from our breakdancing and beatbox performing days. It was a staple in 5th Element’s pre-performance rituals. We never saw the video before, but once we did, we were sold. I was sold.
We used the same basic concept and took the favorite elements and put our own twist on it.
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I felt it was important we make sure this is a video for gail + joel and not just a music video that glorifies the people involved. That’s why there’s a recurring theme of Joel as an inspiration and Gail as wonderful and essential.
Shooting at Vanier was also essential for the emotional effect. We thought that we may be able to sweet talk the principal into letting us film, but he was initially very wary of it. He thought it was a strange request and it was. He suggested we get a permit and so we did. So much for alumni hook ups, but at least we were not bothered during shooting.
Of course, our main goal was to show how much we appreciate Gail + Joel. In other words our main goal was Goel (GailJOEL). We happened to have fun at the same time.
