Additional Voting Info

Videographer Bios

Chris Herr
My name is Chris Herr from Madison, WI, I’m 18 years old, and will be attending Columbia Chicago for Film and Video this fall. I’ve been making videos for over half of my short life, and it’s been my strongest passion all along. I got into music videos about three years ago when a classmate approached me. I never thought anything would come from doing music videos, but after my first shoot, I had six more requests. I pumped them out as fast as I could and improved every time. Two years went by and I’d directed, shot and edited around 20 videos, by that time I managed to get the attention of a local DJ, 2011 DJ of the year, DJ Pain 1. He told me he had a client who needed a few videos, his name was I-20. I’d never heard of I-20, but after a quick google search realized that he was the real deal, a multi platinum recording artist best known for his part in “Move B*tch” by Ludacris and his album Blood In The Water. It took six months of back and forth conversations to arrange a shooting date. In July of 2012 he flew to Madison from Atlanta and we shot two videos, Southern Charm and Blood and Tears. The last three years has been an amazing learning experience and far from those typical of your average high schooler. I’ve met all kinds of people and have made many valuable connections. While my peers were goofing off, I was working, I was learning. My passion for film and video is strong, and someday I hope to turn that passion into a career.
Best recent work:
I-20 Blood and Tears
DTP Records
Directed by: Christopher Herr
http://vimeo.com/46649966

Down 2 Earth
Colin: My name is Collin Schroeder and I would like to submit my visualization of “Free” by M.I.C to the 2012 Madison Hip Hop Awards. I grew up watching MTV, MTV Jams, Sucker Free Countdown and VH1 all the time. I was so fascinated by the way music videos looked and how limitless you can really be in a video. Creating a visualization of the meaning of an artist’s lyrics is so remarkable to me because of that feeling when I get a message saying “This is a masterpiece!” or “You really captured my message!” from artists, is priceless. It says to me that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing with my life and couldn’t have any more fun while doing it. For the video for “Free” we really wanted to focus on the positive flow that comes from M.I.C.’s lyrics. It’s a very heart warming and generous vibe that you receive from listening to the song so we really wanted to double that feeling with a video right by it’s side. The video is about expressing what freedom means to you and I think we really captured that message through all the beautiful shots we captured. It wasn’t all about just the shots and how it was going to be pieced together that made it a great video, but it was also the lifetime friendships that were made. We are Down2EarthFilms for a reason and that’s because I am a very down to earth person. I don’t have “clients”. It’s all friends and family. After living here for a year, I have witnessed the Madison Hip Hop scene and how it’s being ripped apart by the misleading bad attention. It’s outrageous and I take that to heart because music means that much to me. I take that frustration and turn it into determination and ambition to make my videos better and better. I always knew I wanted to make music videos when I grew up and I feel myself getting better and better after each one. “Free” is definitely, by far, my greatest one yet. Thank you for this opportunity.

Nick: Being relatively new to the Madison area and the whole hip hop scene, it didn’t take long for me to dive right in the middle of it. As a videographer who has been a hip hop fan ever since i was young, making music videos for talented Madison artists has been nothing but a great and fun experience. For me, its not just about me making a music video, its about a message, a deeper meaning that the artist wants. Capturing that can sometimes be difficult, but very rewarding. Most artists that I do videos for are very appreciative for what I’ve created for them, but its more than just what I did. I want to portray what the artist is doing, the hard work, the passion they put into their songs, and the hip hop community just in general. Being around all the diverse population of rappers, or even reggae or alternative artists, you see how hard they are working, and that pushes you to do a good job. Pushes you to make a video that will stick with people, and get their name out. You get to know these guys/girls quite well, and usually get to hear their background story, how they started, and what they’ve gone through to get where they are today. Its great to have clients call you up and say hey i just got great news, Im performing at this concert coming up, I just got this great deal, or I got chose to be apart of this mixtape ect.. So in my eyes im a small part of the hip hop community, the artists deserve everything they get I just like to try and create “them” and what their about through my videos.

Eloquent Visual
My name is Justin Welch, but also known as JDubb. Born and raised in Madison, WI. I am the owner and founder of Eloquent Visual, a company that provides cover art, music videos, and photography. With my keen eye for quality and interest in the music industry, it is no surprise why I fell in love with making music videos, photography and even making my own beats. I have had the opportunity to work with local artists such as JuneBug Abeyta, KC Abeyta, Josh Whiskey Adam and Knoshun just to name a few.

I love what I do and take pride in sharing my talent with Madison and the surrounding areas. I enjoy all genres of music, which makes it easier for me to work with all types of artists. In my spare time, I love to being with my wife and kids but also focusing on how I can enhance my skills to compete with the ever growing music industry. My goal is and always will be to provide outstanding quality work in everything I put my name on for my clients. My hopes are for people to get more acquainted with Eloquent Visual and keep us in mind for music video and photography projects as they arise. I have always loved this city, and will be more than happy to service anyone that needs my help.

With that said, thank you for your time. I hope you enjoy Eloquent Visual’s latest video, Murda Hook Murda shot in Madison, WI that also features three talented artists based in this area.

RiP
Rip is an Illinois born producer/dj/recording artist who has relocated to the Madison, WI area in 2009 and is currently in the studio finishing up work on his sophomore album “Sellout”.

Tony Sanchez
Tony Sanchez is a Madisonian who found his love for video production at the tender age of fourteen. After learning how to create a video from start to finish, he took it upon himself to take on a variety of projects including a stunt video, live videos, and music videos. (Live Now Die Never - http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=vtjdAVjxqBA )

Dennis Ottosen
My name is Dennis and I’ve always had a passion for hip-hop, especially local hip-hop. I grew up in and around Madison and have always supported local talent. I’m a UW-Whitewater graduate with a degree in multimedia. I have a production company called Wnique Productions that I run with my wife Lisa.
This year, in addition to filming live events, I’ve filmed music videos for Madison hip-hop artists: J Diamondzz, Gango, Dj Sixteen, Chi Wezt, Wolygator, Tezmino Coreleone and more. I also filmed/edited/produced Madison’s first ever hip-hop Youtube mini-series “Woly’s World.”
I feel that I was the strongest nominee last year in this category and have only grown stronger as far as my video work. I look forward to bringing this award home in 2012.
THANK YOU to everyone who supports what I do! http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=FES67MHjbCs

E-Sweez
Evan Millard (E-Sweez) was born in Orlando, Florida on Dec. 26, 1988. His family soon moved to the southern end of the state. He lived in Fort Lauderdale until the age of 12 and then in Palm Beach Gardens until he was 18. Even as a child, Sweez was always good with words. Hip-hop music was always present in his life. Whether he was watching rap videos on TV or sneaking in his brother’s room to listen to his cassette tapes, Sweez found himself lost in the music. His love for hip-hop would later turn into an obsession.
After winning the “Get Your Buzz Up” showcase in Madison, Sweez released his first official project, “The Groundhog Day LP”. The project was produced by Scattered Brains. One year later, he released the highly anticipated Album, “Behind Green Eyes.” This album, along with the music video for his single, “28’s”, has begun to create quite a stir locally and has brought him towards the forefront of unsigned artists. He has two more projects set to release by the end of 2012. He is also back in school studying film, with his eyes set on broadening his field. One thing is for sure, Sweez is on a path towards greatness, and he is not slowing down for a second.

Mac Man
Mac Man The General is the C.E.O of Deck Entertainment. Deck Entertainment was created by mac man in 2002. mac man has been involved in the music industry and business since 1998. With being a hip-hop idol in his community gained him the support from a huge fan base in the U.S.A. The 28 year old C.E.O/Artist Now has been putting a lot of time in his Entertainment Company and Artist under Deck Entertainment with still saving time to bless the world with his vocal,producing,video and engineering skills. Mac Man The General is not only a C.E.O he is also a Producer,Recording engineer and Manager. He has put out 15 music projects and met with major recording labels Sony, Atlantic, and Interscope before the age of 22. Mac Man also owns and operates Mac Man TV. Mac Man Tv is a internet base Tv network that promotes upcoming and industry artist. His dream is to have Deck Entertainment be the biggest Indie Recording label in the World has every seen.

Blacklight
I have shot several of my own video’s including “Burn Up”, “Hip-Hop Vertebrae”, and “Hip-Hop”. I have also shot video’s for I.Q. from Illestrated Mindz, Tha SB, K.I.N.G. Kronos, Ted Park, Chaos New Money, and Badger Mouth Booda. I have also covered many events locally. I released footage from an event at The Inferno hosted by MSP, Global Warming, MHHA Fundraiser (May 30, 2012), AFGM House Party, Illestrated Mindz Album Release Party, as well as many other local movements.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0mbM2FfGC8