A VISUAL ALBUM
THE QUESTION
Where is home? After college and a failed attempt to attend seminary in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, I found myself, moving back to my college town, grappling with direction for my life while battling depression, abandonment, racism, and searching for the answer to this question.
The Approach
Through that journey, I found this project: a 45-minute visual album that answered that question. What began as an idea for a 5-track EP, developed through writing and lived experience into something far greater.
The Process
With a small and nimble team, we made this feat possible. Our work culminated into a 14 episode visual album, 12 track album, 12 episode podcast series, daily social media rollout campaign through the duration of the series, poster designs, a 20-piece merch line, movie poster design, album and vinyl covers, YouTube thumbnails, podcast covers, etc. It was an extensive output, largely brought to life by my own hands.
I wrote the entire album and recorded it first before ever putting music to it. Through that process, I worked through my connections and had conversations for years about what scoring this record could look like.
I finished writing my each poem for the project, but amidst that process, I began to study music more in-depth. After deep diving into a few classic albums, it became apparent just how in-depth their writing, themes, and overall artistry were. It was clear that I needed to evolve as an artist.
After this realization, I called my brother and told him, “City Of God is not deep enough.” I rewrote every record. I improved upon every aspect of it and took the vision to the next level.
Through collaboration with Taeetheproducer, I imparted my vision as he scored every track. He imparted his wisdom of Hip-Hop, Jazz, Soul, Funk, Blues, and so many other forms of Black music and scored a truly masterful soundscape.
City Of God is a testimony of looking at your wildest dreams and relentlessly chasing them, no matter the obstacle.
Cinematography
I allowed the emotion of each record to drive the cinematographic approach of the shoot. There are moments that immerse the viewer into the narrative as a part of it, while there are others where they are a fly on the wall and distant viewer watching me experience what ever is present in that moment.
I approach every scene and decision visually by answering, “Where do I want to place the audience right now?” “How do I want you to see me?” “What do I want you to feel?” These decisions help cultivate the connection between the viewer and the world that I’m building on screen.
Colour Grade
My core colour palette consisted of blues, purples, and creams. Depending on the tone of the scene, the prominence of each of these overall tones shifted. This palette aided in the flexibility to shift moods from deep sadness and depression, into triumph and victory, while maintaining those core colours.
Film emulation was a crucial component. I employed various techniques to mimic the looks of Super 35mm film, 16mm film, and Super 8mm throughout the project.
Branding
I approached design and direction, emphasizing a fresh approach to things that connect to a city’s culture. You can see those references through the wardrobe design, typographic decisions, track titles, soundscapes, merchandise, etc. Every decision was intentional.
Social
To maximize engagement with the series I decided to present City Of God as a limited series and developed a social strategy for posting each day of the week to maximize engagement and give people multiple ways to connect to the project.
I wanted to create a formula that never deviated from my normal social media output, but connected to various aspects of the records. Single art to call back to the visuals, Lyric graphics to call back to the poetry, Quote carousels, to call back to my core focus of justice, behind-the-scenes imagery to connect people to our process, and clips of durag thoughts. to connect people to the stories behind the story.
I dedicated the second season of my podcast series “durag thoughts.” at the time to discuss the themes behind each episode of the series as they were released.
Merchandise
Art direction for merch learned toward the symbolism of the record, key phrases from me, and a few that showed my face. I designed each piece to reflect the core themes while creating lasting keepsakes, with layers of meaning.
Dedication
City Of God is dedicated to my late friend Matthew Lee Newton, who died of Leukemia in 2018. Living until he could see this project come to life was one of his goals to live until. Finishing it was the last thing that he helped me to execute. The entire project was recorded on a microphone that he gave me, which I still use to this day. He believed in me before this project began to come to life. He is my friend and my family forever.
Project Team
Project Credits:
Creative & Art Direction: Trevor Wentt
Producer, Mixing & Mastering: Taeetheproducer
Design: Trevor Wentt
Photography: Paris Silver, Trevor Wentt
Editing: Trevor Wentt
Wardrobe Design: Trevor Wentt
Film Credits:
Director: Trevor Wentt
Writer: Trevor Wentt
Producer: Trevor Wentt
Composer: Taeetheproducer
Co-Director of Photography: Dorian Wright
Co-Director of Photography: Paris Silver
Co-Director of Photography: Trevor Wentt
Colourist: Trevor Wentt
Editor: Trevor Wentt
1st Assistant Camera: Paris Silver
1st Assistant Camera: Dorian Wright
Production Assistant: Kevin Francis
Production Assistant: Dan Rachlin
Production Assistant: Ryan Hughes
Production Assistant: Ethan Whiteside
Production Assistant: Dylan Dyjewski
Cast:
Lead Role: Trevor Wentt
Renata: Judith Garza
Kelli Allen: As herself
Brianna Olson: As herself
Kalvin Cummings: As himself
Nathan Cachiaras: As himself
Mom: Donna Barnes Wentt
Christa Wentt: As herself
Additional Voices: Matthew Newton
Additional Voices: Brianna Olson
Additional Voices: Kalvin Cummings
Extras: Ryan Hughes
Extras: Ethan Whiteside
Behind the Scenes Photography: Anna Hedges
Behind the Scenes Photography: Ethan Whiteside
Special Thanks: Aaron Wentt
Dedicated To: Matthew Lee Newton