Samples from music videos, films, and works for hire. Focus is on single-camera productions, driven by a strong visual, aesthetic, or story-based concept. These include pieces that have aired on broadcast TV, at film festivals, and on websites such as the MTV ‘Hot 100’. From low-budget to no-budget, each addresses the unique challenges presented by that project, from budget limitations to scheduling snafus, while maintaining the initial vision. Each piece is a result of both the limitations that were present, and the solutions that revealed themselves.
“Mazel” – the Nu Haven Kapelye (official music video)
Tipping the hat to film noir, members of the Nu Haven Kapelye transport themselves back in time to a darker, stranger world. Shot over 2 days, in and out of the back alleys of New Haven, this single-camera piece takes a glimpse at a forgotten time, is unafraid to look beyond the shadows, and includes an appearance by famed NYC klezmer trumpeter Frank London. “Mazel” was designated as an Official Selection in numerous international film festivals for 2021, as a Finalist in several others, and received the award for ‘Best Music Video’ at the LA Sun Film Fest and the Kansas Arthouse Music & Film Festival.
“Brad Makes Fermented Tomato Smoked Chicken”
– It’s Alive | Bon Appétit | S1 EP90
Miles has recently served on the production crew for several 2-camera shoots scheduled by Bon Appétit, featuring enzyme enthusiast and cookbook author Brad Leone. These on location culinary explorations captured Brad in his element, grilling up content for his hit web series ‘It’s Alive’. In this fast-paced episode, Brad prepares smoked chicken with a fermented tomato purée, in his own signature style.
“How Donovan Mitchell Spent His First $1M in the NBA”
– My First Million | GQ Sports
Miles served as a Grip/Utility for this piece, helping to capture the details on how NBA point guard Donovan Mitchell spent his first million. Filmed on location at the Connecticut elementary school that a younger Spida attended, the shoot was recorded for the ongoing series by GQ.
Jay Miles – Sizzle Reel
Sizzle reel for Jay Miles – freelance video in CT/MA/NY/NJ. Clients include major media companies to universities, from live concerts and events to small non-profit functions. Projects range from sit downs
to music videos and everything in between. Single cam, multi cam, live streams, scripting, editing, VO supervision, and more.
“Donor Video” – Pratt Institute
Produced for Pratt Institute, this piece is build around interviews conducted by Miles with various student scholarship recipients, and blends footage directed by Miles, with video and still assets provided by the client. The final product includes music selections, editing, VO, and editing produced by Miles.
“Mental Health” – Jewish Family Service of Greater New Haven
As part of their annual Gala event, JFS commissioned Miles to present a series of profile pieces to donors, covering their various programs. Miles conducted the interviews, captured the BRoll, booked the VO artists, and edited and revised the final pieces. The Mental Health program is one of six such profiles he completed for this important New Haven NFP in 2021.
“Eliyahu Hanavi” – Nu Haven Kapelye (quarantine video)
Recorded remotely during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, this tune was recorded by 32 individually quarantined klezmer musicians. The piece includes a master audio track mixed remotely, and 32 tracks of video converted and synched to match. The turnaround from receiving the clips to final edit was three days.
“Love Will Comfort You” – Steve Rodgers and Friends (live)
Multii-camera shoot for this CD release concert, filmed at The State House. Four cameras covered the action and were edited in post, with sync to a multi-channel mix of the audio. Color-correction, editing, directing, and camera #4 operation by Jay Miles.
Promo Video – ‘Til Duty Is Done
Promotional / informational piece for the veterans support non-profit “‘Til Duty Is Done”. It aired to a packed house at the Mohegan Sun concert arena, between artists during their annual “Vets Rock” concert, on Veterans Day. Conceived, directed, and edited by Miles.
“Moon Queen” – Lord Fowl (official music video)
Shot in one afternoon on two banged up early 90’s VHS cameras. The goal was to create video that looked like a live concert from the late 70’s, that had been stuffed in a vault for 40 years. All lens-flares, ghosting, streaking and strobing effects were captured in-camera. This video was featured on the website for Mtv’s “Hot 100” and enjoyed national distribution in conjunction the band’s label, Small Stone Records. Directed and edited by Miles.
“Heavy Boots” – Mission 0 (official music video)
Shot in one afternoon on two Panasonic pro-sumer camcorders. The inspiration for this piece came from the look of classic 80’s music videos, and was shot against a white bed sheet blasted with as much light as possible. This video earned the award for Best Alternative Music Video at the Connecticut Film Festival in 2012. Directed and edited by Miles.
“Byways of the Lifeless” – Autumn Owls (official music video)
Directed by Miles over a 2-day period on a Panasonic HVX using only natural lighting, the action culminates in front of the abandoned Seaside Sanitarium in Waterford, CT. This piece captures a sense of remembered failures, of moments that were once blissful, but have soured through the window of time. The lyrics “Today I tried to warn you about these ghosts. All these ghosts of mine, how they roam the shoreline”, draw us to the (possibly haunted?) former sanitarium and also inspire an exploration of the strange blend between reality and memory. From unexpected elements both real and remembered, these are the shattered remains of domestication. These are the ghosts we warned you about.
“Connect2Car” – I Want That! Tech Toys (HGTV)
Miles was a field producer for the HGTV programs “I Want That!” and “I Want That! Tech Toys”. This segment was produced by Miles in a half day in Queens, NY, between the roar of planes departing and landing at La Guardia.
“Freedom to Travel Show” – Promo/Sizzle video
Produced as a sample/pilot to promote this inventive travel show, the production visited numerous sites on the CT shoreline, from the casino to the aquarium to restaurants and more. All of these must-see destinations featured a high degree of access and accommodation.