Tampa born · Pittsburgh raised
STAY CREATING
I'm Blaise. I shoot music videos, but to me it's bigger than that. It's bringing an artist's music to life. I was born in Tampa, moved to Pittsburgh when I was 7, and I've been pointing a camera at stuff ever since my dad handed me his old VHS.
Music was always in the house. My grandparents, my dad, and my uncle were all in bands. My dad DJ'd too, so I grew up on everything from classic rock to old school hip hop. I got a hundred memories of watching my family play small venues and bars.
"A lot of things inspire me, but the main one is my late father. Every day I try to outdo myself for him."
I know he's proud of me chasing my dreams
How it started
The long way here
Kid
Dad's old VHS camera
I was filming short horror flicks with my family and friends in the backyard. That was the first time I realized I could make something out of nothing.
Teen
A dozen YouTube channels
Let's plays, skits, Call of Duty montages. Syncing gameplay to my favorite songs was the most addicting thing. That's honestly where I learned to edit.
Then
CJ asked for a video
My best friend started making music. I'd just gotten my first camera. He asked me to shoot him a video and I said yeah. Rest is history.
Now
Bringing records to life
Music videos, live shows, portraits for Pittsburgh artists. And yeah, a horror movie somewhere down the line.
A few things
Straight talk
What I actually do
To keep it simple, I shoot music videos. But I believe it's way more than that. It's bringing an artist's music to life.
Who I make it for
I don't make it for anyone except myself. I won't pander to an audience. If you're creating something you don't genuinely enjoy, people can tell. Everything I put out is something I'd enjoy even if I didn't make it.
How I work
A lot of daydreaming at work honestly. If nothing comes, I make a shot board. Just a collage of ideas and shots that fit the theme and style of the song.
The hard parts
So many times I've been close to quitting. A video not turning out how I wanted, Adobe crashing and hours of progress gone, computer issues. But I always pushed through. You can't lose if you don't quit.
What keeps me going
The friends I've met on this journey. Being around people as motivated as you are only pushes you further. Show me your friends and I'll show you your future. That quote holds so much truth.
People I look up to
Cole Bennett for sure. Small town kid shooting videos with his friends, I relate to that heavy. Virgil for the things he said. And Wes Craven, he shaped my whole love for horror.
If you're just starting
It takes time. When you first start you're going to be bad, you're going to feel behind, you're going to compare yourself. I still deal with all that. If it gets overwhelming, take a step back. Go for a walk, play that game, watch that movie. It's your passion, not a 9 to 5. We're humans, not machines.
Right now
Direct a horror movie
My biggest goal is to become a movie director. Specifically horror. Wes Craven's films were my childhood, which is kinda concerning, but here we are.
Long term
Build a hub for new artists
I want to create a place people go to discover new artists. Where you see my logo and know it's going to be quality. I don't care about a legacy for myself. I care that the work outlives me.
Stay tapped in
YouTube Blaise Diamond, Instagram @bdiamondproductions and @blaise.diamond.
START AN INQUIRY