Destination MINI Rooftop NYC August 13, 2008

Video and Interview with filmmaker Rob Kassabian on being on the road to the MINI Rooftop NYC.
The MINI is heading to an urban oasis high above the roofs of New York City. Maneuvering through the sounds and sights of the urban mayhem to a space where it all comes together - Art, Design, Music and Style. The MINI Rooftop NYC is a place to escape the rat race and daily grind and let loose. Whether it's morning yoga in the Sanctuary, stimulating discussions at a roundtable or just a fantastic party, the rooftop program has it all. Everything is different from above. Check out the video by Rob Kassabian:  We asked filmmaker Rob Kassabian some questions about his MINI video clip! Q.: What was your inspiration for the video clip? A.: I wanted to do something that used the car as a character in the film that was trying to escape the chaos of New York. The MINI space event is about creating an alternative space and venue for the expression of ideas which is basically what New York is all about, finding the amazing things that are happening and the creative community. But you have to go through a lot of hassle to get to that point.
Q.: Did you use any special techniques to get the effects? A.: No not really. We shot one day in the studio and then hit the streets and drove around for around 10 hours. Then we sped up the driving footage in post production and picked the best bits. Had a great time driving the MINI, loads of fun.
Q.: What were your influences? A.: I was actually influenced by a really amazing Michel Gondry video for the Chemical Brothers song "Star Guitar". The whole video is a static shot from the window of a moving train and the scenery changes and has elements that are determined by the music. It's really amazing and it gave me the basic idea of shooting out of the moving car although what I did is completely different and not nearly as well executed.
Q.: How do you escape the stress of the city? A.: I never really escape the stress of the city. I kind of feel like the stress is what keeps pushing me forward to do new things and try new things creatively. If I go into a job or a shoot feeling like I know what I'm doing and I'm not stressed about it, there's something wrong and it's probably not going to be very good or interesting. The shoots where I go in thinking "Oh my god how am I going to do this? I'm in way over my head here" those are the shoots that seem to turn out best.The thing I like most about New York though is being able to leave and travel easily.
Q.: How do filmmakers contribute to the Creative Use of Space? A.: Filmmaking is all about using space creatively. You basically have to create whatever it is you're going to shoot. For this project I tried to creatively use the entire city of New York. I mean everyone has seen it a million times on TV and I wanted to figure out a new creative way to see it that would be fresh and interesting.
Q.: What's your best city and why? A.: I don't really have a favorite city. I like lots of them for different reasons. Here are a few cities and reasons why I like them.New York because it's the center of the universe and has everything you could ever want or need.
Tokyo because it's so different from New York but completely incredible as well. Amazing food!
Los Angeles because I like to drive and I like the beach.
Prague because it's beautiful and has good, cheap beer.
Texas- I know Texas isn't a city but I like it anyway.Of course I like other place as well but those are a few favorites.
Q.: Any cool creative uses of space you've recently encountered? A.: Actually I was pretty blown away by the MINI Clubman that I used to shoot the video. It's tiny but I fit all my equipment in with no problem and then got 4 adults comfortably to the beach and back. It drives amazingly well too. Other than that I have to say the Olafur Eliasson show at MOMA had a really cool hallway that was lit with yellow lights that made everything look monochromatic, that was a pretty amazing use of space and light. Related Links: MINI Rooftop NYC