Map the Music

When music becomes a source of therapy, greater things can happen. Eleonora Rose Abela questions about the wonderful journey enthusiastic filmmaker and music lover, Samantha Hale, went through to produce her very first film: Map The Music, featuring Imogen Heap, Zoe Keating, Cary Brothers, Rachael Yamagata, Tori Amos and many more...

Q: I can see on your Facebook page that you wrote that you are an "accidental filmmaker". How did this come to happen?

A: Well I never intended to make a film or thought I would wind up behind the camera, but everything just kind of happened after my dad passed. I sincerely wanted to know why music meant so much not only to me but to so many people, so getting a camera and learning how to use it seemed like a good idea at the time. Turns out it was! I used the money I had earned from a Visa commercial as an actor and...did it. I asked tons of questions and surrounded myself with people who were knowledgeable on the technical side of things and just made it up as I went along. I made lots of mistakes along the way, but luckily I had my good friend, Trent Ward, on my side to guide me. He wound up as the editor on the project, but also shot some beautiful footage for me.

Q: How did the idea originate?

A: Music was my way of dealing with the pain I felt when my dad died. I kept going to concerts because it was the only thing that made me feel better. Imogen Heap happened to be on tour at the time, so I just decided to go all out and do the full tour. Honestly I was running away from having to deal with how I was actually feeling at the time - and I know that now - but I genuinely wanted to know why music was helping me so much, and thought talking to other people about it as well would help me figure it out.

Q: You often describe yourself as being a music lover. What does music ACTUALLY mean to you?

A: Everything. I don't think I have ever gone through a day without listening to music in one way or another. It inspires everything I do. Whether its filmmaking, running on the treadmill or sharing a moment with a loved one. Music is always there. Never take that for granted.



Q: Has the course of this journey changed your perception towards music in any way?

A: I feel like I appreciate it even more now. I have been lucky enough to be around some incredible musicians, so I think I have a new understanding of how much love and effort goes into creating it. Especially getting to see so many live shows and sound checks and random improvs that these artists create. Getting to see some of the same songs played in different cities and hearing them change from show to show was one of my favorite parts of being on tour. Its just insane how hard these touring musicians work. Their dedication and passion for their art is so inspiring. Especially Imogen. She is incredible.

Q: It is very clear that this documentary allowed you to meet some of our most beloved artists who some of us, only dream that such a thing could happen. Can you narrate an experience that you've gone through when meeting a particular artist and how this will remain in your memories for ever?

A: Getting to sit down at the piano with Imogen and play an improvised duet together is a memory I will have for the rest of my life. Getting lost in New York with Kate Havnevik. Finally getting Tori Amos in the film. Telling Zoe Keating and Charlotte Martin about the film for the very first time....words can't describe it. But getting to know these incredible artists and realizing that they are not only great artists, but great human beings.

Q: Can you mention any particular show / item that left an impact on you?

A: Every show I went to left an impression on me in different ways. But if I had to pick one - I would say the Imogen show in Virginia Beach. It was about 2 weeks into the tour, and everything became real to me. I realized I was really actually making this film, and that my dad was really actually gone. I cried throughout that entire show. But I needed to. It was good for me.



Q: Can you recall any funny episodes that happened during its production?

A: Oh I had so much fun along the way. Especially with all the Hotel Cafe guys - Cary Brothers, Jim Bianco, Racheal Yamagata...never a dull moment! I think the Hotel Cafe Tour show at The Living Room in New York was so much fun. Everyone was hanging out after the show and laughing and drinking and playing with each other on their songs. Such a fantastic community of artists.

Q: I understand that producing a documentary required a lot of production and post-production challenges. Can you name a few?

A: Oh man. Yes lots of craziness there. But like I said earlier - Trent Ward really saved my ass. He is a wizard at color correction, sound mixing and making sure the story of the film flowed.

Q: How can you describe a typical production day?

A: Well there was really nothing typical about any of the days I was filming. I never knew what to expect. The only thing I planned was getting to the venue a few hours before the show and then just seeing what would happen. Thats the nature of filming a documentary. Its real life so you never know what people are going to do...so you film everything possible just in case magic happens!

Q: How did you go about financing such a project?

A: Initially I used the money I earned from working as an actor on a Visa commercial. Thats how I bought the camera and paid for the Imogen tour. When I got back from that I went back to work waiting tables in between traveling for interviews.

Q: Did you build up a team to produce this documentary? If so, what kind of roles did they have?

A: At first the Map the Music team was just myself and my friend Lisa Tsaur. She was going to be the editor on the film and was more the technical side and I was more the creative side. Unfortunately she was not able to finish the film for family reasons, and my good friend Trent Ward stepped in as editor. He is brilliant and was so supportive and helpful throughout the filming process so I was so lucky to have him as an editor as well. Later I met Zac Nadile at Hello My Name Is Records and Cristina Parker at Noise NY and along with Trent they became my team MTM. Without them I would not have been able to release this film.

Q: How did you decide which artists you wanted to feature, and how did they go about agreeing to participate?

A: I just got really creative in finding ways to directly contact my favorite artists and just asked if I could interview them. Luckily for me my favorite artists are also wonderful people. I went up to them after shows or send blind emails hoping they would respond. And they did.

Q: What about the rights for the music you used?

A: The artists who are on their own label were kind enough to let me use their work in my film, and the artists on bigger labels helped me contact the right people with whom I could secure the rights.

Q: I understand that a lot of promotion was required about this film. How did this come about?

A: So far its all word of mouth, and people hearing that their favorite artists are in the film who then buy it. Social media like Facebook has been incredibly helpful. I am just hoping that the word gets out amongst some great music magazines and such so people will start writing about it. Still working on that!

Q: OK, so now that your documentary was ready, how are you distributing it?

A: I licensed it through an incredible indie label here in LA. Because it was a music themed documentary they decided to take a chance on it, and I am so grateful that they did. The owner of the label, Zac Nadile, is one of the most incredible people I have ever met - let alone had the pleasure of working with. He gets it. He truly gets what this film is about. I am just so lucky that our paths crossed.

Q: What did you do after all your hard work has paid off, and the long-awaited release day had arrived?

A: I went to the beach. Thats where I go to feel close to my dad.



Q: I understand you embarked on such a quest for healing purposes. How did this journey actually help you grow?

A: Well it gave me the beautiful distraction from the sadness that I needed to have until I was ready to deal with losing my dad - who was my rock. It allowed me to stay strong and turn something tragic into something beautiful.

Q: Any plans for another project?

A: I would absolutely love to make another film. I can't really get going with anything new until I feel I have done everything possible to get Map the Music out there...which could be a while. But I absolutely would love to do this all over with a new group of musicians or actors or any kind of artists.

Q: One final quote you've used as a mantra during this journey:

A: "Take risks."

Q: Anything else you'd like to add...

A: "What does music mean to you?" Thats what its all about.




For further information about the film: www.mapthemusic.com
The DVD is available at www.Insound.com
You can also connect with Samantha on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mapthemusic