Armed with ambition, a song and a deep dive into local thrifting, Andini Makosinksi and Cati Landry set their sights on shooting a no-budget music video in Greater Victoria.
Filmed over two days in Victoria and Saanich the two dipped into their local roots to shoot the video for Minds’ Eye – from singer-songwriter Landry’s four-song final portfolio from Berklee College of Music last year.
Both are graduates of St. Michaels University School – Makosinksi in 2015 and Landry a couple of years earlier – where they performed in the musical The Secret Garden. They bumped into each other again later at UVic, and Makosinski recalls similar vibes in the vein of fur coats, boots and coffees rolling in late to class.
“I felt we were on the same energy wavelength,” she said.
A worldwide traveller who currently lives in London, she routinely returns to her roots on the south Island. Makosinski returned to Victoria in mid-August and having done one previously, found herself wanting to tackle another music video.
After chatting with a mutual friend, she slid into Landry’s DM’s.
The singer had launched Mind’s Eye and was keen to create her next music video.
“I had this ready when I was done school, so I was dying to get some music out,” Landry recalled. “I felt very lucky because she came to me with so much inspiration and enthusiasm,” Landry said.
Landry trained as a classical vocalist and jazz singer from a young age and as a teen added songwriting to her repertoire.
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The pair rode an infectious wave of creativity to create a magical 1950s-inspired daydreaming video. Thrifting and pulling threads in the community until they came up with all the needed filming locations.
One is recognizable to the average Victoria foodie – John’s Place, a regular hangout for both women.
“They were immediately accommodating and kind and generous and supportive,” Landry said. “I had a feeling they would be because I’ve gone there my entire life and the staff there have always been so sweet. They seem like they care about the community. They practice what they preach in spades.”
The site felt magical and fun just what the dreamlike vision of the video required.
“That’s a comedic section of the video and it felt cute and fun and I knew it was going to turn out really well,” Landry said.
Finding a theatre for the no-budget shoot also proved problematic. Until word got back to their alma mater.
In a heartwarming visit that brought back memories of lunchtime plays and talent competitions, their former drama teacher even greeted them on a Saturday morning to let them into the SMUS theatre and show them the ropes.
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“I don’t think we would have made those scenes happen otherwise,” Makosinski said.
The pair did some reshoots early in the year before Makosinski returned to London (currently home) after Christmas and launched the self-produced video on Valentine’s Day.
Both are pleased with the fun, kitschy, dreamlike finished product – featuring local faces, places and products.
“Sometimes my dreams of being an artist pull me outside of Victoria, but this is always home, and getting to share some of the special beauty you can only find here, and bringing that to the video,” Landry said.
“When they see the video, maybe see that dreamer’s disposition we all have reflected back and remember the importance of being true to yourself … honouring your perspective and finding a place where you feel your perspective is honoured in this world.”
Find the Mind’s Eye video on Landry’s YouTube page at youtube.com/watch?v=DlOH5-UYDcQ.
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