Mooch - Navigating The Music Business As A Video Director

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On Apple TV plus what is going on? Everyone? Casey Adams here. Welcome back to the Rise of the Young podcast. On today's episode, we sit down with my good friend Mooch. If you don't know much, he is an amazing videographer, photographer and director behind some incredible music videos that I'll link down below in the description. I've known Mooch for about two years now, and every time I'm with him, he'll show me behind the scenes edits of music videos that he's working on and much, much more.

And.

And his work is not only phenomenal, but I learned something every time I sit down with him. So please enjoy this podcast with Mooch. This was actually his first podcast ever. So make sure you go shoot him a DM on Instagram @ Mooch. Let him know what you thought of the podcast. And with that being said, please make sure you subscribe and enjoy today's episode with the one and only Mooch.

Foreign. Welcome back to the Rise the Young podcast. Today we have Mooch on the show. What up, brother?

Let's go, Casey.

So this is your first official podcast, bro. I'm honored.

Yeah, this is it right here.

Long time in the making.

I'm a rookie at this show.

So what, we've known each other for probably almost two years now, is it? Or a year and a half maybe?

Yeah, I think. I think it's been two years.

Oh, okay. The first time we met, like my.

Freshman year of college when I first met you.

Still playing lacrosse back then?

Yeah, totally. Different lifestyle.

Yeah, dude. I mean, even since this past January in New York, together in New York and New Year's, so much has changed. I feel like based on what you've been doing when it comes to music videos, that the talent you're working with. I know. What was it? The video with Jaden and Ian was trending at like number three on YouTube or what was it exactly?

Well, that video hasn't come out yet.

Oh, no, the one that. The one that you already put out with.

Which one? Basically not the toot. My own horn. But all the videos I've done so far, I've only done a handful of videos. They've all trended. So. Okay.

Love it, Love it. For the people watching, what do you describe as what you do?

It's really like, I'm a music video director right now, but I really want to be like a director, cinematographer, storyteller. I'm an editor as well, but I really just like to create a lot in like the video scene. There's like, honestly, like a handful. It's kind of like a small world of like music video directors. But I work closely, like the hip hop scene a little bit with like the rock scene as well, just with a couple artists. But really the creative process is just like coming up with an idea and then just executing it, like based off like someone's budget. Love that. Yeah.

What are some of the projects that you've recently put out that you'd like to talk about? Some videos, artists that you've worked with. Just what have you been up to? For people that are watching that may.

Not be familiar, I just shot this video recently, like. Like 12 days ago with artist named Jaden. Like jxdn. He's. He works closely with Travis Barker. So song is produced by Travis. Ian's featured on it and the theme of the video was like a Nuketown theme. So everyone's like a mannequin. That's like my most recent project, which will be pretty crazy.

You just got the exclusive before this?

Yeah. Teaser.

When this comes out, it'll be out, so I'll make sure to link it down below.

But now that's my most recent project. But it's really like kind of take it like a project at a time. Because honestly, these projects do take a lot of effort. Usually take me like two to three weeks to complete like one strong video that I direct. But yeah, so it's really just been kind of going like one video a month at a time, like banging it out, making, making sure it's high quality. And that's really what the process has been. But the way I started doing the shit, I used to do like Lego stop motion videos when I was a kid. And that's what like. Yeah, into like Adobe After Effects, putting all the frames together into a video. That's where I like first learned. And then as I grew Up. I just, like, became a fan of, like, people like XXXTENTACION and, like, people in the hip hop scene. I was like, wow, I really want to do a music video for, like, these. These artists I really fuck with. And then I just kind of dropped out of school because I had a few opportunities to, like, be on set and, like, work on some videos. And then I just started directing myself in my first video, like, almost a year ago from now, like nine months ago, I did my first video I directed.

Was that one with Ian.

Yeah, it was with Ian. It was the Flowers video.

Okay. Yeah.

And that video was just, like. Had no budget. We just kind of finessed, like, pulled a whole bunch of strings. Look crazy. And.

Yeah, that video sucks.

But, yeah.

How did you and Ian originally meet?

So I was like. I was at school my freshman year. No, it's actually my sophomore year. It was like the beginning of my sophomore year of college. And I was playing Divisional on the cross. And I kind of. I like, I love lacrosse, but it was like, super taxing. Like, I wake up at 6am every day and I really wanted to kind of, like, escape from it. And I was looking at these artists and Ian just, like, popped up in February, dropped like an ep. It was like the start of his career, his first song. And I just became a fan of this one song, like, Romance 361, specifically. I was just bumping it in the car, like, after lacrosse practice, and I was like, oh, shit, this kid's fire. I was always, like, looking out for artists that I really wanted to work with. And I was like, damn, I really want to do a video of this kid. So I just, like, shot him a couple DMs, sent him, like, some of my pictures. I took. I recently went to a show and took some pictures of Juice. And he responded and he was like, oh, these are fire. I was like, if you're ever in New York, let me know. I'd love to link up. You can take some pictures. And he's like, I'm in New York right now. Which is like, a coincidence. It was actually his first time ever in New York, too.

Oh, shit.

And I just pulled up on him at his hotel and linked up with him in the lobby. We took some pics and he just kind of, like, was super nice, like, super outgoing kid. And we just came friends. Yeah.

As dope.

And then a couple months later directed video form, which is dope.

Yeah. And then you guys been working together ever since, right?

Yeah, that's my slime.

Yeah. Because I Mean, when. When you met him. I mean, since then, I.

Proud of him, by the way. Number one in the world.

I was about to say.

Many people do that shit.

Not at all.

He's just getting started.

Yeah. I mean, with the song Mood, like, based on, you know, because people on the outside, right. You see number one song, like, being one of his best friends, like, what does that mean for him as an artist? And in the background, like, what goes on during that rise to number one on the charts?

Behind the scenes with, like, the artist. Life is always something that, like, it's super hard to ever really see with, like, looking at, like, Instagram for sure. But it's definitely, like, a lot of hard work. Like, Ian seeing him. That kid is in the studio almost every day, like, making, like, three songs every session at least. And it's really just kind of like the ones you don't really think about the most are the ones that usually, like, just go crazy. Like, I just know, like, the night. The night they made the Mood song was just like an average night at Ian's crib. He's got, like, a little home studio. Golden came over. We were playing, like, Call of Duty chilling, and they just, like. They just like, made the song, like, casually, and then a couple months later, it's number one in the world. So it's just like shit you only think about.

Just, like, you were there and they just made the song.

I think, in like, the whole, like, creative artist world and like, that music industry, it's like the stuff that is, like, the most natural, that works out the best. Like, the force stuff usually doesn't work. I noticed. So it's like stuff that just like, naturally happens. Like universal shit.

Like, you know, so they made that song. You were there. And then it. When did it come out originally?

I think it came out, like, at the beginning of the summer. Okay. And then it, like, slowly just kind of picked up. And then I think, like, last month is where it just, like, hit number one Billboard, which is crazy, but I feel like Ian's been. Ian's been waiting for that. Everyone's kind of been looking at him, like, yeah, yeah. Just trying to see what he's about to do. And he's got an album coming out, which is super dope, which I think is about to be some crazy body.

Of work for sure.

Yeah.

When you're getting ready to do a new video, like you said, it takes like a two to three week process. Do you have a, like, a strategy writing? Is it based on the song? Is it Just an idea you get or what are some of your.

It's really so like the creative process of a music video video is like, all right, like, you get the opportunity, someone hits you up like, I want you to do this video. Here's the song. And me personally, everyone kind of has like their own little take of how they go about it. But I like to write my treatments, like, they usually like off an impulse feeling. So I'll listen to the song, kind of let my brain wander a little bit. I'm like, oh. Like, I think like this should happen at this point when he says this and shit like that. Like, know it's really just like for me because I growing up, I was so into like all like the fictional shit. Like, I was like, I could literally name any fact about Pokemon there ever is like, yep, same as Star Wars. You should like read novels even, like watch all the movies on repeat. Like all the Marvel shit, anime, even like Naruto. I just would always get into the lore of things like in video games. And I just love like all the fictional shit, like connecting all this weird shit. And I just kind of take all that and I use it whenever I come up with an idea for video. Like, I usually love to take like famous things in pop culture and like try to blend them into a music video idea. Like one of my videos. I do it Ian was like a GTA theme video.

Yep.

That was just like kind of like an inspiration off rip, like, and then it's really just kind of taking that first initial idea and like running with it. But yeah, every song has a different vibe. You know what I mean?

Yep. 100 I. I wanted to ask you, do you have a certain person that's like an inspiration in the music world, director world that you've been looking at?

Definitely. For me, like, my goal, I want to be like, like a. Like a George Lucas type or like a Stan Lee type. I want to make a universe and like actually make movies for. And introduce this universe in like a cinematic timeline and connect it all together. That's like my end goal but for like the young community of like the music video directors. There's this one guy named James Rico who I really like look up to and he's the reason why I dropped out of school actually like went hung out with him.

Okay.

He directs all like the baby's music videos and he creates brush coming called the Real Goats. And he's just like, he taught me a lot and he's. He's really straight, narrow, like badass work Hardest worker I know. He's literally like, we'll shoot just an example, like, the bop video, if, you know.

Yeah.

Like, they actually just released, like, a Fortnite emote for the bot video, which is kind of far.

I haven't seen that.

That's definitely a goal. Make a music video that ends up in Fortnite.

Wait, it's in Fortnite? The whole music video or the dance? Okay. Yeah.

Thing you could buy a Fortnite, which is kind of cool.

What's your thoughts on, like, the. The Fortnite concert, what Travis Scott did and.

Oh, that's just fire.

Do you think that's something that more artists will do?

Video games, Some of, like, the greatest things ever. For tonight. One of the greatest games ever. Because for nights, the first game that took Xbox and PlayStation and PC and an iPhone and Nintendo Switch and put them all on the same, like, everyone could play together. I'm the first game to ever do that. And they even collabed with, like, Marvel, the club of dc. Like, they just went crazy, like. And them having Travis Scott, like, drop a song. Yeah. Concert form inside video game is crazy, you know? Yeah.

That's insane. Yeah. I wanted to talk about Pokemon. You've been. Ever since I met you. You're, like, the most. You got the craziest Pokemon cards.

I got this Blastoise card right here.

No way.

But, yeah.

Damn, bro. So how long you been collecting Pokemon? And I'm sure, like, the whole industry as a. As a whole, the last I've seen, like, 12 months from collecting cards has been insane. I'm sure you saw what Logan Paul did.

Yeah.

The Charizards, all that stuff. Like, what's your thoughts on the. The Pokemon Chard space?

I definitely think that it's, like, never going to go. Like, the value of the cards will never, like, only will go up.

Yeah. So what does this one go for?

This one's, like, a few thousand dollars. Okay. It really. It really varies based on. I have to get it graded to really see what it's worth. But this one's probably worth, like, 5,000. Okay. Which is a lot.

Beautiful.

Taking a risk I like. But yeah, no, the Pokemon card scene is crazy. It's like, I was collecting them since, like, I could remember because my older brother collect them, and I just kind of got born into it and, like, was super competitive with him, trying to get better cards than him, and then he, like, gave up on it. So, like, all his cards, I turned into my cards also. So, like, I just put them all in a Binder. I brought them all out here with me in la. I was like, these are coming with me everywhere I go.

Yeah.

Actually one time I had like a Charizard card in here. Like, one of the really rare ones are worth a lot. And I got freaking robbed.

No way. Like, actually robbed.

Mugged, like, no way. On school campus. And the guy took my.

Here.

No, this was. This was an. This isn't like Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Oh, my God.

And this guy took you.

Like, what was that card worth?

A car is worth, like. I don't even want to say. Make me cry. But it depends. After you get a PSA graded, like, it can be anywhere worth from like 50 to like 200,000 on that card.

No way.

Yeah. Which is crazy. And the guy. The guy took my jacket, my wallet, and my phone that day. And I was right before a final.

Oh, my God.

Yeah. It was crazy. The crazy day.

How did you recover from that, bro? You know, what was the positive mentality you had to have?

I just put the blastoise card. I put the blastoise card in here. You know what I'm saying?

That's wild, bro. Sorry to hear that.

Let's keep going.

Only W's from this point on, but.

Yeah.

Do you have a. An artist as, like a dream artist you want to make a video for?

Definitely. I think right now I would. My dream artist to work with to be like Lil Uzi Vert, like, like, lock in with him one on one, do a video. That'd be crazy.

Why Lucy?

Many reasons, but one, he's like, really into all the anime shit I'm into.

Yep.

So I can relate to him on that. And he's one of my favorite artists. And he also shouts out my family's restaurant in the song do what I Want. And that's how I, like, discovered him. The song do it. Name. My family's restaurant is called the Hunt and Fish Club. Favorite in New York. You want to get some fire food? Check it out.

I didn't even really give it a shout out.

Yeah. And this all in the song. Dude I want. He's like, girl, you see me get this money. Please don't front, honey. Fish club. What I'm eating. What's for lunch?

Fire.

So I just, like, blew my mind when I was in high school.

Yeah.

And I've been to a few concerts of his. And he's just a savage.

Speaking of hunting fish, you've taken me there many times. Amazing experiences. What's your relationship with hunting fish? What does it mean to you?

That's Just like I'm at home, you know what I mean? It feels like. Feels like I'm home. It's like that nostalgic feeling when. Yeah. Like, you haven't been home in a while and you're finally home.

Do you miss it?

Yeah, I definitely miss it. The Corona definitely screwed some stuff up for everyone.

Yeah, for sure.

And kind of shut the restaurant down for a while. But they're coming back right now, so.

Love that. Shout out. Hunting fish for sure.

If you're in New York, go get some food.

Yeah, yeah. What about up and coming artists that you see that may not be known yet. Do you have any up and coming artists that you're working with?

There's this one artist that I actually just linked up with yesterday. I'm really excited about working with this kid named Kenji.

Kenji?

Yeah, Kenji. He's fire.

Okay. Haven't heard of him.

He's an Internet money artist. You got some fire stuff coming. He's coming out. Okay.

And you've done a lot of work with Internet money, right?

Yeah, they were like from the first people I ever worked with.

Okay.

So, you know, there's good guys over there.

How'd you meet them? Really?

Just through Ian. Just cuz, like, linked up with Ian and Ian was.

Didn't they sign me to them?

Yeah, that. That was like. That was like one of the first artists was Ian.

Got it.

Yeah. And also like 10k projects.

Yep.

The record label in your money's connected with, so they're like the dual label for sure. But now they're fire. They make fire as beats. Nick Mirror is like one of the greatest ever. Do it.

Yeah, no, he's. He's actually from my same hometown. I know we've talked about this. Oh, that's crazy. He's my. We played lacrosse and we would play his school, James river and like, all the time. So it's like I never met him, but it's like that hometown proximity. I'm like, he's killing it.

Yeah, no, he's the goat for sure. He makes beats in like 10 minutes that go platinum. Nobody else does that.

That's crazy.

Yeah.

What do you think? Like, the culture nowadays of music. Like, what makes a song go platinum? Like, is it more of the music? Is it more of the brand and the talent? Like, what do you think it is?

I think it's definitely a lot of, like, the brand of, like, the artist and like, everything is like, has to be pushed, like, perfectly at the right time. Like, I know like, nowadays people are like, pushing songs on TikTok and, like, using that to their advantage to, like, push the song, like, a little over where it is. But number one, the song has to be good.

Yep.

And, like, everybody has, like, everyone can make a good song, but I feel like it's just like, like the frequency that the song, like, gives out because you can mix a song in so many different ways and there's so many different engineers, mixer and masters that, like, they're in this game that really can just turn the song into a whole different song just by mixing it up.

Yeah.

And I really think, like, it comes down to, like, that final export, like, the final bounce of, like, how it's bounced. Like, that frequency it gives off to people. Like, does it make them remember? It doesn't make them feel good. And I feel like nowadays, like, across, like, I feel like to go number one, you can't just, like, rap, you can't just, like, sing. Has to be like a mix of everything. Now I feel like there's no longer really a genre. I feel like it's just good. What's the best music?

Yep. Yeah. Speaking of, what do you describe it as? Like, the pop, rock, hip hop, like that combination of like. Like, what do you describe?

Kind of like punk.

Yeah, like punk. Like punk, rap, Just punk. What do you describe it as? Like, I think that just that genre as a whole is popping. What I see, like, what is that something that you.

It's like the model. It's a modern day, like, rock star.

Yeah.

No longer really, like. Of course, there's some rappers that are like gangster rappers that just kill it. Yeah. There's like. I feel like all this new young generation is like, all about being like a modern day rock star.

Yep. I think Ian definitely, he plays that role and he kills that.

He's one of the best at that. He's one of the greatest for that.

For people that are watching that are maybe IND or fans, like, what would you say are the misconception. Misconceptions of him or, like, knowing him as a person? Like, what would you say he. His character is for the people that may not know?

Well, he's. He loves to be super mysterious, which is cool. Which I like about him is, like, online Persona, but, you know, they call him a sad boy. He calls himself a sad boy, which. He is a sad boy, but he is also a glad boy. He likes to have a lot of fun. I picture Ian as, like. I don't know. There's just one Pokemon called Mew.

Yeah, Mew.

Who just like, super Always trying to have fun. Like teleports around and like has fun. That's like Ian, but he's also goaded. He's got like a legendary rare Pokemon.

Love that. What are some of your favorite video games?

Definitely Pokemon, because that was like one of my first games ever. I'm like working on a game right now that's a Pokemon game.

Really?

Yeah.

You're developing it or what?

Yeah. So there's this like software called RPG Maker which you can make like RPG games which are just like pixelated. Like you control a character, you walk around a map and you like interact and shit. That's what a Pokemon game is, an RPG game. So I'm making like my own region and this Pokemon game has like everything I fuck with like all like the rappers and like all the pop culture in it. And it has like anime characters. Like one of the villains is like Darth Vader. You have to blow up a Death Star at one point. So it's just like my own little weird little storyline. I've just been working on it.

How long have you been working on that?

I like six months now.

Really?

Yeah. That's kind of taking it slow. But yeah, I think, I think I'm gonna be finished by like a middle of next year. Like summertime.

Okay.

And then we'll just put it online. People could just play in a computer.

Like so computer, not like Xbox or anything like that.

Now you just play on your like a MacBook or like laptop. Yeah. Use the keys and play.

But yeah, that's dope. That's super dope.

And then I really fuck with like probably like one of my favorite games ever is like Super Mario Sunshine on the GameCube. Gotta shout that out. Yeah, for sure.

Shout out GameCube. I used to have like three GameCubes.

On deck, but there's so many good games. Like just recently like I just like picked up playing Minecraft for some reason.

Okay. Like on PC?

Yeah, just like with a couple of my friends. Just because it's just like nostalgic feelings.

What do you describe your typical day as?

It really depends if I'm like working my ass off or if I'm just like playing video games, like digging around. But I think like like a shoot day, that's like a 12 hour shoot. So like whatever it is, like 10am to 10pm I'm just like laser focus, trying to make sure the creative is on point. That's like a shoot day vibe. And then the day where I'm like writing something usually takes Me, like a full day of work to write, like, finish like a good concept and a good idea. Sometimes longer if I'm like struggling with it. But I think, like, for me, like, I've always had pretty bad like, add, so I like, whenever I like, I hyper focus on things. So if I'm like playing video games, I could play video games all day. But if I'm like writing an idea or something, I could write that idea all day. It's kind of like. So I'm very like, kind of all over the place a little bit.

What's the most challenging part about what you do?

I think the most challenging part is like making the label, like, in my perspective, because I'm like, young. This young kid who like just kind of started doing it. It's making the label, like, see the vision and believe in it and want to get on board. Because I think that's the hardest part for like a young creator trying to do like a music video with like these big artists. But at the end of the day, it's like, those are the people you have to make the most happy. And I feel like the labels, they just like, want it done and they want it done right away. They're not really so focused on the creative as much, so it's hard to like, that balance with them and like, let them know that like, this is the idea. Yeah, this is gonna be fire. And I need like this much. But they're like, we only have this much done tomorrow.

Yeah.

But for sure. And then, I mean, there's a challenge and everything. Like, even like, I think. I think you just have to like, trust yourself and like, you have to really have self confidence to just believe that this is a good idea. This is gonna look sick. And you just have. Cause that's 90% of the battle. Because if you're on set and you don't think it's fire, nobody else is gonna think it's fire. If you're the director, they're gonna think.

You have that confidence that puts everyone in the same boat.

Exactly. And you have to make sure the artist knows what you're trying to do.

Does the artist just give all trust to you or do they also give their creative vision into it?

It really depends on the artist. Ian always loves to put his sauce into it, but most artists usually just trust. They just like. Like, even yesterday when I met up with the artist and he's like, oh, we got to do video for this song. I was like, are you got any ideas? And he was like, shit, man. Like, you tell. You tell me what to do.

I got nothing. So.

Yeah, but, like, it's really just kind of like the artists, they just got to trust. And I feel like, as a creator, like a director, that's like, the best feeling. Some of the artists just trust you, and, like, they just go with it. Yeah.

What have you learned from someone like Cole Bennett on what he's created with lyrical Lemonade?

He's definitely, like, seeing him do his shit. His stuff was super inspiring for me because I was like, oh, wow. Like, this guy's going crazy just because at first he was just like, you just go out with a dslr, shoot a video for some awesome artists, put together, like, a cool edit on his laptop. Like, you just had, like, a DSLR on a laptop. So maybe be like, wow, I could do something too with just a DSLR on a laptop. It's like working with what you have. And he's, like, built himself up to where he's so, like, strongly branded. Like, people, everybody wants a Cole Bennett video for sure.

You know, but same way people want a moose video, too, bro.

Let's go for sure. Shout out to Cole. Cole's one of, like, he's also like, a soup. I've only had a few interactions with him in person, but he's, like, super humble, super nice guy. So he's. I could tell he's like a super. Like, he's always thinking. He's always plotting on, like, a dope idea.

Yeah. How often do you have artists hitting you up on Instagram to do a video? Well, I'm sure it's crazy.

Like, there's so many people that just hit me up for, like, videos that.

Like, how do you have a couple.

Thousand followers and stuff? I always try to be like. Like, give everyone a little time of the day. But I really feel like, as a creator, like, for someone who wants to get into this shit, you really have to make sure that you're saying yes to the right things. Because, like, you can't say yes to everything. If you say yes everything, you're gonna be, like, overworked as hell, because this shit takes a lot of time to make something good. So it's really just like, okay, do I really, like, you really have to work with something that you're really passionate about? So if you're really passionate about an artist and their music, then work with them, because, like, you're gonna get a better product, and it's gonna. You're gonna have a lot more fun doing it versus, like, let's Say like, like, oh, I hate heavy metal music. And then you just say, yes, doing a heavy metal video, it's like, not.

Gonna be fun, you know, doesn't align for sure.

Exactly.

That's what's up, though. So it's like, it has to make sense for you. Like, is it because I know, like, if someone was like, okay, how do I get a mooch video? Is it just. Is there a formula? Or is it like, you need to.

Know the artist, come find me for sure. But not typically. Like, a lot of one thing, like, for me, like, a lot of stuff, this shit happens through, like, Instagram, like, DMs and everything. Like, a lot of the plays being made, like, 100%. Even, like, Jaden, like, Jaden just hit me up on Instagram DM and let's do a video. A week later, we did our first video together. That's really how it all happens. And like, even for, like, when I'm trying to find, like, cool graphic designers to work with, there's so many on Instagram that are just trying to get involved and, like, work on something.

I was gonna talk about that. I saw what you posted with the remix of Mood. It was like Justin Bieber, J Balvin, 24 Karat, and Ian. So you contacted the design, the graphic designer for that one?

Yeah.

So that's how you tagged him. I checked out his profile. Like, this dude's dope.

Oh, yeah, his fire. His name's Artist Christian. He's from Sweden. Super Fire 3D modeler. And I just saw his stuff and I was like, this guy's crazy. And we just hit him up and he did a great job. He put it together in like a week or two and now it's the COVID It's actually crazy because, like, the COVID was submitted like, one day before it was too late or like the day of or something.

Damn.

So it was like super last minute.

But he's like a young designer. But now he has, like, he made it, you know, it's the number one song. Yeah, that's the COVID Crazy. How does that change his life? Like, you know, someone that is a designer, like, when he, you know, he's put on, in a sense, like, does that change everything for him or, like, what's his mindset towards?

I feel like him, he's so talented that, like, he's just gonna figure something out always. That kid's super talented. Like, just seeing his work, like, I was attracted to him to, like, try to do an opportunity with him, make.

Something happen, and you just like, hit him up on Instagram.

I definitely feel like it really just takes, like, one thing to like, kind of get the ball rolling in the right direction in the music industry. It's like a lot of momentum based, like, work, you know? Like, look at Cole, like. Yeah, for example, like, he built up a lot of momentum shooting with the, like, he just slowly leveled up. It's like you're a freaking Pokemon. You just got to keep leveling up every day.

For sure. I mean, I think he, like, created so many artists in terms of, like, their big song, big video that Cole.

Really, like, has done is like, he has built like a platform. Yeah. Where he can, like, break an artist and take an artist, do a video form and expose them to like, a whole new culture, a whole new fan base, you know, which is like, does that very well.

Super dope. What would you say, like, speaking of creating that universe, like, long term vision with what you want to do?

I always try, like every video I do, even for like a music video, even though it's like three minutes, like, or like four minutes or whatever it is, I always try to build like a universe around the song, which is like, kind of where I guess I'm starting with that. But when I was in like middle school, I went to a boarding school and I didn't want to go there. It was like all boys and took your. They take your phone away. I'd wear like a suit every day. And I was just like, reading these Marvel comic books, like, like crazy because, like, I was allowed to have them. And I was a big fan of Stan Lee and I had to like, write like a quote in the yearbook. So I just looked up like, Stan Lee's yearbook quote, and he was like, if you don't like this universe, just create your own. Like, sparked a light bulb in my head and I was like, whoa. Like, Stanley made the Marvel universe. George Lucas made the Star wars universe. Like, I want to make a universe. So I just started writing some shit down, like back then, and I like, expanded. Expanded on it since I still need, like, a really good name for it. I have a couple ideas, but I don't even want to, like, put it out there. I want to put it out there. Yeah. Like, you know, classified.

Yeah.

But for sure. No, I think that's like the most. That's like the highest level of like, creativity is like actually creating a whole world, a whole universe that has science to it, like powers and. And like. Yeah. It's the only thing I like back to Cole, because I've heard him say it a few times. I credit him is that he even, like, all his videos kind of live in the same universal space, which is what I try to do with my videos too. Like, I feel like it's like, developing your own style as well, you know, for sure.

And then what time are we at right now?

All right, cool.

I just want to know.

For sure times.

It's flying.

The fourth quarter.

So with making your own universe, like, what would you say is different than, you know, you're starting with creating music videos and now, like, would you say the vision is to create movies and skits and shows? Like, what. What is the second chapter of, like, directing look like?

First chapter music videos, Hip hop. Have fun working with artists. Just trying to be, like, creative as possible every day. Make. Make a statement with each video. And then I have, like, some ideas I'm working on right now making a pilot for this, like, cartoon show.

Okay, that's dope.

And it's called Trash baby. I patent that name so you can't steal it.

Okay.

That's all I'm gonna say about it. But I think the next step is, like, trying to be, like, working and, like, weaving into other lanes of, like, the entertainment industry. Like a cartoon show, a movie. And like, I think doing that at, like, the youngest possible age is, like, the best thing to do.

100%. No, dude, I love it, bro. Last question before we wrap up is that is where is not only the best place to follow you, but what are you most excited about with everything you have going on? Music videos, artists, just everything you have at this moment?

I'm just, like, super excited to, like, work. Like, there's no better feeling than waking up in the morning on, like, a shoot day and, like, doing a video, like, that's the best feeling. Like, actually directing and getting after it. And I'm just excited for the future holds. I really believe, like, the. The laws of attraction, like, manifestation are real. So if you wake up every day and you're like, I'm gonna make. Like, I'm gonna. Even if it's something stupid, like, I'm gonna win a game of Fortnite. If you wake up every day and you say that eventually you're gonna win a game of Fortnite.

Yeah.

I mean, it's just like the way the universe works. Like, what you put out in the world is what you get. So I think just keeping that, like, super positive mentality and, like, focusing down on, like, even if the goal seems so ambitious and so far fetched, if you still put it down in your head, and you still work towards it. And you get there, it won't be. It'll be like, I feel like it's never really a surprise. It's always like, 100 now. What's next? Like, you gotta, you know, 100 last.

Thing, too, is what is your advice to aspiring directors? If they're listening to this, they're starting out today. Like, what do you tell them? How do you get that momentum rolling right off the bat?

Definitely find an artist. If you want to do a music video, find an artist that you can really work with. Someone that understands you and your creative process and respects you. That's like the first part. And then also understanding your own creative process. Because if you want to write, come up with the whole concept, because there's so many different ways you could work on a video. You can pull the focus on the camera. You could be the lighting guy, you could be the camera operator. Or you could even be a PA and just be helping out on set, trying to learn. And I think just finding, even in the beginning, doing one of those things, seeing all different aspects of it before you settle down, like, oh, I want to be a dp. I want to be a director or whatnot. But for a director and a writer, I would, like, keep this into consideration because, like, they say that, like. Like a film is written three times. Like, once in the script. Yep. Second time during the production, and the third time in the edit. And, like, keeping that in mind, making sure that all three of those stick to, like, your vision.

Y.

That's what makes it happen. Because, like, you can write. I could write, like, the craziest idea ever. But then, like, execution process of it is like, what's next? You know, I mean, like, 100. The editing as well.

Yeah, love that, bro.

Also, they'll do fun fact. The Star wars movie was originally called the Adventures of Luke starkiller. Right. And they shot the whole movie like that. And then they made the first edit, and George Lucas showed it to Steven Spielberg, and he was like, this is not it. Like, this is bad. And then they brought that film to a new editor, and he restructured it into the New Hope. And then during that edit process, when they call it Star wars, really. So, like, just remember, like, from the second the idea starts all the way to the finish, it's like, what really makes it happen.

Yeah, bro. Well, dude, I'm so glad that we made this happen finally.

Mr. Adams, shout out Casey. Casey's freaking goat winning streaks.

I appreciate it, bro. Where's the best place where everyone can stay up to date with everything you have going on?

I mean, I probably like social media, like Instagram.

Just at Mooch.

Mooch.

Everyone that doesn't know.

Yeah, that's where I be putting up a little funny little stuff every once in a while. If you really want to keep track of my. My crazy for sure adventures. Yeah, dude.

First podcast in the books. We made it happen, bro. Everyone makes. You go check out Mooch and I will talk to you in the next episode.

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