Blood of Gods
Defining an Unconventional Vision
Blood of Gods is a groundbreaking publication where heavy metal meets wine to counter elitism and celebrate inclusivity. Stacy Buchanan, the mind behind the brand, wanted to demystify this unexpected fusion for his new supporters—explaining not just the “what” but the passionate “why” behind his vision.
Our collaboration began with two brand-building videos that told the Blood of Gods’ origin story and celebrated its progress. We then showed the brand’s personality and cultural impact in action with an energetic video highlighting the annual Blood of Gods Merrymaking event.
An Introduction
To introduce Blood of Gods and its underlying philosophy, I crafted a dynamic speech-to-camera video at the evocative Chrysalis Studios. Originally slated as a scripted piece with a teleprompter, the approach shifted when Stacy opted for a candid, off-the-cuff delivery. By capturing multiple angles with a second camera and focusing on the story, I was able to weave together a natural, heartfelt narrative. A key challenge was balancing the heavy metal music track so it complemented—but never overpowered—Stacy’s dialogue. The result was two optimized versions: one tailored for his website and another for social media, both effectively demystifying the brand’s unique fusion of passion and counterculture.
A Campaign Backer
Building on that narrative, I developed a Kickstarter campaign video for his upcoming book—a curated collection of Blood of Gods’ first ten issues with exclusive additional content. This project expanded the brand story by focusing more on the magazine issues and introducing the book with the campaign’s enticing rewards. Maintaining a consistent storytelling style, the video seamlessly bridged the gap between the magazine’s debut and its literary extension, playing a vital role in the campaign’s success.
Showcasing Impact
From the moment we began planning coverage of Blood of Gods’ annual Merrymaking, the goal was clear: capture its unfiltered spirit. This meant more than documenting a diverse, passionate community — it meant visually fusing the energy and grit of heavy metal with the community atmosphere of a wine event.
With JayMulk Media as my second cameraman, I filmed every facet of the celebration: the lively kickoff, a thought-provoking panel discussion, the main soiree, the high-voltage metal concert after-party, and the intimate vendor wrap-up. Through driving music, fast-paced editing, and bold color grading, I infused the final cut with the raw intensity that defines the brand.
Designed to highlight the 2025 Merrymaking while remaining adaptable for 2026 promotion, the project also included a full panel recording and attendee interviews for social media — extending the event’s reach far beyond the day itself.