Had it All – Kavana Music Video

“Had It All” is a music video I directed and produced for my own band, Kavana. No outside client, no brief to satisfy, and no guarantee anyone beyond our own audience would ever watch it. That freedom is exactly what made it the hardest thing to get right.

Building the film around the song, not the band

The obvious version is the band performing. I did not want that. The song is a reminder to cherish the time we have with the people we love, and a performance video would have said nothing about it. So I built the whole thing as a narrative and cast Eli Zen, an actor and stuntman, to carry that weight on screen. When I first walked him through the concept he understood it immediately, and what he brought back was rawer than what I had written.

Getting myself out of two jobs at once

I am in the video, which is a problem when you are also directing it. Trying to perform and watch a monitor at the same time means doing both badly. I brought in cinematographer Luis Salas to shoot my on-camera moments, which freed me to direct Eli’s performance properly instead of splitting my attention. That single decision is why the emotional scenes hold.

Post stayed in-house

Edit, colour and sound all stayed with me. On a piece where the whole point is tone, handing any of that off risks three people making three slightly different films. Keeping it in one pair of hands is what kept the feeling consistent from first cut to final mix.

What it led to

The most personal thing I have directed turned out to be the clearest proof of range. The same craft — camera, edit, colour — has since been trusted on other artists’ releases, including Simcha Leiner’s “Kol Hakavod”, featured by Mostly Music, where I am credited as Director of Photography, Editor, Colourist and Drone Pilot.

The work you make for yourself is often the work that opens the next door. The full story is written up here.

All of my on-screen performances were captured by my good friend and trusted collaborator, Luis Salas. Luis’s skill behind the camera ensured that every shot was infused with the emotion and meaning that this project demanded. His keen eye for detail and deep understanding of my artistic vision made the entire process smooth and fulfilling.

“Had it All” is more than just a music video; it’s a heartfelt reminder to be fully present with those we love. Life is fleeting, and this project serves as a gentle nudge to appreciate the time we have with the people who matter most.

Working on a music video or a creative project that needs a strong visual concept? Explore my Music Video work, or start a project.