While on a summer internship in Chicago in 2022, Calvin Callins Jr. ’24, Film, cultivated a working relationship with Taylor Bennett, a musician and younger brother of Chance the Rapper. Now, the Ringling grad has earned a position as a content creator for Chance himself, shooting behind-the-scenes clips, music videos, and tour content at venues and events around the country, including Chicago’s famed Lollapalooza.
“Every day there’s something new to work on when you’re working with a celebrity like Chance,” Callins said. Taylor and Chance are both independent artists, Callins pointed out, which keeps them—and their team—free from the influence and pressures of a record label.
“My advantage was Chance the Rapper is independent, meaning he personally hires everyone on his team. He’s the boss,” Callins said.
The position has allowed Callins not only the freedom to flex his creative skills, but also given him new challenges and learning opportunities as well.
“Honestly, I was comfortable with just being a behind-the-scenes videographer and editor for the team,” he admitted. “When the RIDE music video was being created, they asked if I could be an operator with a camera and equipment I had little to no experience in. I wanted to say no, I didn’t think I was ready. But I trusted myself and the team we had and strapped myself in the seat and made the magic work.”
Chance intends to release more music videos this year, including one Callins filmed on the artist’s And We Back Tour this September and October. Callins will be credited as the camera operator, editor, and producer as well.
“It’s not always about the equipment you’re shooting with,” he said. “It’s about the story you tell.”
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