Quiet Storm
One of our shoots for Showtime Networks was to photograph one of NBA’s all-stars, Ron Artest (who is now known as Metta World Peace, for which he legally changed it to in September 2011). Showtime, in partners with The Bleacher Report, created a documentary based on Metta’s life, and the adversities that he went through with having bipolar disorder. He was involved in multiple controversial on-court incidences. Most infamously, in 2004 while he was on the Lakers, which earned him the name “Malice in the Palace.” He was always known for his outspoken and eccentric behaviors. Regardless, Metta is still one of the greatest defensive players of all time.
This series of photographs would be used as both the key art for the poster and a photo gallery supporting the film.
The shoot location was on a rooftop in Astoria overlooking the Queensboro Bridge, and the projects right beside it, where Metta and his life long friends grew up.
The day was unseasonably cold for a mid April’s day (in other words, cold as basketballs). The conception of this shoot was brought on very quickly, so I did not see the location till shoot day. We arrived early to scout and figured out a shot list. Once Metta and his crew arrived, we quickly learned why the Queensboro was so important to them, as well as the 3 red and white smoke stacks (which they called “the 3 stacks). Whenever Metta and his friends would see them, they knew that direction was home. We of course had to add that to our shot list.
Metta + his crew was amazing to work with. Their grateful attitude and with what the kid’s nowadays call “good vibes” made this shoot a breeze. Not the breeze that we had on the roof. That almost made our producer fly away in a c-stand like Mary Poppins. In case you forgot, Metta was an NBA player, so everything needed to be set up higher. So extended gear + wide surfaces like a 4x4 silk screen that may as well have been a kite = MCya later. But don’t worry. Our producer as well as our stands and sandbags all survived another day at the office.
Even though stigmas on mental illnesses has been making great strides the last few years, it still has a ways to go. Showtime had previously gained great success in their previous documentary called “Bipolar Rock N’ Roller” (for which we also shot the poster for - not to humble brag) based on combat sports commentator, Mauro Ranallo. It sheds light to how bipolar can affect someones life in the most extreme ways. At parts it is difficult to watch.
“Bipolar Rock N’Roller” had made such a difference to so many people’s lives that Mauro says that to this days, he still gets daily emails and messages saying how much the film had helped them, to show them that they are not alone.
This film with Metta, is to further tell the stories of successful, top of their field individuals that have struggled though the same disease and how they have come through with help, to the other side.
“I was ahead of my time. Back then, the media was like, ‘Oh, he’s crazy. He’s not ready to play at that level.’
Now the media is saying, ‘Get this person help.’ ”
Metta World Peace
