A song inspired by a near-death experience came to life across Seal Beach last week as Paul James Houghton and Dreamotion Studios filmed the music video of “The Other Side” by recording artist Lola Kristine.
Crews were busy throughout the city Feb. 7 as they raced against the weather to take advantage of the brief sunshine to film the upcoming music video. Seal Beach wasn’t the first choice for the filming but turned out to be the best, the local singer said.
“We were going to film it in Detroit,” she said, “and then it kind of like got moved to Pasadena and then we were like, why not Seal Beach,” she wondered?
Her song’s co-writer, Justin Busch, works with Houghton on other projects, said Kristine, so they decided to have a discussion with Dreamotion before ultimately making the decision to move production to Seal Beach.
“I’m a surfer and I love the ocean, so it made sense,” she added.
In addition, Lola has a local fan base as she occasionally performs at the “Beach House” and has appeared locally in conjunction with the popular “Nashville on the Coast.”
Houghton said he was delighted Dreamotion was able to bring the production to town.
“I am also honored and delighted to have been able to keep this project in Seal Beach, which is home to Dreamotion Studios,” said Houghton. Both he and Kristine had compliments for Seal Beach officials on whom cooperation was required to facilitate the production.
“We could not have done this without the support of the Seal Beach city officials and staff, who have always been supportive partners,” said Houghton.
Once edited, Houghton said the video will feature Kristine, of course, but will also showcase the city’s pier, the beach, and several community locations, including the United Methodist Church.
Moreover, Houghton said it is exciting to be able to work with a singer/songwriter of which he is a fan.
“Upon hearing Lola’s sensational voice and music via the music producer who creates original songs for many Dreamotion Studios’ projects (Justin Busch), I created the vision board and Lola loved it,” said Houghton.
Once they agreed on Houghton’s artistic vision, they met with city officials to discuss filming on the pier and other logistics. Both Kristine and Houghton said Tim Kelsey, Recreation Coordinator, was able to approve all of the projected locations so they green lighted the project.
“The Other Side” is from her latest album “Chapters,” which she said is her most active to date. In the video, the camera follows her along the journey through various cycles, when “we re-evaluate and come back home to ourselves,” said Kristine.
The Indy singer/songwriter said she studied jazz in college, which she said was very helpful in expanding her repertoire.
“I went to college for music,” she said, studying jazz. “That was really helpful,” said Kristine.
A native of St. Louis, she moved to the west coast in 2017 to pursue her recording and performing career.
She, along with Busch, wrote each of the 12 songs on “Chapters,” including “The Other Side,” for which the video is being produced.
“I find near death experiences very fascinating,” said Kristine, “so I was listening to a lot of people recount their near-death experiences and just hearing about what they would experience in heaven.”
“On ‘the other side’ is similar to what I experienced personally, when I feel these breakthroughs in my life here on earth,” the singer said. “It’s like you suddenly see past the lies and the illusions of suffering and you have this new sense of freedom.”
“It’s like finding heaven on earth,” she said.
“And in that process, we become a more whole person. And then we emerge out of this suffering and pain onto the other side, which is kind of like a new, a new reality and a way of like a life that’s more peaceful, a life that’s full of more bliss,” she said.
Houghton said after completing the “visionary” planning for the shoot, they knew they would need plenty of extras. “We put out a request for background talent,” said Houghton, “and members of the Seal Beach community were quick to respond,” he said with a smile.
In addition, Houghton said his daughter London played the role of young Lola in the video, which also features dozens of extras playing roles in various locations around the city.
Baylee Corona, who produced the project, said Houghton, “tied everything together so the filming could begin.”
On the day of the shoot, Houghton’s crew set up a homebase inside O’Malley’s on Main Street, giving the cast a place to rest, make wardrobe changes, have refreshments, etc.
Even with the best of plans there are surprises, however, and the onset of nonstop rainstorms from the atmospheric river did threaten the shoot. Nevertheless, right on cue, the weather system moved out the night before the planned shoot, so the filming went on without a hitch.
“We were nervous from about 10 days before with the weather report,” said Houghton, “but the rain stopped the night before the shoot was scheduled and we were able to film.”
“Working with Lola has been fabulous,” the filmmaker said, noting the project went smoothly and brought many smiles to the city.
“Baylee and I are fans of both her music, and her wonderful personality, and we could not be prouder, more delighted or more honored to be part of this project,” he said.
