In the Wings -- Jennifer K Mahal

John A. Vitti is hoping to become the next Joseph McGinty, otherwise

known as Hollywood director McG. It’s not an impossible dream for the

22-year-old Chapman University senior who graduated, like his mentor,

from Corona del Mar High School.

“I’d like to follow in his career footsteps,” Vitti said of the

“Charlie’s Angels” director.

Vitti, who is interning with McG’s production company this summer,

will take his first steps toward that goal Thursday with the premiere of

his video for the Redline 5 song “MayFly.” The Newport Beach band will

play along with Nice and Caddywampus at the Galaxy Concert Theatre show.

“This will also be the first time the band will get to see the video,”

said Redline 5’s Scott Kramer.

Vitti, who shot the music video on 35-millimeter film, was a member of

Redline 5 when the band was known as Aces High. He played guitar and

sang.

“I kept in touch with the guys and went to film school,” Vitti said.

“I was looking for a band for a music video, someone gave me a CD, and I

liked it.”

Though he originally wanted to do the song “Born Again,” the band

already has a digital music video of it. So “MayFly” was brought up as an

option.

“It’s really powerful,” said Vitti, who co-produced the video with

cinematographer and fellow student Jeff McCoy. “It’s a slower pace,

different than their other songs.”

The video, which took three days, three locations and a 30-person crew

to shoot, tells the story of a girl who is remembering a perfect

relationship that she messed up. Scenes include her walking down the

beach reminiscing about the lead singer in the band, a fight by a pool

and the girl alone in a tub.

Vitti said he chose to do the video in 35 millimeter, the medium most

professional music videos are made in, because he wanted the quality.

“I think the band has potential,” said the director, who lists the

Doors among his favorite bands. “I’d love to do more work for them.”

Kramer said making the video exceeded all expectations the band had.

“It was a great experience for us,” he said. “Very professional.”

Vitti is busy trying to edit the 82 minutes of footage he shot down to

a 3 1/2-minute video with the help of John Hancock at Post Modern Edit in

Santa Ana.

He and the band plan to use the video, which will be transferred to

DVD, as a calling card.

“I just want people to see my work,” Vitti said.

As a side note, drummer Drew Englebrecht has left Redline 5. The

current band lineup includes Scott Kramer, Chris Kramer, Mika Grenier,

Hunter MacDonald and former Solomon Grundy drummer Mike Hamrock.

* * *

Do you know a local artist, writer, painter, singer, filmmaker, etc.,

who deserves to get noticed? Send your nominee to In The Wings, Daily

Pilot, 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627, by fax to (949) 646-4170 or

by e-mail to o7 [email protected]

* JENNIFER K MAHAL is features editor of the Daily Pilot.

FYI

WHAT: “MayFly” video premiere

WHEN: 7 to 11 p.m. Thursday WHERE: Galaxy Concert Theatre, 3503 Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana

COST: Free in advance

CALL: (949) 246-2776 or (714) 296-6747