Ebuzz News
Archived: "Literal Bliss"- Differentology Director Describes Three Day Video Shoot
Magical. That’s the word used by video director, Nigel Thompson in describing the shooting of Bunji Garlin’s Differentology video which premiered on ETCETERABUZZ this morning. We caught up with Nigel on the eve of the video release and he said the production was magical because it’s very rare that a shoot would play off as this one did.
On set, Nigel Thompson makes magic happen with his Black Ice studios crew.
Describing his crew at Black Ice studios as the ultimate family – a family that he would throw himself beneath a bus for, Thompson said he had all hands on deck to aid in the eventual outcome. Explaining that should there have been more time to play with, there would have been even more to the final production of what we now call the Differentology video, Thompson said despite this, the three days of shooting was literal bliss. “Day two was at the quarry and the sun was blistering hot and there was a point where everyone seemed drained but Bunji was a real trooper. He stood there in the middle of the quarry. We had tents but they were way in the distance. I’ve never had a shoot that ever felt that way- it felt like something great was happening,” he said. Thompson, with a laugh in his voice mused over a memory which he shared with us. He said on day two, with the heat of the sweltering sun bearing down, a female crew member came over with an umbrella to Bunji. “He turned to her and asked her what she was doing and said, nah nah… I not into all that celebrity t’ing.”
Bunji Garlin’s personality is almost mirrored in the new video. His straight face, tough demeanor and sharp features leave a lasting impression as the frames flow to the end of the 4 minute 37 seconds long video. “You know a real performer when he’s shooting and you don’t have to tell him much. We gave him certain innuendoes and he just flowed,” marveled Thompson.
On why the final product took such a long time to complete, he explained there were two consecutive days of shooting however the third date was approximately three weeks after the second as there were some costumes that had to be completed. Proudly, he attested to the creation of every piece of costuming in Trinidad and Tobago, with the exception of a harness which he said was flown in from Canada for the artiste. “All of the weapons you’ll see in the video, the clothing- the gladiator helmets- all of that was made locally. The swords were real,” he said, adding that this augers well for the local film industry as it proves that everything the film makers may need, can be produced in Trinidad and Tobago. Thanking crew member Princess Donela for the support she gave to the team in sourcing the items that were needed, Thompson said they really couldn’t have done it without her help.
Black Ice Studio’s Nigel Thompson.
PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY NIGEL THOMPSON.
On the premise of the storyline, Thompson said he really tried to deliver visuals that were akin to the song. “I think the song itself speaks of carnival on one level but it also speaks metaphorically of who Trinis are. You look around the world and you see various countries and you gather stereotypical thoughts of people – a basic premise of who people are and what they represent across the world. The song highlights us as a party people but it also depicts who we are in a very creative sense. Everybody thinks of carnival relative to the drinking, partying and liming, but it’s not just about that, it’s about the togetherness, the passion, the love- which you rarely see for the rest of the year. I wanted to show this in the same carnival sense,” he explained.
His brother Keron Sheriff Thompson was the producer of the song and Nigel said he is proud of Black Ice Studio. He told us he had told everyone about Sherrif’s talent and now, it has been proven. “At the end of the video I hope everybody feels some sense of pride. These are the kinds of things that we do- the types of creativity we express. As a people, we used to do a lot of these artistic things – we need to keep the creative parts of carnival in the carnival,” he said. Thanking his team, he pointed out the members who he credited for their dedication to Black Ice Studios and to the project. Take a look at the list below.
- Director: Nigel Thompson
- Director Of Photography: Sean “Science” Edghill
- Assistant Director: Roland “Rembunction” Yearwood
- 2nd Assistant Director: Richard Rawlins
- 1st Assistant Camera: Damien Jobity
- 2nd Assistant Camera: Iscah Straker
- Gaffer: Selwyn Henry / Kerron Lemmessy
- Best Boy Electric: Ken Bailey / Selwyn Henry
- Storyboard Artist: Richard Rawlins
- Producer: Nigel Thompson
- Associate Producers: Kerima Rahim, Princess Donelan, Alana Ramlal
- Production Manager: Kerima Rahim
- Grip: Keegan Rudolfo,
- Driver / Transport: Navin Suchit
- Props: Frank Seales,
- Make up: Jennelle Orosco, Steven Taylor, Liz-Ann Jaggernauth, Christopher Rama
- Music Provided by: Rawle “Boobie” Edwards
- Costumes by: K2K Alliance. & Tribe
- Location: “Melau” Provided by TCL / Readymix
Ebuzz News
Trinidad and Tobago’s Voice Will Rep for Soca at Best of the Best 2026. Artiste’s Inclusion Shows Soca’s Global Reach.
He had one of the most memorable Carnival seasons with a Soca track that stole the hearts of Soca lovers in 2026 and now Aaron ‘Voice’ St. Louis is set to represent hard for the Soca music genre at the upcoming ‘Best of the Best’ Music Festival in Miami on May 26th. His appearance will be his debut to the highly anticipated festival and already, the energy is high.
Voice represents the bridge between Millennial Soca and GenZ vibes. ‘Cyah Behave Mehself’ was lapped up like good Caribbean food at Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago back in February, and it is expected to do the same as the international summer season approaches.
Set to take place on May 26th at Museum Park, Downtown Miami, Voice’s inclusion on the cast underscores the Soca genre’s continued global reach within a predominantly reggae and dancehall showcase. Known for his high energy performances and melodic songwriting, the Trinidad and Tobago three -time Soca Monarch King has built an extensive catalogue of hits that that has proven to resonate with a global audience.
Organizers say anticipation for Voice’s performance at Best of the Best, is high. “Fans are looking forward to a dynamic set that brings soca’s signature energy to the festival stage.”
Best of the Best Music Fest remains one of North America’s premiere Caribbean music events, drawing fans from across the region and Diaspora for a full day of live performances. This year’s lineup includes, Sizzla Kalonji, Beenie Man, Tarrus Riley, Capleton, Rajah Wild, Skeng, Vanessa Bling, among others.
Reggae
New ‘Jamrock’ Documentary Celebrates Unforgettable Moments. Cruise Returns to Jamaica After Hurricane Melissa, This Year.
Ahead of its 11th annual voyage in November, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise shares its story through a new film. VIBE premiered All in the Same Boat, a documentary directed by acclaimed filmmaker, Reshma B and produced by Boomshots TV that traces Marley and his manager Dan Dalton’s brainchild from a bold, outsider idea into one of the most culturally significant movements in reggae and dancehall today.
With over a decade’s worth of unforgettable moments pulled from the last 10 voyages, this 30+ minute documentary captures the spirit of a global reggae community built on shared identity, resilience, and reverence for Jamaican culture. It features iconic performances, real conversations with the artistes and DJs, and the heartbeat of it all: the “Jamrockers.” These are die-hard reggae lovers from over 40 countries who pull up every year for one reason – to feel that irreplaceable connection to Jamaican culture and keep the Marley message of “One Love” alive.
Having successfully navigated challenges including extreme weather and a global pandemic, the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise continues to thrive. Its 11th staging will return for its annual voyage from November 11th to the 16th, sailing from Miami aboard Norwegian Joy.
Stacked from foundation to future, this year’s lineup brings together reggae and dancehall’s most influential voices: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Stephen Marley (Traffic Jam Set), Burning Spear, Sizzla, Capleton, Beenie Man, Protoje, Barrington Levy, Elephant Man, Junior Reid, Lila Iké, Ding Dong & the Ravers Clavers, Tony Matterhorn “Man on the Moon”, Gyptian, 450, Richie Spice, Ghost, Mr. Lexx, Professor Nuts, L.U.S.T., Sister Carol, Sevana, Flourgon, Johnny P, and Jemere Morgan are confirmed.
The cruise’s famed Sound Clash at Sea will return alongside powerhouse sound systems including Stone Love (Geefus), King Jammy, Silverhawk Sound, Rory Stone Love, Renaissance Sound, Federation Sound, Warrior Sound, Rampage Sound, Kingston12 HiFi and Souljah1 Muzik, preserving a cornerstone of Jamaican music culture in its most authentic form.
Jamrock is a Premiere Reggae Event
The Jamrock experience has evolved into the premier reggae event at sea—one that continues to redefine how the culture is celebrated on a global stage. The five-day experience continues to immerse guests in the full spectrum of Jamaican life—from Nyabinghi sunrise sessions and sound bath meditations to dancehall workshops, fitness programming, and curated culinary offerings led by acclaimed Chef Lumley. A new addition this year includes a live theatrical production by legendary playwright Oliver Samuels, adding yet another layer to the cruise’s ever-expanding cultural canvas.
Following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in 2025, the cruise will return to Jamaica with renewed purpose, maintaining its distinction as the only chartered cruise with two Jamaican port stops. That commitment translates into tangible impact, generating millions annually for the island’s tourism and cultural economy while reinforcing a direct connection between the music, the people, and the place that birthed it.
As All in the Same Boat makes clear, Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise is a movement with its own rhythm, one that continues to bring the diaspora home, while inviting the world in. Since its inception in 2014, the mission remains the same: to create a space where reggae lives, breathes, and connects us all.
The documentary made its debut during the 10th annual cruise and later screened at Art Basel in support of hurricane relief efforts led by the Marley family’s Ghetto Youths Foundation. Damian Marley and Dan Dalton were executive producers of the film.
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