Life Savers

The Fray Brings Its Act to Hollywood Center Studios

Hollywood Center Studios recently played host to The Fray, the Denver-based band that this month picked up two Grammy nominations for its debut release How to Save a Life on Sony. The group arrived at Stage 6 to shoot a video for the title track from the album with director Mark Pellington ofCrossroads Films through its music video division, merge@crossroads.

In Pellington's simple but beautiful execution, the band performs in front of a white cyc. Interwoven are images of children who seem to be laboring under a deep, emotional pain. The video, however, ends on a positive note that perfectly mirrors the song's theme of loss and redemption. It debuted on MTV December 6. Pellington has won many awards for his music videos for such groups as Pearl Jam, Nine Inch Nails, The Flaming Lips and Foo Fighters. He is also the director of the films The Mothman Prophecies and Arlington Road.

Crossroads Films brought the production to Hollywood Center Studios because it is one of few facilities with a hard wall cyc large enough to accommodate the shoot. "In addition to the stage, we needed a lot of support services," recalls Crossroads Films executive producer Joseph Uliano. "We had more than 60 talent and so needed a large holding area, as well as parking, hair and make-up, and, as many of the children were under age, room for studio teachers.

Being able to locate all of the support services away from the shooting space was important to Pellington's creative process. "This was a very intimate piece and Mark needed to have space to work with the musicians and actors," Uliano observes. "This film was all about a camera and people—and we needed a safe place to do it."

Uliano is no stranger to Hollywood Center. His first production company was based on the lot. "We like working at Hollywood Center," he says. "It has great parking and stages. It makes it easy."