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Manifesto

Taurean Washington is a painter who's style originates from a strong hip-hop music influence in his life. Now he comes full circle as an artist and uses music to share his paintings.

  • Les Owen
    Director
    Diversity in the Long Gray Line, Victory Remembered
  • Taurean Washington
    Writer
  • Les Owen, Steve Owen
    Producer
  • Taurean Washington
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Music Video
  • Genres:
    Hip-Hop, Rap
  • Runtime:
    2 minutes 34 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 5, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    HD
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Les Owen

Les Owen has pursued professional careers in both music and filmmaking. He received a Bachelors and Masters degree in music from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. Les successfully auditioned as saxophonist in The United States Army Field Band, Jazz Ambassadors in Washington DC. in 1983 and later went on to the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”, also in Washington. He served his country for over 32 years as a musician, educator and producer in these elite organizations. During that time he performed throughout the United States and around the world as well as The White House and other highly visible venues.
It was during his service in The United States Army Band that Les explored a strong interest in filmmaking. He started his own production company, Treehouse Dreams Films, in 2005 and began producing various videos and short films which eventually included projects for The Army Band. As the band added more and more visual components to their live performances, Les was tasked to become the first full time Video Producer for The U.S. Army Band. He created invaluable productions used by the band, as well as top U.S. Army leadership, for marketing, archiving, promotion and international public relations.
Since retiring from The Army Band Les has produced a number of successful award winning documentaries and continues to have his films screened in film festivals and television broadcasts across the country and internationally.
Today, Les is the Broadcast Manager and Video Producer for Arlington National Cemetery Public Affairs in Arlington, Virginia.

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Director Statement

"Manifesto" is Les Owen's first music video which was inspired by his friendship with Taurean Washington, a painter who was in turn inspired to record a hip-hop video. "Art-Hop", which is how Taurean refers to his paintings, is an homage to the music and artists that have influenced Taurean in his journey as a painter. "Manifesto" is a further tribute but now in a musical setting. The video was shot in two locations with only the director and the artist present to make it happen. The lyrics were written by Taurean and the music was written and engineered by Steve Owen aka Santkilmajik.