Cyzon Griffin

As part of a summer internship at Birds Nest Foundation, four student filmmakers and myself were asked to sit down with and interview New York City based artists. As a musician, I knew I wanted this assignment to reflect my long-standing relationship with music. When we found Cyzon Griffin, we found someone whose passion for music was only amplified by their love and determination to the craft. This short film, scored by its subject, creates an intimate space out of Cyzon’s public stage.

It all happened relatively quickly. We received our video assignment and spent a few days scouring Instagram for artists to profile. Some of them were interesting, but most had little interest in entertaining our efforts. When we found Cyzon, (@cyzongriffin) we immediately reached out to ask where and when he could be found, and if he’d be willing to speak with us.

Less than twenty-four hours later we were lugging gear through Central Park, searching for the sound of a drumkit. We found Cyzon in The Mall as he was still building his kit. It was early in the morning. I asked him how often he was here, to which he quickly responded, “Every day, eight hours a day.”

Behind the drum set, Cyzon’s body relaxed. His mindset shifted. Starting slow, he builds a distinguishable rhythm. Before long, limbs start speeding up. The tempo throttles as unwilling spectators have no choice but to glance. Within a minute, Cyzon has created his stage.

At this point all subtlety has been thrown out the window. I was so mesmerized by the performance I forgot we were there on a job. Onlookers tip, and the occasional aspiring photographer will stop to take photos on a DSLR, but Cyzon does not stop. While this is his living, he’s not here for tips. Cyzon drums for his late mother, who passed after supporting his dream of moving to the city.

In its essence, this short film shows the inherent link between music and its impact on the life we choose to pursue. Music, as a form of expression, links the physical and the emotional.