Hera and I first met on a brutally cold winter's day in Manhattan. We sat down for pastries and coffees, and before long our flippant introductions turned into soul-baring revelations. We shared pieces of our past and our philosophies on life. sat in front of me was a genuine and resilient performer; someone who had spent most of her adult life in-character, and was now looking for an opportunity to bare her true spirit to the world in a new format.
We returned to New York in February, and over two days worked together to capture Hera’s essence in iconic spaces — the DiMenna Center for Classical Music, the United Palace, the streets surrounding Juilliard and Lincoln Center — that reflected her passion and her history.
A Korean-born artist who has carved out space for herself in a historically European-dominated artform, Hera serves as a bridge... between the culture she grew up in, and the one she came of age in; between the classical compositions she studied, and the contemporary adaptations she delivers; between the confidence her job requires, and the humility with which she approaches it. Most impressive, Hera has the unique ability to channel life’s most difficult emotions into beautiful expression; and seeing her tap into her instrument up-close is something I won’t soon forget.
Thanks to an amazing team who braved the elements to make something special.
Director: Dan Buyanovsky
Producer — Kenton Cummings
Director of Photography — Kevin “GK” Frederick
Production Manager — Adam Chitayat
1st Camera Assistant — Niko Feldman
2nd Camera Assistant — Andre Fernandez
Steadicam — Franz Brun
Key Gaffer — Alexander Fischetti
Key Grip — Keve Huggins
Wardrobe — Alycen H . Case
HMU — Iona Moura
Production Assistant — Theo Douglas
Production Assistant — Jermaine Corey
Production Assistant — Michael Coccia
Covid Compliance — Mattheu Rivera
Editor + Colorist — Benjamin New
Sound Mixing — Robin Newman
Agency — CNN Create
Client — Genesis
