Made by Ned and Wendy the Band

Cast:

Lindsey Plotner

Jordan Plotner

Emily Cole

Jakob Ivri

Jenny Han

Tiara E Hendrix Primus

Maggie Ray

Coralyn Reinker

Chloe Stuff

A note from Jordan and Lindsey:

"Here, Now" is a call to be present in a world full of distractions, despair, and dissociation. It’s a reminder that to be alive is something to be awed by - and that, to connect with others while we are here, is even more incredible. It’s also kind of a bop.

The making of the song was one of meditation, mantra, and meticulous production by Ned and Wendy the Band (Jordan and Lindsey Plotner). The piece was in the works for over a year before the song was complete, and the video was an entirely new experience.

Jordan and I (Lindsey) sent out a call to the public for volunteers to meet us at 7am in 30 degree weather at the Washington Rose Garden in our hometown of Portland, OR. Amazingly, a creative, courageous, and colorful assortment of friends, neighbors, and complete strangers met us for our somewhat unreasonable (and very unseasonable) sunrise video shoot!

Jordan and I had spent the year in the studio envisioning how this song and its message could be brought to life visually. We worked together on the storyboard, and then in the actual shoot, I took the lead on direction and Jordan applied his eye for cinematography by filming. We each perform in the film as well, occasionally utilizing the ground or asking a cast mate to get behind the camera for shots that feature us together.

The overall creation was one that I think embodies the concept of the song - a group of people willing to be present, to come together and trust each other, and to celebrate our shared lives through music, dance, film, and nature!