Silkroad: Phoenix Rising – Concert Film Direction

Brief
As Silkroad transitioned from Yo-Yo Ma’s founder-led era to new artistic direction under Rhiannon Giddens, the ensemble needed a public-facing piece to anchor its post-pandemic relaunch. The goal was twofold: secure funder confidence and reintroduce Silkroad’s identity to audiences after a long pause. Capturing the first stop of their Phoenix Rising tour at A.R.T.’s Loeb Drama Center in Cambridge, MA, the film became both a fundraising tool and a narrative marker of generational transition.

Approach
The direction focused on more than documenting a performance, it was about translating Silkroad’s emotional arc to screen. A treatment and shot list were built to guide a four-camera team, balancing sweeping wide shots that emphasized collective energy with intimate close-ups that highlighted individual artistry. Camera movement was designed to mirror the ensemble’s dynamism: slow tracking during reflective passages, quick cuts and rhythmic pacing for climactic moments. Backstage and rehearsal coverage was integrated to add intimacy and texture, underscoring the human connection behind the music.

Role

  • Directed the full creative vision, from treatment and shot list to live execution

  • Supervised pre-show rehearsal coverage, backstage content, and live capture

  • Led a four-person camera crew, shaping vision while the DP executed technical strategy

  • Oversaw editing sessions to ensure narrative clarity and emotional cohesion aligned with Silkroad’s institutional goals

Impact

  • Two performances captured, with Yo-Yo Ma making a surprise appearance during opening night (board and funders in attendance)

  • Final film released across Silkroad’s YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram channels, reaching 149K+ collective views

  • Became a centerpiece of Silkroad’s relaunch communications, used in fundraising and positioning efforts under new leadership

  • Distinguished from typical concert films by balancing scale with intimacy, reinforcing Silkroad’s identity as both legacy institution and evolving ensemble

    Director of Photography was Nabil Abdulkadir