In THIS INTERVIEW with indie hip-hop icon and film maker Chilla Pertilla, he talks about his past success and future behind the camera. Enjoy!
THIS: We’ve been watching your video work for years, long before we were THISENT.com. And your catalog so is extensive, one of our favorites is the stunning “Woke Up” by Jah Ku. Tell us a few of your standouts.
Chilla Pertilla: For me a lot of videos marked change in my work. 9tre’s “Count on You” is one of my favs. Me and Dolo 24 worked so hard on a video for his hit “Nightmare” only to have Youtube take it down.
THIS: You’ve recently stated you’re done making music videos, which surely shocked a lot of people. Looking back you’ve got more than 600 filmed and released with more than 4 million views. How do you feel about what you accomplished?
Chilla Pertilla: I feel good about it. I filled a vital gap for Muskegon, Michigan’s hip-hop scene. I put a lot of light on a lot of artists and honed my skills in the same shutter click. Ultimately, I really feel like I documented life in Muskegon from 2010 to now.
THIS: We recall you mix-DVDs and concert docs from back in the day, which were really good and ahead of their time. Did the style of videos you were making at all limit your creativity as a director?
Chilla Pertilla: Definitely. We live in this cancel culture, so artistry isn’t valued as much as repetition. The art of storytelling is less important in today’s videos. It’s more about effects and that get boring fast.
THIS: How did being a working father play into your decision?
Chilla Pertilla: As always, being a father means I have to prioritize my time. And being that indie hip-hop videos don’t have much of a budget, it’s a natural progress to move to other parts of the industry that it financially rewarding.
THIS: When you think about your future in film making, what director or movie comes to mind?
Chilla Pertilla: ‘Dolemite Is My Name’. I want to tell a story and, at the same time, entertain and teach. Edutainment.
THIS: This is a career turning point and you’ve always steered your own vehicle. Tell us what you’re working on that’s going to drive your future.
Chilla Perilla: Docs, docs, and docs. I’m working on a few documentaries, the first one is ‘Must Keep Our Sons’ which takes a look at the pain and lasting trauma of a small middle class factory community transformed into one of the worst places in the nation to raise children. |THIS.
[By Mr. Joe Walker]
