Chasing Corona to unveil music video shot on naval base

Local rock band Chasing Corona will unveil a music video Friday that's a rarity even in this military town.

It is the only band in memory to have filmed a music video at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base. It helps to have connections: Lead vocalist Cole Childers and guitarist Brian Farley are petty officers second class and first class, respectively. The band's manager is Senior Chief Petty Officer Andy Sutter. All are stationed at the base.

Still, it took months to get approval. The video for "Sand to Stone" tells the story of a boy who grows up in a violent home and later joins the Navy to create a better life for his wife and child.

Another story unfolded on a cold day as they filmed the video while the wind whipped in from the Chesapeake Bay.

10:37 a.m.

Childers and Farley, who have been filming scenes at other locations since dawn, meet drummer Johnny Tatum and bassist Kevin Palos on the base at Assault Craft Unit 4. In a Go Team-style moment, they form a circle, put their hands together in the center and do a cheer.

"Lots of drama in rock bands," Childers says. "We're just trying to stay focused; sometimes we have to give each other bear hugs."

Sutter, the band manager, two-way radio in hand, leads the band members to the water for the hovercraft scene.

Communicating with the engineer onboard the craft, he coordinates each shot with Scott Hansen, director of the video. Sutter tells the hovercraft operator, "Let us know when you hit 500 yards."

The LCAC hits the beach sounding like a whirling windstorm.

"We're going to get sandblasted for a moment," Childers says.

11:19 a.m.

Hansen, with megaphone, calls the band over to shoot its scene on the LCAC.

Cameramen take several shots of the hovercraft ramp lowering and closing.

Two sailors, toting unloaded rifles, appear in front of the craft, which measures 87 feet by 47 feet, as band members walk off the ramp.

"That was a practice run," Childers says as he walks in a zig-zag motion past the camera and crew, trying to figure out which way to go.

"One more time. Action!" Hansen motions for the band to stay centered, separating in front of the camera two-by-two.

1 p.m.

The maintenance bay at Beach Master Unit 2, which is like a big service station, is filling up with extras - base personnel, friends and family - pretending to be concertgoers and military spouses for the performance and homecoming scenes.

A crew testing light and sound gets the stage ready as a giant American flag serves as backdrop and red, white and blue lights flash.

Tatum, the only band member onstage, is behind his kit wearing headphones and making drumming motions. "Kevin and I weren't on the original CD recording. I play my part totally different, but for the video I'll actually be playing with the PA system and will have to match up the beats."

1:51 p.m.

The first sound comes from the speakers - it's Farley's guitar. The extras roar, even without direction or any cameras rolling.

Childers, with eyes shut, takes the mic and begins singing the first line, then stops.

"Thanks for your enthusiasm, it's been great," Childers jokes with the extras.

"We're ready," Hansen says, and tells the crowd to lift their hands up in the air.

2:05 p.m.

With camera rolling this time, Hansen yells, "Action!"

As the crowd sways back and forth with hands waving in the air, Childers' face turns scarlet from belting out the lyrics. His left foot is pressed on top of the monitor in front of him as he showcases his lyrics, "And start over again."

Hansen yells, "Cut!"

The band takes a break, then Childers motions to the crowd with four fingers - indicating the fourth take.

"And you thought it was going to be a lot more fun than this, didn't you?" Farley teases the crowd as they nod and smile.

2:32 p.m.

"Action!"

Taking the mic, Childers strikes a pose, and the crowd laughs. They perform the song several more times.

"It's a wrap!" Hansen announces at 2:57 p.m.

"Let's move on to the homecoming scene."

Sutter shouts, "Where's the 'Welcome Home Daddy' sign?"

In all, the 5-minute-11-second video takes from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to shoot.