Travis Kelce was Taylor Swift’s #1 fan during the filming of the “Fortnight” music video.
Rodrigo Prieto, who was the cinematographer on the MTV VMA-winning and Grammy-nominated black-and-white video, told PEOPLE how the Kansas City Chiefs tight end came up for Swift, 34, while working on the video, which also featured Post Malone.
Swift — who directed the music video — previously praised Kelce, 35, when she won video of the year at the VMAs, so her admiration is clear.
The cinematographer calls Kelce a “lovely man.” “I would say it seems like their parents raised them well,” he says of the couple.
He also notes that the 14-time Grammy winner was “probably proud to show him what she’s doing.”
“She explores and thinks deeply about the concepts and ideas she comes up with,” Prieto says of Swift’s art.
Below, Prieto talks to PEOPLE about the moments that stood out while filming the music video, along with his storytelling processes and dedication to his craft.
Rodrigo Prieto and Taylor Swift at the 2024 MTV VMAs in New York.
Kevin Mazur/Getty
What do you admire most about Taylor’s art and the overall vision of her art?
It’s amazing to me that he has such a vivid imagination for music, lyrics and images. She is a storyteller at heart and uses all media at her disposal to express herself. It’s not just her songs, but also the world she created around her music.
Those who follow her can really immerse themselves in an experience that goes beyond albums and videos. I find it fascinating how he connects with his fans and invites them into his subconscious through his art.
Are there any memories from the set of “Fortnight” or any other video set that come to mind as examples of why Taylor is so good at her craft?
One thing I loved about being on set with her is that when we talk about a camera angle or a story moment in a video, she quietly sings the lyrics of that moment to herself. She connects each song with a picture. It’s never just about shooting random stuff to figure it out in editing. She creates a scenario where the images have a meaning that is intrinsically connected to the moment in the song.
Whenever I ask her a question about how the camera should behave, she will sing that moment to remember what inspired the visual idea. And it’s nice and inspiring to share those moments with her.
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Your first project with Taylor was the music video for “The Man” in 2019. What surprised you about her when you first met? Is there anything about her that fans might be surprised to know?
I don’t know if this is surprising to her fans or those who know her, but I remember very well all the visual references she put together for that encounter. You might think that someone with that level of success might be jaded or just relying on others to give her ideas, but she’s trying.
She researches and thinks deeply about the concepts and ideas she comes up with. She seemed like a much more experienced director, the way she talked about the filmic language of her ideas.
It didn’t feel like the musician was pretending to be the director, it felt like I was talking to someone who had deep experience in the role.
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She had so many amazing things to say about filming the “Fortnight” video and said on stage at the VMAs that her boyfriend Travis was kind of there as a hype man during the shoot. What was it like having him on set? What kind of energy did he bring?
Travis is a wonderful man. They both are. I would say it seems like their parents raised them well. They are not only polite, they are actually interested in what others have to say. I think she felt very supported by his presence, and probably proud to be able to show him what he does and what kind of leader he is.
She makes her own kinds of touchdowns! And her crew follows her lead, not just because she’s the boss, but because she’s shown herself to be a strong and inspired director.
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What else do you think the world can look forward to with Taylor?
Oh, she has so much energy and love for creativity, I’m sure it’s much more. She is unstoppable and her enthusiasm for her craft is infectious. I know they will continue to provide us with beautiful music, but they will certainly continue to expand us into other areas of creative work.
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Source: HIS Education