When Capano Management asked me to document the creation of a mural at the Henlopen Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, I jumped at the chance. I’ve worked with the artist, Christian Kanienberg of WISH UNLIMITED, on past projects, and I already knew the mural would be something worth capturing.

Titled Seaside Biographies, the piece turned out just as vibrant and layered as expected. But the real surprise was how much music changed the tone of the final video—and how important it is to get that part right early.

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🎬 First Cut: High-Energy, High-Paced

I’ll admit it: I love fast-paced, punchy music and edits. That’s where I naturally gravitate as an editor. So that’s what I delivered in the first version, high tempo track, sharp transitions, tight pacing. It moved fast and hit hard.

But alas, I am not the customer.

Capano Management needed something more refined and eloquent to reflect the tone of their brand, especially for a property like the Henlopen Hotel. Their feedback made it clear: the visual pacing and music didn’t align with their identity.

Watch the original version here:
Seaside Biographies – First Cut (High-Energy Edit)

This moment taught me a simple but important truth: music is the soul of any piece of moving picture media.
And it was shortsighted of me not to start with getting music approval first.
Put things in the right order, and everything else flows.

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📣 Real Talk: Music Isn’t Just Background

Because the original edit was cut tightly to the beat, replacing the track wasn’t a simple swap—it required a full rebuild. I slowed things down, softened transitions, and let the visuals breathe.

The footage didn’t change. But the mood did.

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🎬 Final Version: Slower, Softer, Stronger

With a more relaxed and elegant soundtrack guiding the structure, the piece came together in a way that truly felt like the Henlopen Hotel—calm, timeless, and welcoming.

Watch the final version here:
Seaside Biographies – Final Edit (Client Approved)

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🧠 What I Learned (And What I’ll Never Skip Again)

From now on, music selection comes first—not as a post-production patch, but as a creative foundation.

Here’s how I’ll handle it going forward:
• Share 2–3 curated track options with every client
• Get alignment on tone and brand direction before editing starts
• Build visuals around the approved music to ensure we’re telling the same story

It sounds simple—and it is. But it matters.

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🙏 Mad Props

Mad props to Capano Management for trusting me with this project and for being clear, honest, and engaged throughout. They’re not just shaping the coast—they’re developing communities throughout Delaware and into Pennsylvania, and doing it with attention to detail.

And of course, to Christian Kanienberg and WISH UNLIMITED—thank you for creating Seaside Biographies. It was a privilege to capture it in motion.

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🎥 Let’s Work Together

Have a mural, campaign, or place that deserves to be documented the right way?

Let’s talk about your vision—and the soundtrack that will help bring it to life.

Ready to bring your project to life? Let’s connect.