Inside the Making of “Crossroads”: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Mikey Bustos’ Sci-Fi Vision
For artist and director Mikey Bustos, the music video for “Crossroads” was never meant to be a small project. What began as a concept rooted in ancient myth quickly evolved into a large-scale world-building effort, pulling nearly eighty creatives into a production that blended fashion, prosthetics, practical sets, visual effects, and a philosophical core.
Below, Bustos walks us through the creative process behind the film — from assembling a massive team, to building entire spacecraft interiors from scratch, to anchoring the story in a message that mirrors the journey behind the song itself.
Check our interview with Mikey Bustos below.
A Collaboration of Nearly 80 Creatives
When asked how many people helped bring “Crossroads” to life — and who played key roles — Bustos describes a truly collaborative machine at work:
“Around 80 people were involved at making the ‘Crossroads’ music video come to life.
Key roles:
Director/Creative Director/Concept/Artist/Songwriter: Mikey Bustos
Executive Producer: RJ Garcia
Co-director/DOP: JC Gellidon
Assistant Director/Co-Creative Director/Production Designer: Larissa Casingal
Associate Producer: Connie Valera”
Three Months to Build a World
The production timeline reflected an ambitious scope. Bustos explains the process and overall time investment:
“The music video was produced in three months. Approximately 1 month of preparation, 1 day of shooting, and 2 months of editing.”
You can check out the BTS Vlog from the making of “Crossroads” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxo30epJN2Y
The Four Major Challenges Behind the Vision
From the beginning, the project demanded intense creative problem-solving across multiple departments. Bustos outlines the four biggest challenges the team faced:
“There were four primary challenges:
First, the fashion, makeup/prosthetics, and ship design had to be right in order to effectively build the world of the Anunnaki (an extra terrestrial civilization cited in ancient Sumerian texts who traveled to Earth and created humans). We had to research Annunaki stone carvings and perform several makeup and fashion tests to make the culture and look of the Anunnaki come to life and feel real on screen.
Second, the building of the sets, which took 7 days. We built two main sets in a sound stage, both of which were two storeys tall. The first set was a 360 degree space ship interior, and the second was a circular spa room with waterfall falling into a pool of golden water.
The third challenge was that we had to film all our shots in 14 hrs, which involved 3 hrs of makeup for each talent, and elaborate costume changes for the two main talents.
The final challenge was getting the visual effects to look right. We did some green screen work, but the magic was in the set which was mostly practical.”
A Favorite Moment: The Spa Scene by a Black Hole
Even in a production filled with world-building moments, one scene stands out. Bustos shares his personal favorite:
“The spa scene with the Anunnaki King and Queen are bathing (2nd verse) is my favourite scene. In the windows behind the characters, you can see the accretion disk of a black hole. My concept for that shot was the spaceship was docked near a black hole ‘recharging’ using energy from the black hole’s accretion disk. It made for a great sci-fi and cinematic moment in the video.”
The Meaning Behind “Crossroads”
The sci-fi setting is visually striking, but at the heart of the project lies a universal emotional message. Bustos reflects on the theme he hopes viewers won’t miss:
“Yes, in the music video, the Anunnaki made the difficult choice to leave their home planet and travel through the depths of space, risking everything for the primise of renewed life on the planet Earth. It perfectly embodies the message of the song ‘Crossroads’, which is that we all need a hard reset at some point in our lives in order to achieve a dream. If you push through the fear and take the risk, everything you seek and dream of awaits you on the other side.”
Check the music video below.
CREDITS
ARTIST: Mikey Bustos https://www.instagram.com/mikeybustos
MUSIC:
Written by: Mikey Bustos, Andrew Petersen, Bobby Brass
Mixed and Mastered by: Don Carlos Rios
MUSIC VIDEO
Directed by: Mikey Bustos, JC Gellidon
Executive Producer: RJ Garcia https://www.instagram.com/appleboyrj
Assistant Director Larissa Casingal https://www.instagram.com/larissacasingal
DOP/Co-Director: JC Gellidon https://www.instagram.com/jcgellidon
Concept by: Mikey Bustos
Featured Actors:
Max Collins (Anunnaki Queen) https://www.instagram.com/maxcollinsofficial
Joseph Bustos, Matt Barbers, Antonio Valdez
Associate Producer: Connie Valera https://www.instagram.com/amperhand?igsh=cGpxNjZvcTBub3lx
Creative Directors: Mikey Bustos, Larissa Caringal
Production Designer: Larissa Casingal
Set Lighting Designer and Art Director: Ninya Bedruz
Leadsman/Head Set Man: Toto Cortez
Casting Director: RJ Garcia
Camera Operator: JR Besa
Gaffer: JB Regala
Grip: Michael Culaste
BTS VLOG: Jeah Yason
BTS Photographer: Zaldine Jae Alvaro
BTS Videographer: Sean Aquino
Lights : Aputure Philippines
Video Production: RJ Garcia Events and Production/Fractal Studios
Editors: Fractal Studios, Mikey Bustos
Sound Design: Mikey Bustos
Fractal Studios Team: Chesca Perez, Michael Culaste, Sean Aquino, JR Besa, Zaldine Jae Alvaro
Mikey and Max Collins Stylist: Geno Espidol
Fashion Designer: Maison Soriano
Wardrobe for Male Talents: Rome Reyes
Property Masters: Jude Pagtakhan, Andrea Pagtakhan
Special Effects Make Up by: Studio de Pokado, Beauty & the Bee by Boombee
Special Effects Make Up Artists:
Rhum Tarog
Rami Tarog
Ronald Sardes
Roy Roca
Alfredo Balero
Janice Faderoga
Boombee Bartolome
Set Artists: Kris Samson, Gio Aquino
Set Team:
Mac Mac Joseph
Marlon Flor
Jowie Garzon
Carl Wowie Cortez
Maynard Joseph
Joey Dela Cruz Selidio
Alex Zander Cortez
Eduardo Vertudez
Patrick Alciso
Ronel Del Campo
Emanuel Pedraya
KC Cris Adamos
Marc Tenerife
Jun Reonisto
Vincent Mutuc
Conrado Cortez
PX Salvador
Set Artists
Kris Samson
Gio Aquino
Production Assistants: Denise Eduarte, Gian Rodriguez, Ellsie Gusto, Grace Gentiles
Drivers: Lee Bernard Gandia, Ervin Gainsan
