Kate Hudson's "Right On Time" Music Video – A Stunning Visual Story Produced by Taillight & Directed by Shane Drake
- Mandy Goenner
- Mar 17
- 3 min read
Kate Hudson has captivated audiences for years with her acting prowess, but her transition into music has been equally mesmerizing. Her latest single, "Right On Time," comes to life through a breathtaking black-and-white music video produced by Taillight, a leading music video production company in Nashville, and directed by Shane Drake. With a vision rooted in nostalgia and artistic innovation, the video offers a symbolic telling of Kate’s mother, Goldie Hawn's life journey, while showcasing Kate's raw, emotional performance in this special ode to her mother.
The Vision Behind the Video
The concept for the music video started with a call from longtime Taillight friend and collaborator, Chandra LaPlume, who reconnected with director Shane Drake and Taillight for this project. "This was kind of a fun return to that relationship, where she called me a couple of months before the video," Drake shared. "The song wasn't released yet, and they were just trying to capture a certain vibe."
Originally slated to be shot in New York City, logistical challenges led to a last-minute shift to Los Angeles. Despite the change in location, the team was determined to maintain the video's poetic essence. "We lost the New York vibe, so we wanted to capture that magic in a new way," Drake explained.
A Unique Artistic Approach
Instead of traditional cutaway shots, Drake and his team devised an innovative visual technique: telling the supporting narrative through shadows. "I had this idea that maybe if we captured everything except for Kate as shadows, we could tell a very fun and unique story that felt even more original than just having B-roll cutaways," he said.
The shadow play features a young dancer evolving through three phases of life, symbolizing Goldie's own journey from dancer to Hollywood icon. "The dancer we got is an A-list professional who was just magnificent," Drake noted. "She truly captured that essence of professionalism, stature, and poise."
Capturing Emotion Through Performance
For Kate's performance scenes, the team opted for a stripped-down, intimate setting in a downtown Los Angeles loft. "When we moved the shoot to LA, the idea was really to just capture Kate in a very reflective yet beautiful setting," Drake explained. "We wanted a clean palette that let her and the song speak for themselves."
Adding to the classic aesthetic, the video was filmed in black and white, a choice inspired by iconic photography and vintage beauty ads. "You don’t see that as often anymore," said Drake. "I was excited to dive into that world and let the monochromatic display emphasize Kate’s performance."
A Harmonious Blend of Music and Movement
To enhance the visual storytelling, live string players were incorporated into the shadow sequences, interacting with the dancer’s movements. "We wanted this interplay between music and motion," Drake said. "We were able to take those shadows and shift them with the lights, creating a dynamic visual experience."
Final Thoughts
Kate Hudson’s "Right On Time" is more than just a music video—it’s a deeply personal and visually compelling piece that pays tribute to her mother while marking a significant milestone in her musical journey. The video achieves a rare blend of artistry, emotion, and innovation through Shane Drake's visionary direction and Taillight's expert production.
As a top music video production company in Nashville, Taillight continues to push creative boundaries, delivering standout visual storytelling for artists.
"I do love when a video allows me the freedom to move outside the normal boundaries and find a new creative way to tell a story," Drake reflected. "And I think this was an example of that experience."
Watch the captivating music video below and see more of Taillight Director Shane Drake’s award-winning work here!
Special thanks to the crew for their hard work:
Artist: @katehudson
Client: @sandboxent
Director: @shanedrake
EP: @matthouser
DP: @keithleman
Cam Op: @bobby_hewitt
2nd AC: Grace Thomas
Key Grip: @belioff
G&E Swing: @habertooth1
Gaffer: Mike Pedersen
PA: Jackson Coates
Wardrobe: Marc Eram
Makeup: @thetonyabrewer
Hairstylist: @marcusrfrancis
Contact: Taillight, Nashville: Music Videos, Matt Houser, Executive Producer, 615.385.1034, Matt@Taillight.tv
Taillight and Porchlight are premier production and creative companies dedicated to producing captivating and visually stunning content. Taillight specializes in creating entertaining and engaging content and programming for brands and artists, while its sister company, Porchlight, produces digital spots helping brands share their message in an authentic, powerful way.
For 25 years, Taillight and Porchlight have offered a 360 approach to providing the highest quality creative and production services for brands, agencies, and artists.