We were fortunate enough to collaborate with Dean Lewis on his single “Falling Up” and filmed a live piano version of the track at the Sydney State Theatre.
Stills by Jared Leibowitz
Our cinematographer Billy Zammit
Old Building Sessions - Episode Seven!
Ahead of their performances at Melbourne Music Week on the 19th of November, we caught up with Melbourne based singer/ song writer’s Gretta Ray & Ainslie Wills.
In this instalment of OBS, we took a different approach with two artist performing one song each in the same space. To coincide with their performance at Melbourne Music Week 2018, Gretta Ray & Ainslie Wills joined us at the Young Husband Building in Kensington, Victoria.
After the recent release of her debut album Gretta has gone from strength to strength with sell out tours, a steady growing fan base and an amazing live captivating performance. Playing the opening track of the aforementioned album, we present ‘When We’re In Fitzroy’.
Watch the full video below
Also taking part in the same showcase during MMW was Melbourne based singer song writer Ainslie Wills. Mixing things up a bit, Ainslie decided to do a cover. Creating her own rendition of Eurythmics track ‘Here Comes The Rain Again’. It’s sombre notes and vibe create a totally new feel to the previous up beat/ dancey track.
Watch The full video below
For tickets to the November 19th Melbourne Music Week show click here
For more on Old Building Sessions, please head to our main OBS page or contact us to get involved.
New Release!! Wildfires - Jenny Mitchell
35mm Photos by @rcstills
Lighting guru Wilson makes things happen.
Up and coming talent - Jenny Mitchell - put out her first release and single ‘Wildfires’ recently, we were lucky enough to be asked to put something together for the New Zealand(more specifically Gore) singer. Ahead of the 2019 album release we collaborated on this first piece with Jenny.
Wet weather options.
Shawkat pulling the sharps on some B-roll.
Sam prepping Jenny for one of her first takes.
Senie getting into character
DP Joel Egan getting some B-roll
The creative element stemming heavily from the song lyrics bring in all the elements of relationships and their tipping scale of emotions. Following the lines of insecurities actions, we see the closeness of new romance and the subsequent results of missing dialog, assumptions and the counteracted reactions to said assumptions.
Cast and Crew chilling between takes.
Director Bradley Murnane on location at one of our final scenes
Lucas and Senie conversing pre-take.
Talking with Jenny about the song & production she had this to say: “Wildfires a story of distrust & disloyalty & I really wanted to create a clip that got inside the minds of those who end up stuck in those situations. The way that the narrative shifts from gentle moments, to the chaotic fighting scenes is a very honest portrayal of how it can feel to be wrapped in a toxic relationship.”
Working with Spilting on this project was an absolute dream come true. I am a super big fan of their other work & knew they would bring a unique approach to the visuals for my track. Not only did we have a heap of fun on set, the finished product was so much more than I could have ever expected & I’m so glad I chose to work with Rick & Brad. “
Toast
The full video below.
New Release!! Redemption - Tori Forsyth
Photos by Seb Kaczorowski @sebkazdop & Madeline Valentinis @madeline_valentinis
In our third collaboration with alternate country artist - Tori Forsyth - we see a turn to a more darker visual and theme - witches. Shot in rural Newcastle surrounds we focus heavily on the theme of the term witch hunt and all that it encompasses.
The amazing and at times eerie backdrop was very much at the forefront of this particular creative. At times acting as an almost silent character in the piece. This was needed to help push the idea of the underlining theme. Mixed with the double exposure effect we wanted to push the unease and overall haunting vibe that was at the very centre of the creative concept.
In previous collaborations with Tori, we’ve always worked on a very much free flow of ideas. Tori’s ability to get into any character we’ve thrown out there has always made the task an easy evolution. Her role as the head “witch” was no exception to the rule. As you can tell from the moment she graces the screen, the embodiment of this character is all her own. With the addition of a new character to our previous videos with Tori, our little escapee - Ivy Bell - steals the screen in her attempt to evade her captures.
Watch below for the full video.
Woe, My Heart - Oh My My
35mm Photos by @shawkat husseini & @rcstills
Dancers Alex & Anna between takes
The second release in from producer Oh My My - 'Woe, My Heart' continues the visuals from the previous release we did with him. This time the subjects taking on a more delicate and sombre role to the previous clip. All filmed within the confines of a white cyc, harmonious and soft neons mixed the glitched out effect relay the complex narrative and undertones of the songs foundation.
Director Bradley Murnane
Oh My My aka Sam Thomlinson had this to say on the song - "Musically this song is all about the piano and vocal. I tried not to sully those parts with too much embellishment. There are moments where I’m really trying to show the heartbreak in the lyrics with disjointed chord changes; other times I’ve tried to use ambient whispering and talking to reflect the feeling of being locked in your own thoughts.”
Similar to the previous piece in the series, at its core this was a collaborative effort. Working with dancers Alex & Anna, we in essence, melded within the choreography of their movements. The added element of singer Jarred Young(of Bad Pony) glitching in and out of the scenes adding another dimension to the piece as a "somewhat" continuation and evolution.
Watch below for the full video. Also check out the artists facebook page to keep up to date on all things Oh My My.
New Release!! Royal - Vice Dreams
photos by Angus @gussi.i
Director Rick and Art Director Bianca sussing the visuals
We're super stoked to to present our latest video for the Universal Music Australia team. Filmed in Melbourne, we were put in charge of creating the new image and direction for Harrison Craig's 'Vice Dreams'. With the help of our amazing crew who all went above and beyond for this one, we were able to create this neon themed world. Bianca Milani at the realms is always a sure fire way to get things done. DP Joel Egan with his light metre in hand helping to get the lights and exposures on point. All these elements and more went into creating this dream-like visual.
DP Joel and gaffer supreme Alex Wilson at the forefront of the shoot.
Harrison & Rick discussing the finer details
Due to the single day shoot, everyone one on set was required to help shift scenes, lights and art dept. straight after the cut of the set. The fast paced nature of the shoot, meant a v narrow window for each scene. Not the most ideal of situations, but we managed to pull it off without a problem. This was a facet of team work that was second to none.
HMU legend Sam Pearce working with lead Darcy on her 'dream' state make up
All hands on deck
Watch below for the full video.
OLD BUILDING SESSIONS - EPISODE SIX - Ben Salter
Ben Salters vocal range and ability are second to none. His unique song writing style and captive melodies are at the forefront of everything the embodies an Australian song smith. Having a chance to capture this and within the space we did was an amazing experience all the while being quite sombre in mood.
Filmed in an abandoned two story skate park lined with bowls, ramps and all the trimmings created a truly unique and echoed sound. Which married with Ben's vocals added elements and tones like we'd never experienced before. Listening to the details reverberate off the curved surfaces made a complete sound, almost too hard to capture.. almost.
Watch Ben Salter perform his song 'Gas Guzzler'.
Watch all the videos from this episode and more here.
OLD BUILDING SESSIONS - EPISODE FIVE - Claire Anne-Taylor
We've always been a huge fan of Claire Anne-Taylor's music. The depth of soul and realness that is imbedded within her song writing is captivating enough. Let alone just being a genuine awesome human. So when the opportunity came up to film an OBS with her, we jump at the project!
Filmed in New Norfolk's longtime abandoned nurses quarters, a section of the huge complex that was Willow Court Asylum - for the mentally ill and disabled. Willow Court is the oldest, continually run asylum located in the Island State of Tasmania, Australia and had its heritage start before 1827. Closing its doors for good in early 2000, its been left to slowly decay over the last 18 years, with many a visitor stopping in to walk the once occupied corridors and holding cells.
Watch Claire Anne-Taylor perform her song 'Man Behind The Moon'.
Watch all the videos from this episode and more here.
Send Me Away - Steve Tyssen
Steve Tyssen's latest offering from his fourth solo album "You're Gonna Feel It In The Winter" is an emotively telling song, with all the throwbacks making 'Send Me Away' a culmination of longing, heartache and nostalgia wrapped into one neat package. The video uses Melbourne's city outskirts as a backdrop for a suble narrative of two people separated by time.
The full album can be heard below.
The idea behind the video was to create a simple visual based around the isolated characters. The two individuals are played by Steve Tyssen and the ever angelic Lewis Macmaster. The video uses a dome narrative, where the characters are stuck inside an industrial dimension, separated by time. We feel they know each other, tracing each others footprints and searching for something. Leaning on the idea, that we are all one.
Watch the video in full and don't forget to head over to Steve Tyssen's page to keep updated on all things ST.
Animal House - Oh My My
Photo - Shawkat Husseini
Our latest release with up and coming producer Oh My My sees us wedged somewhere between industrial and clean studio settings, much like the track "Animal House" itself. Filmed around Melbourne the pulsing track now forms the soundtrack to a powerful narrative featuring two individuals, some intense dancing and warm embraces: According to Sam Tomlinson aka Oh My My - "I wanted the concept behind the lyrics to be conveyed by two people interacting and aggressively dancing with each other, in this kind of push and pull vibe. Just like a destructive relationship. Anna McCulla and Alex Warren who feature in the clip put their all into it. It was a massive shoot and a massive effort from everyone involved. I was in complete awe of their direction and professionalism. The arts community is truly an amazing place, it’s so supportive and helpful."
Photo - Shawkat Husseini
Photo - Shawkat Husseini
This piece at its core was a complete collaborative effort with everyone having some form of input across all facets. Rather than take the reigns and create a piece based on our interpretation we worked alongside with Sam and the dancers Alex and Anna in taking their movements and style and meshing it with our cinematography team. The results we feel are truly a visual emersion at its core, complimenting the music.
Photo - Shawkat Husseini
Watch below for the full video. Also check out the artists facebook page to keep up to date on all things Oh My My.
Photos by Spilting Films & 35mm by Shawkat Husseini