Best known as one of Australia’s finest actors, Guy Pearce has also been impressing for years with his musical projects – the latest being this new video for the stunning title track from his debut record Broken Bones.
Guy shows off an impressive range, his voice flowing theatrically from rich, husky lows to soaring heights in tandem with a pristine orchestral backing. The video, produced by Michael Shanks, commands just as much attention, its stark tone and eery digital manipulation working an ideal complement to the sombre ballad as its inhuman depiction of Guy leads us deep into the Uncanny Valley.
As Guy details below, it took 48 cameras and a hi-tech studio in Tokyo to piece together, but the results were worth it. There’s one more clip on the way from the debut record, and Guy is already hard at work on a 2017 follow-up, recorded in LA with Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Joe Henry producing.
Guy spoke to us about the creative process behind the impressive clip.
“After working with Michael Shanks on my video for ‘Storm’ and ‘I Can Be Some Good’ (which will be the final video for this album) as well as his web series Wizards of Oz, the prospect of collaborating again was immediately inspiring,” he tells us.
“Michael talked to me about the idea of doing some form of ‘digital capture’ for the basis of the Broken Bones video. I was intrigued. We tried to make it work at a studio in France after us both had been at Cannes Film Festival in 2014, but unfortunately had to reconsider as that studio was closed for renovations.
“The only other place that offered the technology he wanted was in Tokyo. Coincidentally I was going to be in Tokyo to work on the film ‘Equals’ in mid-2014. Michael flew over and we booked time in the ‘4D Views’ studio.
“It was a fascinating process that required me to perform the song in a green screen stage with 48 digital cameras all around and above me. Michael was then able to utilise and change the image of me anyway he wanted.
“After then filming some forest footage back in Melbourne, Michael waved his magic VFX wand and created this video – a mysterious and evocative journey that takes the song to a whole new emotional level.
“I’m really thrilled with this clip and hope you are too! Thanks again Michael – you’re a genius.”
