Frustrated by the limitations of print design and finding himself working for the local council, former graphic designer Adriano Gazza decided to learn the dark art of animation. And are we glad he did – his music video The Wave is part moving Rorschach test, part psychonautic journey and a whole lot brilliant.
I read that the video was inspired by the concept from Amplifier’s upcoming album Octopus. What was that concept and how did you go about bringing it to life as a film?
The concept of the album ‘The Octopus’ to quote Neil from the band is “the idea of an energy that can attach itself to a host and control its decisions and influence its actions.”
As I understand it, the Octopus concept is more than the album by the band, it’s something that should grow outwards, becoming bigger and evolving. I can’t really do the concept justice, but if you are interested, head over to amplifiertheband.com and read some of the interviews the band have conducted. There’s also theoctopus.info, for more, er, info!
As a video, it really takes the viewer on a journey – a pretty psychonautic journey! – was that something you were conscious of when making the film?
Thanks, thats the idea! Sel (Balamir, Singer and Guitarist of the band) was very clear in wanting to create a psychedelic journey for the viewer, also saying that it should have a fractal, evolving nature. I put together a moodboard and rough storyboard, citing The White Stripes ‘Seven Nation Army’ video, Gnarls Barkley’s brilliant video for ‘Crazy’ by Robert Hales/Blind, plus loads of references to Kubrick’s 2001, Buddhism etc, basically where my mind was at at the time. I wanted to give it a beginning, middle and end, so I stated that it was a journey through a person’s mind’s eye, through a positive and negative ‘trip’ (like a ‘wave’), then back out again. He loved it and we went from there!
What was the greatest challenge you faced making the video?
The greatest challenge making it was working on this whilst also doing my day job (motion graphics and video in the corporate field), and also coordinating the work of three other friends (including Joseph, my best mate out in LA at the moment) all with similar day jobs. Breaking the job into sections we could work on and then reintegrating into a whole was something more guided by instinct and loose guidelines than really tight style guides, but happily it all worked really well, and we completed it in about 6 weeks of spare time and long nights! After the first rough cut (completed late on Christmas eve), Sel decided that we needed a unifying element which I agreed. So he went off and a friend shot him lipsynching, which I integrated (along with separate footage of eyes) into the whole. It all came together really well, and there are only minor tweaks I would make to it now.
What’s your background in film and animation?
I started off as a graphic designer /illustrator and ended up working for Westminster council in an internal design team. I soon got frustrated by print design and we had started to create corporate videos which was more absorbing for me. I reached a crossroad and went to do an MA in Motion Graphics at Kingston University. After this I freelanced for a few years, worked on shorts and commercials as a runner, online animations, pretty much anything. I then ended up in my current role while still doing my own freelance projects and music videos.
What inspires you?
I’m constantly inspired by so many working artists and designers, film and music video directors such as Matt Mahurin, Sam Bayer, Floria Sigismondi, Frank Darabont, Pixar, Jan Svankmajer and Dave Mckean, and countless others. Browsing through record shops is always a comfort and source of inspiration, as is looking at great art or visiting an interesting gallery or museum. Also the people in my life, past and present and my family and loved ones inspire me daily.
Aside from The Wave what other pieces of work are you proudest of?
I’m proud of lots of my work but still feel I’ve so much to do and learn, so I’ll say I’ll be proudest of the work yet to come!
