Hold your breath, as we dive into this mesmerizing underwater dance.
Brief
After learning of Watergun’s creative exploits, Becky from Saint Saviour approached us to create a music video for her brand new single, ‘This Ain’t No Hymn’.
The video’s concept was established early on: an examination of the beauty and grace of the jellyfish, nature’s most delicate monster.
Idea and Process
In our first development meeting with Becky, she spoke of her obsession with jellyfish. Surprisingly enough, Rafa had been trapped inside one of these sea creatures as a boy so creative juices flowed with ease, and the story began to unfold.
After initially researching textures and colours, our investigation led us to the extraordinary phenomena of a biologically immortal jellyfish called ‘Turritopsis Nutricula’. The idea was born: a breeding jellyfish, which rejuvenates itself and never dies.
As a location for the film, a crypt in the City of London provided the perfect backdrop for us to reference the religious themes of the song.
To help us create the illusion of the underwater world, we contacted costume designer Elisabeth Buecher. Elisabeth experimented with materials and lights for the costumes of the Queen Jellyfish and her dancers, while Colette Brandenburg, the choreographer, brought the routine to life with movements based on contraction and expansion.
Beyond the video
‘This Ain’t No Hymn’ won the PhinkTV Music Video Award 2012 and was shortlisted for the Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2011 in York, England.
Team
Directed by DOBLE R (Rafa Pavon + Ricardo Uhagon)
Produced by WATERGUN.TV
Executive Producer: Lucas de la Rua
Costume Designer: Elisabeth Buecher
Director of Photography: Nick Eriksson
Gaffer: Josh Paro
Saint Saviour: Becky Jones
Dancers: Kitty Bonner, Jade Champagnie, Alison Spink, Hannah Venet
Choreographer: Colette Brandenburg
Editor: Rafa Pavon
DIT / Postproduction: Eric Schockmel
Make Up & Hair: Sonia Bhogal
Make Up & Hair Assistants: Bianca Konig, Seung Lee, Monika Csutak
Costume Assistant: Georgia Bosson
Production Assistant: Amandine Radigue
Documentation: Lisa Tamburrano & Sara Dell’Erba
Warmest thanks to Julia Nutter
