Director Jordan Bahat crafts a wondrous vision for Allison Ponthier’s latest single, the title track off the 25-year-old singer-songwriter’s debut extended play record “Faking My Own Death.”
“Allison has created her own cinematic universe, filled with characters who have been living inside of her head,” said Bahat, who is repped by production company Golden. “And now, along with production designer Liam Moore, we’ve developed the tools to go out and realize them.” The idea for “Faking My Own Death” revolves around one such character: Buzz Newton, an Evel Knieval-like stuntperson accelerating towards their death wish feat by feat.
From bicycling atop a high wire across the Grand Canyon, to skydiving from a Zeppelin with arms padlocked in chains, the singing daredevil escalates through each sequence in a world of miniature, giving it a gleefully campy, otherworldly feel.
Having previously helmed Ponthier’s videos for “Cowboy” and “Harshest Critic,” Bahat, known for his gender-blending visuals, stretches his artistry even further into unexplored areas in this latest film.
“I have done projects involving animation, but never miniatures, so there was some discovery while playing on the technical end,” said Bahat. “Along with [DP] Niko Wiesnet, Liam Moore, and the lovely folks at Studio Linguini, we giggled through the process, pushing the amount of craft we could jam into a really absurd idea. Bringing Allison into this elaborate mini-world achieved just the right degree of childish strangeness, while also being nerve-wrackingly technical.”
The bulk of the shoot was spent constructing and shooting the model mini-sets, then compositing the very real artist within the splendidly imagined world. Thinking as a hive mind, Moore concepted the lush backdrops, while L.A. and London-based Studio Linguini built all of the miniature sets and figurines, and handled the opening animation sequence and stop-motion work. Color grade by Aubrey Woodiwiss imbues the visual with a style that feels nostalgic yet dazzlingly fresh.
The final shot reveals Ponthier as Buzz Newton, laying down in an open grave and laughing. A stunned, borderline romantic expression flashes upon her face right before the mini-crane stiffly dumps dirt onto her body, delivering an unexpectedly delightful payoff as our antihero achieves the ultimate stunt at last.
CreditsLabel Interscope Michelle An & Chelsea Dodson, commissioners. Production Company Golden Jordan Bahat, director; Matthew Marquis, exec producer; Kristen Brancaccio, producer; Briana Goldberg, production manager; Emily Blackwell, coordinator; Niko Wiesnet, DP; Liam Moore, production designer; Shirley Kurata, costume designer. Miniatures & Stop Motion Studio Linguini Nick Cinelli, creative director; Jenny Shaughnessy, producer; Lisa Ott, puppet maker; Connor Hayes, Minghuei Huang, art assistants. Editorial Cut+Run Stacy Peterson, editor. Sound Design & Mix Keith Ruggieri. VFX Ingenuity VFX Color Aubrey Woodiwiss, colorist.
Top Spot of the Week: Director Jake Scott, Paramount Brand Studios “Make Your Gameday Epic” In “Gladiator II”-Inspired Pepsi Spot
Nearly 20 years after Pepsi’s “Roman Empire” made its mark on pop culture, the brand is returning to the arena with a colossal Gladiator-themed campaign titled, “Make Your Gameday Epic™.” Celebrating the start of the 2024 NFL season and the highly anticipated release of Paramount Pictures’ Gladiator II in theaters on Nov. 22, this short film--directed by Jake Scott via RSA Films for Paramount Brand Studio features Megan Thee Stallion, as Empress Megan, leading a legion of NFL superstars turned Gridiron Gladiators, including Josh Allen, Derrick Henry, Justin Jefferson and Travis Kelce, locked in an epic battle with ice-cold Pepsi at the heart of the action. A brand-new gameday anthem from three-time, Grammy award-winning artist Megan Thee Stallion soundtracks the campaign. The unmistakable “boom, boom, clap” from Queen’s epic track “We Will Rock You” is featured on a fresh sample with cutting new lyrics from Megan. The new track became available on all major music streaming platforms, and ahead of Megan hosting the 2024 MTV VMAs last night (9.11), where the track and music-video inspired spot were heard and seen throughout the show. “I’m honored to follow in the footsteps of the legends who appeared in this Gladiator campaign 20 years ago and proud to have carved my own new legacy,” said Megan Thee Stallion. “Pepsi really brought the worlds of music, sports and entertainment together in a powerful way to set off the new NFL season.” The spot opens with Lamorne Morris and Jake Lacy peering into a can of Pepsi Zero Sugar as it transforms into a colosseum. Empress Megan calls the shots, and the royal roster of NFL players are at her command as they all vie for her favor and a sip of an ice-cold Pepsi... Read More