Producer at SMUGGLER, Manny Caston, embraces how beautiful the connection can be between audio and visual when done right in his top five picks
I am a big fan of music videos and the tether that the music has with the footage. It can be such a special balance that evokes an energy that is hard not to feel on the inside. Here is an eclectic group of five projects that I have enjoyed recently. Three are music videos and two are commercials, but I think all of them have a beautiful way of combining the music / sound and footage in unique ways...
Doechii - 'Crazy'
Agency: Top Dawg Entertainment
Production: Field Trip
Director: C. Prinz
Post: v01 Studio
Music: Doechii x Top Dawg Entertainment & Capital Records
Label: Capital Records
I love this song and video for so many reasons. The moment I saw the first ten seconds of this video I was hooked. The song has such a powerful sound while including lyrics on what it means to be “crazy.” Even the breaks in the song are timed out so well while also letting you get a breather from the beautiful chaotic beat you are hearing. And of course the wardrobe or lack thereof is such a special element to the video while also still being tasteful. Great job all around!
Moncler Voices - 'Ireti'
Agency: Moncler
Production: NGFX
There are so many reasons to love this piece. I really enjoyed the simplicity of each shot along with the composition which is so on point that each shot feels more impactful. Shooting on film can bring out a realness in what you capture in ways that digital oftentimes can’t. I was drawn to the irony of these people wearing such big Moncler jackets in a climate that doesn't require them. It is off the beaten path of what you would expect to see, eg) snow. I also like how the score is so intentional in the story and comes more to life near the end of the piece to give you a sense of peace.
Converse - 'Lost for Language'
Agency: pgLang
Production: project3 x Huffman Creative
Colour: Company3
I look at this piece in three acts and the totality that are all creative and special. The first act shows the shoelace and the weaving that can be done with it. So simple, but there is also a synergy in the movement of it. The second act is where things ramp up, the music starts playing and the reversal shots amp up. The final act has the 360 camera rotation. But my favourite part is when you skim through the video backwards on the timeline it tells the true story. It has been done before, I just really like this iteration.
Joji - 'Glimpse of Us'
Agency: 88rising (Label)
Production: Stink Films x Grin Machine
Director: Dan Streit
Sound: Joji x 88rising
I am a huge fan of documentaries and media that captures real life moments to form one cohesive piece. This age-restricted video is so special because you would think that the music and footage alone would not go together at all. The edit is done so well in the way the cuts speed up to a fast montage then slow down to match the song. It gives you a little anxiety but nonetheless in a way it also keeps you intrigued and emotional. This is not a traditional video and I couldn’t be more happy with that.
Pharrell Williams ft. 21 Savage, Tyler, The Creator - 'Cash In Cash Out'
Production: DIVISION
VFX: Electric Theatre Collective
Label: Columbia Records
I don’t think I need to say much about this choice. The animation - which features CGI claymation-like figures - is out of this world and truly makes this a masterpiece. It took over a year to make and that is the epitome of putting in the work for the love of art. The carousel-like apparatus called a zoetrope is so intricate and this is one of the best versions I have ever seen. Such a creative concept and overall great video!
