The comedian has recently turned his hand to directing music videos ? with spectacularly odd results. We asked him how it feels to step into a boxing ring with a robot
Shaun of the Dead, Alan Partridge, the voice of Darth Maul ... Peter Serafinowicz boasts an impressive CV. Still, being able to say "You worms are no match for the dark side" in a menacing voice doesn't necessarily mean you're qualified to direct music videos.
This hasn't deterred Serafinowicz, who took up the music video challenge when Hot Chip asked him on Twitter if he fancied directing something for them. He came up with the bonkers video for I Feel Better. Now he's directed a second video ? for Alex Metric and Steve Angello's new single Open Your Eyes ? a Rocky spoof in which Serafinowicz dons gloves to face a robotic opponent. Thrillingly, it's just as stupid, funny and original as his darkly comic debut.
Seeing as it was about time someone caught up with him to find out what on earth he was thinking when he decided to laser a boyband to death, we got in touch to ask a few questions. But be warned: Serafinowicz's current favourite video is, in his own words, Not Safe For Anywhere. All will be explained ...
How did the idea come about for the Open Your Eyes video?
PS: I've always wanted to do a feature-length comedy remake of Rocky. My agent told me this was wasn't realistic so a music video based on Rocky was the next best thing.
How long did it take to shoot, and where was it made?
PS: The video was shot over two days in Philadelphia. I mean west London. Sorry, I'm eating cream cheese.
Who made the robot in the video?
PS: A hugely talented puppeteer/model-maker called Jonny Sabbagh. He sent me a video of himself wearing a cardboard-box version the day I told him about the script.
Where is it now?
PS: I think it's still in his workshop, being stared at forlornly by its cardboard prototype.
Did you have to work out for the part, or are you already built like Rocky?
PS: I did train for it, yes. Nothing like sheer terror to motivate you to exercise. I also wore high-waisted boxing shorts, which are pretty good at concealing a flabby belly.
Who else would you like to see in the ring with a robot?
PS: The day the video was released I found out about the film Real Steel, which stars Hugh Jackman as a man who trains to fight a boxing robot. Perhaps humans have now exhausted every idea?
Other than the understandable desire to laser-beam boybands, was there another meaning behind the Hot Chip I Feel Better video?
PS: That all music is evil, which incidentally is one of the few things me and the Taliban agree on.
What is it you find appealing about making music videos?
PS: I love the short, dynamic form, and that they actually get seen ? unlike "short films" whose audience is limited to the cul-de-sac of film festivals.
Would you like to direct more?
PS: Yes! It really is the best job. I'm just trying to put together my first feature film.
Do you have a favourite funny music video?
PS: Recently my favourite has been the extraordinary 16-bit scatological masterpiece for Trucker's Delight by Flairs, directed by J�r�mie P�rin. Warning: this video is NSFA (Not Safe For Anywhere).
If you could only take one music video to watch on a desert island, what would it be?
PS: Lose Control by Missy Elliott. Just when you think it's over, it morphs into a different song and back-references everything you've just seen. Astonishing.
Is there a music video that has made you cry?
PS: The video for Portishead's All Mine directed by Dick Carruthers made me cry tears of awe.
What sort of music do you listen to at home?
PS: At the moment: Siriusmo, Tyler the Creator and lots of other Odd Future stuff, Isol�e's new album is great, Die Antwoord, Feadz, Joanna Newsom, Grace Jones.
Are there any other artists that you'd like to direct a music video for?
PS: I would love to direct one for my favourite band, Boards of Canada. But if the song is good, anyone.
In an episode of Look Around You, you asked what music would be like in the year 2000.
What is your prediction for how music will sound in the future?
PS: Let's just say I don't think we've seen the last of Crazy Frog.
Leslie Bega Maria Sharapova Lindsay Price Zoe Saldana Rachel Perry
No comments:
Post a Comment