Music videos aren't dead, but they are changing
A word from our EP
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Video production blog
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A word from our EP — Video production blog —
Sometimes I look back on what I’ve achieved as a producer on next-to-no-budget and I’m amazed, proud, and reminded why I don’t own a house. Music videos truly are the ultimate passion project: a creative collaboration that brings together two of the most prolific art forms to create something new. They don’t just tell a contained story; they’re also integral to shaping an artist’s image and brand for their long-term trajectory.
Cultivating a Relationship with Blaq Carrie, Queensland Rapper
One of the most rewarding relationships of my career as a music video producer to date has been my ongoing collaboration with Queensland-based Zimbabwean-born hip-hop Artist, Blaq Carrie. I found her tracks on Triple J Unearthed and knew we just had to make it work. It was BC (TsiTsi Mafuta) who gave me my first opportunity to direct a music video. Her trust in me and faith in my capabilities as a fellow female creative gave me the courage to make the move from creative producer to director.
The music videos we’ve made together include ‘Musashi Freestyle,’ ‘Sendereka,’ ‘Lemme Ride,’ and ‘Since 2010.’ These back-to-back collaborations are a testament to the power of partnership and the magic that happens when an artist and producer share the same vision.
Expanding my horizons with music video production in Sydney
When I relocated to Sydney from Brisbane, I had the opportunity to produce and direct two exciting projects that expanded my creative horizons. With my trusty multi-award-winning DOP Kevin Khang by my side, I directed ‘Everyone Can Be a Unicorn,’ a whimsical kids’ music video for Erin Canty and Piccolo Ponies in beautiful regional NSW. We also shot ‘Armed’ in the inner Sydney suburb of Paddington. This experimental dance film paired Hugo Poulet’s professional contemporary choreography with his electronic music.
The delivery for this project was unique: five 9:16 vertical videos of up to 30 seconds for TikTok and Instagram Reels, alongside a 16:9 full-length film capturing the narrative in its entirety. Stepping into new territory allowed us to experiment boldly, playing with techniques like step printing and dynamic handheld movements. When paired with a dystopian grade that complemented the unique location, the result was an otherworldly visual experience.
Filming Music Videos for a Gold Coast Punk Band
Another series of music videos I produced and directed in Brisbane were for My Kind of Chaos, an Australian punk band whose lead singer resides on Queensland’s Gold Coast. The Motley Content team, including esteemed director of photography Julian Panetta, filmed ‘Down The River’ and ‘Stop Running’ over four consecutive days in South Brisbane and surrounding suburbs. This is where I began to truly find my feet as a music video director, better understanding my style and what I bring to the table.Freelance Music Video Producing
Making ‘Nothing Really Matters’ for TyDi, Australian DJ
Never one to shy away from a challenge, one of the first videos I produced was for the world-renowned Australian DJ TyDi. Directed and shot by cinematographer Scott Kimber, to say this shoot was ambitious would be an understatement. Co-starring model Dee Dwyer, we filmed key scenes at an iconic abandoned site in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. With the help of an industry veteran and one of Australia’s top film armorers, we also filmed an expertly choreographed chase scene that felt like it belonged in a Bond film.
A Series of Music Videos for Phil Hancock, Brisbane Pop Icon
A kindred spirit keen to kickstart his career while we were still slogging it out at Queensland University of Technology, I instantly clicked with Phil. Our first collaboration was on a track called ‘B!tch,’ and the concept was inspired by Mean Girls. It was camp, it was commentary on bullying—I loved it. I engaged a music video director, cast the dancers, secured the locations, and oversaw the styling to ensure it hit the brief. From the moment I saw our plaid-clad cast throwing water balloons outside QUT’s heritage-listed A Block, I was hooked.
I went on to work with Phil again on ‘Who We Fall For,’ a soft and intimate video directed by photographer Angela Ferro. Our next collaboration, ‘Orchestra,’ a cult-themed tale of escape directed by Bradley Murnane, was awarded a Bronze ACS Award thanks to our highly skilled director of photography Brad Francis.
I’ve also had the pleasure of being engaged on a freelance basis by Newcastle video production company Spilting Films. With them, I produced Steve Tyssen’s ‘Pouring it Out’ and Claire Anne Taylor’s ‘Dead to Me Now,’ a track whose haunting melody and unparalleled raw vocals will stay with me for a lifetime.
Connecting with the Brisbane Music Industry
My career as a producer has also seen me work on some of Australia’s biggest music events, like BIGSOUND, so I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the incredible talent this city has to offer, and when I returned to Brisbane, my very first goal was to re-immerse myself in our live music scene, which I firmly believe is the very best in the country. I want to continue to immerse myself in the Brisbane music scene, but as a producer and director.
The days of aiming solely for a Saturday morning Rage feature are long gone. This art form as we know it is changing, but it’s not the end of music videos. Artists need content that works across multiple platforms, including Reels and TikTok, as well as Spotify visualisers, and lyric videos for YouTube are now an essential. We now no longer rely on radio and TV stations to get our work seen—it’s on us to take this new freedom to push creative boundaries and redefine what music videos can be.
