In a remarkable collaboration, m ss ng p eces director Isaac Ravishankara teamed up with Grammy-winning artist Finneas to create the music video for For Cryin’ Out Loud, a standout track from Finneas’ new album.
The partnership began in June when Interscope Records reached out to Ravishankara, expressing Finneas’ interest in working together. After an initial Zoom meeting and a visit to Finneas’ studio, the two creatives found common ground in their shared inspirations and artistic processes. Finneas gave Ravishankara an extraordinary level of creative freedom, a rare gesture of trust for a first-time collaboration.
The concept for the video came to Ravishankara in a nightmare. Upon waking, he quickly penned the idea and sent it to Finneas, who greenlit the project almost immediately. The result is a visually striking and emotionally charged narrative where Finneas finds himself trapped in a recurring bad dream, reliving his death over and over again.
The video depicts a series of harrowing scenarios, from an elevator shaft mishap to a tragic incident on a residential street, all centered around the cycle of misunderstandings and mortality shared with his girlfriend. Watch below:
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The video’s haunting visuals are brought to life through deft production techniques. The team faced challenging location scouting in Los Angeles and opted to shoot on 35mm film to achieve a distinct cinematic quality. The project also required intricate visual effects for two critical death scenes, adding a surreal layer to the narrative.
Ravishankara, an Indian-American director renowned for his work in commercials, short films, and music videos, is known for his ability to convey deep emotion through movement and dynamic visuals. His work is driven by a relentless curiosity and a commitment to uncovering fresh perspectives and creative ideas. Collaboration is central to his process, as he values the input and partnership of clients, agencies, and crew members.
Ravishankara has an impressive portfolio that includes national campaigns for top brands such as Adidas, Converse, Gatorade, Samsung, and Jockey. His music videos, celebrated for their artistry, have earned him accolades, including Vimeo Staff Pick honors. He has worked with a diverse range of artists, from The Lumineers and Hozier to Kesha, NIKI, and Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer Ludwig Göransson.
The video for For Cryin’ Out Loud stands as a testament to Ravishankara’s creative vision and his ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate with viewers on a profound level.
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