Sophia Ray remotely directs a VFX extravaganza for Ella Eyre's Dreams, in a video that sidesteps lockdown limitations to create something magical and unique. 

Collaborating with 3D artist Brendan Bennett, the striking visual depicts Eyre in a series of performance setups - set-up and shot by herself at her home - with digital effects swirling and emanating from her face and surroundings. The augmentations on her face are subtle to start with and become increasingly experimental - with guest artist Yxng Bane making an appearance from inside Ella's eye... 

Stylistically reminiscent of David LaChapelle's hyperrealist photography, the element of fantasy also harks way back to the age of the Surrealists. It's certainly a testament to the power of collaboration, and what can be achieved in the most unusual of circumstances.

And as she describes below, Ella really enjoyed being the one-person crew of her own video shoot...

I became the camera crew, lighting tech, nail tech, hair stylist and make up artist all at once and BOSSED IT TO BE QUITE HONEST.

SOPHIA RAY:

"The heart of this concept was both simple and striking: we captured an intense and powerful performance from Ella from a few key angles, where her face was the main focus. We then collaborated with our awesome 3D artist Brendan, and played with 3D VFX that filled the screen and decorated Ella’s stunning features - like a kind of digital make-up! Topped off by placing Yxng Bane's feature performance within Ella's eye to create a magical, trippy feel."

ELLA EYRE: 

“Against all isolation odds we shot a music video in my living room. I had the dream team on Zoom whilst I became the camera crew, lighting tech, nail tech, hair stylist and make up artist all at once and BOSSED IT TO BE QUITE HONEST.

“Listening to Dreams instantly takes me back to when we first wrote it in Jamaica. It’s a feel good track about subconsciously seeing things from a new perspective. We had such fun making it. I hope it makes others feel the same way too during these weird times.”