CSD Videography taking new music to the movies...
The rising movement of British arts not only encompasses new stars of music, but also those who document their story for posterity.
Callum Scott-Dyson is a videographer who has clients among the new musicians nationally raising their profile right now.
new York doll; Dan Able of The Velvet Hands in a still from CSD Videography's 'Curtains Closed'
TheZineUK found Callum via a song by a new band, sound tracking a cinematic short film. Intrigued, we went on to discover much about his Manchester/York based video production company, CSD Videography. It turns out that more than one of the bands he works with is woven into our tale.
Founded in 2015, videos are their main output and ultimate audiovisual platform. CSD Videography creates individual, eye catching, thought provoking alternatives to standard performance based pieces and has clients world wide but specialises in the North of England.
In Callum’s own words, more on CSD Videography;
“For 'Curtains Closed', our short film based around the track by The Velvet Hands (who have just floored the BBC Introducing Stage of Boardmasters Festival at time of writing) , as a crew, we wanted to try out the double speed effect to add a dreamy nature to the tracking shots. We took advantage of the movement around us on a busy day in York city centre, as it's famous for the amount of tourists it attracts.
For the still shots, we were inspired by directors such as Wes Anderson, Jim Jarmusch and other great deadpan filmmakers by placing Dan Able (from The Velvet Hands) in front of busy locations such as a market stall, an art gallery and a favourite old pub of ours, because you get great movement in the shots from the public (as well as, in some cases, boats and geese etc.) We then mixed up these elements when putting the video together in post production.
Music is a huge part of my practise. When making films I've always loved adding the score to them, and when making videos I love to think of visuals, plots, shots and ideas to accompany the track when I'm first sent it by the band or record label.
I've always made films, and watch countless movies each week, so music videos felt like a natural progression to make a couple of years ago. Since then, I’ve just been finding my feet in the industry.
Doing videos with the more up and comers, like Coquin Migale (headlining BBC Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds Festival this year) and Jackals Rose (hitting This Feeling Stage at Leeds Festival) is amazing, because they give a lot of creative control to myself, whilst also explaining ideas behind the song and firing over any thoughts they have. They get me started, then I keep building into a whole idea which I can shoot, and sculpt in the edit.
I've pretty much enjoyed every project in one way or another, as each presents it's own unique challenge, so they keep you fresh and on the edge. I'm always looking to take on more projects!
When it comes to music videos, the legendary directors such as Spike Jonze, Michel Gondry, Jonathan Glazer, Garth Jennings and Chris Cunningham are all obviously huge influences of mine in different ways.
I also love to be inspired by movie directors. Even if it's not really noticeable in the final piece, it's still great to draw from their work when generating ideas. Certain favourites would include Terrence Mallick, Terrence Davies, Terry Gilliam, Jean Pierre-Jennet, Roman Polanski, David Cronenberg, Paul Thomas Anderson and Wim Wenders."
Thank you for your time, Callum. Your influences are showing in the best possible way.
This is the video for BERNACCIA’s forthcoming release, ‘Angel’ by CSD Videography: