RESINA
A CROOKED GOD
MY ROLES
"Resina – A Crooked God" is a narrative-driven music video created to promote the upcoming album Speechless. Set in the late 1800s against the rugged Welsh mountains, it follows two cursed souls on a perilous journey through unforgiving landscapes. Desperate to break a witch’s curse, they must confront their only hope for salvation—the witch herself. The music video blends eerie, semi-horror visuals with a strong narrative that aligns with Resina’s thematic exploration of challenging blind religious faith.
Producer / Writer / Director / Cinematographer / Editor / coloUrist / costume designer
OVERVIEW
VISION
After extensive discussions with Resina about the ideas behind her music, it became clear that she wanted to critique blind religious faith. Inspired by this, I crafted a story that echoed her vision while adding my own artistic touch. We chose Snowdonia as the primary location for its stunning, isolated landscapes, creating an immersive, atmospheric world that draws viewers into the dark, eerie tone of this semi-horror music video.
CHALLENGES
Shooting in Snowdonia in March posed significant challenges. Over two days, we contended with unpredictable weather, often pausing for the rain to subside. On the final day, continuous rain forced me to rewrite the ending, knowing we had only three hours to hike, shoot, and return to Brighton.
With non-professional actors and no budget for rehearsals, I operated the camera solo while my assistant handled transporting equipment across the mountains. Flexibility was key, as we adapted to changing conditions, prioritizing execution over perfection.
TECHNIQUES
DIRECTION
My approach to directing focused on drawing strong, non-verbal performances from the actors. With no time or budget for rehearsals, I demonstrated each scene on location, showing them exactly what I wanted to see on screen. This method proved effective as the actors, though non-professionals, were able to easily mimic the emotional cues I provided, resulting in authentic and believable performances.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
I relied entirely on natural light, which required constant adaptability due to the fast-changing lighting conditions in the Welsh mountains. To prepare, I studied the sun’s movement at each location. For an indoor scene, I found a house without a roof, ensuring we could maintain natural light even indoors.
Wide-angle shots were used to emphasize the characters’ smallness against the vast, imposing landscape, symbolizing the immense challenges they face. Every camera movement was meticulously pre-planned to highlight key moments, while slow motion was employed strategically to enhance the dramatic tension.
COLOUR GRADING
The colour grading reflects the sombre, haunting tone of the story. I opted for a bleak, faded palette, punctuated with subtle orange hues and enhanced contrast to showcase the natural beauty of the landscape. This balance between horror and scenic grandeur helps to deepen the emotional impact of the film.
FILM EDITING
The edit was designed to align seamlessly with the beats of Resina’s music. As the music intensifies, so does the pacing of the film, heightening the emotional rawness of the scenes. This synchronization between the visuals and soundtrack creates a cohesive and immersive viewing experience.
COSTUME DESIGN
Costumes were crafted using era-appropriate fabrics, blending authentic pieces with custom handmade designs. Given the harsh weather conditions, we ensured the actors could wear multiple layers for warmth while keeping them hidden on screen. We used various techniques to weather the outfits, and for the witch’s costume, we highlighted the edges to add depth and texture, enhancing its eerie, three-dimensional appearance.
RECEPTION
"Resina – A Crooked God" has been highly acclaimed during its festival run, winning 11 awards at various music video festivals, including Best Music Video and Best Cinematography. The recognition is particularly impressive considering the film’s violent and gory scenes, which added complexity to the narrative.
Award winner - International Music Video Awards - Best Cinematography (2022)
Award winner - Kosice International Film Festival - Best Cinematography (2022)
Award winner - ART FILM AWARDS - Best Music Video (2022)
Award winner - ART FILM AWARDS - Best Cinematography (2022)
Award winner - Europe Film Festival UK - Best Music Video (2022)
Award winner - Euro Music Video Song - Best Cinematography (2022)
Award winner - Euro Music Video Song - Best Classic Music Video (2022)
Award winner - TMFF - Best Classic Music Video (2022)
Award winner - Budapest Film Festival - Best Cinematography (2022)
Award winner - Best Music Video Award London - Best Art Music Video (2022)
Award winner - Phoenix Rising International Film Festival - Best Music Video (2022)