Arnaud Drieu
ASHES
TO ASHES
MY ROLES
Producer / Writer / Director / Cinematographer / Editor / coloUrist
OVERVIEW
“Arnaud Drieu - Ashes to Ashes” is a narrative-driven music video. The story is a modern haunted story what follows a man filled with remorse. Hantued by guilt he eventually has to face his sins.
VISION
Working with Arnaud Drieu brought a unique approach to creating this music video. Instead of using an existing track, we agreed on the concept and vision upfront. Once the visuals were complete, Arnaud composed a custom score that perfectly aligned with our vision and the story beats, resulting in a seamless blend of music and imagery.
CHALLENGES
The project was a zero-budget endeavor, which brought its own set of challenges. Finding locations and actors willing to work for free, often at early hours, required a lot of dedication. The shoot had to be fast-paced and highly efficient, with every camera movement and angle meticulously preplanned and tested. Given our tight schedule and lack of resources, there was no room to deviate from the plan.
TECHNIQUES
DIRECTION
My approach to directing emphasized non-verbal performances from the actors. We focused on rehearsing facial expressions and body language gestures in advance, aiming to capture more authentic and emotionally resonant performances on screen.
CINEMATOGRAHY
I relied almost entirely on natural lighting, which required careful planning, especially for the opening scene. I studied the movement of light as it passed through the window, timing our shoot to align with the natural light shifts indoors.
To emphasize the characters' emotional distress, I used tight shots, drawing the audience into their internal struggles. Every camera movement was meticulously pre-planned and executed to enhance key moments throughout.
COLOUR GRADING
The colour grading was designed to complement the modern thriller aesthetic, featuring bleak tones contrasted with warm highlights. Natural light played a crucial role in our lighting setup, so the grading had to enhance these elements while maintaining a tense, atmospheric feel.
FILM EDITING
In the edit, I prioritized heightened emotional moments, allowing longer shots to take center stage and give the scenes room to breathe. I trimmed away any unnecessary elements, focusing on the raw intensity of the performances to keep the narrative tight and impactful.
RECEPTION
"Arnaud Drieu - Ashes to Ashes" received positive acclaim throughout its festival run, earning multiple awards at small music video festivals, including Best Music Video and Best Cinematography. The project’s distinct visual style and strong storytelling connected with festival audiences, despite its darker and more intense themes.
Award winner - International Music Video Awards - Best Cinematography (2022)
Award winner - ART FILM AWARDS - Best Music Video (2022)
Award winner - Best Film Awards - Best Cinematography (2022)
Award winner - Budapest Movie Awards - Best Experimental Music Video (2022)
Award winner - Best Film Awards - Best Art Music Video (2022)