Interview with Ben Quinn, Director of The Car Song

After asking Harry some questions about The Car Song, I thought it would be good to follow it up by talking to the director of the video clip, Ben Quinn. Ben was kind enough to agree to an email interview, which I've posted below.

Casey: First, can you tell me a little bit about yourself? A quick Google gets me your website (www.benquinn.com), plus the fact that you've made a couple of film clips for Alex Lloyd. Are video clips your main focus?

Ben: Music Videos are a great love for me and I love to do as many as I can although I am currently on a sabbatical from them as I am directing a big comedy series for the BBC here in the UK.

Casey: You've made the latest Cat Empire film clip, for The Car Song. Did you know the band at all before this?

Ben:All I knew is that my little sister who still lives in Australia LOOOOOOVED them so I took her word for it when they asked me to make a clip for them. I was truly won over when I saw them play in Melbourne early this year.

Casey: What do you think about the song? Once you'd heard it, did you always have a clear idea of how the clip might play out?

Ben: I was asked for ideas for 2 songs. There was an idea that I would make 2 at the same time but I think that my idea for Sly was a little bit weird for them. Personally I thought the Sly Clip would have been the best clip ever and I struggled coming up with an idea for the Car Song. I almost gave up on it but eventually it just plipped into my head...Weird how it turns out huh? Once I have an idea I have incredibly vivid idea of how the clip should be. I have every frame storyboarded and I use different visual tools to articulate casting ideas and locations.

Casey: The clip is a departure from previous TCE fare. Did their previous film clips, or their other music, influence your ideas?

Ben: I try not to let music videos directly influence my music videos but the originality of another directors work can easily inspire me. I love ads too. Here in England the commercial is an art form(in some instances) where many great directors have honed their skills. I am a voracious movie watcher and reader of movie books both historical and technical. Im a nerd basically. So my influences are varied...If i am stuck for an idea I might wander around the Tate Modern Gallery here or any of the other tops galleries, or bookstores
or I might allocate myself a few hours to watch clips, ads or stuff on the interet and hopefully i will be inspired.

Casey: The shoot for the clip was pretty tight, only one day I think. What was your plan? Did you have all the shots planned, or did you take a few cameras and hope for the best?

Ben: I NEVER hope for the best I always have everything planned. There was one camera with my trusted DOP. I had the street team as crowd and about 100 people at first but once they realised how boring filming is they f***ed off after about an hour and a half. So I was left with about 20 people at the end of the day. There are alot of shots of the same people if you look closely. Aaah the magic of television....

Casey:How was it working with the band during the film-making process? Were there any challenges in getting such a big and diverse group on screen?

Ben: They are the nicest bunch of people that I have ever met...My producer said "if you dont like the Cat Empire, you must be a pyschopath". Sums them up pretty much, The diversity in the band suited the clip perfectly. Every character in every story in what ever form should have something unique to contribute. Obviously a team is a good way of presenting a group of people all at once. So no..It was all perfect no challenge. As far as Harry goes, I could not have made that clip with anyone else. His performance was 100% spot on. He deserves an award for that clip.

Casey: Finally, if there was any song, from any artist, that you could make a
film clip for, what would it be?

Ben: Sigur Ros make beautiful music that would be so easy to put images
to and have already made some amazing clips, maybe oneday...I am going to the Ashes at Lords with Bernard from Powderfinger tommorrow and I am going to convince him to make a cricket film clip, not to dissimilar to the Car Song, but with 70's footage and tricky special FX. He is the only person I know that likes cricket more than I do and he just so happens be in a band....

Casey: Thanks a lot for your time, and good luck!

Posted by Casey at July 21, 2005 07:05 AM