Bivas 'Ambasada discusses 'Angels and Demons' music video

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Music video director Bivas 'Ambasada recently collaborated with UK rapper Smartz on an indie production that packed a visual punch, with a poetic touch.

Commercial music videos often highlight special effects before story comes into play, but Bivas takes a different approach, incorporating a narrative within the video itself. The young director is already turning heads for his personal approach and editing style to videos. His productions are hits in the indie scene and it's only a matter of time before this director gets his big shot. It's this kind of innovation that mainstream artists need. There are too many pop and rap videos that re-play the same formula. The industry needs something new and improved.

With more than 50,000 plays, this is one indie music video you should check out. (video underneath). Find out how Bivas approached the production of this shoot, and why he wanted to make it in this way.

Iain: What inspired you to make this music video?

Bivas: I was approached by a recording artsist named Smartz, who also happens to be a very dear friend of mine to come up with a visual piece for his song called Angels and Demons. We met up on a few occasions to just sit down and get the vibe of the song and worked together in finding themes and concepts. I didn't want to make it the obvious, relating to the title, I wanted to create something more deeper but still relatable to the people. I wanted to create something unique with a strong positive message.

Iain: Where did you find your cast?

Bivas: For casting I worked with my beautiful friend and co-producer, Sophie Le. We sat down and worked on finding cast on various casting websites that were available to us, in particular a website called Star now.

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Iain: How did you approach the 'smoking mirrors' and interior shots?

Bivas: I always liked the ideas of mirrors and smoke but had yet to use the idea effectively for a project, mirrors are reflections of self but can also represent an alternate world which is what I tried to create; living dreams, nightmares and reality all at the same time. I had discussed the framing and concept I was looking for with my cinematographer, Ajay Arora and worked together in finding the right mood, ambience and lighting in a completely pitch black studio. We worked from scratch with minimal objects with maximum impact, I think.

Iain: Can you tell us about your editing technique and how you used cut scenes in the music video to tell your story?

Bivas: I am a very musically driven person, music is a huge part of my life and I take it very seriously when using it with any of my projects, it's an instrumental driving force behind telling the fundamentals of any story. I'm very instinctual when it comes to editing, it's a very emotional and cathartic experience for me. I just let my emotions steer me, and I just close off any logic and reason and just go with my hearts flow. But somehow, the end results just make sense and ultimately the story and it's meaning remain intact.

Iain: Are there any music artists you want to work with in the future?

Bivas: I want to work with great artists, who I can share my creative flow and experimental ideas with. I won't just work with any one, only those who I have respect and love for mutually, from the likes of Kanye West, Adele, Emeli Sande and Hanz Zimmer to name a few. But I guess, that will all come in due time.

Smartz: Angels and Demons music video

Find out more about Bivas 'Ambasada

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