Filmmaker/Director Tom Clarkson and Brit award winning multi-instrumentalist Jack Garratt have been friends since their days at St Clement Danes school. The pair have since teamed up on several projects, the latest being a video for Jack’s single Surprise Yourself
Jack Garratt and Tom Clarkson are powerful creative forces in their own right. Put the two together and the effect is extraordinary. Surprise Yourself, which was released last month on youtube, is the third of Garratt’s songs that Tom has visualised and directed on camera. The first, Chemical, reached over 1.5 million views in three months and by the response so far it is expected that Surprise Yourself will easily surpass this. The song was written by Jack for his a special person in his life
“She’d had the worst day and I wanted to remind her we all have the ability to be courageous.” says Jack
“That became a really interesting theme to explore” says Tom “and it felt important to do that in a way that felt genuine and unforced by finding real people and inviting them to face their fears.”
The entire cast were found through a mix of Jack’s social channels and street castings by Leanne Flinn who also went to St Clement Danes School.
“We selected a few that we could bring to life on camera and created environments where we were able to offer participants a safe and supportive space to be able to face their fears. We found a great mix of weird, and fun and intense fears and ambitions…wind, heights, balloons, fish and needles. – but it didn’t matter how intense the activity was, this is about a universal feeling of being able to have the confidence within yourself to overcome your fears.”
Tom focused on these emotions by building a body rig that focused completely on their facial expressions and recorded their reactions close up.
“It’s about being able to see them blossom and to blossom with them. Suddenly the impossible has become possible” sums up Jack
“I always enjoy making stuff with Jack and his team” says Tom, “They are so willing, trusting and supportive of trying something new and exciting, which can often be rare with artists and labels. Plus I’m a big fan of the music which helps!”
“Tom has an uncanny ability to create stories out of pure human emotion.” says Jack, “ I’ve always found his work so creative and engaging. To be able to work with one of my closest friends is a real dream come true. I’ve always looked up to Tom and his ability to create. It’s an honour to work with him!”
Surprise Yourself from Jack Garratt’s debut album Phase, 2016 Island Records
www.jackgarrattmusic.com www.tomclarkson.tv
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