BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
Melbourne classical music ensemble anon. is once again combining visual and musical storytelling to produce Trailer Music II – a film which draws its narrative from a newly commissioned piano trio by composer Nicholas Buc. The creative collaboration, led by anon. artistic director and pianist Nicole TJ, and creative director and violinist Thomas Lo, will premiere at Melbourne Music Week this November 12 and 13. Inspiration comes from a range of artforms including design, architecture, fashion, film, and music – and we can’t wait to see it come together. Here’s a sneak peek:
After calling for expressions of interest in the project, anon. interviewed 10 potential filmmakers, and selected five to take part in their newest project. Nicole TJ says the group was looking for directors who possessed a “quality visual aesthetic and narrative style,” and shared anon.’s vision.
“This collaboration presents a creative challenge to the filmmaking process by being music-first, and for us it was important that our filmmakers were not only passionate, but adaptable enough in their approach to be driven by the music direction,” Nicole says.
“We are excited by the diversity of their collective expertise at a national and international level, across fantasy short films to art documentaries to game design. The quality and calibre is outstanding – seeing how they have developed their narrative direction to the music and then seeing their productions in action and sneak peeks from their shoots.
“We can’t wait to see it all come together in the next few weeks!”
Meet the Trailer Music II filmmakers.
Christian D’Alessi
Trailer Music II is an opportunity to collaborate on unique visual/audio sensory experience. My first impressions of the music section selected for me is just how amazing of a high standard it is: the music evokes curiosity, a fun spirited optimism and romance. The music is beautiful and intimidating at the same time. I am however up for the challenge, and I look forward to creating a narrative with memorable images that complement the music.
Strongly inspired by imaginative and high concept genre-driven cinema, Christian’s heart lies in story telling, whether that be producing, writing or directing. Since graduating in 2007, he has worked in various areas of film and televisions production – most recently as one of the producers of the indie sci-fi movie Arrowhead (2016). He has also recently written and directed the soon-to-be-released fantasy adventure short film Return Flight. He aims to develop genre-driven projects for Australian and international audiences.
Roxanne Halley
Since childhood, I have been fascinated by the relationship between music and movement, dance in particular, and ways that music can evoke strong visuals and emotional responses. Being given the ability to play around and subvert expectations about classical music is really exciting, and having everything play out live is going to be a really fun, immersive experience!
A passionate visual storyteller, Roxanne’s background lies in production design and directing, a marriage she feels has heavily influenced her approach to narrative filmmaking. Working from Melbourne, and having recently branched out to creating street-cast fashion films in Bangkok, Roxanne has been creating commercials, short films and music videos since 2012. She has since maintained her focus on social justice, ethical media and female-led narratives and has recently joined production company Eye Sea Films as a director where she is currently producing a feature documentary focusing on public housing in Melbourne.
John Paul Tansey
It’s such a dynamic, engaging piece with so many moods, textures and emotions. The challenge is to find something equally expressive, visually!
Originally from Dublin, Ireland, John Paul lived in New York for more than 10 years before moving to Melbourne in 2003. John Paul’s credits include the longform art documentaries Propositions for an Uncertain Future (2011), 50 Years of the Australian Ballet (2012) and Young Musician of the Year (2014), all of which were screened on ABC. He also produced, shot, directed and edited Making Johnny, a one-hour documentary about art at the Burning Man Festival, which has also aired on ABC and internationally. John Paul’s other work includes music videos, a comedy series and a short feature drama The Pear Bottle that won several awards and screened at more than 20 film festivals including Berlin, Chicago and Toronto.
Leigh Miller
I really enjoy telling visual stories, and the challenge that is associated with telling a clear story only accompanied by music and being influenced in the beginning by that music is exciting. The piece is very cinematic, moody, and transported me to a world not unlike Miyazaki would create.
Beginning his creative endeavours as a self taught artist in the video games industry and working through out Australia, Canada and the United States, Leigh took the leap to follow his true passion of filmmaking. Since completing a VCA course in 2012, Leigh has been working to find a balance between being a professional director, working for agencies in creating content for clients, as well as working on passion-projects in the hopes of one day getting paid to create his own stories in feature film. Leigh’s recent short film is a sci-fi shot on 35mm called Franky Fingers & The Apartment Upstairs, and a highly visual spec ad Stag, which combines live action sets with an animated stag.
Andrew English
Making film with classical music seems like a great opportunity to tell a story with the best mood-creator there is: music! The three-minute section of music I’ve received is just divine; an emotional journey with a serious dramatic build up. Trailer Music II will be an exciting challenge to connect such moving music with film.
Based across Melbourne and Berlin, Andrew works as a producer/director with a passion for telling stories through moving images. Busy with the production company Gos films, Andrew has directed a range of short films and commercials, with plans for a feature film in 2017. Earlier this year, Andrew produced and directed the short film Real Soldiers, which has landed an official selection in the Portobello Film Festival in London. The political drama also played at Ariano, Kolkata and will continue on the festival circuit.
TRAILER MUSIC II @ Melbourne Music Week
Featuring anon.: Nicole Tj (piano), Thomas Lo (violin), and Tim Hennessy (cello)
8pm, 12 and 13 Nov 2016
1000 £ Bend
361 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Tickets available online.
Images supplied.
