Max Cooper - Broken Machines Broken Dreams
Optical Arts directed, designed and produced this film for artist Max Cooper - inspired by his track ‘Broken Machines Broken Dreams’, from his new Album Unspoken Words.
The film explores notions of rhythm, consciousness and celebrates the freedom in losing control; the beauty of deciding one's own path.
We are often consumed by the monotony and repetitive nature of everyday life. ‘Broken Machines, Broken Dreams’ portrays the idea that if we decide to let our imagination and thoughts run wild - we could find a new comfort and rhythm in the freedom of it. In Max Cooper’s words: ‘it is about letting go and accepting a slightly odd yet harmonic resolution’.
To visually address these themes we used CNC machines. What happens when computer numerically controlled machines, the most methodical, repetitive and controlled instruments, start to daydream?
The film explores notions of rhythm, consciousness and celebrates the freedom in losing control; the beauty of deciding one's own path.
We are often consumed by the monotony and repetitive nature of everyday life. ‘Broken Machines, Broken Dreams’ portrays the idea that if we decide to let our imagination and thoughts run wild - we could find a new comfort and rhythm in the freedom of it. In Max Cooper’s words: ‘it is about letting go and accepting a slightly odd yet harmonic resolution’.
To visually address these themes we used CNC machines. What happens when computer numerically controlled machines, the most methodical, repetitive and controlled instruments, start to daydream?
BTS
The sculptures were designed by Optical Arts with 3D modelling software allowing the machines' technicians to turn the digital designs into tool paths for material cutting.
These machines reside in the workshops of Asylum SFX, where the CNC cutting, 3D milling and 3D printers were shot. Their cutting precision and final outcome were expected but the journeys of their programmed sequences were unknown. Their actions are mostly repetitive with glimpses of their characters showing through at unexpected moments.
Credits
Creative Direction & Production: Optical Arts
Direction & Design: Joe Jackson
Executive Producer/Producer: Hannah May
Line Producer: Rebecca Scheinberg
Production Assistant: Minna Griffiths
DOP: Elliott Lowe
Styling: Jamie-Lee Harding
SFX: Joe Yabsley for Asylum
Editor: Xavier Perkins
Colour Grading: Martin Pryor
2D Supervisor: Miguel Wratten
2D Artist: Ben Gallagher
Direction & Design: Joe Jackson
Executive Producer/Producer: Hannah May
Line Producer: Rebecca Scheinberg
Production Assistant: Minna Griffiths
DOP: Elliott Lowe
Styling: Jamie-Lee Harding
SFX: Joe Yabsley for Asylum
Editor: Xavier Perkins
Colour Grading: Martin Pryor
2D Supervisor: Miguel Wratten
2D Artist: Ben Gallagher
Sculpture Design: Fabrice Le Nezet, Leon Seith
CAD Artist: Max Johnson
