Behind the Video: A 2:30 Intro and a Different Kind of Music Video
In an industry increasingly shaped by short-form viewing habits and immediate visual impact, this music video takes its time. Its opening section runs for two and a half minutes, inviting viewers to settle into the story before the more visually emphatic sections arrive.
For the director, that structure was a deliberate choice. Inspired by a true story from their childhood, the project came together quickly in Quebec, with a shoot in May 2026 and a final cut delivered just a week later. A crew of around 39 people helped bring the vision to life, working with limited resources and a production built on trust between long-term collaborators.
Below, director Raoul Fortier shares insight into the production of “Bruise”.
A Small Team Behind a Bigger Vision
How many people worked on your selected video? Who played a key role in it?
Around 39 people worked on this video in total, almost half of whom were cast. Considering the scale of what we were trying to achieve, I’d say we were still a relatively small team, which was important to me.
My core team on this project was Camille Couturier, my incredible producer, who has been following me on almost every project over the past year, and John Cumberland, the DOP I’ve had the chance to build a strong creative relationship with over the same period. Without their trust, commitment, and the amount of time they put into these projects, honestly, none of this would be possible.
For this specific project, Le Jumper, our VFX artist, and Omar Metaich, our colorist and another close collaborator who has been following me across many of my recent projects, were also key to the process. They worked closely together to bring the visual concept to the place we wanted it to be.
From El Salvador to a May Shoot in Quebec
How long did it take to make it? What was the process (in short)?
The time from pre-production to the shoot was pretty quick. I was scouting for my next short movie in El Salvador when the Cinéma Quartier Latin team reached out to me for this project, and honestly, the timing was perfect.
It’s kind of funny to think that I was literally chilling in a hammock near the beach, with my head fully wrapped around figuring out how this story could unfold. It also worked well because here in Quebec, we really depend on the seasons to shoot. We had until March/April to scout, sometimes with snow still on location, and then we shot in May 2026 and delivered the final cut a week later.
I was editing it myself, and the whole process from pre-production to shoot to post went really smoothly. Since the project was inspired by a true story from my own childhood, I knew exactly where I wanted to take it. In two days, I basically had the timeline almost picture-locked.
Making the Budget Work
What challenges did you face while working on the video?
Like any good music video, we had almost no budget to make what we wanted to do. I see that as a force, but for my producer Camille, it was a real puzzle to make everything work, both in terms of the shoot day and the cost of the VFX.
Thank god Le Jumper was on our side and gave us a really friendly price because he trusted me on this one, and basically everyone else working on the set did the same. We were also lucky to get a lot of city permits and locations for free, which made a huge difference to the budget. I think we rented the house for like three days for $300. Yes… $300.
Two and a Half Minutes of Patience
What part of the video is your favorite?
To be honest, I would say the first one. For me, it’s the most unconventional part of the clip, even if the other two are more flashy and impactful and kind of make the clip what it is. For me, making the format this way was exactly why I’m glad it got recognized as a clip that worked.
I wanted to challenge the more conventional formats that have been working in the industry lately, especially all these short-form, hyper-performative things. Making this video was my way of pushing against that idea, so I find it funny that it actually worked. Making a long 2:30 “intro” was almost like making the rest of the story an Easter egg for people who are really interested and willing to take the time to watch. I made it for those people. So if they make it past that part and stick with the rest, I’d say it’s probably my favorite part of the whole project because of the place it takes within the film.
Leaving Room for the Viewer
Is there any message that the video is sending that you don’t want the viewer to miss?
Nope! Everything is here for you to make your own story and let my vision become yours.
Watch the music video below.
CREDITS
Directed by Raoul Fortier @piratederue
Produced by Camille Couturier @camcouts
PA – Guillaume Barre @guib_art
PA – Arto Beringer @artoberinger
DOP – John Cumberland @johnqcumberland
First AC – Lucien Cornaz @cornaz.lucien
Gaffer/Grip – Ruslan Kasimir @rrk_216
Grip – Antoine Whalen @antoinewhalen
Key/grip – Émile Côté @emilecote___
Helper – Axel Bensaddek @axelbenzo
MUA – Alexe Auger-Perrier @alxmkup
Stylist – Alex Forest-Ouimet @wear.afo
Art Director – Esteban Joire @ezur11
Art Director Helper – Éloise Coutu @eloise_coutu
Art Director Helper – Shakyam L vanny @groupemultimediaarme
VFX – Le Jumper @le_jumper
Colorist – Omar Mateich @omar.metaich
Editor – Raoul Fortier @piratederue
Editor Helper – Buvard @buvard_
Editor Helper – Guillaume Barre @guib_art
Graphic/Motion Design – Lambert Pitre @cinemaquartierlatin
CAST
protagonist Arnaud Vachon @arnaudvachon
couple Charlotte Préfontaine @pensebonnecharlotte
couple Lambert Pitre @cinemaquartierlatin
mother Catherine Renaud @catrenaud
father Mario Mercier
friend Marguerite Bouchard @gouneeeeee
friend Henri Bertrand @henri.berrtrand
friend Alex Forest-Ouimet @wear.afo
friend Lambert Pitre @cinemaquartierlatin
friend Axel Bensaddek @axelbenzo
women with dogs Daniele Davidson
women on balcony Diane Couturier
corner young man Milan Codebecq-Pérusse @mille_ans_plus_tard
corner young man Yann Stüssi @eau2f
Kid Marguerite Mercier
Kid Simone Tassé
Kid Charline Joyal
Kid Gabriel Joyal
Kid Gabriel Joseph
