Bringing 3,000 kg of Soil, a Pony and a Herd of Cows to Set
Some music videos require a little more logistics than others. For this project, the production brought together 36 cast and crew members, three tons of soil, a live pony and, eventually, a whole herd of cows.
Directed and creatively led by Joana Caiano, the video takes an ambitious visual concept and places it in an unexpectedly playful physical environment. Below, the team shares how the production came together, the logistical challenges involved, and the thinking behind one of its most memorable images.
A 36-Person Production
The project relied on a broad team across creative, cinematography, art direction and production, with several key roles shaping the final result.
How many people worked on your selected video? Who played a key role in it?
The video came together thanks to a talented team of 36 cast and crew members. Key roles were held by Joana Caiano (Director and Creative Director), Carolina Lobo Nunes (Cinematographer), and Bernardo Grécio (Art Director), with Catarina Veneratti producing it.
Two Months of Ambition and Animals
How long did it take to make it? What was the process (in short)?
The entire process was of around 2 months. It was an incredibly intense, ambitious project from the start. Finding a location that would allow us to bring a pony and 3 tons of soil inside was quite a challenge! Not to speak about the experience of shooting in the middle of a herd of cows – it was such a fun process; they brought a wonderful sense of humour and lightness to the set.
Three Tons of Soil, One Pony and a Lot of Cow Manure
The scale of the production created a very literal set of challenges. Getting the materials and animals into the location was one thing. Keeping the crew clean was another.
What challenges did you face while working on the video?
Without a doubt, carrying 3,000 kg of soil into a Lisbon school building, and bringing a live pony inside with it, was our biggest logistical challenge. The second biggest? Trying not to step in cow manure on set. Unfortunately, many of us failed that second test! We’re really grateful for our crew’s hard work; they really were the reason we brought this to life.
When the Herd Takes Over the Frame
What part of the video is your favorite?
I’d probably have to choose the slow zoom out where we reveal the full herd of cows, while the artist is playing piano on computer keyboards. I’m really happy with how that scene turned out. It was such a beautiful location, and the cows’ performances were through the roof.
Finding the Message Beyond Language
Is there any message that the video is sending that you don’t want the viewer to miss?
We hope the message is clear, independently of which language you speak, but the core concept was directly inspired by a line in the song’s lyrics: “There are more men buried in work than in graves.”
Watch the music video below.
CREDITS
Realização e Direção Criativa – Joana Caiano
Assistente de Realização e Direção de Produção – Catarina Veneratti
Produção – Camilla Ciardi
Assistente de Produção – Vasco Proença
Direção de Fotografia – Carolina Lobo Nunes
1° Assistente de Imagem – Miguel Reis
Estagiária de Imagem – Margarida Ribeiro
Gaffer – André Encarnação
Spark – João “hanj_p” Pereirinha e Miguel Jesus
Direção de Arte – Grécio
Assistente de Arte – Gustavo Calé
Assistente de Plateau – Martim Diniz
Stylist – Carolina Coutinho
Maquilhagem – Roberta Lionello
Montagem – Joana Caiano
Correção de Cor – Katie Linard
VFX – Luís Afonso
Fotografia de Cena – Tiago Nuno e Afonso Sereno
Steadicam – Edmond Pitarma
Extras
Anu Loureiro
Beatriz Catarino
Camilla Ciardi
Elisabetta Marcora
Emmanuel Ornelas
Eric Meireles
Gabriela Sastoque
Gil Montgomery
Helen Vechurko
Inês Matias
Karollyne Costa
Maria Carnall
Marisa Lopes
Miguel Anselmo
Rachel Caiano
Ricardo Castelhano
Tomás Pereira
Vasco Proença
Special thanks:
Câmara Municipal de Óbidos
Canon
Cinemate
Escola Superior Náutica Infante D. Henrique
Gracal
Mafrimaquinas
Planar
Planta livre
Santa Casa da Misericórdia
