Music Video of the Week: Performance, Movement, and Keeping Things Direct
Built around presence, Donna Dafi – Touch Me Like That focuses on movement, rhythm, and atmosphere through a stripped-back but carefully controlled visual approach.
Developed between Barcelona and Germany, the project came together through tight pre-production, detailed planning, and a strong emphasis on performance. The directors chose to center the piece around Donna’s energy and physicality, allowing the camera and edit to gradually build momentum alongside the track itself.
Below, the directors Max Ruslan & Arnau Monturiol break down the making of the video.
A Collaborative Production Built Around Atmosphere
How many people worked on your selected video? Who played a key role in it?
“The video was made by a team of more than 20 people across direction, production, camera, lighting, movement direction, styling, make-up, photography, BTS and music. Every person involved played an important part, because with a project like this, if one piece is missing, the whole thing becomes much harder to pull off.”
“Key roles were definitely Donna, who gave everything in front of the camera, and Naciah, who helped us organize the whole production even before we had properly met.”
“We also want to highlight the camera and lighting team, the creative direction, movement direction and everyone who helped us shape the atmosphere of the video.”
Tight Preparation, Agile Shooting
The production moved quickly, with a short but intensive preparation period leading into a highly structured one-day shoot.
How long did it take to make it? What was the process (in short)?
“The whole process took around one or two weeks of pre-production before the shoot. During that time, we worked on the concept, scripts, shot lists, shooting plans, technical documents, client calls and location scouting, including a final scouting the day before the shoot. “
“The video itself was shot in one day, and because we had all the documents and planning ready, the shooting day was much more agile. “
After that, we moved into post-production: editing, color grade, final adjustments and delivery.”
Finding the Right Space
One of the biggest creative challenges came from securing a location that could support both the visual concept and the physical demands of the performance.
What challenges did you face while working on the video?
“One of the biggest challenges was finding the right location. Initially, we were looking for a space that had the feeling of a dance school or rehearsal room, with mirrors, but it also needed to be big enough for Donna to move freely while allowing us to work around her with the camera. “
“Time was also a challenge, but that is a constant in the audiovisual world. Another important factor was the distance: Donna was in Germany and we were in Barcelona, so communication had to be very clear from the beginning, especially because we had not worked together before.”
Releasing the Energy of the Track
As the song intensifies, the visual language of the piece shifts with it, allowing movement, editing, and camera work to fully open up.
What part of the video is your favorite?
“Our favorite part comes towards the end of the video, when the song gains more rhythm and the edit becomes sharper, faster and more energetic. That is where the piece really starts to release all the tension that has been building up. “
“Donna’s presence, the movement and the camera language all come together in a very direct way. It feels like the video opens up and fully follows the energy of the track.”
Letting Performance Lead
At its core, the project reflects a belief that strong performance can carry a visual piece without unnecessary complication.
Is there any message that the video is sending that you don’t want the viewer to miss?
“From our perspective as directors, the main idea was that sometimes less is more. When you have a strong song and an artist with as much presence as Donna, you don’t need to overcomplicate things. “
“The most important thing is to focus on what really matters: the performance, the body, the attitude and the emotion of the track. “
“We wanted the video to feel direct, physical and honest, letting Donna carry the piece with her own energy.”
Watch the music video below.
CREDITS
Production Company: Sunday Studio Barcelona
Produced by: Naciah
Directed by: Max Ruslan, Arnau Monturiol
Creative Director: Lissa Brandon
Co-Creative Director: Donna Dafi
Movement Direction: Devon Suriya – Capture This Collective
Director of Photography: Joan Molas
Gaffer: Adrià Ovando Vila
Spark: Ángel Roncero, Urko Cot
Make Up & Hair: Eva Garcia
Styling: Lissa Brandon, Donna Dafi
Photographer: Gaizka Santillán
Photographer: Andres Leon
BTS & Production Assistant: Eric Heras
Music Producer: Merlin, Dominik Haller
Songwriters: Nina Caroline, Haley Maze, Donna Dafi
Mix And Master: Skizo
Location & Spaces: Planta 1 Studio
SPECIAL THANKS:
Record 17
Rinor Kastrati
Jusuf Haidarpasic
Marc Rios
Albert Gomà
