The Director Explains: WHARVES - 'Man You Want Me To Be'

Film director, Benjamin Sheen speaks to us about the concept behind Australian indie rock quartet WHARVES music video, 'Man You Want Me To Be'.

Recorded and produced by Steven Schram (San Cisco, Tiny Little Houses) at Studio Circuit, Gold Coast QLD, 'Man You Want Me To Be'  is one huge adrenaline rush of contagious dance-punk driving beats, fuzz-laden bass, classic Brit-pop guitar tones and brooding vocal melodies that hook themselves deeply under the skin.

The Director Explains:
Where was the video for 'Man You Want Me To Be' filmed?
The video was filmed in my bedroom which we fashioned into a makeshift studio by hanging a few sheets.

The revolve action was achieved by placing our actors on a reinforced lazy-susan and spinning them around.

How does the video/ footage compliment the song?
The video was inspired by the title of the song and ideas of masculinity. It examines a couple - and how they respond to dramatic surgery. Will their relationship remain strong after he has become this malformed image of a man.

Any behind the scenes stories?
The video was designed around an extraordinary prosthetic designed by Alexi Creecy. The prosthetic took 2 weeks to build and craft - and 4 hours to apply to actor Toby Blome's face. There was just a small air hole hidden underneath one of the tongues - and we fed Toby through a straw on shoot day.

Tell us about the ideas/ themes/ imagery used?
Most people have responded to the gross out nature of the video - but the idea came from an emotional place. I had been listening to stories of couples after major prosthetic and gender reassignment surgery. There were many questions raised about how physical appearance and personality are linked or not linked.

The man with 15 tongues is is a surreal idea - but at its heart we were exploring the question of how physical appearance can strain a relationship. Is the 'Man You Want Me To Be' based on how I look or how I behave? If I love you, but I now have fifteen tongues, will you still love me back?

What is the message you hope people take away from watching the vid?
We hope its a memorable video - but not just for how it looks - but for how it made you think or feel.

Interview feature by Karla Harris