The Band Explains: Oliver Riot - 'Ivory Black' (Video)
Oliver Riot have unveiled the new music video for their track 'Ivory Black', which is a fantastic piece of art exploring the reality of living with OCD. We had a chat with them to talk about the video -
Where was the video filmed?
The video was filmed inside our 116 year old home in South Central, Los Angeles. The scenes falling into water were shot in Palos Verdes, CA at an elderly woman's home we found through a close friend. We had never met her before.
How does video compliment the song?
Our goal with this video is to depict the disorientation of "Pure-O OCD", which we have both been diagnosed with. The piece starts with a main character, who while tangibly safe within the walls of a literal home is simultaneously lost in other realities, wading in and out of delusion. Within "safe" circumstances - like resting in the comfort of her own bath - she attempts to unwind and find mental clarity; nonetheless, her mind slowly slips off into deeply skewed fantasies.
Are there any behind the scenes stories?
When we filmed at the elderly woman's house (who was a complete stranger to us - we'd never met previously), we were primarily filming nude shots of the actor + the both of us crashing into the water, falling backwards, twirling, etc. There were a few times that the elderly woman would unexpectedly pop in to introduce herself and say hello. From that moment we never knew when she was going to walk out, and if she was going to have a heart attack seeing strangers standing in her yard nude. It was very "gorilla style" shooting.
Tell us about the ideas/themes/imagery used. What is the message the video is trying to convey?
As mentioned our goal is to depict the disorientation of "Pure-O OCD", which we both have been diagnosed with. We really tried to show the confusion that comes from the increasingly deafening silence cabin fever has on the mind as it becomes more and more lost. From one moment to the next the main character neurotically shouts at her demons, then laughs with them in sombering surrender, attempting to hold on to a thin line between mania and reality - a feeling we both are very familiar with. In the spirit of total vulnerability, we want this piece to serve as as a reflection of our own daily process. Hence, the overall theme comes to a close with the main character resting in defeat exhausted by looming disconnection. Hopefully this shows some insight into the world of Pure-O OCD and helps other "sufferers" feel less alone."
Feature created by Ant Adams