The Artist Explains: Leon Else - 'Beautiful World'
Leon Else talks openly with us about his intimate, documentary-style visuals for ‘Beautiful World’ which capture his struggles with mental health.
Where was the video for 'Beautiful World' filmed?
The video for beautiful world was filmed all over LA. from my bedroom, to driving, to hiking. i literally was documenting my life, through vloggs, boomerangs, pro footage and short clips. Documentary style!
How does the video connect with the song?
I think it connects with the song because it literally is an extension of the song. The song is about my mental health sonically, and the video is about my mental health visually. I feel they both tell the same story. They are both my life and both were created in the same time period of the making on the EP.
Do you have behind the scenes stories you could share with us?
I feel that ‘Beautiful World’ is behind the scenes. The whole video is about showing the side of life that most people don’t and won’t share, because fear of judgement. This is literally the behind the scenes look at my everyday life.
Can you tell us about the ideas/ themes/ imagery used?
I wanted to use raw, honest and unfiltered clips. 90% was shot on my iPhone, and the fun thing is when I recorded it all, I wasn’t recording it with the intention of making this video, at the time. It was more for a release for me - to talk out loud and get my thoughts out loud. Some people write them down……I prefer to speak to a camera.
What is the message the video is trying to convey?
That they are not alone. That there is always hope. That it’s ok to speak up and share what you are going through, which hopefully leads to them seeking help. I want them to know they don’t have to suffer alone. i want them to know that there are so many wonderful things out there, we just have to find them. I want to show how being vulnerable brings us closer together. People shouldn’t have to pretend anymore.
Interview feature by Karla Harris
‘Beautiful World’ is the title track taken from Leone Else’s forthcoming EP due out this Summer via AWAL.