The Band Explains: The Riptide Movement - 'I'll Be There'
Malachy of Dublin four-piece The Riptide Movement speaks to us about the band’s feel-good, 2D live action animation video for uplifting, guitar-driven anthem, ‘I’ll Be There’.
Where was the video for ‘I’ll Be There' filmed?
The video was produced and directed by Jam Media and as the video is a 2D live action animation, it was made in two studios, most of the animation was done in Dublin by Director Jess Patterson and producer Shauna Cullen and the actual filming with the actors was done in Belfast.
How does the video connect with the song?
The song is really upbeat and uplifting but it has a powerful message too and we feel Jam Media really captured that sentiment in the video, it was important for us to keep the video fun and lighthearted too.
I guess in todays world we're all looking for some kind of escapism.
So in our video the main character is an average guy, who lacks confidence, feels really under appreciated and is in a job he hates, so he creates this imaginary cardboard world where he lives out his fantasies of being a Superhero and being the person he wished he could be and this eventually gives him the confidence and courage to step outside his comfort zone and to stand up for himself.
Do you have any behind the scenes stories you can share with us?
Generally we would be more involved in the narrative and direction of our music videos but for this video we were really lucky because this video kinda just fell on our lap, we didn't really have to do too much, a friend of ours shared one of the early demos of 'I'll Be There' with a friend of his in Jam Media, and Jam media are BAFTA award winning animators, I mean they're top of their game and they just loved the song and offered to make a video for it. And we were like.....yeah, sure, nice one, happy days.
Can you tell us about the ideas/ themes/ imagery used?
The video is a 2D live action video and we loved the simplicity of the 2D animation, the imagery is kinda childlike and brings the viewer back to them days in school where the hours just passed by in daydreams, I mean who hasn't drawn a face on their eraser in school?
I think everyone can really relate to a lot of the themes and ideas in this video and its done in a really clever and lighthearted way.
Is there a message the video is trying to convey?
We think its a similar message to the one the song conveys, we're not alone in this world, although sometimes it can feel that way, it's important to be there for each other but its also really important to be there for yourself.
Don't be afraid to back yourself or stand up for yourself, this isn't a dress rehearsal....go for it, you only live once.
Interview feature by Karla Harris