Playtime director, James Chappell, has made a magnificent, eloquent film about bullying. It is also Guy Sebastian’s new music video, Before I Go.

Sebastian’s voice and Chappell’s directing decisions come together to pack a real punch. The film is the story of a boy who becomes a skater – through a childhood of being bullied. Chappell intersperses footage of the young boy being bullied with footage of the young skater practising. He uses the metaphor of the skater’s wounds and bruises as the source of people’s strength. They underline the video’s message –  in bold (figuratively). The skater is shown enduring knock after knock, falling down, receiving bruises and horrific cuts, but continuing to press on in order to achieve and succeed.

“Bullying is universal and everyone understands how that feels and looking back on your childhood and that deep pain can fuel your motivation to do your best and prove them wrong,” Sebastian stated.

“The concept for the video is one I’ve been brewing for many years,” Chappell explained.

When the opportunity arose for him to pitch on the new Guy Sebastian music video, Chappell was most excited when he found that the theme of the song and his concept would marry perfectly. “I love an underdog story and bullying is quite personal to me. Guy’s song is all about perseverance and overcoming bad energy and loving yourself by pursuing your passion despite what people think.”

Chappell knew, too, that the athleticism and beauty of ice skating would enhance the video at a visual level also.

Chappell has explored the subject of bullying in previous works, such as his Clipped Music Video Festival 2018 finalist video for Bliss n Eso’s Believe. It was this work that brought Sony back to him this time around. “It was a relatively breezy pitching process – there was no resistance and lots of creative freedom,” Chappell noted.

Credits: 

Production Company: Photoplay / Playtime

Director: James Chappell
Producer: Linzee Harris

Executive Producer: Oliver Lawrance

Senior Producer (Playtime): Tom Slater
DOP: Jack Saltmiras

Editor: Brad Hurt

Colourist: Matt Fezz
Steadicam Operator: Tim Walsh
Phantom Operator: Peter Lorz
1st AC: Neal Von Dinklage
2nd AC/Data: Rhavin Banda

Gaffer: Mat Wilson
Best Boy: Nathan Grant
Elx Assist: Andrew Ward
Grip: David Litchfield
Grip Assist: Paul Smith
Standby Props: Ben Walker
Stunt Co-Ordinator: Igor Breakenback

Make-up, Hair & Wardrobe: Jenny Roberts
Hero Stylist: Dale McKie
Hero Makeup/Hair: Katy Clucas
Caterer: Catering Dept
BTS & Stills: Lev Jutsen
Videographer: Chris Elder
Runner – Alessandro Guerrera