Sascha Taylor Larsen is a filmmaker who solves problems. His recent problem was that he wanted to make a music video. He is known as a director, has written a feature-length script for Lupi Pictures; worked as in-house editor for commercial production company, JCB Haus; taught film analysis at Oslo’s leading high school in film; worked as director’s assistant to Kari Skogland on her production for Marvel Studios’ The Falcon and the Winter Soldier; and is currently head of development at Skogland’s production company, Mad Rabbit Productions. But he is not known for music videos. So he wrote a song, found a composer, created the music video and directed it himself.
Niccolo Montanari interviewed Larsen for The Stable to find out what makes this entrepreneurial director tick:
Niccolo Montanari: Donnie Dix isn’t just a music video you directed. The process began with you writing the lyrics, then sourcing the composer, and finally directing the whole thing. What inspired this approach?
Sascha Taylor Larsen: I’ve been wanting to make a music video for a while but it’s been a challenge finding a song that I liked that was also available. I realised that the easiest thing for me to get it done was to write my own song, work with composer, Eivind Hannisdal, in Norway, and then when I could return to New York, make the music video. It might seem like a long-winded process, but we worked on the song all through Covid, so it was nice to just do something collaborative and inspiring in a time when that was a challenge. Doing it this way and following the process from beginning to end, I would have more creative control than if I simply jumped on a project, but it’s a double-edged sword since there is no one else to hide behind or blame if it turned out to be a disaster.
Niccolo Montanari: Did you have a clear idea of what the music video would look and feel like when you first wrote the lyrics?
Sascha Taylor Larsen: I had an idea of the aesthetic and the overall tone I wanted to convey, but apart from a few images in my mind I had no conception of what the story itself would look like. It was a very interesting process having to create a visual narrative story to accompany lyrics, which were quite literal and already telling a story. The final product could have gone many ways, but I feel the song and the video really complemented each other and resulted in a cohesive work.
Niccolo Montanari: Tell us about how you sourced and briefed the composer.
Sascha Taylor Larsen: I’ve previously worked with composer, Eivind Hannisdal, on a tragicomic short film called Mountain People, so we had already established a good working relationship. He is always interested in new challenges in terms of developing his craft, so I reached out. Thankfully he was available.
From Composer Eivind Hannisdal:
“Sascha sent me the lyrics and asked if I could make something similar to his references, like Crockett’s Theme in Miami Vice, but take it further and exaggerate the sense of ‘cool’. I wanted an authentic ‘80s sound, so I used lots of live musicians, and focused on making the details in the song exciting, both musically and in the production. In the end I think it turned out to be pretty cool after all.”
Niccolo Montanari: You call Donnie Dix “a tribute to the brashness of the ‘80s”. Why was it important to you to honour this side of that era?
Sascha Taylor Larsen: I think the idea of naïve self-obsession, which to me characterises so much of the ‘80s, is very humorous. The decade also feels very different from what we’re going through now in our culture, so the contrast was there for me to play with. Donnie Dix is a self-important, cocky character who is ultimately brought down because his bravado and lack of personal accountability isn’t sustainable, much like our cultural history.
Niccolo Montanari: How does Donnie Dix fits within your portfolio. Is this the direction you are heading in?
Sascha Taylor Larsen: I’ve always been interested in comedy, and I’d like to be able to continue exploring that. The absurd is an arena I’m comfortable in. But I’m also generally very interested in all forms of cinema and would like to work with many different genres. I’m very drawn to psychological drama/thrillers at the moment, so this is where I am currently focusing my energy.
Niccolo Montanari: What are you working on next?
Sascha Taylor Larsen: I’m writing a feature and I hope to have a first draft completed very soon. It’s a drama/thriller about immigration and the movie business. I’ve also written a new song which will further my collaboration with Eivind Hannisdal. It’ll be very different from Donnie Dix but will remain in the same irreverent space. Eivind and I have started a new venture, a video/music collaboration called Oslo Airport and I am excited about seeing how this will develop.
