Biffy Clyro's drifty sky-go
In a poigniant and impressively realised promo for the Scottish band, director Ben Newbury uses virtual production and AI VFX to imagine a final spacewalk.
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Credits
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- Production Company Common People Films
- Director Ben Newbury
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Credits
View on- Production Company Common People Films
- Director Ben Newbury
- Producer Ramy Dance
- VFX FUTURE CREA+IVES
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Credits
powered by- Production Company Common People Films
- Director Ben Newbury
- Producer Ramy Dance
- VFX FUTURE CREA+IVES
The vastness of space is at once impressive and humbling, so to be stranded in it must be an experience of beauty edged with despair.
Such is the concept of Ben Newbury's lovely new promo for Biffy Clyro track Goodbye; a farewell letter from a stranded astronaut to his loved ones and to planet Earth.
Taking the context of the song and visualising it, the Common People Films director utilised Quite Brilliant’s virtual stage; blending Unreal worlds, motion-controlled zero-gravity, and AI-driven VFX to evoke a surreal, isolating farewell.
“I went to a screening of Gravity at the IMAX in Waterloo a couple of years ago," explains Newbury, "where Alfonso Cuarón introduced the film. He told a rebellious story about his attempts to get the film made, and how an early green-screen test was an abject failure. David Fincher was even called in and estimated it would take ten years to develop the technology needed. Ten years later, they locked the cut for release.
"In an alternate universe, we received the brief for Goodbye less than 48 hours before Biffy Clyro and their team were reading a treatment. Thanks to the wonderful Andy Roberts and LasBandas, seven days later we were at Twickenham Studios in their VP stage, with Unreal worlds built by Quite Brilliant, lighting and camera plotted by Thomas English, and a huge motion control arm expertly operated by Rammi from G6. Simon [Neil, the band's lead singer] was in a full space suit attached to one end, grinning from ear to ear. That only happens when you are working with a fantastic young production company. Ramy, Tony and Erin from Common People are truly exceptional. This shoot simply shouldn’t have been possible, never mind successful.
"With questions ringing around the industry about what value music videos have in 2025, this was a clear reminder that their lifeline is artists passionate about them, labels and managers who see their brand-building potential, and production teams willing to go above and beyond.
"Alfonso Cuarón had 10 years and $100 million to create Gravity. We had £20k and 3 weeks. Which leads to one question: what on earth did he do with the rest of the $100 million?
"Mon the Biff!”
