USURPER OF MODERN MEDICINE

Shoot their new music video in Japan!

Usurper, musical trio from Perth, Australia have been presented with a very exciting and unique opportunity - to shoot the first video from their upcoming debut album as a massive collaborative project with producers and artists in Japan.

Usurper of Modern Medicine is: Steven Aaron Hughes / Cameron George / Cameron Hines

Usurper of Modern Medicine - a blend of post-rock and electronica formed in 2010, released two records and have toured nationally and internationally multiple times. Featuring members Steven Aaron Hughes, Cameron Hines and Cameron George the band combines driving post-rock rhythm section with dynamic electronic production blending samples and live groove-heavy beats. Currently UoMM are working on their debut full-length album which will be ready for release sometime in 2013. The first single and the first taste of the record will be accompanied by an short film / music video produced as a collaboration between artists in Australia, Japan and around the world.

Usurper Live @ WAMI Festival 2011

Produced with the assistance of Perth production group Blue Forest Media, the video is to be directed by UoMM songwriter / vocalist and bass player Steven Aaron Hughes. Featuring a combination of live action and luscious animation, the video will be an epic dramatic narrative as well as visual accompaniment to the song and the upcoming album. Based off the themes and artwork of the songs and record itself, it will tell the transformative and surreal story of a man journeying through a dream-like landscape of challenges and perils to ascend to a higher consciousness.

'The Guides' - Video Concept Artwork by Ann Barnetson

Working with Japanese Producer, Art Director and Costume Designer Yuhi Kim the band will be shooting the video in the picturesque location of Kyoto, Japan in March. Utilising the talents of local actors, dancers, film-makers and photographers who the band have met through their previous tour visit to Japan in 2011. Steven will be travelling to Japan in March to perform solo shows under the Usurper name, and has used this opportunity to stage the video in this foreign country and work with up and coming creatives from the Japanese alternative arts scene.

Usurper Artwork Designed by Mariijn Degenaar (Awesome Mountain)

Usurper and the crew are paying for their own plane tickets to get to Japan and Usurper are already putting in their own band's album production funding into the creation of this video - however, to stage the video in the way that they have envisioned - they will need to find further financial assistance. With your involvement and support, the funds that you help raise will be spent on the costumes, make-up, equipment, lighting, animation and special effects required to truly bring the vision to life and create the perfect visual accompaniment to their debut full length album.

'The Child' - Video Concept Artwork by Ann Barnetson

Combining elaborate prosthetic makeup, stunning digital effects, choreographed dance and animation the video will take heavy inspiration from directors with lucid visions such as David Lynch and Alejandro Jodorowsky. The video will be a vibrant and dynamic video that draws on the imagery of dreams and the subconscious - the potential within all of us - which is a major theme of the song and of the album.

'Journeyman's End' - Video Concept Artwork by Ann Barnetson

Berlin-based Artist and designer Mariijn Degenaar (Awesome Mountain) - the man responsible for UoMM's artwork so far on records 'Acid Chess' and 'Turbo Handshake' in addition to their shirt and logo designs - is currently working on new visual compositions for the album which will feature as animations in the video. Make-up and sculpture props and effects are being designed by Perth artist Dimity Magnus and costume design and art direction will be handled by Japanese artist Yuhi Kim.

'Acid Chess' and 'Turbo Handshake' Artwork designed by Mariijn Degnaar

Photo Art Direction and Styling by Yuhi Kim

Sculpture Art and Make-Up Effects by Dimity Magnus

Blue Forest Media in association with Sam Winzar will be donating camera technology towards the production of the video - which will be shot on the Red Epic Digital format in cinematic quality. Director of Photography AJ Coultier will be handling camera duties on set and the video will be edited by Blue Forest's Dominic Pearce who will be creating the post-production digital effects in conjunction with Perth-based special effects artist Robert Woods.

The same team has produced stunning music videos for artists including Kucka, The Chemist, Future of the Left, Injured Ninja, Tomas Ford, Smrts, The Basement Birds, Jeff Martin, French Rockets, Boom Bap Pow and many more.

Blue Forest Media Showreel July 2012

Some examples of the team's previous works:

Tomas Ford - I Feel Dirty

Kucka - Rewind Official Video

A previous Pozible Winner produced by Blue Forest Media in association with Julia Ngeow. Featuring the same team who will be responsible for the Usurper video

Our Budget that is being requested through Pozible is for the external resources and requirements that the band and production crew is not able to cover or source themselves. Crew from Australia will cover their own ticket and flight costs and Usurper will contribute additional funding towards paying the crew and artists involved.

The money we raise with your assistance will be utilised for:

Actors / Talent Hire Fees

Lighting and Grip Gear Hire

Make-Up and Prosthetic / Sculpture Effects Materials

Costume Hire and Production

Post Production and Digital FX Work

Transport, Freight and Unit Costs

If we do not raise our goal, the artists and crew will still work together in Japan in March to shoot a clip, but with a more simple concept and on a much smaller rig and tighter budget. It will be a completely different video, but the artists involved will still work together to create something - but with your help it will be something much more incredible.

Interested but want to learn more about the artists involved?

Usurper of Modern Medicine

(http://www.usurperofmodernmedicine.com)

Listen to Usurper of Modern Medicine's two EP's 'Acid Chess' and 'Turbo Handshake':

UoMM's previous (no-budget) video for 'Pigeon Religion'

Listen to more releases on their Soundcloud page

https://soundcloud.com/usurperofmodernmedicine

Follow Usurper on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/UsurperOfModernMedicine

Blue Forest Media

http://www.blueforestmedia.com.au

Look at Blue Forest Media's Library of work:

http://www.blueforestmedia.com.au/video-library/

Yuhi Kim

Look at Yuhi Kim's work as art director and stylist:

http://www.yuhikim.com

Mariijn Degenaar

Check out Mariijn's design work at Awesome Mountain

http://www.awesomemountain.com

Dimity Magnus

See Make-up FX and Sculpture Art created by Dimity Magnus

http://www.dimtronstudios.com/

We all thank-you for your help and involvement. With your assistance a group of talented artists across many fields from many corners of the earth will work together and create an amazing piece of video art that will truly transcend what the team is capable of.

THANK YOU FROM USURPER, BLUE FOREST MEDIA and ALL THE ARTISTS AND CREW INVOLVED!