By Jed Lanyon
Those who walked past the Healesville Hotel on Tuesday 17 September may have noticed the pub’s windows blacked out and other filming equipment in the area.
This was due to Healesville resident and artist Ben Mitchell filming a music video for his upcoming album Slow Is The New Fast.
The music video will see Mr Mitchell portray three different characters in an evening bar setting.
“I play three different parts, a disgruntled drinker, a bartender and a singer,” Mr Mitchell said.
“It’s just about how the music affects each of those three people differently and how it draws them in.”
The acoustic based album will be available on 10 October, coinciding with the release of the music video for You Can’t Fight That.
The video was shot by Momentum Studios, a Healesville based film production company founded by Michael Hardinge.
“We’re a video production company that shoots a lot of content for anything from network television to producing stuff that one way or another makes a difference in the community,” he said.
“We like to use video as a way to start conversations to create change.”
Mr Hardinge said it was fantastic to see so many local elements incorporated within the video’s production, including local talent, production team as well as local produce and wines.
Mr Mitchell said he hopes his music video will provide something that’s a little bit different.
“It’s quite atmospheric. An acoustic guitar is a really percussive instrument.
“You get a bit of rhythm from that but I’d really like people to be drawn in by the video to the music to show something a bit more relaxed and not so in your face.”
Mr Mitchell said he was looking forward to acting again for the video as he has appeared in Neighbours and other TV shows and theatre.
“Hopefully the three different characters that I play will show different elements of my personality.”
Mr Mitchell was thankful to the Healesville Hotel for allowing him to spend the day shooting the music video.
“This bar has got a great feel. It’s nice to shoot in your hometown, but it suits the video perfectly.”
Slow Is The New Fast is a collection of 14 acoustic folk-blues and raw American songs each recorded in one take, with a handful of overdubs.
For more information about Slow Is The New Fast, visit https://www.ben-mitchell.com/
For more information about Momentum Studios, visit http://www.momentumstudios.com.au/
