The music video for “Darlin’”, the first single from She & Him's album Melt Away: A Tribute to Brian Wilson was based in the language of a 1980s QVC infomercial. As it progresses, that conceit gets turned on its head with dancing, hand modeling and digits communicating via subtitles. The title design and GFX reflected these fun story choices by taking directly from the time period. Animation style, typography and design choices were considered as early as the deck pitch, through filming and into post. Even on set, our team was getting B-roll in order to experiment with how to illuminate the graphics to help anchor the story.
DIRECTED BY Lara Jean Gallagher / USA
CLIENT: Sequitur Cinema / Fantasy Records
ROLE: TITLE DESIGNER + GFX + Animation
“Darlin’” performed by She & Him
featured in:
Pitchfork / rolling stone / stereogum / the line of best fit / Broadway world
The opening titles were influenced by VHS distribution logos from the 1980s.
Various shots from the music video were utilized to drive home the infomercial vibe. This includes a telephone number plastered across the screen and blocks of information to advertise the nail polish. With the “commercial” there was a skit involving talking hands and props driving down the nail polish theme.
Unused Frames and Outtakes
An unused frame from the video. The address is fake but the phone number is real. Give it a ring!
Travel Agency / Office Area
She & Him practicing the song
Dancer Gulet Isse posing for the camera
Fake magazine props
Credits_
Featuring
She & Him // Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward
Dancer/Hand Model 1 // Gulet Isse
Teenager/Hand Model 1 // Matthew Jarzyna
Teenager/Hand Model 2 // Leanne Tarrab
production
Director // Lara Jean Gallagher
Executive Producer // Daniel Grossman
Line Producer // Kristen Uno
Cinematographer // Ben Mullen
1st AC // Felipe Larrondo
2nd AC // Alejandro Quirós
Gaffer // Tim Watson
Key Grip // John Portillo
Grip // Manchin Hsiung
Swing/Driver // Fio Karpenko
Hair Stylist - Band // Brenton Leonesio
Make Up - Band // Sara Nelson
HMUA/Nail Artist // Cali Mazariego
HMUA Assistant // Mercedes Gonzalez
Wardrobe Stylist // Abe Nasser
Wardrobe Assistant // Abigail Searls
Production Designer // Cheyenne Peerson
Set Dresser // Sam Crainich
Art Assistant // Emily Suber
Key PA // Skyler Bible
BTS Stills // Jake J. Shideler
POst
Post Production Supervisor // Germaine Putz
Lead Editor // Alexander Morris
Supporting Editor // Pete Larsen
Colorist // Cameron Marygold
VFX // Matthew DeLisi
GFX & Animation // Emily Suber
Production Manager // Annie Moore
Production Accountant // Cody Nailor
Music video by She & Him performing Darlin'. © 2022 She & Him, LLC., Under exclusive license to Fantasy Records. Distributed by Concord.