Producer

Chris Watling

When Stormzy does videos, he does them big, and the video&nbsp;for Toxic Trait, directed by Femi Ladi,&nbsp;is no different, boasting a&nbsp;tour de force&nbsp;of set builds, visual effects and cameos - delivered with a mesmerizing motion controlled camera&nbsp;move.What's more, there's a dramatised therapy session featuring guest artist Fredo - with his therapist played by TV royalty Alison Hammond.The video fictionally contextualises a plethora of 'toxic' situations that Stormzy refers to in the track, honing in on gambling, violence and the glorification of luxury lifestyles. And as the camera shifts between multiple versions of the grime superstar, Ladi introduces&nbsp;significant, historical cultural moments from over the years, including the iconic&nbsp;1968 Esquire Magazine cover of Muhammed Ali and Kehinde Wiley’s prominent painting, A Ship Of Fools.[imgtoken data:1]When the action breaks for the therapy scene with Fredo and Hammond, it's a welcome development of the theme that also adds a touch of humour. Then it concludes with a group-therapy session which features further cameos from a range of British figureheads including Ivorian Doll, Wretch 32 and Specs Gonzalez.Filmed in London earlier this year, the&nbsp;majority of the visual was shot on a high-speed, cinema robot camera, capable of horizontal&nbsp;and vertical movement speeds of up to 2 metres per second.[imgtoken data:2]“After listening to the lyrics, I wanted to have fun with this video," Femi Ladi has stated.&nbsp;"I liked the idea of bringing a Renaissance-style painting to life, whilst still feeling grounded in the world of Stormzy."We collaborated on all the scenarios together which was great - as well as being able to bring in the likes of Fredo and Alison Hammond for their own toxic therapy sessions!"​

United Kingdom

Femi Ladi

Nicola Sheppard

Somesuch

Saskia Whinney

Georgina Fillmore

Andre Reid-McKinley

Tom Gardner

Ruben Woodin Deschamps

Tuncer Ozdemir

Chris Kelly

Hatty Ellis-Coward

Leo Olesker

Melissa Holdbrook-Akposo

Cabin Edit

Amber Saunders

Coffee & TV

Max Harrison

G6 Moco

Studio Augmenta

Lewis Crossfield

Luke Todd

Grime

Stormzy ft Fredo 'Toxic Trait' by Femi Ladi 

STORMZY - TOXIC TRAIT ft. FREDO

Ben and Joe Dempsey make a rare excursion back into promos&nbsp;for classical artist Ludovico Einaudi - renowned for his work on the soundtracks for Black Swan, This is England and Untouchable. And for Einaudi&#39;s track Life, Ben and Joe&nbsp;have directed&nbsp;a mystery story; an ode to the timeless joys of childhood, with an intriguing&nbsp;twist.The film,&nbsp;written by BBH creative team Robin Warman and Harry Orton, and photographed by Steve Annis, audaciously flips the meaning&nbsp;of Life on its head, and leaves the viewer with chills.

Chris Watling

Producer

Videos featuring Chris Watling

2023 (1)

2015 (1)

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