Director

Francis Wallis

Francis Wallis directs a playful performance promo for Kawala, featuring the group in a perpetually expanding universe of parallel rooms and scenarios.The video boasts a fun, conceptual aesthetic which more than lives up to the name of the track, inspired by the&nbsp;Droste effect. It's&nbsp;put to excellent use here, with a contemporary, slick twist, which feels suited to the cinematic world built within the video.&nbsp;With a trippy edit and brilliant performances all-round, the concept has the right balance of effects and live-action, and feels really fresh.&nbsp;"The lyrical content immediately made me think of the Droste-style effect, which is basically the effect of a picture recursively appearing within itself," explains Wallis.&nbsp;"Creating this visual landscape for our chorus meant that we could repeat our scenes rhythmically, bringing a hypnotic sense of repetitiveness within our variations that felt perfectly suited to this track."Most importantly this felt like a great way to highlight that sense of disorientation and at times claustrophobia that often comes when relationships are on the rocks or at the end of their course in the way that Jim sings about."[imgtoken data:1][imgtoken data:2]

United Kingdom

Sarah Asmail

April Hughes

Patricia Humm

India Bradshaw

OB Management

FAMILIA

Ailsa Robertson

James Duffy

Thomas English

Isusko Garcia

Llwellyn Harrison

Irys Steel

Robyn Rowan

Jack Singer

Homespun

Vlad Barin

CHEAT

Szabolcs Moradi

Cabbage Film Factory

Indie

Kawala 'Hypnotized' by Francis Wallis

KAWALA - Hypnotized (Official Music Video)

As&nbsp;one of the founding partners and founder-directors of FAMILIA, Francis Wallis has played a crucial role in establishing the London-based production company's&nbsp;ethos through his creativity and versatility in commercials and in&nbsp;music videos, working for an eclectic range of artists including AMA, Birdy, MK, Blossoms, Tiggs Da Author, Naughty Boy, Yogi and more.Francis was born in London, but he grew up in Cascais, just outside Lisbon in Portugal. He says "Portugal really shaped my identity." It also explains his accent, which he describes as "all over the place - people often mistake me for American, South African or even Irish."He returned to the UK aged 19 to study Film and Business at Kingston - quickly finding the film side of his degree way more interesting - and his practical experience of filmmaking came later&nbsp;as a runner on music video shoots - and he is still bothered about what he did to Cat Stevens' favourite guitar...Then his breakthrough as a director arrived in 2010 with the completion of his short film and subsequent festival hit&nbsp;Lonesome. Then he and fellow directors&nbsp;Craig Moore and Sasha Nathwani founded FAMILIA in 2014.&nbsp;Francis, 38, lives&nbsp;in Lower Clapton, East London, with his partner and two young children. When he's not working you may find him at home, tinkering with a motorbike...[imgtoken data:1]Above: Francis (far right) on the set&nbsp;of Yogi 'Baby' video featuring Maleek Berry, Kid Ink and Ray Blk (centre)WORK:How long have you held your current position? There are two elements to my day job. I've been working as a director from about the age of twenty five. And over the last seven years I’ve been involved in FAMILIA as one of the founding partners.What were you doing before this? My only real job before getting into the industry was as a mixologist at a fancy cocktail bar in town. My swirling skills were pretty badass at the time! Other than that I just had a bunch of odd jobs and summer gigs.<blockquote>As a freelance runner&nbsp;I spent a lot of time on sets, saw some crazy stuff and met pretty amazing people.</blockquote>My route into the film industry came as a freelance runner.&nbsp;I spent a lot of time on sets, saw a lot of crazy stuff and had the chance to see some pretty amazing people - directors, DoPs&nbsp;and talent -&nbsp;in action. I definitely served my time but also know how important the experience was to me in shaping where I am today.What was your first job, or first significant break in the industry? I realised that it's all talk until you actually go and make something. That feels like a pretty big realisation and a big breakthrough for me. I linked up with a DoP and made a short film called Lonesome. It was the first time I’d taken full ownership of an idea or dream and saw it through to its completion.&nbsp;I didn't really know how to play the game of sending it out to festivals at the time, but it did get picked up by some people and it won a couple of awards. From that moment onwards there was a mentality shift and soon things started to click into place and come my way. I started having success with music videos which soon started to bleed into advertising work as well.&nbsp;Name one music video that inspired you that get involved in making music videos? I was shaped by iconic music videos from the 90s on MTV, but the one that stands out is Michel Gondry’s video for Chemical Brothers'&nbsp;Star Guitar.&nbsp;It was the perfect visualiser for the song.&nbsp;[vidtoken data:0]<blockquote>After [Star Guitar]&nbsp;I started analysing&nbsp;and thinking about music videos in more depth.</blockquote>After that it felt like a switch had been flicked on inside. I remember having daydreams that felt just like it, through my own experiences on trains or buses. Looking back it was probably after this that I started analysing, and thinking about music videos in more depth, feeling compelled to make them.Name one project you’ve done that was significant as a learning experience – and why? Being able to think on your feet and be adaptable in the heat of the moment feels like a learning curve that I'm sure most music video directors can relate to.At times when something is just not working as you envisioned, often the best advice is to find a new solution or just to move on. Music videos are pretty brutal when it comes to schedule and variety of shots often needed in a day, so getting stuck on one and burning through allocated time can come at a great detriment.<blockquote>If you're close to making the magic happen it's important to persist.</blockquote>But on the flipside... if you know you're close enough to making the magic happen it's just as important to persist. I remember the last shot of <a href="https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2016/10/18/blossoms-blown-rose-francis-wallis/44153" target="_blank">Blossoms' Blown Rose</a>&nbsp;video I did a few years back: an exterior shot where we needed to set a large table on fire mid-performance and shoot through the flames as lead singer Tom performed. The elements were not playing ball. It was late, windy as hell, and even started raining. Basically everyone was losing their rag a bit.[vidtoken data:1]I remember almost giving up at one point, and then it suddenly&nbsp;came together. It proved to be the great final shot of the video we needed and totally worth all the pain!&nbsp; These are the little things you start to see a little clearer over the years and after a few projects under your belt.What are your favourite music video-related jobs of the past year or so, and why? I linked up with <a href="https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2021/06/14/jan-blomqvist-x-bloom-twins-high-beat-francis-wallis/71418" target="_blank">[Jan Blomqvist and] The Bloom Twins</a>, whom I had done videos for in the past, creating a low budget but equally fun and stylish video for them.[vidtoken data:2]A few weeks back I also created a futuristic promo concept for <a href="https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2021/07/30/spencer-ramsay-love-you-francis-wallis/72163" target="_blank">Spencer Ramsay's Love With You</a> at Polydor which had a fun and compelling narrative that I enjoyed making.[vidtoken data:3]What are your favourite other jobs of the past year or so? In between a couple of music videos I had a pretty good run with advertising projects. Most recently I shot a&nbsp; commercial promoting the Tuscany region of Italy for the US market -&nbsp;filmed in Tuscany, Salisbury and Nashville.Earlier in the year I also worked on two separate sports-related films, one that celebrated the drama of horse-racing for William Hill, and another for Korean football media outlet and fashion brand Goal.[vidtoken data:4]<blockquote>I'm still finding my lane when it comes to advertising, and excited to see where this goes.&nbsp;</blockquote>What are you currently working on? I’m developing a film concept for a new electric motorbike brand. This particular brand combines electric innovation with that high performance look and feel. And of course I'll be trying to bring some music video vibes to our visuals if at all possible.What kind of work would you like to be doing in future? I love the idea of moving into longer formats. I've never been attracted to big blockbuster studio-backed projects and see myself more in line with a slight indie approach to feature-length films. Saying that, I also feel that I'm still finding my lane when it comes to advertising projects and am excited to see where this goes. And of course I would love to keep that creative muscle flexing with music videos.What advice would you give someone entering your field? Finding work as a runner was a huge step for my development, in being in the company of some amazing talent on a variety of film sets. From there, I started to realize that it's all “talk” until you actually go out and make something of your own.&nbsp;So my advice, if you’re thinking about how to break into directing, would be to just go out and shoot stuff instead of finding the little reasons that stop you from doing so. In my opinion that in many ways is the litmus test.<blockquote>It's all talk until you actually go and make something.</blockquote>LIFE:Tell us something that we don’t know about you… As runner on a music video I once jumped into shot to fix the strap on Cat Stevens guitar at the request of the director. I fucked it up so royally that all I remember is watching his prized possession guitar&nbsp;flying through the air and breaking as it crashed on the floor.Safe to say I was never invited back to work for that director again. But Cat Stevens was a total legend and pretended it was no problem at all, even though I knew it obviously was.When you’re not working, what do you like to spend time doing? Having hobbies or other passions away from work is really important, and I know this keeps me sane at times and has the ability to refresh me in ways I know I need.I love motorcycles and try to get out and do motocross or enduro when possible. There's a thrill-factor that’s important in life. I try to do as much sport as possible, knowing that I get the best out of myself creatively when I am physically aligned, getting rid of any negative energy and trying to keep the good vibes flowing![imgtoken data:2]Above:&nbsp;Francis on the set of the Spencer Ramsay 'Love With You' video<blockquote>The thrill-factor is important in life.</blockquote>Where did you go on your last holiday (or vacation)? Growing up in Portugal and still having family out there means my instinctual reaction is to return whenever possible. I know I am biased but I think Portugal is pretty hard to beat in regards to vacation vibes. Lisbon seems to just get better with time, and being a keen surfer having the Atlantic on your doorstep is pretty special.When I want to really get away from it all I try to second time on the Alentejo coast where it still feels as rural and magical as the special places I remember as a kid growing up.And where would you love to visit? I'm a huge fan of South America, and there’s still a huge amount for me to discover there. I've never been to Mexico, which has been on my radar for a while now. Love the idea of mixing a bit of vibrant city life in Mexico City alongside some more rural surf-related destinations on the coast.What are your favourite currently-running TV shows? I Know This Much Is True -&nbsp;Mark Ruffalo’s performance was stunning.[vidtoken data:5]I'm also a&nbsp;big fan of escapism, totally emerging myself and getting lost in a story far removed from anything close to my own reality. With that in mind I really loved The Terror.[vidtoken data:6]Finally, in regards to documentary, The Life &amp; Lost Art of Szukalski&nbsp;was one of those mind-blowing experiences that came out of nowhere and definitely would be a recommendation.[vidtoken data:7]What’s the best movie (or movies) you’ve seen recently? Mads Mikkelsen was epic in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuClROtJCaw&amp;t=92s" target="_blank">Another Round</a>, directed by Thomas Vinterberg. The film is genius in the manner in which it tackles a social issue in ways that are light-hearted at times but very poignant and thought-provoking.&nbsp;&nbsp;What are your favourite music videos by other people in the past year? I've really been loving the work of Andrew Donoho recently. He’s got a great skill of merging VFX and narrative in a way that always feels captivating and narratively on-point. His video for <a href="https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2020/02/20/strokes-bad-decisions-andrew-donoho/63420" target="_blank">Bad Decisions&nbsp;by The Strokes</a> was pretty awesome - as was the more recent Find My Way&nbsp;for Paul McCartney featuring Beck.[vidtoken data:8]Last year I thought Colin Read’s video Mild Minds by Walls (ft. Boats) was exceptional. Super powerful and a great example of how a visual and conceptual technique can help drive a strong narrative.[vidtoken data:9]Favourite music artist(s), and favourite gig(s) in the past year? Not exactly a lot of gigs to report back on last year, haha! But my favourite concert before the world's Covid meltdown was&nbsp;The War On Drugs&nbsp;at Brixton AcademyFavourite food and/or favourite restaurant(s)? <a href="http://www.pouleaupot.co.uk/" target="_blank">La Poule au Pot</a>&nbsp;[in Belgravia] always seems to get it spot-on. I've had some great boozy lunches and dinners there over the years, it's one of my London faves!<blockquote>I find resonance with any movement aimed at reducing plastic waste... from entering the environment.</blockquote>What’s your favourite political or charitable cause, and why? Growing up by the sea I find particular resonance with any movements designed at reducing plastic waste or anything toxic from entering the environment. It's so evident that things are not moving in the right direction when it comes to world health and how unbalanced things feel at the moment worldwide.As a father I also really admire the Scandinavian approach towards family life and maternity leave. I feel that most societies can take a leaf out of their book in a move towards a more progressive, understanding and developed society.Best recent purchase (send photo, if poss)? I saw one of those practical joke videos on Instagram and thought I need that in my life. It’s basically a remote control snake, but it's also really life-like and the little kid in me gets a huge kick out of scaring the shit out of friends when they’re visiting, haha! Check it out...[imgtoken data:3]Work &amp; Life - balance/ imbalance out of five (1 for imbalance; 5 for balance)? All in all I'd say my work life balance is around 3.5 out of 5. But it still feels like there's a long way to go before the perfect balance between work and quality of life is achieved.• Francis Wallis is a founder-director of FAMILIA in London. See his work here. Contact Ryan Morgan at FAMILIA for more information (ryan@wearefamilia.com), and to Sam Davey at OB Management (sam@obmanagement.co.uk) for music videos&nbsp;&nbsp;

Work & Life Q&A: Francis Wallis, FAMILIA

The Chemical Brothers - Star Guitar (Official Music Video)

Blossoms "Blown Rose" // Dir. Francis Wallis

Bloom-Twins--'High-On-Beat-'-by-Francis-Wallis-

Spencer-Ramsay--'Love-With-You-'-by-Francis-Wallis

60 GOAL // Dir. FRANCIS WALLIS

I Know This Much Is True: Official Trailer | HBO

The Terror Trailer Season 1 (2018) New amc Series

Struggle: The Life and Lost Art of Szukalski | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix

Paul-Mccartney-Ft.-Beck--'Find-My-Way-'-by-Andrew-Donoho

Mild-Minds-'Walls-(ft.-Boats)'-by-Colin-Read

Francis Wallis explores the idea of an interconnected society, in his&nbsp;promo&nbsp;for&nbsp;the enigmatic Spencer Ramsay.&nbsp;Intermixing retrofuturistic graphics and high-tech themes, the anachronistic video for Love With You follows a scientist who develops an artificial intelligence, and has to teach her what it means to be alive.&nbsp;Hallucinogenic patterns and luminescent tattoos add a psychedelic streak to the concept, allowing viewers to experience the otherworldly circumstances the artificial intelligence finds herself in.&nbsp;

Jerome Danvers

Ryan Morgan

Eno Enefiok

David Wright

Benjamin Smith

Iona Greaves

Massimo Fillipe

Johnny Savage

Jenny Meister

Adrian Rux

Jonny Tully

Stephanie Lavington

Louis Danckwerts

Polydor Records

Dance

Spencer Ramsay 'Love With You' by Francis Wallis

Francis Wallis teams up with long term collaborators The Bloom Twins, in his&nbsp;ethereal, fashion-inspired visual for High On Beat.&nbsp;The enigmatic promo is a dark, sultry vision, complete with futuristic styling and hypnotic&nbsp;performances.&nbsp;The slick, avant-garde concept exists in a world of neon striplights and mirrored surfaces, halfway between an alien spaceship and clandestine science lab - and we follow the duo into this world of magic and mystique with no questions asked.[imgtoken data:1]&nbsp;

Sophie Brooks

Beatrice Giustini

Ahmet Husseyin

Sam Harding

Gary Bowyer

Thomas Mangham

The Mill

Lester Brown

Andy Smith

Katie Coward

dark pop

Jan Blomqvist x Bloom Twins 'High On Beat' by Francis Wallis 

Francis Wallis decries society’s addiction to screen culture in this taut, idealistic video for Naughty Boy.Calum Scott performs in a flashing subway carriage, packed out with commuters glued to their cel-phones. Meanwhile, a fed-up protagonist makes it his personal mission to rid the city of phones. The two storylines converge, and in a momentary blackout, he swipes a carriage-worth of phones.As you might expect, there is an uproar. Which is quickly subdued by an impromptu dance party.There is some grand, sweeping photography from Scott Siricusano, who tranforms cold screen light into a unique motif.

Natalie Uglow

Toby Walsham

Izzy Hameed

Scott Siricusano

Kyle Frank

Shaw Fisher

Simona Cristea

Coffee & TV

Virgin EMI

Naughty Boy ft Calum Scott 'Undo' by Francis Wallis

Naughty-Boy-Ft-Calum-Scott--'Undo'-by-Francis-Wallis

AMA hits the school gym to play ball with the girls in Francis Wallis&#39;s smart and playful video for Slip.With the up and coming singer bringing three different distinct characters to the party, Wallis gives them the room to work together. It looks great, with a very defined aesthetic and colour palette. Throw in a comedy doofus of a PE teacher trying to impress the girls for good measure, and you have a fine vehicle for charming AMA.

Murren Tullett

Bemi Shaw

Sarah Faulkner

Envy

Tom Mangham

Dirty Hit

AMA 'Slip' by Francis Wallis

Ama-'Slip'-by-Francis-Wallis

Francis Wallis heads to the stock car racetrack with DJ Yogi and guest vocalists Maleek Berry, Ray BLK and Kid Ink to kick up a colourful storm for Baby.And while Maleek speeds around the track in a classic stock car, it&#39;s Ray who pretty much steals the show, in her awesome sparkly blue jumpsuit...

Hannah Bilverstone

Corey Waters

Scott Smith

Andre Rodrigues

Whitehouse

Dan Moran

Creep Post

Jamie Cox

Sony

Yogi ft. Maleek Berry, Ray BLK, Kid Ink 'Baby' by Francis Wallis

Yogi-Ft.-Maleek-Berry,-Ray-Blk,-Kid-Ink-'Baby'-by-Francis-Wallis

Francis Wallis directs illustrious house DJ Marc Kinchen aka MK&rsquo;s new video for 17,&nbsp;exploring the subculture of Kuduro dancing,&nbsp;that has been emerging from some of the most notorious and vibrant neighbourhoods of Lisbon. It begins with&nbsp;the homecoming of the central protagonist of the video to a hero&#39;s welcome after a time away, which gives an insight and cultural context to the importance given to community, family and friends. Then our hero and his friends make up for lost time, reconnecting through their love of dance.

David Marques

Rui Rodrigues /  Miguel A

Pedro Nair

Vera Caldeira

James Wright

Ten Three

Joseph Bicknell

Marisa Garner Associates

House

MK '17' by Francis Wallis

Mk-'17'-by-Francis-Wallis

Francis Wallis riffs off the culture clash sound of Tiggs Da Author&#39;s Werk It Out, with a party that nods to different&nbsp;eras and movements, from 60s Mod and 70s reggae, to 90s dancehall and the Teenies Twerk.With a rich colour palette, delivered with panache by DoP Marcus Autelli and colourist Joseph Bicknell, Wallis also transforms a classic South London music video location &ndash; the Rivoli Ballroom in Brockley - into something fresh.

Emilia Reid

Chris Kelly

Marcus Autelli

Beau Scott

Celo Vogle

Nathan Matthews

Dale Slater

Natalie Wilkins

Youngster

Dan Millar

Tiggs Da Author 'Werk It Out' by Francis Wallis

Tiggs-Da-Author-'Werk-It-Out'-by-Francis-Wallis

Pixie Lott and Anton Powers have a great time with a classic American muscle car in Francis Wallis&#39;s summery performance clip for Baby.With a vast array of costumes, some carefree loft parties, and an amazing looking Ford Mustang, Pixie Lott and Anton Powers tear through the streets in their own unique ways here - with Powers driving, whilst Lott decides that dancing is the way to go. A feelgood video that&#39;s fun, colourful and stylish.

Rubrik

Nicole Rodrigues

Darren Miller

Brian Sergott

Hannah Olsen

Sayven Entertainment

Samantha Neal

Jo Gutteridge

Pixie Lott and Anton Powers 'Baby' by Francis Wallis

Francis Wallis has delivered this beautifully anachronistic&nbsp;visual treatment for British&nbsp;indie pop band Blossoms, styled in a&nbsp;classic rock aesthetic and featuring&nbsp;a femme fatale who has stolen the lead singer&#39;s heart.&nbsp;Shot in a large, neglected, moonlit home, where candles burn amongst flowers, the band plays and this beauty walks the hallways, and sits at her dressing table. Little do we know what horrible things she has in store for the lead singer...

Davey Gilder

Tom McMahon

Gary Long

Lloyd Cook

Charlie Jenkins

George Jenkins

Richard Curtis

Kat Hawker

Bonnie Hamilton

Elena Diaz

Bernadette MacMillan

Kit Wells

Final Cut

Coffee and TV

Paul McKee

Indie pop

Blossoms 'Blown Rose' by Francis Wallis

Blossoms - Blown Rose

Shot in Lisbon and its surrounding areas, Francis Wallis&#39;s video for Dakota&#39;s Long Hot Summer follows the singer and her friends as they ditch their day jobs and hit the coast.Dakota &ndash; known for her vocals on&nbsp;Jonas Blue&#39;s&nbsp;summer hit Fast Car &ndash; looks radiant under the summer sun, singing and flirting on rooftops at sunset, going surfing and taking in Portugal&#39;s awesome views.

Andrew Law

Maria João Gonçalves

Matt North

Maria João Dias

Mark Scott

Robbie Defense

João Fancisco

Selma Lopes

Marco

Daniel Mendonça

Raquel Santos

Rita Alves

Richard Fearon

Dakota 'Long Hot Summer' by Francis Wallis

Dakota - Long Hot Summer

The new video for Bloom Twins&#39; Amnesia plays up to and contrasts their identical features in this minimal, conceptual performance directed by Francis Wallis.The black and white clip sees the twin sisters perform the song dressed in opposing monochrome high-fashion&nbsp;costumes, and blurs the line between music video and fashion shoot. We&#39;re treated to a textured set of images&nbsp;as thick, black and white liquids &ndash; treacle and cream, in fact &ndash; cover the twins as they swim in and out of focus. Every frame of the piece feels photographic and plays to the concept in a fantastically composed way.

Jed Darlington Roberts

Josie Jacobs

Zanderige Hall

Arthur Watson

Emanuele Crivellari

Peter Oppersdorff

Bloom Twins 'Amnesia' by Francis Wallis

Bloom Twins -  A M N E S I A

Francis Wallis has directed this dreamy, fantastical underwater&nbsp;vision for Birdy&#39;s Wild Horses, which sees the singer transformed into an ethereal mermaid who encounters a deep sea diver.It&#39;s a lovely performance video with gorgeously crafted&nbsp;costumes, fabulous&nbsp;underwater photography, and at its heart, there&#39;s this&nbsp;tragic tale&nbsp;of a love that wasn&#39;t meant to be...

Francis Wallis

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