Maxi McLachlan directs a striking promo for pop singer-songwriter Bea, where the artist remains firmly at the centre of an evolving story. 

The video for Ballet Pumps features a dazzling montage of vignettes with Bea (formerly known as Bea and her Business) at the centre, faking her enthusiasm through a slew of social situations. 

"The song is all about forcing a smile to appease the expectations of those around you," explains McLachlan. "In order to visually strike that emotional chord we needed a concept we could create with our limited resources. Thus we constantly rotate around Bea, when she faces one way she is 'on' having to perform and play happy, as she turns around we reveal how she truly feels 'behind the scenes'."

As the camera orbits around her, we get a peek behind the curtain of what's really going on, before a big cathartic moment at the end. 

"I wanted it to feel dizzying and at times overwhelming so that there is a real sense of force and pressure on Bea, one that we can experience with her," continues McLaghlan, adding that match-cutting between each location required careful planning and precision.

"Of course that all goes out the window when you're on set and hours behind. At that moment you're playing a game of chess with yourself on set, trying to think six steps ahead to save yourself a nightmare in the edit. Thankfully we had the best team helmed by my producer, Rhory Danniells, and DP, Léa Taillefer, without whom there would be no spark to this project.

"Léa pushed us to think big and cultivate a classic Hollywood look using classic Hollywood equipment (e.g. anamorphic 16mm and tungsten lighting) while Rhory made it all happen on a shoestring budget." 

Ultimately, it's brilliant showcase of creative cinematography and sharp direction, with Bea's performance as the anchor for the entire concept.