PRETTYBIRD's Elliott Gonzo Directs Cinematic Music Video for Tom Walker

Elliot Gonzo has directed an enigmatic music video for Tom Walker’s new track ‘Burn’. In the cinematic promo, the camera follows a young man - played by Joshua James Smith - through a vast forest at night, where he discovers a burning easel. In a dramatic twist, he is struck by lighting and the trees around him set alight, before the 2.5 minute film culminates in a fiery ending.  

Elliot chose an earthy palette and fast-moving cinematography for the promo, which was shot on location in Winterfold Forest, Surrey, to create a promo that fuses edgy direction with an intriguing narrative and  interesting translation of the track ‘Burn’ to a cinematic narrative.

Elliott Gonzo said, "As the heavens unleashed a late-night monsoon on our shoot, we found ourselves completely engulfed in an 'Apocalypse Now' ambiance. The lyrics of Tom Walker’s 'Burn' resonated deeply, creating a powerful parallel with the protagonist’s intense emotional journey. Collaborating with Tom Walker on this project was epic. His intense and heartfelt lyrics in ‘Burn’ became the beacon, guiding us to create a narrative that not only complements the song, but also elevates its emotional depth. We aimed to make a cinematic spectacle rather than just any old music video.” 

Elliott Gonzo's filmmaking approach delves into the intricacies of human emotion, crafting captivating alternate worlds and realities, seamlessly blending the fantastical with deep emotive narratives. His unique filmmaking approach permeates his entire body of work, establishing a distinctive style marked by subtle surrealism and magical storytelling. He explained, “Even from a young age, I’ve always been obsessed with the idea of making my imagination or dreams come to life.”

Elliot’s latest music video clients include; Meduza (nominated for a UKMVA award); Wargasm; Enter Shikari; and Nothing But Thieves. He has also directed content for clients including; Sony, Polydor, Tate Modern, Red Bull, Nowness, Dazed, NICCE, Ciroc, and Redbull. Elliot has recently completed his latest short - ‘Hard Times’ - with Olivier-Awards winning ‘Top Boy’ writer Elliot Warren. His work has been featured in Dazed/Nowness, It’s Nice That, Another Man, Booooooom, Directors Notes, 1.4, and Directors Library,  including a UKMVA nomination in 2022, as well as competing at BAFTA qualifying festivals and winning awards around the world.