Playlist: Chris Boyle

Animator and director Chris Boyle, who's helmed projects for the likes of Biffy Clyro, Keane, Dizzee Rascal and The Who, steps up for this week's Playlist.

What’s the best promo you’ve seen recently and why?

Lethal Bizzle's Going to the Gym. He looks like he's having a ton of fun, but still remembers to put a yoga mat on his Lambourghini before dancing on it. Mainly though, because it's a Christmas single - and who records a track like that for charity? Lethal Bizzle. That's who. He's the Bizzleness. 

What’s the first promo you remember being impressed by?

I think a load of videos by Hammer and Tongs; Right Here, Right Now and Coffee and TV jump to mind. As well as work from the same time by Johnny Hardstaff like Hayling or Like Plates Spinning. The meshing of animation and live-action, be it sleek or more whimsical, was super formative and influenced a lot of what I do now. 

And what’s your all-time favourite music video?

Some kind of Mexican standoff between, Gravel Pit from Wu-Tang Clan, Frontier Psychiatrist by the Avalanches or New Lands by Justice because they're all vaguely nonsensical, but entirely awesome and that says as much about the bands as their makers. 

What other directors/artists do you look to for inspirational?

Tom Kuntz, The Daniels, David O'Reilly, and Reddit. A lot of reddit.  

What are you listening to at the moment?

Well, I'm playing Doom (the game). It's soundtracked by Mick Gordon who's amazing, if that counts. Oh and the Stranger Things [Netflix] soundtrack is great too.

 

What’s your favourite bit of tech, whether for professional or personal use?

Our studio's Muji Room Aromamizer. I don't know how it vaporises the water but it's magic and it's the future, or it's definitely my immediate future. 

What artist(s) would you most like to work with and why?

Roger Moore; I feel he deserves his own Christoper Walken, Weapon of Choice, moment.  Or any band that wants to soundtrack a short of Dagon by HP Lovecraft that I've been working on for a while - that would make an excellent film - If I say so myself.

How do you feel the promo industry has changed since you started in it?

Everything seems more negotiable. Budget, content, production time etc. Also, personally I'm a bit more picky. Before I'd pitch just to make something - now it's a bit more collaborative and I'll only make something if it's an idea that I'm super keen to make - because it's probably going to take a while and be a bit tight on budget. 

Where do you see the industry being in five years’ time?

I reckon they're going to be less definable, which is exiting as it makes more room for interesting work, in content and medium as people realise they'll need to make bolder stuff to stick out. Having said that I think there's going to be a fairly gruelling six months of 360-degree performance videos incoming, like DRONE MANIA of a couple of years ago.

Tell us one thing about yourself that most people won’t know…

I am the proud owner of a Guinness world record. It's for most amount of zombies captured on camera. Which is nice, isn't it?