Joji – 777

Joji
— 777

01. Brief
Create an animated video for Joji’s sophomore album “NECTAR” that explores themes of nature and collective behavior.
Director

Saad Moosajee

Type

Music Video

Label

88rising

Previsualization of the environment, inspired by Renaissance painting.
02. Approach
Using Renaissance painting as the formal guide, Moosajee decided to create animated dance sequences using motion capture. The first step was working with dancer Maya Man remotely to block in the choreography. 
Maya Man worked remotely with Moosajee to develop the choreography.
How do you make a film with hundreds of moving characters that feel human and aware of each other, with only one motion capture performer?
— DIRECTOR, SAAD MOOSAJEE
03. Capture
Pandemic restrictions required using a sole dancer to drive the movements of the entire ensemble in the video. Using Unreal Engine’s real-time capabilities, we were able to preview the choreography with 3D characters during the mocap session.
Really.
A single dancer did all of that.
The Making of Joji “777”
04. Result

Renaissance paintings come to life in the video, which features an ensemble of dancers donning animal skulls. While fully CG, “777” at times makes the viewer question if it was not in fact shot practically.

The video won a Bronze Cube at the ADC Awards and ‘Best Animation in a Music Video’ at MVF.

Joji
— 777

Director
Saad Moosajee
Type
Music Video
Label
88Rising

Production Company: Pomp&Clout / Executive Producer: Ryen Bartlett / Head of Production: Kevin Staake / Producer: Russell Greene / Visual Effects Supervisor: James Bartolozzi / Lead Design & Animation: Saad Moosajee / Lead Design & Animation: Zuheng Yin / Design & Animation: Chanyu Chen / Dance & Choreography: Maya Man / Storyboard: Zhoutong Qi / Asset Design: JD Gardner / Costume Design: Chanyu Chen / Concept Design: Zhoutong Qi / Swordfish / Houdini Artist: Dan Clark / Houdini Artist: Tatsuma Nakano / Producer: Danielle Karstetter / Typography: Min Kim / Texture Painting: Jenny Mascia / Rigging TD: Lee Wolland / CG Generalists: Piotr Gabinsky, Henry Hilaire Jr / Render Support: Kyle Doris / Silver Spoon – Motion Capture / Virtual Production TD: Mahe Dewan / Performance Capture Supervisor: Peter Collazo  / Managing Director: Dan Pack  / Exec Producer: Laura Herzing / DIT: Kazim Karaismailoglu / Special Thank you: Epic Games, Alistair Thompson / Vayner Productions: Laura Shea