Behind the Scenes on Hozier’s Better Love Video

Hozier released the video for Better Love on June 16 and will shortly surpass 2 million views. Let’s have a look behind the scenes on the video and how it came together.

While on the Los Angeles press junket for the premiere of The Legend of Tarzan, Hozier spoke about Kevin Godley directing the video.

I sat down with a director called Kevin Godley, who’s a fantastic director and a fantastic musician as well, I’d have to say. The performance side of the music video was recorded in Bray, in a studio in Ireland, which was great.”

He speaks about Kevin Godley and the music video at the 5:00 mark here:

The photographer, Mark Nixon, explains the challenges of the shoot:

Kevin Godley

As the drummer and vocalist for the 70s band 10CC (I’m Not in Love), Kevin Godley formed a songwriting partnership with bandmate Lol Creme. Later, they would release Cry as Godley & Creme. The duo directed the video, which received praise in 1985 for its analogue cross-fade dissolve effect of faces blending.

It was the video for Cry that provided inspiration for the end sequence in Michael Jackson’s 1991 video, Black or White, which with the advancement of technology, could now be achieved with a digital process called morphing.

As a video director, Kevin Godley has a long list of credits that include shoots for The Police (the award-nominated Synchronicity Concert), Eric Clapton (My Father’s Eyes), Bryan Adams (Flying), Rod Stewart (Run Back Into Your Arms) and U2 (Sweetest Thing).

Tarzan & Kevin Godley

Asked if he was influenced by the Phil Collins soundtrack for the 1999 Disney Tarzan film, Hozier revealed that both music videos were directed by Kevin Godley. (Collins’ award-winning song was You’ll Be In My Heart.)

WholeWorldBand

Kevin Godley also founded the collaborative online music video platform WholeWorldBand, now called Youdio. Hozier recorded vocals to David Bowie’s Changes as his contribution to that company’s Movember campaign in November 2015.

Wicklow Connection

Both Hozier and Kevin Godley are residents of Co. Wicklow, so it seems fitting that the video for Better Love was shot at the legendary Ardmore Studios in Bray.
[Edit: The supporting photos are no longer available.]

Bonus

What do actors Natalie Dormer and Katie McGrath have in common with Hozier? Hozier music videos and Ardmore Studios.

Although Katie McGrath appeared in Hozier’s From Eden video and Natalie Dormer was in the Someone New video, the two became connected years before at Ardmore.

Natalie Dormer played Anne Boleyn in The Tudors which filmed at Ardmore Studios from 2007 to 2010. While there, she met Katie McGrath who was fresh out of school and working in the costume department as a wardrobe assistant.

Katie had no intentions of acting, but after encouragement from those on set, she landed a few roles, including an appearance on The Tudors in 2008.

Katie went on to star in Merlin and Jurassic World while Natalie stars in Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games.

Hozier nominated Katie and Natalie for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014.

Now that Hozier has filmed Better Love at Ardmore Studios, they all have that in common too.

Thanks to all of our contributors with special thanks to @literarypengke and @Megn0481.

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Featured image:Lesiele Juliet