Private Project

MARS

MARS is an experimental short film featuring music by Sounding and visuals directed by Shelley Hopkins, produced by Florence Meuleman-Griffin on the sub label EQ. It is a collaboration in the truest sense of the word.

MARS is inspired by the wonders of space travel and transports us to a cosmic realm where we witness the birth of supernovas and planets with a background of stars. The visuals explode in harmony with the ambient beats and are simultaneously fixed at the micro (the dance of creation) and the macro (the unimaginably vast and unwittingly beautiful scale of an unthinking universe swirling towards its next stage). It's a meditative and analogue piece that explores the colossal cosmic tidal forces that stretch our perception, as well as the little breaths and heart beats of our tiny beautiful and ever-changing possibilities.

  • Shelley Hopkins
    Director
  • Florence Meuleman-Griffin
    Producer
  • Sounding
    Music
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Music Video, Short
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 11 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 9, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Shooting Format:
    DSLR
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Shelley Hopkins

London based independent filmmaker and video editor, Shelley Hopkins, specialises in experimental films and music videos. The running theme in her work is the synergy of music and moving image, exploring the correspondence between the micro (everyday substance) and the (archaic or cosmic) macro. Shelley uses microscopes, macro lenses and 8mm film stock to experiment with substances from her little laboratory.

Shelley's interest in contemporary music also comes to play a role here, as her videos have explored "sound substance' not only as ambient recording, but also to augmenting pieces of music. Shelley has collaborated with a number of musicians including The Heavy North, The Cheating Hearts and Carly Paradis. Shelley's work is deeply rooted in collaboration and her music video BINAURAL GLASS was screened at ASFF and WOEFF and has received several accolades , including selections as a finalist, semi-finalist, nominee and an honourable mention.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

MARS is a music video made in collaboration with Fabio La vecchia also known as Sounding, an Italian ambient and experimental electronic musician 'whose passion for creating music was ignited by the haunting soundscapes of David Lynch's films.' His musical journey began with playing keyboards in rock bands, drawing inspiration from groups like Mogwai, Air and Pink Floyd.

I found Sounding on Instagram and instantly felt I'd found a kindred spirit with a mutual love of Angelo Badalamenti, Lynch and mid 90s ambient music. This a passion project, I particularly enjoyed the analogue process of filming this, it's all shot in a Petri dish with natural light for pennies. In the edit there is no manipulation of colour, some speed stretching because once I'd committed to mainly cutting on the beat and the 'narrative' there was no turning back.