Rabbit director Trevor McMahan captures a twisted game of rocker one-upmanship for Portland, OR-based Menomena’s new song and video, “Plumage.” Featuring McMahan’s signature offbeat and wildly creative visual style, the 4:24 video chronicles band members Danny Seim and Justin Harris’ face-to-face character—or costume—standoff; macho posturing rock ‘n’ roll-style. “Plumage” is off of Menomena’s new album Moms, which was released in mid-September.
Says McMahan, “‘Plumage’ is the ultimate illustration of the beautiful conflict in the band’s music: that aural struggle between instruments and ideas that is complex, satisfying and always unmistakably Menomena. And what better way to re-imagine that conflict than a Spaghetti-Western-inspired Mexican standoff of plumaged badassery between Danny and Justin?”
Shot outside of Los Angeles in El Mirage Dry Lake and Saddleback Butte State Park, the production experienced significant obstacles, including but not limited to a shooting, bomb squad evacuation, a news helicopter crash, thunderstorms, near electrocution by lightning (which can be seen in the last shot of the video), gale-force winds, destroyed equipment and flash flooding two shoot days in a row. Continues McMahan, “It was almost as if Jesus did not want us to make this Menomena video, but apparently we had more chest hair.”
“Plumage” opens on Danny Seim and Justin Harris walking toward one another. First, Seim appears as a bohemian with Harris opposing as a yuppie. With each cut, still walking toward one another, they appear as different and often opposing characters: a tattooed redneck, a beaten millionaire, a daredevil, a fisherman, a fireman, a warrior. We conclude on a wide shot of the pair as they meet, first sporting a mix of clothing and gear, then only their underwear. A lightning bolt strikes and we close on the super, “The End.”
“Plumage” opens on Danny Seim and Justin Harris walking toward one another. First, Seim appears in somewhat bohemian threads with Harris opposing in a more slick style. With each cut, still walking toward one another, they appear as different and often opposing characters: a tattooed redneck and a beaten millionaire, a daredevil and a fisherman, a fireman and a sniper. We conclude on a wide shot of the pair as they meet, first sporting a mix of clothing and gear, then, ultimately wearing nothing but the Emperor’s new clothes—and their H&M underwear. A lightning bolt strikes and we close on the super, “The End.”
About Rabbit
Launched in 2009, Rabbit is a bi-coastal production company representing a diverse and unique roster of directors, producers, designers, VFX artists and brand experience builders.
We handle all aspects of production, from preproduction through delivery – across platforms, disciplines, technologies and genres – and have developed a creative ecosystem that allows us to draw upon top global talent to fit the needs of any project.
At Rabbit, the only constant is our commitment to learn, collaborate, and celebrate the power of creative thinking.
Credits:
Client: Menomena
Title: “Plumage” 4:24
Album: Moms
Production Company: Rabbit, LA/NY
Director: Trevor McMahan
Producer: Andrew Gisch
Executive Producers: Douglas Howell, Joby Barnhart
Head of Production: Jeff Sommar
Director of Photography: David Rodriguez
Editor: Kelly Brickner
Wardrobe Stylist: Keith Wager, Nina Lamanna
Assistant Stylist: Zoey MacDonell
Makeup / FX: Ana Preciado, Mark Villalobos
Hair / Makeup: Dawn Brocco
Production Coordinator: D’arby Harlow-James
Steadicam Op: Liame CLark
DIT: Erick Sanchez
Asst Cam: Michael Gorczynski
Colorist: David Vollrath
Post Production: Light of Day, NY
Flame Operator: Colin Stackpole
Post Producer: Kristen Barnard
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