Crafting "Le Dessert": A Music Video Director's Perspective
As a music video director, every project is a new canvas. For Romeo Elvis's Le Dessert in 2018, that canvas was Los Angeles, and it marked one of the first LA projects for Left Productions, the production company Studio Supreme brought on not long after they had moved into the city. I directed and executive produced, working the whole thing from concept to final cut.
Watch the music video: Romeo Elvis "Le Dessert"
The Concept: An Infinite Day
I take a lot of inspiration from movies. I watch a lot of them, and you can find more of my film reviews and the movies I like over on blog.designhero.tv. For Le Dessert, the inspiration was Groundhog Day), the Bill Murray film where the same day repeats over and over. To build that feeling, we shot on a studio lot instead of a real street. A lot needed full control: the same background action, the same extras, the exact same cues repeating identically, take after take, day after day in the story. Our protagonist is the one element that breaks the loop. He wakes up inside that universe and, trapped and afraid, starts interfering with everyone else's repeating routine. In a way, he is the only real person in the video, and everyone else is closer to an NPC stuck replaying their own script.
The music video went on to do millions of views, and directing music videos remains one of the things I love most about this job.
Directing Techniques for a Distinctive Vision
My directing approach for "Le Dessert" focused on blending raw, authentic performances with carefully composed cinematic moments. The camera work was almost entirely steadicam. The one exception was our single tracking shot, done from the back of a pickup truck. That mix of handheld intimacy and one deliberate tracking move mirrored Romeo Elvis's unique flow, keeping the viewer engaged throughout the music video.
The narrative, while sometimes abstract, was grounded in a clear emotional arc. I worked closely with Romeo Elvis to ensure his performance felt natural and powerful, guiding him through various scenes to evoke the desired mood. Crafting these moments required a subtle touch, allowing the artist's personality to shine through while maintaining the overall aesthetic integrity of the project.
When Everything Goes Wrong on the Same Day
Around this time I was on what I can only call a music video rampage: three music videos directed and produced in two weeks, while also creative directing and directing a commercial for Cartier at the same time. The schedule was absurd. The Cartier piece was a 3D shoot made in Shanghai, one of the Caballero et Jeanjass videos was also shot in Shanghai, another one for them was shot in Los Angeles, and Le Dessert was shot in Los Angeles too. Everything overlapped.
The Le Dessert shoot itself went smoothly until it didn't. Romeo wanted to wear a yellow jacket, which I loved, so we paired it with an old vintage car from the sixties in matching yellow. On shooting day, the vintage car broke down and never made it to set. Around the same time, one of our hired actresses, who had agreed to her rate without any negotiation, simply flaked and bailed the same day.
One of my PAs happened to be a good friend, and she and her ex-husband, a French couple, were both huge fans of Romeo Elvis. I looked at her and asked if she wanted to play the part instead: the girl next door, jogging on a loop, one of the deliberate movie cliches I wanted inside this perfect repeating day. She said yes, and she was amazing in it.
For the car, one of our supporting talents, an African American guy who clearly loved his car, was driving a white Mustang. I asked if we could borrow it, and he graciously said yes. Looking at the comments afterward, a lot of people assumed we had planted a deliberate GTA V easter egg, since he and his white Mustang looked exactly like Franklin Clinton. We hadn't planned that at all.
Both of those things could have sunk the day. Instead I ended up with one of my best friends to this day, and an easter egg nobody planned but everyone loved. If there is one thing filmmaking keeps teaching me, it is to stay flexible and go with the flow.
Credits
Director: Olivier Hero Dressen. Story by Olivier Hero Dressen. DOP: Andrey Krauzov. Production: Studio Supreme and Left Productions. Executive Producer: Olivier Hero Dressen Los Angeles Producer: Boris Labourguigne. Art director and stylist: Meghan Weinstein. Offline editor: Luke Farrow. Final cut, post production and color grading by Studio Supreme.
FAQ: Music Video Production Insights
What were the main challenges of filming "Le Dessert" in Los Angeles?
The primary challenges involved navigating Los Angeles's extensive urban landscape and managing complex logistics across multiple locations. We meticulously planned routes, secured necessary permits, and coordinated a large crew efficiently to ensure smooth transitions between diverse shooting environments, which is common in a bustling city.
How did you ensure the artist's vision was maintained throughout the production?
Maintaining the artist's vision was central to my role as Director, achieved through constant communication and collaboration with Romeo Elvis. We established a clear creative direction from the outset, and I consistently referenced his artistic intent during filming and post-production, ensuring the final music video authentically represented his music.
What specific directing techniques did you employ for "Le Dessert"?
For "Le Dessert," the camera work was almost entirely steadicam, which gave every scene a consistent, grounded feel even as the day repeated. The one tracking shot in the video was shot from the back of a pickup truck rather than a dolly or a car mount, keeping the setup simple while still giving us the one moving shot the sequence needed.
What is the importance of an Executive Producer role in a music video?
The Executive Producer role is crucial for overseeing the entire production, from securing funding and managing the budget to ensuring the project stays on schedule and within scope. As Executive Producer for "Le Dessert," I focused on providing the necessary resources and logistical support, enabling the creative team to execute the vision effectively.
Explore more of my work and discover how we can bring your next project to life. See more on the portfolio page.
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