The project was a chance for Sam to ask a question she keeps returning to: What happens when new creative technology meets traditional craft? A reminder that when imagining our future, there is still value in the skills and tools of our past.
Wired described Sam’s approach in the issue:
“Sam prompted an AI to create backdrops displayed on an LED wall behind Grimes, like the scenic paintings of 1920s film sets — then used meticulously posed models and special effects makeup over Photoshop and CGI, and analog film over digital compositing. The shoot took place on an XR stage in Hollywood. Carefully posed models created the six-armed figure in-camera. Special effects makeup desaturated skin tones for a Metropolis-meets-Madonna group shot that reads as black and white until the fleshy pinks around the eyes and lips break the illusion. Nothing was built in post that could be built on set.”
Grimes was stoked: "That's sick. It's unlike any shoot I've ever done."
WIRED MAGAZINE
ROLE PHOTOGRAPHER
LINK TO ARTICLE
MOVEMENT DIRECTOR LAKE DORN
LIGHTING DIRECTOR FRANK RIOS
LIGHTING ASSIST JACK DUFFY
DIGITAL TECH LOGAN BINGHAM
PAS BOBBIN SINGH, MEAGAN BANUELOS
HAIR PRESTON WADA
HAIR ASSIST AMY RUIZ
STYLIST TURNER
GLAM MUA ALEXANDRA FRENCH
GLAM MUA ASSIST KAYLI RACHELLE
SFX MUA MALINA STEARNS
SFX MUA ASSIST SASHA GLASSER
MANICURIST STEPHANIE STONE
WIRED
PRODUCER SAM COOPER
DESIGN DIRECTOR ALYSSA WALKER
XR STUDIOS
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER FRANCESCA SEAVEY
TECHNICAL STUDIO MANAGER KEVIN SANFORD
VIRTUAL PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR ALEX VICENTE
PRODUCER MARISSA JOHNSON
MODELS TRISTIN HUDSON, ZOE ELYSE
FILM PROCESSING BY POSTMIX FILM LAB