Light-hearted, fun and edgy, “You’re so F**kInG cOoL” is the latest hit by record-breaking Australian artist Tones and I, who joins forces once again with Greek Australian director Nick Kozakis for the creation of her video. This has handed the team at Visible Studios a second nomination for a prestigious ARIA award for best video.
Created under COVID restrictions in Melbourne, filming was a challenge, but it did not in any way affect the engaging outcome, highlighting the artist’s unique visual style that has won millions of fans across the globe.
“Tones plays all sorts of different characters in the video”, Mr Kozakis tells us in an interview about their second ARIA nomination. “This was COVID Safe, though challenging, but she nailed it. In order to make it unique we used a robotic arm which allowed us to shoot her as she performed opposite herself, in millimeter precision movements”.
Her expressions and performance really made a ‘pop’, he adds, believing that it was one of the reasons the video caught on.
In spite of the lockdown in Melbourne, Mr Kozakis and his team have been very busy during the past months. “We’ve been able to catch up on passion projects that we have wanted to do for a while.”
There are several projects underway. ‘Earners’, a comedy series by Carl Allison, for one, has taken off. HELP, by Fabiana Weiner, which won Melbourne Webfest for Best Drama series, is being developed into full length episodes. And another exciting development “which will really push my creative flavour” is directing most of the episodes of the new sci-fi series ‘INTERFACE’ by Ellie Popov.
Apart from these projects, Mr Kozakis is looking forward to focusing on his own feature film “In God’s care”, which is based on a true horrific crime.
“It’s a horror film. This is a space I love working in. Horror has always been my go-to, as I fear so much in life. It’s my escapism, turning horrific things that happen into entertainment helps soften the blow, and it’s not only extremely fun, but it’s also amazingly creative.”
Greek culture and filmmaking
As a kid he would read Aesop’s fables and privately act out his own adventures, roleplaying with his friends in Primary school. On the one hand he had the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and on the other the Greek gods and the heroes of Greek mythology. It was his entry into the world of heroes.
Mr Kozakis follows in the footsteps of his idols, Tarantino and other independent film makers such as Kevin Smith and Sam Raimi. “These are incredible creative people who went out and made films off their own back. It was kind of a gateway for me to take the plunge and co-direct my first feature film ‘Plague’ in 2015 which became a huge success.”
Just as his collaboration with Tones was the best thing about the whole process, Nick Kozakis believes that success lies in a good collaborative relationship with the actors and the whole team.
“I like to work closely with my actors, firstly ensuring they are comfortable on set. I like to give each actor in the scene a direction that the other actor isn’t aware of. This creates a tension when they enter the scene, and that is where the magic truly happens.”
Ideas blossom into something greater through discussion and that is perhaps Mr Kozakis’ favourite part about the creative process. “Though the most important of all is releasing it to an audience. Having a completed product is incredible. Seeing it come from nothing to something. It’s like giving birth to life. When you share it publicly and people comment and discuss it, it gives it its second birth and it continues to develop.”
Every element is important when filming to Kozakis, even using the camera as another character, which allows him to push the composition and the visuals as far as they can possibly go.
However focused he is on set, Mr Kozakis won’t let a chance slip by for a practical joke. “An occasional practical joke is a great way to bring everyone together.”
The only sure thing, is that there is more to come from the young talented director who hails from Yiannitsa.
Meanwhile you can help their nominated video win the award by voting for it, at www.aria.com.au/vote. The winners will be announced on 25 November.
For more information on Nick Kozakis and his company Visible Studios, visit www.visiblestudios.com.au.
