PIru by Shimmy

Music video Project

Photo of Shimmy and Nerdie performing together at Masquarave in 2023

Piru is a song written by Shimmy and produced by Nerdie from Korean-Australian hiphop group “1300”.

The grant application is for creating the music video for this song.

✦ Table of Contents ✦

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We have already secured our collaborators, who come from a variety of backgrounds, enriching our project with diverse perspectives and ideas. Now, we only need the funding to bring it to life. This grant will enable us to produce a music video that not only pushes the boundaries of visual experimentation but also contributes significantly to diversity within the Australian arts scene.

By showcasing a unique and distinctive artistic expression that diverges from the prevalent American-influenced trends, this project will offer a fresh and original perspective, highlighting homegrown creativity at its most dynamic.

✦ How will THE GRANT HELP THIS PROJECT?

Set design sculpture by Shimmy in 2024

✦ Why should YOU give ME this grant?

Being in the early stages of my music career, I have limited opportunities to showcase my talent which makes accessing grants particularly difficult. In a time when Australia is increasingly open to Asian culture, I am eager to use this opportunity to further enrich the Australian creative landscape with my unique Korean story telling.

My previous projects, all self funded, demonstrate a strong commitment to experimentation and risk-taking, resulting in original and interesting works. This grant would support me to further explore and integrate unique, experimental concepts into the broader arts and culture sector of Australia, enhancing its diversity and vibrancy.

Creating this music video allows for the exploration of innovative filmmaking techniques. This process of experimentation and learning will significantly deepen me and collaborators involved, artistic practice, enhancing our skills and enriching our creative output.

✦ How will THIS PROJECT BENEFIT MY CAREER ?

benefit and impact on career, artistic and cultural practice

✦ ABOUT SHIMMY

Shimmy is an Australian born Korean filmmaker, musician based in Sydney. She has completed her degree in Bachelor of Visual Arts at The University of Sydney in 2020. Shimmy was chosen as the winner for USU Creative Awards 2019.

Since her graduation, she has actively engaged in diverse filmmaking projects, ranging from films to music videos and Australian Fashion Week videos. Her notable work, 'Trip to X,' was not only selected for screening at the Sydney Underground Film Festival but also received a nomination for Best Experimental Short at the Indie Short Fest in LA in 2021.

Shimmy has been deeply engaged in music since her childhood, beginning with piano lessons at age 6, receiving a piano competition award and lead singing in bands and musicals. Her artistic path took a decisive turn through a pivotal collaboration with producer Nerdie, which encouraged her to experiment with her singing without reservations. This collaboration became an important part of Shimmy’s creative journey, significantly shaping her development as an artist.

Performance, Exhibitions and Awards:

Live Music Performance, Masquerave (2023)
Official Selection, Sugondese Film Fest (2023)
Awarded Best Production Design, Blue Heeler Film Festival (2022)
Official Selection, Blue Heeler Film Festival (2022)
Official Selection, Write Brain TV (2022)
Nominee, Best Experimental Short, Indie Short Fest, LA (2021)
Official Selection, Sydney Underground Film Festival (2021)
Winner, USU Creative Awards (2019)
Recipient, The Jerome De Costa Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship (2016)

✦ RECENT Work

Clownfish (2024)

Written + Directed + Produced + Edited by Shimmy

Press play to watch the trailer

A short film about a clown on a quest to find the perfect fish to escape her clown self. It was inspired by an article I read about a fishermen cult in Panama that dedicated itself to finding a rare golden fish.
The film distinguishes itself through its theatrical and bold aesthetic. Our very small crew spent weeks carving, stitching and painting so that the film felt tactile to emulate an intimate theatre play look.

It was produced on a minimal budget, entirely self-funded while still studying at uni. I hope the quality achieved under these constraints demonstrates my dedication — imagine the possibilities with proper funding!

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Here is what Sydney filmmaker Raghav Rampal (Dir. “Besharam!”) said about Clownfish

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Here is what Sydney actor Morgan Davies (Netflix’s ‘One Piece’) said about Clownfish who came to the early version screening

Solve for x (2024)

'Solve for X' is an innovative online puzzle project inspired by the notorious 'Cicada 3301’. This adventure begins with a seemingly simple video posted on Instagram, but each solved puzzle further opens a new chapter on the internet. It demands sharp intellectual engagement, utilising skills from basic clock reading to chess, and navigates participants through an intricate virtual maze. Featuring captivating visuals and an historic exploration of the letter 'X,' this project pushes the boundaries of conventional puzzle design, offering a uniquely intellectually stimulating experience.

PUBLIC REsponse

The response to this work was incredibly positive, garnering 15K views in just a few days and significantly extending its reach beyond my existing followers. Even people who don’t know me well would approach me online or come up to me at events expressing curiosity about the puzzle and inquiring about the release of future puzzles.

✦ ABOUT THE PROJECT - MUSIC VIDEO FOR PIRU

Shimmy met producer Nerdie during the making of his music video, leading to a music collaboration that began in 2021. After extensive experimentation through many unreleased tracks to discover a sound that resonated deeply with both, the song ‘Piru’ was born.

Press play to listen to the demo

Piru is a whimsical and evocative track, featuring poetic Korean lyrics that delve into the themes of fate and profound love Shimmy experienced upon meeting her stray cat, Kujo (shown on the left). The song captures the magical experience of two creatures finding each other in a vast world, where the odds of their meeting were so slim. It highlights the sense of destiny in their connection, emphasising how, in such a large world, a single moment in the right place can create a special relationship. The song’s waltz rhythm and the enchanting sound of accordion crafts an eerie, fantasy circus atmosphere, setting the stage for unique auditory experience.

This grant application is for the making of the music video for ‘Piru’.

Leveraging her extensive background in visual filmmaking, Shimmy is set to create an innovative and visually compelling music video for ‘Piru,’ drawing inspiration from the avant-garde style of work by Sergei Parajanov (shown on the right). The video will be an ethereal and experimental piece, utilizing theatre-inspired set design, mixed media, stop-motion animation, and 16mm analogue film to craft a dreamlike, otherworldly narrative.

AI Generated Concept Photo

Keywords: dreamy, theatrical, world building, crafty

✦ KEY Collaborators

✦Nerdie is a producer, DJ and member of Korean-Australian hip hop group 1300. He has toured around Australia and travelled overseas to perform as part of 1300. Apart from his notable achievements with 1300, he has DJ’ed at esteemed events like Soft Centre. He collaborated with a diverse array of artists including Bayang (The Bushranger) and Grasps, showcasing his broad range and collaborative spirit in the music scene.

✦Elijah Flores is an accomplished cinematographer and colourist at the award-winning production company 'VIDEOHEAD’. His expertise in digital and analog covers a broad range of filmwork, including high-profile clients such as Samsung, Redbull, Nike as well as acclaimed artists including 1300 and Maya, among others. His recent short film work BESHARAM! has screened at Sydney Film Festival and Melbourne Film Festival.

✦Yingying Zhang is a distinguished set designer who collaborated with Shimmy on 'Clownfish'. She specializes in theatrical set design with her profound skills in accurate 3D modelling to bring stage concepts to life. Her extensive background in designing for musical theatre showcases her exceptional ability to create compelling, immersive environments that enhance the storytelling experience.

✦Mona Mule is a versatile talent in the music industry, serving as a singer, producer, graphic designer, and the visionary founder of 'Swallow Record.' This record label is crafted as a nurturing space for musicians, offering assistance in visual direction, booking, and management to foster their growth and enhance their career trajectories.

✦ BUDGET Breakdown

16mm Camera hire

400ft roll (x6)

Cinematographer

Set Design Material

Set Designer

Set Design assistant

Costume Material

Costume Designer

Lighting hire

Lighting Director

Lighting assistant

Studio Hire

Hair and Make up artist

Production Assistant

Catering

BTS Photographer

Editor

Colourist

Sound Director

Extra

Misc

$1800 (3days)

$1800 ($300per roll)

$3000 (3days)

$1000

$3500 (5days)

$800 (2days)

$500