Close

Max Cooper – Broken Machines Broken Dreams

Broken Dreams, Broken Machines

3840x2160 / 24fps / ProRes 4444 HQ

Max Cooper – Broken Machines Broken Dreams

Optical Arts directed, designed and produced this film for artist Max Cooper - inspired by his track ‘Broken Machines Broken Dreams’, from his new Album Unspoken Words.

The film explores notions of rhythm, consciousness and celebrates the freedom in losing control; the beauty of deciding one's own path.

We are often consumed by the monotony and repetitive nature of everyday life. ‘Broken Machines Broken Dreams’ portrays the idea that if we decide to let our imagination and thoughts run wild - we could find a new comfort and rhythm in the freedom of it. In Max Cooper’s words: ‘it is about letting go and accepting a slightly odd yet harmonic resolution’.

The film concentrates on computer numerical control (CNC) machines. The methodical, repetitive and controlled instruments start to daydream, descending into a beautiful cacophony of sound and image.

Brass_Lathe

CNC'd_Totem_Rough_Pass

Totems_0004_Sculpt_01_v1

CNC'd_Totem_01

6000x4500px / 300dpi / 8Bit TIff

Totems_0004_Sculpt_03_v1

CNC'd_Totem_03

6000x4500px / 300dpi / 8Bit TIff

CNC_Robot_Carve

Totems_0004_Sculpt_02_v1

CNC'd_Totem_03

6000x4500px / 300dpi / 8Bit TIff

Brass_Lathe_02

Bass_07

Brass_Rods

Brass_Lathe_03

3D_Print

Print_0001_Print_01_1500_RT

3D_Printed_Error_01

6000x4500px / 300dpi / 8Bit TIff

Print_0001_Print_02_0_1500_RT

3D_Printed_Error_02

6000x4500px / 300dpi / 8Bit TIff

Print_0001_Print_02_270_1500_RT

3D_Printed_Error_03

6000x4500px / 300dpi / 8Bit TIff

3D_Print

Steel_02

OA_MC_BDBM_Alum_1_v2

Steel_Blocks

Steel_03

Behind the Scenes

The sculptures were designed by Optical Arts with 3D modelling software allowing the machines' technicians to turn the digital designs into tool paths for material cutting.

These machines reside in the workshops of Asylum SFX, where the CNC cutting, 3D milling and 3D printers were shot on location.

The robot’s cutting precision and final outcome were expected but the journeys of their programmed sequences were unknown. Their actions are mostly repetitive with glimpses of their characters showing through at unexpected moments.

holes_vectors_01
IMG_9253_EDIT
flat_board_02
MCBTS

Credits

Creative Direction & Production: Optical Arts

Direction & Design: Joe Jackson

Executive Producer/Producer: Hannah May

Line Producer: Rebecca Scheinberg

Production Assistant: Minna Griffiths

DOP: Elliott Lowe

Styling: Jamie-Lee Harding

SFX: Asylum SFX c/o Joe Yabsley

Editor: Xavier Perkins

Colour Grading: Martin Pryor

2D Supervisor: Miguel Wratten

2D Artist: Ben Gallagher

CG Supervisor: Fabrice Le Nezet

CG Artist: Max Johnson, Leon Seith