Continuing our series of features on the directors of Partizan, Matthew Sheret caught up with Kinga Burza on the set of her latest video, Calvin Harris' 'Merrymaking At My Place'. Part One can be found here.

To find out more about our Partizan features, or to read previous pieces, click here.

Click Here to watch the video for 'Merrymaking at My Place'. Sound Generator's exclusive Polaroid gallery of the shoot can be found here.


Kinga's videos exist in strange spaces. Familiar seeming homes become something more than lifelike, childhood romances seem hauntingly universal and the world is soaked in colour treatments that make sets appear like bleached polaroids on one hand and fantastical sweet shops on the other. She brings to sets an eye for the perfect prop, the well-placed splash of light, the perfect amount of clutter.

This set though becomes an exercise in restraint. 'Nana's House' is a veritable black hole of unique paraphernalia, the collected belongings of a life-long pack-rat. The art team have actually had to remove boxes of belongings from the rooms of the shoot, not just in case they're damaged but because it's too much for the camera.

In the hallway is a Grandfather Clock that the cast insist has a sad face, while plates with floral decorations sit on the walls at odd intervals. In one bedroom, alongside what one presumes are family photographs, is a lone, framed poster of the Teletubbies, while in another a cluster of lopsided handmade teddy bears sit dejectedly.

It's a beautiful, buoyant, brilliant space! It's the home that the one in 'Foundations' grows up to become. Could an older Kate Nash live here?

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It seems, now, like the perfect partnership: Kinga, the up-and-coming Video Director with a vibrant and colourful aesthetic. Kate, the up-and-coming singer/songwriter, whose lyrics exist in the hinterland behind Twee Pop Starlet and Chav poet. "About six months ago, I saw her live and thought she was really cute, and she had this charming yet sincere sensibility about her. At the time - because I was a young director - I was pitching and pitching and pitching and not winning any jobs, so I thought 'well, if I can't win anything I'm going to go and source the work myself'."

It's quite a confident approach to take, but Kinga demurs "I think as a music video director it's really important that you stay out there and keep yourself in tune with what's going on in your scene. I thought Kate had charisma and character. I loved her lyrics and thought she had the ability to be great performer. Obviously, since the first time I saw her she's developed and grown and blossomed into this amazing artist, but I think I saw the potential for that to happen then."

"I think she was nervous the first time we worked together but we managed to connect and she began to trust me. Not long after that, her management approached me to art-direct her debut single launch, I then art-directed a photo shoot and then we made the video for her second single ‘Foundations’. We get along really well now, so it''d be a really nice to do the next one!"

I ask Kinga if it's tough to work with a complete newcomer to the medium, but she quick with an enthusiastic response "It's an amazing feeling to work with someone who wasn't that comfortable naturally or isn't so sure or is feeling quite intimidated by the camera and then you make that performance work. There's something quite cool about that, something really satisfying. I really felt that when I did the second Kate Nash video, we had really come a long way from the first performance."

"It's really exciting because 'Foundations' has reached to Number 1 on iTunes and Number 2 on the charts, which is pretty incredible. The next track, I think, is going to be "Mouth Wash". It's definitely gonna be massive...I've got a fun idea in the wings".

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But what was it about Kinga's pitch that attracted Mister Calvin Harris. "I'm always involved in choosing my videos. It was definitely the best one, or certainly the one that looked like the most fun. It was just a good idea, and once we had a little chat she fine tuned it and now it's spot on."

Today's shoot revolves around 'Nana's House'. We find Calvin house-sitting in this quiet suburban home, before a party comes crashing in, bringing flailing debauchery, sexiness and gorgeous costumes. Calvin narrates the narrative in a direct-to camera deadpan while temptation and destruction swim around him.

As exciting as this sounds, the Calvin I meet is a somewhat more subdued presence. The early start and the demands of the shooting schedule have left him tired, but no less enthusiastic for the experience, "It's been fun! Kinga's very nice, she's put me at ease, and they've given me lots of fruit, which is lovely."

Stood in the dining room I ask Calvin what he thinks of 'Nana's House'? "It's amazing! It's got all sorts of crazy memorabilia, I've never seen anything quite like it. Definitely some... interesting artefacts." Calvin refers to the framed clippings of the late Princess Diana that border the room in which most of the filming is taking place. These quirky household dressings and the assortment of chintzy wallpaper and furniture has inspired a genuine fascination among most the cast and crew.

Before he continues shooting I wonder if Calvin has had any trouble adjusting to the experiences of a Pop Star? "I don't know, it's a bit odd really. I'm still sort of finding my feet with the whole thing. It's kind of fun, but you don't really get time to sit back and go 'Oh, this is fun'."

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On set it's tough to think beyond the next shot. As the paper-plates are cleared away and the cables and wires start being laid for the rest of the shoot I ask Kinga what comes next, after the end of this 18hour day?

"There are so many young bands I like and I'd like to work with, but - because I've been offered the opportunity - I'm aiming quite high now! I'm looking forward to working with artists that I admire and have admired for a really long time." The journalist in me asks for hints. Kinga laughs. "I'm a big fan of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, I think Karen O's a great performer, but that's aiming very high HAHA and Calvin tell's me Kylie Minogue is releasing a new album at the end of year, so ....you know, I could get lucky"

She's charmingly self-deprecating while mentioning those names, but with her recent successes the fact remains that she's in with a shot. "Sure. I've pitched on Scissor Sisters, Natalie Imbruglia, I've pitched on Roisin Murphy and there's always that chance your treatment could get chosen... But ultimately it doesn't matter who you're working with; as long as you're into the track and you're into the artist and there's that exciting attraction for you to experiment with."

"For me, one of the best pay-offs in making videos is when you listen to a track and get that idea in your head and then you find yourself on set with a group of people who are all there to help you realise that idea, that is really incredible. I'm so privileged to be able to say that I love what I do and I love the people I work with. That is amazing"

written by on 16/08/2007 10:32:00