Janet Devlin Releases “Better Now” Video Shot by Award-Winning Cinematographer Sir Franz Pagot
Northern-Irish singer-songwriter Janet Devlin has released the final music video to be taken from her ‘Confessional’ album. The single ‘Better Now’ received its visual treatment from a creative team consisting of legendary cinematographer Sir Franz Pagot, director Katya Ganfeld (who directed Janet’s last four videos), plus a crew local to Belfast and Gortin, NI where it was filmed.
Seeking to fulfil a career ambition whilst simultaneously
bookending the most intensely creative and work-filled period of her
life, the video for ‘Better Now’ features two of Janet’s great passions;
her hometown of Gortin, Northern Ireland and horses. Due to funds
generated by an unwavering fan base, Janet was able to realize her dream
in not just a practical sense by filming on location, but in a
conceptual sense too, bringing one of her most inspired ideas to life.
Gathering the team of
trusted director Katya Ganfeld, cinematic visionary Sir Franz Pagot, and
a host of crew hired locally, Janet has created a stunning
accompaniment to the track, with the emotional investment of all
involved plain to see in the final product.
“It is very rare for me to
accept shooting a music promo, but when director Katya Ganfeld told me
what she wanted to achieve and played Janet’s song, I was completely
hooked… it’s just so mesmerizing, Janet’s voice is so unique and her
lyrics touched my heart profoundly.” – Sir Franz Pagot
The concept saw Sir Franz
in his element as Director of Photography, as he is well known in
Hollywood for his equestrian work on camera (including Sleepy Hollow and
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves), “When she said that she wanted to shoot
in Ireland, with horses well… that was it.” Commented Sir Franz, who
initially was convinced to work the project by his daughter who happens
to be a big Janet Devlin fan, “Katya’s vision as a director gave the
song an unusual visual, combining Ireland’s beautiful nature with the
most magnificent creature of the animal kingdom: the horse. It was hard
work to accomplish what Katya wanted and yet incredible fun, galloping
at full speed next to Janet, herself a fantastic rider.”
Tasked with bringing
Janet’s idea to life, Katya Ganfeld’s treatment has done a world of
justice to ‘Better Now’, as she remarked that “The song is powerful,
graceful and delicate. The vision of horses were instant and the
synchronicity of this vision alongside Janet’s made it clear which
direction we wanted to go. Horses symbolise the perfect combination of
power and grace. A story to be told through a narrative of reflection
and escapism.”
Filmed in what was
essentially Janet’s back garden growing up – the Gortin Glen Forest Park
is truly her happy place, as is being on or around horses. The
breath-taking scenery seems almost lifted from a fantasy novel; so with
Sir Franz’ keen eye and a stroke of luck providing the crew with perfect
weather conditions for filming, Katya certainly speaks for all involved
when she comments that, “The hope is this piece resonates through to
the audience in the same way it touched all those involved: a reminder
of power, grace and magic that’s present within us all. Franz was
filming on horseback, in drysuits and adapting to changes that ensured
we got the shots, it was a pleasure and an honour working with him”
Janet has had an incredibly busy year, showing no signs of slowing down
even with the pandemic looming. She released her highly anticipated
album ‘Confessional’ to rave reviews, and her debut book My Confessional
completely sold out in its first week. The album also reached number 6
on the Indie Charts, number 3 on the Indie Breakers Chart, and cracked
the Billboard top 100. She recently played a sold-out socially distanced
show at St Matthias Church, London to an eager audience delighted to be
able to experience live music once again.