Directed by Special Problems, Produced by Special Problems, Live Action: Produced by Jett Steiger and Peter Brant for Team G, DP: Kevin Phillips, Costume Designer: Erica Frank, Post-production/animation/edit by Special Problems, Additional animation: Curtis Baigent, Commissioned by Warp Films

A second single from Flying Lotus’ self-proclaimed “space opera” Cosmogramma, MmmHmm features renowned bassist Thundercat (Sa-Ra Collective, Erykah Badu, Suicidal Tendencies), who contributes vocals and bass to the track and stars in the video. With MmmHmm, directors Special Problems deliver an exhilarating blend of live action and animated space-scapes. Thundercat and a plantwoman are the gravitational centre of the video’s universe. Astral fragments orbit around them as they engage in a romantic and spiritual embrace. Through the plantwoman’s mediations, we travel into different worlds and different animated styles – from the beautifully shot lunar vision to a cosmic vintage videogame sequence and a neon polygonal voyage. The video climaxes as the two characters entwine, forming their own planet, left floating in space for eternity.

Formed in 2007 by Campbell Hooper and Joel Kefali, Special Problems is a multidisciplinary creative studio with a focus on video, film, print and web projects. As a directing team, Campbell and Joel draw on their combined backgrounds in graphic design, fine art, film and music. Special Problems are adept in both live action and animation, and are immediately involved in all aspects of the production process.

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