This was a very special music video to be part of. Working with living legends Tim and Neil Finn was not only an honour, especially for someone like me who adored Split Enz in the ’80s, it was also a blast. Their creative energy is absolutely infectious, and the process of filming was truly intriguing.
The Part of Me, Part of You music video was (from Everyone Is Here album) was directed by Joe Lonie (Supergroove bassist and renowned music director) and filmed in what would later become Roundhead Studios on Newton Road, Neil Finn’s own recording haven. At the time, there was a grand piano tucked into the corner and a glorious expanse of space inside that beautiful old brick building, making it perfect for a film shoot.
One of the standout elements of this video, technically speaking, was how the scenes were captured and then partially played in reverse. The twist? Tim or Neil would be singing either forwards or backwards, depending on the sequence, so that when the footage was flipped, their mouths would still be perfectly in sync.
This ‘reverse filming’ method was famously used by Coldplay’s Chris Martin in the 2002 video for The Scientist. He reportedly spent nearly a month learning the song phonetically in reverse so that, when the footage was played forward, his lip movements would align perfectly. Watching the Finns rehearse and master this, all while keeping a straight face and their trademark charisma, was nothing short of mesmerising. It literally sounded like “gobble-e-goop”.
But the video was more than clever tricks and cinematic sleight of hand. It was a family affair in the loveliest sense. Richard Finn, their father, made a charming appearance. Two of my own sons played young versions of Tim and Neil, seen popping balloons in a mischievous, affectionate nod to their childhood. Authentic black-and-white home footage of the Finn brothers was layered in, giving the piece a tender, almost archival charm.
As for me, I stepped into the role of their lively aunty, the one who knows how to throw a party and isn’t afraid to let the bubbles fly. You’ll spot me in the closing shots, champagne bottle in hand. And yes, that final spray, dousing the camera lens (and my dress) in celebratory fizz, was entirely intentional.
Behind the scenes, though, that one fun moment took more than a little prep. It was the last scene to be filmed that day, and there I was at 1am in a quiet side-alley, ‘rehearsing’ with a bottle of champagne. Pre-shaken, carefully corked, and timed to burst just seconds after the director’s cue. A fiddly little number, but utterly worth it for the payoff. The shot came off exactly as planned. Tim’s bemused look was genuine! Nailed it, I reckon.
It’s not every day you get to play a sparkling aunty in a video directed by Joe Lonie, alongside two iconic brothers, wrapped in the warmth of music, mischief, and family.