Blinkink’s Gustaf Holtenäs directs new music video ‘Stratego’ for Iron Maiden
Blinkink and Iron Maiden have joined forces on another visually adventurous new music video Stratego, the second single from the legendary band’s seventeenth studio LP Senjutsu. The video premiered exclusively on Adult Swim yesterday and can be watched in full online.
Directed by Gustaf Holtenäs, the film takes place in a Japanese inspired landscape with two rival armies heading to battle in an action-filled match of the ancient Japanese strategy game, Shiogi. Gustaf combines 2D and 3D elements to create a gripping cinematic to match the monumental tone of the song.
Following on from July’s release of The Writing on the Wall video directed by Nicos Livesey, Stratego – helmed by new director Gustaf Holtenäs – marks the second collaboration between Blinkink and Iron Maiden, boasting “a host of awesome characters slashing their way across a feudal Japanese inspired chess board triggering a blood-red eclipse across the land. This world features battling dragons, galloping steeds, and in typical Maiden fashion, a lot of skulls”. Gustaf’s previous work includes projects with Black Midi, Kate NV and Jenny Wilson.
Credits
Director: Gustaf Holtenäs
Head of Music Videos: Josef Byrne
Producer: Sami Goddard
Lead 2D Animator: Minna Floss
2D Animator: Gustaf Holtenäs
2D Animator: Nikunj Patel
2D Animator: Gaurav Wakankar
2D Clean Up and Colour: Joel Arizona Widerberg
Environment and Character Design: Gustaf Holtenäs
3D Rigger and Animator: Gabriel Gabriel Garble
Modeller, Texture and Lighting: Lukas Schmeck
CG FX: Martin Olsson
Lead Compositor: Gustaf Holtenäs
Compositor: Tom Fisher
Compositor: Jesse Richards
Editor: Will Barnett
Colourist: Caroline Morin