From a Feeling, to a Song, to a Film 🎤

Before Out of This World was even an idea, synth-pop musician and actress Ariana and the Rose was singing from the rooftops: “You are not alone!” In this week’s chat, Ariana shares her experience adapting her pop single “Lonely Star” into a musical short film. She also explores how the film acts as an extension of the song, how Ariana’s character in the film is her from a parallel universe, and the power of human connection through music.

We’re so thrilled to talk with you today, Ariana! Your song “Lonely Star” was the creative spark that inspired this film. How is this film an extension of your original song?

Ariana: The film takes the song to an entirely new place. It’s such a special and unique experience to get to see something you’ve made totally re-imagined by someone else and then brought to life by other creatives too. I’ve loved getting to see it interpreted by a screenwriter, a composer, other actors, and a lighting designer. It all feels like an extension of the song to me. The story of the two characters in the film brings the themes of the song to life. It makes it a tangible relationship we can relate to rather than the more general “you” I initially wrote in the song. It’s another way to step inside of the lyrics and melodies and creates this huge space for the audience to get lost in.

It really was exciting to see how the film expands the story in your original lyrics. The lyrics of “Lonely Star” truly resonate with people of all ages. What was your inspiration behind making the original song?

Ariana: I am obsessed with space and all things galactic. I had been doing an immersive event in New York and was in a writing session in LA telling everyone about it. Just the feeling of being in the middle of a room with people, all dancing in one singular moment together, and really just for a second feeling so a part of a collective, rather than a singular person moving through the world. That feeling is what inspired the song. To allow someone to feel connected to something larger than themselves, even if it’s just for the 3 minutes and 45 seconds of the song.

We absolutely felt that sense of connection in the song. Speaking of singular moments: without giving away too many spoilers, what was your favorite scene to shoot?

Ariana: Oh so many! There’s a whole scene where we’re fighting with and against gravity and everything in the movie is turned all the way up to a 10. That was very fun to shoot.

Sort of mirroring your own life, there is the fictional band called “Starstruck” featured in the film. What is the story behind that band?

Ariana: Starstruck is what I imagine could have been my life in a parallel universe! A small town group of friends, who love space, start a band, and really start to gain some traction in their hometown. They’re definitely people who are looking to have lives bigger than where they’re from and they really get a taste of it. And for whatever reason, either they mess it up or don’t live up to the hype, their moment passes and they’re forced to move on from it. The film definitely takes place in a moment where my character is dealing with that, and I think the events that happen in the movie really reinspire her to find her way back to music.

Yeah, the film really explores chasing your dreams, especially musical ones. Besides music, you come from an acting background and now have dipped your toes back in. Do you see more acting in your future?

Ariana: Sure, if someone wants to cast me! I was definitely nervous to jump back in, but Elia and the entire crew created such a detailed neon drenched world, my job was easy. Bex was also an incredible partner to work with. It was just so fun getting to listen and react to what they were doing. Getting to come back to acting in this way, and singing a song I wrote a part of in such a beautiful film is such a gift. I feel very grateful to be a part of it.

Throughout your career, who has been your most influential artistic inspiration?

Ariana: Oh jeez, so many to count! Cher is a big one. Her general attitude. Her style, her songwriting. Just all of it. I fell in love with songwriting first, people like Carole King and Sara Bareilles and Elton John – just a person and a piano. James Turrell has had a big impact on all the visuals I make. His use of non-directional light in all of his work and the entire light and space movement in the seventies in general has shaped the entire visual language I use in my artistry.

These are all amazing artists. If you could recommend one musical artist to Nebby, who would it be?

Ariana: Alanis Morrissette, always and forever. Nebby would be obsessed with Jagged Little Pill.

Touching on the power of collaboration when making art, what was the experience of collaborating with the Filmatics team like?

Ariana: The thing that struck me the most is their passion. Everyone was so excited to be creating this film, and filled with so much joy and excitement, it set the tone for the whole project. It’s so cool to see a group of people working to take an idea from someone’s imagination into reality. I loved getting to watch their process as the film came together.

What advice would you give to your 16 year old self about finding your place in the world?

Ariana: Being cool is overrated. Hang out with people who make you laugh and hug you when you cry. There is no “right” way to be an artist, you are one already.

Check out some art and artists that inspired the film’s mood board!

Craving some tunes that make you feel less alone in this big universe? Check out our official Out of This World Spotify playlist so you can hear what we’re jamming to.

Jam With Us!