I've written rather a lot about Julie's work on the blog of late, so this will probably be the last for a while. These were left out of a previous post, until I recently discovered more works from the project via V&A's archive, and felt compelled to post up.
Looong before I knew about her work, I was given a free promo cd-rom (yes... this was a long time ago, way back in '99) for Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (no, it was not me who went to see it, I was 13).
This was around the time that computers were only able to start coping with full screen video, BEFORE MOST OF US EVEN HAD PHONES!! The cd-rom included various music videos from the film's soundtrack.
This one stuck with me the moment I saw it and has always remained a personal favourite. I even love how the graphics have dated somewhat crudely. It wasn't until years later when my friend had purchased Julie's Gas book that I learned it was indeed her who was responsible for the storyboarding and dark sexual imagery.
While not necessarily referenced in Julie's main career highlights, the fact that a Spice Girl had such an alternative video (Mel G as she was known at the time was heavily preggers), coupled with the fact it's a translation of Julie's brilliant works and the impact the video itself had on me, means I'll always be a fanboy over it. It's a fascinating insight for any creative to see how the works have been translated into motion.
All of the illustrations featured here are either from the archives at the V&A or scans from the Tank book. Screengrabs direct from the video.
Mel G - Word Up
Storyboard Illustration: Julie Verhoeven
Director: W.I.Z
CGI: Pison and The Mill.
