PJ Harvey

Overview for PJ Harvey:

FRAY Studio was asked to reimagine a key physical set element for PJ Harvey ’s summer festival shows. A painted backcloth by designer Rae Smith, which had travelled with the tour, was too delicate for the fast-paced demands of the festival circuit and needed to be recreated as a video element without losing its character or presence. Working with PJ Harvey’s team and lighting designer Louisa Smurthwaite, we undertook a two-day film shoot with Two and Eight Productions. The focus was simple but precise: capture the cloth as it behaves in performance. We studied its movement, the way it caught light, the depth of the brushwork, and how its surface shifted across different lighting states, using these details as the basis for the digital version. In post-production, we edited and graded the footage for playback on an LED wall, working to preserve the softness, texture, and dimensionality of the original. Rather than amplifying or stylising the artwork, our aim was to stay as close as possible to what audiences would have seen in the theatre setting. The goal was that, from the auditorium, the transition from cloth to LED would feel invisible. The process called for careful attention to detail, from framing and motion on set through to colour, contrast, and rhythm in the final playback design. Each decision was made in service of making the digital cloth sit naturally within the stage picture, supporting the music and lighting rather than drawing focus to itself. The result is a digital recreation that honours the original artwork while allowing the show to travel with the flexibility and resilience required by the festival environment.

Services provided: Video Design, Film Production, Editing