Ad of the Day: Billie Eilish sends love letter to LA in Disney+ film
LA native and seven-time Grammy award-winning pop star Billie Eilish has delighted fans with a new concert experience Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles, which is exclusive to Disney+ subscribers.
The special takes viewers on a dreamlike journey through Eilish’s hometown in all its glory and features intimate performances of every song from the singer’s new album Happier Than Ever.
Directed by Robert Rodriguez, and co-directed by Oscar-winner Patrick Osborne, the concert showcases some beautifully animated elements that feel reminiscent of Rodriguez’s 2005 classic movie Sin City. The graphics are intertwined with an intense red filter and flashy light show, and are dramatically paired with Eilish’s sultry vocals to create an immersive experience for viewers.
The iconic Hollywood Bowl provides the backdrop to the film, which was produced by Interscope Films and Darkroom Productions in association with Nexus Studios and ALPWW, with Kerry Asmussen as the live concert director and Pablo Berron as director of photography.
“Disney is incredibly iconic, so to collaborate on something like this is a huge honor,” said Eilish. “To be able to present my album in this way and dedicate it to the city that I love and grew up in is so exciting to me. I hope you love it.”
Featured guests include singer-songwriter Finneas, the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, and world-renowned Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo.
“We are all huge admirers of Billie and Finneas here in our household. They are such impressive, world-class talents that it’s a real honor to work with them on this film,” Robert Rodriguez noted. “The way the narrative story and animated pieces weave through her incredible concert performance makes this a spectacular event that is truly unique.”
The arts and culture sector has been hit hard by the closures and cancellations of the past year, and pivoting to online experiences has enabled musicians to reach a wider audience. “Billie’s musical evolution, coupled with her singular vision in crafting this special, establishes her as one of this generation’s premier artists and storytellers. She delivers a concert experience like no other,” said Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Branded Television.
Disney+ has seen a rapid growth trajectory, which has made it a formidable streaming platform competing hard with its rivals, but recently the video-on-demand (VOD) server came under fire when actress Scarlett Johansson, star of the Black Widow film launched on the platform, sued the company.
