What begins as an evening stroll soon unfolds into the ultimate journey for Sara Bareilles. Her every step changes the world around her, as if she’s taken a million strides. Sara’s motion creates the illusion of defying gravity itself as she seems to walk calmly away from Earth into space. We pass practical celestial objects as we move farther away, such as a man carrying an airplane, balloons resembling planets, and constellations and galaxies. Every element is made up of choreographed people and simple props, grounding our journey in emotion and humanity. It’s an impressionistic environment, with visuals rooted in the universal themes of the lyrics. In a single take and a combination of dance, unique props and amazing lighting, Motion Theory’s Mark Kudsi led a team to create an entire universe in the span of a city block, infusing the journey with subtle design and visual effects. The result is a video that covers great geographic distance as it ventures through the emotional landscape of what inspired “Gravity” in the first place.

“Gravity” is a powerful example of design as a planning function. The director, in collaboration with the artist and a host of others, planned and executed a staggeringly long tracking shot—in a single take—that builds a narrative quietly and playfully, matching the tenor of the song and the recording artist. The production required careful choreographic planning and precise timing.