Lola Blanc’s “Dear Sara” Brings Horror and Beauty to Life in One Stunning Take

Pop artist, filmmaker, and storyteller Lola Blanc has just released the music video for her hauntingly beautiful new single, “Dear Sara”—and it’s a piece of work that blends cinematic horror with raw, emotional performance. Shot entirely in one continuous take, the video features dancer Paula Ayotte moving through a tightly choreographed sequence that shifts from eerie darkness to moments of luminous beauty, mirroring the song’s emotional arc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYCuJMoBZvo

Blanc, who also directed the piece, collaborated with cinematographer Nick Matthews to create what feels like a live theatrical performance caught on camera. Matthews explains, “We wanted to evoke the experience of 35mm film and drew from a range of horror films to create this crescendo from dark, terrifying to bursts of beauty photographically.” The result is a stunning fusion of music, movement, and mood, where lighting itself becomes a character in the story.

Pulling off a one-take shoot in was no easy feat. Steadicam operator Will Tanner Sampson recalls, “A long oner is always a fun challenge. My favorite feeling is when you hear cut and know you nailed the shot for everyone involved.” The precision of the crew and the collaboration between dancer Paula Ayotte and choreographer Teresa “Toogie” Barcelo made it possible to capture the emotional turbulence of the track in real time.

It’s no coincidence that the video feels so atmospheric—the basement location itself plays a huge role. Filmed at The Film Basement, the space gave the team both the intimacy and raw texture they needed. As Blanc notes, it was the perfect setting for a story about age, mortality, and transformation, all told through the lens of horror. The result is a video that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.

“Dear Sara” is more than just a single—it’s a preview of Blanc’s long-awaited debut album Crowd Pleaser, arriving this fall. If you haven’t seen it yet, don’t miss this remarkable piece of visual storytelling. Watch the music video now, and if you’re a filmmaker seeking a bold and cinematic location for your next project, explore The Film Basement today.

Relevant crew and their handles on IG:

Artist/ Director: Lola Blanc @oohlalola

Dancer: Paula Ayotte @paulaayotte

Choreographer: Teresa “Toogie” Barcelo @toogiesaurus

Producer: Aaron Pagniano @pagnarok33

DP: Nick Matthews @nickmatthewsfilm

Steadicam Operator: Will Tanner Sampson @willandaway

Camera Assistant: Ruoyu Zhang @ruoyu.zhang

Production Co: @formidablefilefilms, @streetratstudios