Biffy Clyro’s 'Goodbye' Pushes Music Video Boundaries with Space-Set Production

Biffy Clyro has launched a cosmic new video 'Goodbye', shot with virtual production and AI VFX. The latest music video takes audiences on a hauntingly beautiful journey into space. A farewell letter from a stranded astronaut (Simon the lead singer) to his loved ones and to planet Earth. Beyond its emotional impact, the film also demonstrates the ingenuity and collaboration of the UK creative industry, pulling together virtual production, motion control, and Ai-driven VFX in just three weeks.

Shot at Quite Brilliant’s virtual production stage at Twickenham Studios, the video used Unreal Engine worlds to envelop the band’s frontman Simon Neil in shifting cosmic environments. To achieve convincing zero-gravity movement, he was suspended on a motion control rig supplied and operated by G6 Moco, allowing for intricate and realistic weightless performances.

The project was brought to life with traditional VFX complimented by AI VFX sequences crafted by Future Creatives, Common People’s AI studio. These generated surreal, memory-like vistas that underscored the astronaut’s isolation and emotional farewell.

Director Ben Newbury said, “I went to a screening of Gravity at the IMAX in Waterloo a couple of years ago where Alfonso Cuarón introduced the film. He told a rebellious story about his attempts to get the film made, and how an early green-screen test was an abject failure. David Fincher was even called in and estimated it would take 10 years to develop the technology needed. Ten years later, they locked the cut for release.

In an alternate universe, we received the brief for Goodbye less than 48 hours before Biffy Clyro and their team were reading a treatment. Thanks to the wonderful Andy Roberts and LasBandas, seven days later we were at Twickenham Studios in their VP stage, with Unreal worlds built by Quite Brilliant, lighting and camera plotted by Thomas English, and a huge motion control arm expertly operated by Rammi from G6. Simon was in a full space suit attached to one end, grinning from ear to ear.

That only happens when you are working with a fantastic young production company. Ramy, Tony and Erin from Common People are truly exceptional. This shoot simply shouldn’t have been possible, never mind successful.

With questions ringing around the industry about what value music videos have in 2025, this was a clear reminder that their lifeline is artists passionate about them, labels and managers who see their brand-building potential, and production teams willing to go above and beyond.

Alfonso Cuarón had 10 years and $100 million to create Gravity. We had £20k and 3 weeks. Which leads to one question: what on earth did he do with the rest of the $100 million? Mon the Biff!”

Producer and executive producer Ramy Dance said, “From the moment the brief landed to writing a response, it was clear we were attempting the impossible and somehow that made it irresistible. To take a concept of this scale from treatment to shoot in just seven days required not only technical innovation, but also a huge amount of trust between everyone involved.

What stood out to me most was the spirit of collaboration: Quite Brilliant and their VP stage, G6 making the motion control feel effortless, Future Creatives and the Ai team building dreamlike visuals on the fly, and of course Simon, who brought real joy to being strapped to a giant robot arm in a space suit.

Producing Goodbye reminded me why music videos still matter. They are acts of faith in creativity, in craft, and in the teams who rally to make them possible, even when the clock and the budget say otherwise.”