Synopsis
A man lies submerged in a futuristic water tank while experiencing an elaborate virtual reality fantasy. Surrounded by clinical technology, shifting imagery, and science-fiction atmosphere, he appears caught between consciousness and an artificial dream world. The video turns Starkey's electronic track into a sleek, surreal journey through isolation, machinery, and altered perception. Its visual language recalls the speculative films of the 1980s and 1990s, while the title and imagery suggest a world shaped by computers, space travel, and uncertain human control.
Factoids & Trivia
- "Open the Pod Bay Doors" was released by Ninja Tune on October 31, 2011, as the title track of Starkey's first EP for the label.
- The EP also included "Blood Roses," "Rayguns," and "Beta Tester," placing the video within a release that balanced accessible electronic sounds with Starkey's heavier dubstep and grime influences.
- The video's central idea was described as a virtual reality fantasy experienced by a man in a futuristic water bath.
- Its production design draws strongly on science-fiction cinema from the 1980s and 1990s rather than presenting a literal performance video.
- The imagery contains a "Rosebud" reference, adding a film-history detail to the otherwise futuristic setting.
- The track later appeared in the BBC television series "Waterloo Road," giving the song exposure beyond the electronic music scene.
- A remix featuring Central Spillz was subsequently issued as a digital single, accompanied by radio-edit and instrumental versions.