LOGLINE
LOGLINE
Thrust into an alternate world of dancing spirits and sparkling brass, a jazz conductor must find his groove before the show comes to an end.
SYNOPSIS
'Dink: Deconstructed' is an experimental music video, featuring Australian jazz band, Dink, where music, dance and synaesthesia unite to translate sound into movement. What starts off as an intimate, live jazz show slowly transforms into an audiovisual feast of the surreal. As The Conductor gets into his flow, he’s transported into an alternate world where dancers embody the instruments and the band reveals their alter ego. A conversation between the drums (male dancers) and guitar (female dancers) turns into a battle that eventually climaxes in a party. Together, the band, dancers and The Conductor must find their groove before the show comes to an end.
Hans Christian Andersen
DIRECTORS STATEMENT
I’m a product of the influences that’ve come before me and couldn’t have actualised this project without the inspiration of; the Sydney Street Dance Community, every Jungle music video, Daft Punk, J.K. Simmons and Pinterest.
As a dancer of over 15 years, music and movement has become synonymous with my experience of life. So much so, that it’s seeped into all of my creative works. From meditative soundscapes, to art installations, to a documentary about my grandma, rhythm and space has always been a central part of my creative process.
From concept, to camera, to every cut in the edit, ‘Dink: Deconstructed’ puts the song ('Mixture' by Dink) at the forefront of all creative decisions. Whilst it was challenging, at times, to explain my vision to my wonderful crew without reverting to dancespeak (e.g. “can we try cut on the ‘boom, ka, ka, dadada’?”), the unconventional medium of an unscripted, instrumental music video pushed us to adapt our creative practice and make way for greater innovation.
For musos, dancers, and everyone in between, I hope that ‘Dink: Deconstructed’ tickles your brain in the best way possible and dares you to imagine the infinite realities we might exist in.
- Maya Bienstock
Maya Bienstock
Maya is a third year student of Media Arts and Innovation who's passionate about bridging community, creativity and innovation together. Since the age of three, Maya has trained in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, and musical theatre, with a current focus on commercial choreography and popping. 'Dink: Deconstructed' is Maya's second short film but first time choreographing for screen. Creatively, Maya is drawn towards documentary and experimental film and literature, often directing from personal experience with Asian culture ('House of Ma') and dance. As she enters the industry, Maya hopes to use her craft to foster community, education and wellbeing.
Emmie Duong
Emmie Duong is a 22-year-old third year Media Arts & Production student at the University of Technology Sydney. Having a background in photography, she wishes to produce screenplays with cinematic look that conveys meaningful stories, reflecting aspects of the real world. She has worked with Sydney local artists to make music videos (Not Afraid - Alexx Hermánn MV), as well as working for several student and indie projects in Sydney and Ho Chi Minh City (Viet Nam).
Kade Stenders
Kade is a 2nd year Media Arts and Production student and a freelancer film maker who specialises in music videos. His prior experience and knowledge of shooting music videos helped support the ambitious project and allowed for the distinct creative and experimental look to be brought to life. Kade worked closely with his 2nd year peers in lighting and shooting the space, gravitating to large soft sources of bounced and diffused light to bring depth into the studio room and allow for flexible lighting transitions from naturalistic to surreal lighting set ups.
Coco Lennox
Coco Lennox is a creative studying Media Arts and Production at UTS, with a deep interest in film, writing, and experimental media. Now in her second year, Coco aspires to create work that evokes emotion and captures the beauty in fleeting moments. As the Production Designer on Dink Deconstructed, Coco translated ‘Mixture’s’ sonic landscape into a tactile, symbolic visual world, designing an environment where the mundane meets the ‘dream world’. She aimed to enhance the video's abstract narrative through attention to costume and makeup coordination, set styling, and continuity – ensuring that every prop, and detail remained consistent across shots.
Jidapa Suetrong
Jidapa is a Media Arts student passionate about blending storytelling with rhythm, language and culture. With a background in dance and over a year of experience exploring Sydney’s street dance scene, she sees dance not only as an art form, but as a powerful expression of identity and community. On set, Jidapa assisted with camera sheets and data wrangling. She became more involved in the project during post-production, taking on the role of editor and weaving the footage into a story that reflected the director’s vision.
Froy Andrei Medina Bibon
Froy is a 3rd Year UTS Music and Sound Design student working on projects for the betterment of his prowess. As a sound design student, he has had plenty of experience in editing, mixing, and sound recording. Inspired by modern music, an old soul and a very music-centric lifestyle, he hopped onto this project with a distinct appreciation for its chaotic and beautiful nature.
Dink is a four-piece Eora/Sydney-based Jazz-Fusion group making waves with their energetic shows and bold original compositions. Since debuting at the Sydney Opera House for the 2022 HSC Showcase, they’ve performed across Sydney, Melbourne and regional Australia, and recently released their EP Midnight Under The Mountain, with an East Coast tour in July 2025. Inspired by Steely Dan, Yussef Dayes and Weather Report, Dink blends homage with innovation, fusing genres into a distinctive sound. Edan Walker (Saxophone/Keys), Xavier Wilson (Guitar), James Grandison (Bass), Austin Stapleton (Drums).
Finn is a graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and an acting tutor with their NIDA Open program. Over the past decade, he has appeared in numerous commercials, theatre productions, and television series.
A trained mixed martial artist and singer, Finn has a background in jazz, funk, and musical theatre. He is also in the process of launching his own food truck, reflecting his belief that art extends beyond performance and into cuisine.
Christian is a Sydney-based dancer who currently teaches at Movement Nation in Hurstville. At the age of 7, watching Michael Jackson as well as his own brother, Christian was inspired to begin dancing, attending a dance school all throughout his school life. Once he turned 16, he began to branch out and his passion grew stronger, exploring street styles and creating his own choreography. With inspiration from dancers such as Keone Madrid, Ian Eastwood and Brian Puspos, Christian now makes his own choreography that he teaches at studios across Sydney.
Chuji is a dancer specialising in waacking. She began her street dance and freestyle journey in her first year of university, discovering a deep connection to self-expression through movement. In DINK, Chuji steps into new creative territory, exploring the intersection between street dance and jazz music. This collaboration has given her space to experiment and discover how her body can respond and adapt to the rhythms and textures of jazz.
Brian is a dancer trained in street styles ranging from popping, waving, w_acking, etc. They are continuously exploring new forms of dance and experimental movement.
Izzy is a jazz and musically trained dance artist who brings something new to every beat. Her sharp, dynamic style uncovers unexpected layers in the music, elevating every piece she performs in. A natural in the battle arena, Izzy creates living art through her deep connection with the music, her teammates, and her competitors.
Representing Sydney Househeads and Pumpers Only, Robin is a house dancer who has learned from teachers both internationally and locally. Raised in the Sydney street-dance community, he has dabbled in a wide range of styles and in particular has paid his dues in the breaking scene during his university days. Currently, he's working to uplift the next generation of house dancers in Sydney while representing internationally.
Em is a multidisciplinary dancer and performer with a background in contemporary and street styles. Bringing expressive movement and emotional depth to every project, Em’s work bridges the space between storytelling and rhythm, creating a distinct presence on screen and stage.
Director
Producer
Director of Photography
Production Designer
Editor
Sound Designer
Dink
MAYA BIENSTOCK
EMMIE DUONG
MAYA BIENSTOCK
KADE STENDERS
COCO LENNOX
JIDAPA SUETRONG
FROY ANDREI MEDINA BIBON
EDAN WALKER
XAVIER WILSON
JAMES GRANDISON
AUSTIN STAPLETON
The Conductor
FINN GOUGH
Music
Composer
'MIXTURE' by DINK
EDAN WALKER
Dancers
(in order of appearance)
CHRISTIAN OLEGARIO
CHUJI DOUJI
BRIAN WEI
ISABELLE CHIU
ROBIN CHEN
EMILY KENMARE
First AD
First Camera Assistant
Camera Assistants/Gaffers
EMMIE DUONG
AYA MIZUKAMI
CHRISTOPHER DABEK
COOPER DOYLE
MIA SCIACCA
KATIE MORRISSEY
Production Assisants
Editor Assistant
Colourist
BTS Photography
Transport
Title Card Design
ELLA CHONG
JOSIE SULLIVAN
CYAN HONG
LEONHARD FRANKESER
BEATRIZ FERNANDEZ
NIA CHEN
EITAN BIENSTOCK
BEATRIZ FERNANDEZ
Extras
ASHCAN ZAMAN
EBEN MANNELL
HIZRYAN KODAR
LISA VUONG BIENSTOCK
MINH ANH NGUYEN
ADDITIONAL INFO
6min36sec | 16:9 | 3840 x 2160
Filmed at City of Sydney Creative Studios.
Produced as a capstone project for UTS Bachelor of Communications (Media Arts and Production) in Spring 2025.
Contact: maya.bienstock1@gmail.com