Muggle metal mayhem: Harry Potter ‘sssstar’ slithers into metal-core music video shoot

Muggle metal mayhem: Harry Potter ‘sssstar’ slithers into metal-core music video shoot

When Colin Jeffs went looking for a serpentine superstar to feature in his latest music video, he didn’t expect to end up with a slice of Hollywood in the cast.

As part of the creative vision for Orphan, the latest single from Byron Bay metal-core band In Hearts Wake, the director and producer put out a call for two snakes – one light and one dark – in keeping with the clip’s moody aesthetic.

“I posted in a Brisbane reptile group on Facebook looking for a snake to hire and snake catcher Tony Harrison contacted me saying he had two available,” Jeffs recalls.

“Little did we know, one of them was a Hollywood star.”

Enter olive python Kalamata, whose credits include Animal Planet and Nim’s Island.

But her biggest claim to fame is serving as the real-life movement model for CGI snake Nagini, the offsider and horcrux to Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter films.

For lead singer Jake Taylor it was a double blessing across artistry and nature.

“Working with an Elder snake (IYKYK) like Kalamata was such a powerful and unique opportunity,” he says. “It’s not every day you get to be in the presence of a nearly 40-year-old python!” And one who claimed the life of Severus Snape to boot.

The band filmed their video at proposed integrated arts precinct The Paint Factory in Yeronga which, under project director Paul Hey, has emerged as a favourite filming location for up-and-coming artists in recent years.

“It’s such a versatile blank canvas for creatives to paint their own narrative over,” Jeffs says. “They are always accommodating to art and expression in every form. I love working there!”

And, lest you fear He Who Must Not Be Named has rubbed off on the snake, Jeffs says to think again.

“Tony told us he takes her to childcare centres and she plays with the kids; I think this really speaks to her kind and gentle nature,” he says.

“She was absolutely beautiful!”