ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXPop promo videos you admire for their craft
8 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
Hi all,
A bit of casual youtubing reminded me of one of my all-time favourite pop promo videos - Massive Attack, Unfinished Sympathy (link below, highly recommended). And that got me thinking of the golden age of pop vids (alas long gone - you're not MTV, you're a pale impostor!). And that got me thinking we could do with a little fun in here whilst remaining useful for aspirant filmmakers...
So - what are your favourite music vids from any era, and why, *from a filmmakers perspective*? Do they capture the story and mood of the song? Do they introduce amazing techniques? Do they derail your expectations? Post the link and a paragraph about what's so special about it :)
I'll kick off below...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWmrfgj0MZI
I love this song, but even moreso this video. It's substantially a single shot (I guess they could sneak in a wipe at the opening with the pole, but it's slick if they did), through light and shade, huge amounts of coordination. It could be boring, but it really isn't thanks to the background action as the lead sings away, apparently unaware of us watching. As a piece of craft, it's beautiful, and I couldn't imagine any other video now suiting the track.
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8 years, 10 months ago - Dan Selakovich
When I was young, I wanted to work for MGMA. They made some of the most innovative music videos of the early to mid 80s. But now when I do a google search... nothing. I even talked to them in '86, but they couldn't pay enough to live in NYC. It's a bit crazy how the top of the industry has simply disappeared--even on the internet. It's a bit like the budgets of music videos; once huge, but now you're lucky to see a $10k video pop up. It feels a bit like my career. I'm afraid I have nothing to add to your conversation, Paddy. I feel like Pharrell Williams: 43 million "Happy" Pandora streams earns him $2,700 dollars. That's fucked up to be sure.
Response from 8 years, 10 months ago - Dan Selakovich SHOW
8 years, 10 months ago - John Lubran
Ah the 70"s and 80's; those were the years I worked in the music business, though at the time most of us called it 'rock and roll'. Although I was primarily a roadie with my own company I did get involved in a few videos; actually produced a few at the cheaper end. In the 70"s I workedon't on Pink Floyds 'The Wall' project. Both the tour and the video were impressive productions by any standards. They ought to have been; can't remember what the budgets were but if you told me that it was in seven figures I'd believe you, and that was in the 70's.
Response from 8 years, 10 months ago - John Lubran SHOW
8 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
$2700, gosh we really don't like paying for stuff any more!
I know even in the Will Young era, when the money was already vanishing from the sector, £150k was exceptional and £50k absolutely normal for a promo. 7 figures, or halfway there may not have been off the mark in the heady, gaudy excesses of the 1980's!
Ok, another one, technical masterpiece - Star Guitar, Chemical Brothers
https://youtu.be/0S43IwBF0uM
This again ought to be a boring video, but it's incredible. Gondry made some incredible work, and here it's all in the edit/compositing. You know how listening to music on a train sometimes the rhythms of the view match the music? Every beat, even each word sung, something enters the frame. Apparently he just set his camera out of the window one journey through France, and the rest is in post. Brilliant!
Response from 8 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW
8 years, 10 months ago - Dan Selakovich
Wow. Some real lessons in back timing, soft cuts, and subtle manipulation of frame speeds in that one. Amazing.
Response from 8 years, 10 months ago - Dan Selakovich SHOW
8 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
Oh yes, Michel Gondry is one of the most inventive directors, I love his pop pormo vids - for instance
https://youtu.be/63vqob-MljQ
is a great mix of the continuous person on street plus compositing technical vids. Or
https://youtu.be/7OyytKqYjkE
Much cheaper using largely practical projection. To be honest his work could so easily fill the discussion
Response from 8 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW
8 years, 10 months ago - Alève Mine
Somehow this one came to my mind:
https://youtu.be/ZXvzzTICvJs
The performer is killing it. After seeing that, how does one ever use hands in rap again and still feel worthwhile?
Simple concept, the right actor, matching content of the lyrics, and an unusual song for this songwriter, something with teeth.
The visual side of things is just at the limit of looking too common, but back then maybe there was still margin: I remember really liking it.
Response from 8 years, 10 months ago - Alève Mine SHOW
8 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
I agree about using hands for sign, what a simple, obvious basis for a dance.
It's interesting that Ed Sheeran is barely there - and that may actually relate to production constraints (speculation, but not uncommon...). Often, when an artist is on the ascendant, they are so busy touring and doing TV interviews and press junkets that they don't have time to take a couple of days to shoot a promo.
Basically you have the talent for maybe an hour, of which 30 minutes is hair and makeup, then a few shots to cut in. It could easily be in another location altogether - maybe even a popup greenscreen in a hotel room. Or potentially a shot left over from another promo.
If this was the case, it could even explain some other design choices - monochrome presentation for instance - it's easier/faster/cheaper than compositing and a full grade! And turning that to an advantage with the styling. You have to respect that :)
Response from 8 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW
8 years, 10 months ago - Alève Mine
@Paddy Robinson-Griffin Interesting: maybe that's why they did it that way.
Response from 8 years, 10 months ago - Alève Mine SHOW
8 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
@Alève Mine: Maybe, it's pure speculation on my part, but there's usually a reason behind each decision. I'm looking at it from the other direction - if I had 2 days of access to the talent (whose big thing is live performance), is that the video I'd have made? Maybe I'm just a little sensitive/cynical but I see so many decisions driven by circumstance and constraints as opposed to art and creative free reign!
Response from 8 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW
8 years, 10 months ago - Alève Mine
@Paddy Robinson-Griffin Yes: strangely numerous single-location films.
Response from 8 years, 10 months ago - Alève Mine SHOW