Directors Notes » Music

Niki & The Dove: The Fox

MarBelle — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:53:04 +0000

Faces may shift and change but The Fox remains the same. Intriguingly brilliant animated promo from WINTR for Niki & The Dove.

via The Curious Brain

Niki & The Dove – The Fox from WINTR on Vimeo.

OK Go: Needing/Getting

MarBelle — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:00:01 +0000

Whether you’re a fan of their music or not, there’s no denying that OK Go reign supreme when it comes to imaginative Rube Goldbergesque music promos. For the track Needing/Getting they teamed up with Chevrolet to customise a Chevy Sonic to play over 1000 instruments laid out over two miles of Los Angeles desert.

M.I.A. – Bad Girls

El Vez — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:00:23 +0000

Romain Gavras continues his explosive collaboration with the unusual M.I.A. with the promo of her latest track Bad Girls.

M.I.A, Bad Girls from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

Sleep Party People: A Dark God Heart

MarBelle — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:45:52 +0000

Not only does Marie Limkilde’s A Dark God Heart promo for Brian Batz’s bedroom project Sleep Party People look stunning, its single bathroom location is the perfect fit for the project’s underwater, dream pop sound.

Sleep Party People – A Dark God Heart from Marie Limkilde on Vimeo.

Limkilde’s minimalistic (and similarly water themed) promo for track I’m Not Human At All is also well worth your time.

“I’m Not Human At All” – Sleep Party People (Official Musicvideo) from Marie Limkilde on Vimeo.

Father John Misty: Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings

MarBelle — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:30:38 +0000

Few things make me happier than new work from That Go, and watching Aubrey Plaza rush headlong down a road of self-destruction in Noel Paul’s promo for Father John Misty’s Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings is my perfect way to end the weekend.

Father John Misty – Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings from thatgo on Vimeo.

Nu Sensae: I’m a Body

El Vez — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:00:29 +0000

Dogs, faces and food form an effective trio in Cody Fennell’s promo for Nu Sensae track I’m a Body.

NU SENSAE – I’M A BODY from codyfennell on Vimeo.

Die Antwoord: I Fink U Freeky

MarBelle — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:41:01 +0000

Ninja and Roger Ballen share directorial duties for I Fink U Freeky, the second track to drop from Die Antwoord’s forthcoming album Ten$Ion.

Digitals

MarBelle — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:30:54 +0000

Chris Crutchfield creates the score that powers our digital lives in his humorous short Digitals.

One day I got an email, an sms, a phone call, a Facebook message and two tweets all within about 5 seconds of one another. This video is a re-manifestation of my brain’s interpretation of that event. #trustory

Digitals from Chris Crutchfield on Vimeo.

Nicki Minaj: Stupid Hoe

MarBelle — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:38:46 +0000

Hype Williams busts out the epileptic editing for Nicki Minaj’s Stupid Hoe.

Stupid Hoe from Hadaya Turner on Vimeo.

Stephin Merritt: Dream Again

El Vez — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:00:40 +0000

Inanimate objects come to life and sing-a-long to Stephin Merritt’s Franz Ferdinand cover Dream Again, in Russell Weekes’ promo.

The Kills: The Last Goodbye

El Vez — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:00:41 +0000

DN favourite Samantha Morton creates a simple, but striking portrait of The Kills for the band’s single The Last Goodbye.

Delilah: Love You So

MarBelle — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:47:52 +0000

Music promo director Emil Nava gives Delilah the simple but effective treatment for her track Love You So.

Delilah – Love You So from Cult of Greg on Vimeo.

The Twilight Sad: Another Bed

MarBelle — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:30:14 +0000

It’s tough being a serial killer. Isolated, you meticulously toil away in obscurity, your greatest achievements going unrecognised. If only there was someway to cheer yourself up, say with a party? You may have no friends, but you’re certainly not short on bodies…

Craig Murray’s new promo for Scottish band The Twilight Sad’s Another Bed is an interesting twist on the serial killer seeking recognition, which melds in the defunct properties of VHS and a spot of marionetting too.

When photography was first invented, it was thought that it gave the people it captured immortality; taking their souls, giving them everlasting life. I thought I’d continue this theme using the dying format of VHS with the story of a video-shop worker (he actually works in that shop and is the singer known as Stuart Warwick). I’d never seen the job position used in a film like this. Kinda strange, really, considering that he has all your details.

TWILIGHT SAD: ANOTHER BED (2011) Official from Craig Murray on Vimeo.

Justice: On’n’On

MarBelle — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:12:00 +0000

Alexandre Courtes dusts off the perpetual scroll effect from his White Stripes Seven Nation Army promo and gives it an interstellar (and slightly NSFW) revamp in his promo Justice’s On’n'On.

Justice – On’n'On from genialus on Vimeo.

Department Of Eagles: No One Does It Like You

El Vez — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:00:02 +0000

Ghosts, amputation and dancing faceless soldiers all feature in this surprisingly chirpy music video for Department of Eagles promo No One Does It Like You, co-directed by Patrick Daughters and Marcel Dzama for The Director’s Bureau.

Art vs Science: Higher

MarBelle — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:46:04 +0000

Director Dave Budge shifts his focus from immortalising rock Gods Barbarion, to helping Art vs Science infiltrate an alien sect with their secret agent skills.

Art vs Science – Higher (Official Video) from Dave Budge on Vimeo.

Superhumanoids: Malta

MarBelle — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:28:48 +0000

Run, the Superhumanoids are coming!

Alien promo chase terror from Arms Race.

Malta from superhumanoids on Vimeo.

Kathryn Calder: Who Are You?

MarBelle — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:05:20 +0000

In their promo for Kathryn Calder’s Who Are You?, directors Jesse Ewles and Cameron Tomsett bring together evolving shapes and pattern projections for a dance party.

Kathryn Calder ~ Who Are You? from Jesse Ewles on Vimeo.

If you’ve ever wondered how much difference production design and lighting can make to a project, here’s a quick look at a Behind the Scenes dress rehearsal.

Kathryn Calder: Behind the Scenes (dress rehearsal) from Jesse Ewles on Vimeo.

Danger Mouse & Daniele Lupp: Two Against One

MarBelle — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:24:34 +0000

Chris Milk and Anthony Francisco Schepperd have put together a beautifully animated, hunter nightmare promo for Danger Mouse and Daniele Lupp’s Two Against One track featuring Jack White and Norah Jones.

Rome – Two Against One from Chris Milk on Vimeo.

A Place to Bury Strangers: So Far Away

El Vez — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:00:23 +0000

New York City’s ‘loudest band’, A Place to Bury Strangers, return to the shoegazing scene with new single So Far Away accompanied by a music video directed by the band’s very own Oliver Ackermann and made entirely from Instagram photos.

A Place to Bury Strangers “So Far Away” from Secretly Jag on Vimeo.

Gillian Chase: iPhone 4s Music Video

El Vez — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:00:34 +0000

Whether you like Tim Kemple’s music video or not, the fact it was shot entirely on an iPhone 4s surely makes it something to admire?

If you want to know about the shooting of the video, this interview with National Geographic provides some behind the scenes insights.

Gillian Chase – iPhone 4s Music Video from Camp 4 Collective on Vimeo.

Real Estate: Easy

El Vez — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:00:10 +0000

An overzealous promotions team spread the word on Real Estate’s new album.

Thanks to DN favourite Bobby Miller for bringing this to our Twitter attention.

Real Estate – “Easy” from Tom Scharpling

The Dø: Slippery Slope

El Vez — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:00:43 +0000

Noel Paul, from creative duo That Go, brings us yet another fascinating music video, this time for French/Finnish indie pop band The Dø.

Slippery Slope from The Dø on Vimeo.

CR’s Music Video Picks of the Year

El Vez — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 17:30:12 +0000

Influential Art & Design magazine Creative Review select 10 music promos that “rocked CR’s world” in 2011 – CR’s Music Video Picks of the Year.

My personal favourite being Lykke Li’s – Sadness is a Blessing from Tarik Saleh, which had somehow slipped through the DN radar unnoticed in 2011.

Lykke Li – Sadness is a Blessing (Director Tarik Saleh) from Lykke Li on Vimeo.

Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

El Vez — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:30:52 +0000

You can always trust Arcade Fire to provide some music video goodness – this time with the help of director Vincent Morisset.

Interactive version at www.sprawl2.com (webcam and broadband recommended)

Merlot: Loser

El Vez — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:00:26 +0000

Playful 360° music video by director/D.O.P Julien Widmer, for French band Merlot.

LOSER – Merlot from julien widmer on Vimeo.

Alpines: Cocoon

MarBelle — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:52:08 +0000

Am I purposely trying to confuse you all by posting promos from two completely different but very similar sounding acts within a couple of days of each other? Maybe, but I was taken enough with the stripped down nature of Ryan Hope’s Cocoon promo for Alpines that I decided to throw caution to the wind (or perhaps I just didn’t realise till now?).

Alpine: Hands

MarBelle — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 17:22:50 +0000

If I woke up in Luci Schroder’s house of tights-clad, Alpine worshiping women I’m not sure if I’d be overjoyed or scared as hell?

ALPINE: HANDS from Ivy League Records on Vimeo.

St. Vincent: Cruel

MarBelle — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 23:55:22 +0000

St. Vincent discovers the difficulties of having motherhood forced on you only to find you don’t live up to expectations, in Terri Timely’s fantastically macabre promo for Cruel.

St. Vincent ‘Cruel’ from Arianna Tomasettig on Vimeo.

One Fine Day, Love Came to Visit

MarBelle — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 18:39:12 +0000

I must admit, the big draw of this film interpretation of the children’s book One Fine Day, Love Came to Visit lies solely in the hands of Rus Nerwich’s spot on Dr. Seuss style delivery.

One Fine Day, Love Came to Visit from Rus Nerwich on Vimeo.

Skrillex: First Of the Year (Equinox)

El Vez — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:00:15 +0000

A creepy individual who hangs around playgrounds gets what’s coming to him when he follows a young girl with unusual powers into an empty warehouse in Tony T.’s promo for Skrillex’s First Of the Year (Equinox).

Skrillex – First Of the Year (Equinox) from HK Corp on Vimeo.

Craig Murray Update

MarBelle — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 23:54:54 +0000

It seems since we last checked in with him, the ever prolific Craig Murray has been keeping himself busy with promos and a 48hr Film competition entry, all the while further developing his long exposure photographic animation process. Here’s what he’s been up to…

Found: Smoke and Mirrors 48hr film competition (2011) from Craig Murray on Vimeo.

FOREST FIRE: FUTURE SHADOWS (2011) from Craig Murray on Vimeo.

&U&I: BELLY FULL OF FIRE AND A HEART FULL OF BLOOD (2011) from Craig Murray on Vimeo.

DN224: BEAT – Or Bar-El

MarBelle — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:58:34 +0000

Music is a major component of any film but can spell life or death for an animated piece, so completely building your film around its soundtrack is a risky gamble. Or Bar-El’s first venture into 3D animation, BEAT is a gamble that pays off in spades. Or joins us to discuss the marriage of drums and animation and the great results you can achieve once you’re willing to jump off the creative cliff.

I knew I didn’t want to make a wannabe film.

Showlinks
Or Bar-El
Bezalel Academy of Arts & Design
Autodesk Maya
Adobe After Effects

BEAT – Or Bar-El

MarBelle — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:02:02 +0000

BEAT (2011)
In a cubic world, where work is one repetitive slow tempo, one worker discovers inside them another form of expression.

MGMT: All We Ever Wanted Was Everything

MarBelle — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:01:43 +0000

I never thought I’d say this, but Ned Wenlock has convinced me that there actually is a justified use for the page peel in his continual animated promo for MGMT’s cover of All We Ever Wanted Was Everything.

MGMT – All We Ever Wanted Was Everything from oneedo on Vimeo.

Ned explains his working process on his blog.

Amp!

MarBelle — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:33:40 +0000

Steve May and an entourage of bunnies turn it up to 11 and then some.

Amp! from Steve May on Vimeo.

His Clancyness: Carve A Peach

MarBelle — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 20:19:39 +0000

His Clancyness get the Jamie Harley found footage treatment in his ‘models doing what models do’ unofficial promo for Carve A Peach.

His Clancyness – ‘Carve A Peach’ from Jamie Harley on Vimeo.

Wild Man

El Vez — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:00:42 +0000

Layer upon layer of hazy animation combines through prolonged transitions to create an ethereal promo for Kate Bush track Wild Man

Scale it Back

El Vez — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Ewan Jones Morris & Casey Raymond’s conceptual video for DJ Shadow’s Scale it Back sees its narrative created by Ben Pridmore’s unusual technique for memorising a pack of cards.

DJ Shadow “Scale It Back” from Ewan Jones Morris on Vimeo.

Willy Moon: I Wanna Be Your Man

MarBelle — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:20:20 +0000

Sometimes super simple, supplemented with a side of smooth shoe shuffling is all you need to create an effective promo. Thomas Knights puts all that sibilance to good use with Willy Moon in I Wanna Be Your Man.