MUSIC VIDEOS THAT DRIVE ME TO BE A BETTER VIDEOGRAPHER!
YO!
So, basically as i mentioned in my previous blog post, i’m gonna be covering all sorts of topics and what a way to start off than going into what got me inspired to begin down this path!
anyways, lets take a look at my top 5 music videos that have inspired me:
1. kendrick lamar - humble
this was the one that started it all for me & the induction of ‘the winter-sim visuals’.
I’ll never forget watching this video when it first dropped back in 2017. from the first 10 seconds, i was obsessed! I watched in on repeat and still catch myself now watching it and still being blown away!
so much so i learned how dave meyers directed this masterpiece with all the little camera tricks, the wonderful editing magic and the beautiful lighting that was featured!
that triple camera jitter move is extra spicy, THE USE OF THE ROBOTIC ARM FOR THE TRACKING SHOT IS BEAUTIFULLY EXECUTED AND THE CHEEKY 360 GO PRO EFFECT ARE ALL THINGS I WANT TO TRY AND TEST IN MY FUTURE SHOOTS!
THE THING THAT I FOUND FASCINATING THOUGH, IS THE USE OF NATURAL LIGHT IN THE OPENING SHOT, WHICH JUST SETS THE TONE FOR THE REST OF THE VIDEO AND TO BE HONEST, IT REALLY MAKES ME APPRECIATE HOW GOOD NATURAL LIGHTING CAN BE USED WHEN CREATING MAGIC!
HONESTLY I COULD CHEW YOUR EAR OFF FOR HOURS ABOUT THIS VIDEO IF YOU LET ME, BUT LETS MOVE ON TO THE NEXT!
2. bring me the horizon - mantra
oh gosh where the hell do i start with this one!
This song/project from bring me the horizon was a real turning point for the band, not only in the style of music they were creating; but in their visual representation as well!
I have loved bmth for almost a decade now, they’ve been one of my go to bands to listen to whatever mood i’m in! I instantly fell in love with this track, not just because of the tasty riffs but because of the absolutely insane psychedelic-esque video they threw out along side it.
mantra is a fantastic video that likes to get real weird with it, the neon lighting, the trippy horror elements edited and the ‘almost’ over the top acting from the actors involved, injected with b-roll that very much helps along the story of the video.
the use of coloured lighting and editing has really given me some amazing ideas to implement that have been implemented in videos i have worked on such as ‘bones’ by Arwassa, and i will be utilising more themes like this in future projects 100%.
3. joyner lucas - adhd
what a truly moving song this is, one of my favourites of all time + the video is absolutely mind blowing when you know how its made!
the video for adhd is absolutely incredible as for one it is a single take music video (so massive props to joyner lucas and the production team) but extra f***ing points for the fact its a rotating track/green screen setup with props being moved in and out as the ‘scenes’ change throughout the video.
i am in absolute awe of the effort, timing, editing & precision that comes in this video as everything has to be perfect otherwise it’s right back to the start. the use of props to throw you off with it being 90% green screen is ingenious, as it adds way more depth to the scene!
i’m truly excited to get working with green screens in my future as a film maker as it can open so many new avenues for creativity when utilised properly and adhd is the pinacle of that marvel
if you haven’t scene the behind the scenes for this video, i highly recommend!
4. don broco - pretty
on the flip-side from the previous entry, this is such a sick video for its use of practical effects!
don broco are possibly up their in my top 3 bands ever! they never disappoint with their music, and they do not miss with their music videos! pretty is absolutely slapped in the middle of the weird/creative/over the top-ness of don broco’s unique persona! (it was such a toss up between this, everybody and come out to la for craziness! definitely go check those music videos out!)
the b-movie horror vibes, the use of fake blood and creepy-ass face masks + the story make this an absolute all time classic. it really speaks volumes as how great practical effects can bring to a music video, as ‘simple’ as they can be, using practical props can add just a bit of extra oomph to any project big or small!
adding a little, easy to follow story, that fits in with the vibe of the song brings music videos together to make for memorable viewing and brings you back over and over again.
i potentially have a couple of projects in the pipeline that i’m definitely going to be using practical effects for so keep an eye out for that!
5. architects - when we were young
theres something stunning about just watching a band perform. then there’s watching a 360 panning shot of a band giving it their absolute all! (shout out spiritbox - circle with me)
everything about this video absolutely captivates me, but i think it’s the old ‘simple but effective’ that truly made me go ‘holy sh*t’ with when we were young! you get to witness a stage-like performance, with a unique spin (if you’ll pardon the pun) from all angles, with sam carter following the camera around blasting out the lyrics as of there’s thousands of people in front of him, seeing from behind dan searle as he rips on the kit
the use of flashed lighting timed, to the drums during the verse and breakdowns to the full bright lights during the chorus is really bringing it all together for the truest live performance feel with this video. the real rawness comes with being to actually see the entire filmset, seeing the camera track, lights dotted around the floor and back walls.
taking it back to basics really draws focus to the song and has opened my eyes to how i can apply my craft and master the simple things in the future!
6. frank carter & the rattlesnakes - snake eyes
art will never die.
holy f*ck this video is top tier experimental art. the use of a projector, lighting and a massive twist at the end really make snake eyes make me wanna go out and buy the projector, shoot some spooky b-roll, whack up the negative colours and see what happens.
frank carter really killed it with this track and his performance(if you know, you know!) for the first 95% of the video your eyes are constantly switching between whats going on with the huge screen and the silhouetted burlesque style dancing going on, it gets your brain going.
i’ve always been fascinated by experimental videos/art pieces as they seemingly are just random to begin with, but leave the mind open to interpretation, allowing your own assumptions and thoughts to grow.
as of typing i’m reviewing the best projectors to use for future videos (one of which is in early development!) excited for you all to see what it is!
that was a hell of a hard list of music videos for me to breakdown to just these 6, but i’ll likely do another in the future with 6 more!
i hope you all enjoyed checking out some of my inspirations, had some fun watching them or maybe even found a new favourite music video!
hope you all have a wonderful week and thanks for checking out the blog!
ash x
