The allure in getting Vincent Moon to helm this first video off R.E.M.'s Accelerate was presumably to see if the director's mix of live spontaneity and pre-planned precision exhibited in his most excellent Take Away Shows would translate to the traditional music video. Turns out they had something much better and different in mind. The video for "Supernatural Superserious" is really eleven "feeds" that can all serve as standalone videos that can then be snagged by viewers/users/creators and edited into a basically infinite amount of videos. Some of the source feeds capture the band surprising passersby on NYC's Lower East Side with Takeaway-styled acoustic performances. Others are artfully shot studio set-ups. Vincent Moon suggests a cut as the official video, but that seems to exist mainly because linear TV and preconceived notions about video promotion require that a single clip exist for a track. The "real" video and fun can be found at supernaturalsuperserious.com, where you can watch each of the eleven full takes individually, or let all the loops blast at once. It's a pretty overwhelming and exhilarating experience something made even better when you realize that you can download HD quality versions of each feed and do what you will with them. Uploaded cuts are welcome at R.E.M.'s YouTube channel, but you won't be tempted with a prize like in so many video contests sponsored by everyone from record labels to ketchup brands and granola bars. Your sole reward will be the discovery of a solid song by a solid band and the art and creativity possible when images are matched to music. Shouldn't that be enough? --> experience "Supernatural Superserious"
R.E.M. "Supernatural Superserious" (Warner Bros.)
Vincent Moon, director | Natalie Johns & Antoine Viviani, producer | Dig For Fire, production co | Vincent Moon, Jeremiah, Todd M. Duym, Antoine Viviani, DP's | Vincent Moon & Jeremiah, editor
