NEWS: More On UMG Video Policy Change

A September 12 letter to broadcasters sent by the Universal Music Group states that "due to the high costs associated with servicing music videos -- which, due to the many outlets we presently service cost us literally millions of dollars each year -- Universal Music Group (UMG) is changing its policy in regards to servicing broadcasters with copies of our music videos."

The new policy calls for programmers "who wish to continue to receive UMG's music videos" to sign a servicing agreement and pay an annual $7,500 fee. The policy goes into effect October 15.

Early response from programmers who have video shows on local broadcast and cable carriers has been understandably negative. It remains to be seen what the extended industry response will be. Care to contribute? Send us an email.

If I was named Drudge, I would say "Developing..." at this point.

NEWS: Universal Music Videos Promotional No More?

Video Static has learned that Universal Music Group is on the verge of drastically changing the paradigm of the music video industry.

UMG has sent a letter to music video programmers in the United States informing them that as of October 15, 2005, they will no longer receive music videos for broadcast purposes unless they pay an annual fee that has been reported to be as high as $7,500.

It's reasonable to assume that the immediate impact will be the removal of UMG recording artists from the vast majority of the 100+ local and regional music video shows on broadcast and cable carriers here in the States. The more far-reaching imapact could be huge, especially if other major label groups follow suit.

We will have much more on this story as it develops and additional details get confirmed....

Universal Music Group is the largest label group in the music business. It consists of  Geffen Records, Interscope, Island Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Universal Records, Verve Music Group and other properties. UMG recording artists include 3 Doors Down, 50 Cent, Black Eyed Peas, Eminem, Fall Out Boy, Gwen Stefani, Jack Johnson, Jay-Z,  Kanye West, The Killers, Mariah Carey, Nelly, Sheryl Crow and many other top stars.

NEW RELEASE: The Redwalls "Thank You"

The Redwalls "Thank You" Capitol
Scott Lyons, director
Oil Factory, production co
Description: It's tempting to say this Redwalls track sounds like The Beatles circa Let It Be, but with  David Bowie on vocals. Obviously that's the kind of comparison that no band could possibly live up to, but Chicago quartet The Redwalls do have a kind of soulful, dixie-tinged rock vibe that sounds instantly vintage. Not surprisingly, the "Thank You" video has a retro feel to it as well. The band members wear thrift shop threads as they perform on a stage that seems pulled from a late 60's variety show. Photos from a night out at a club are interspersed until the last third of the video, when the band's fans walk onto the performance space to cheer them on.

SHOT: Natasha Bedingfield - Chris Applebaum, director

artist: Natasha Bedingfield
song: "Unwritten
label: Epic
director(s): Chris Applebaum
production co: Partizan
rep: Stompbox

SHOT: Esoterica - Andrew Carolan, director

London-based production company Angry Sumo recently completed a shoot with the rock band Esoterica on-location at the suitably creepy Chislehurst Caves.

artist: Esoterica
song: "Don't Rely On Anyone"
label: Something To Listen To
director(s): Andrew Carolan
production co: Angry Sumo

SHOT: At All Cost - Pax Franchot, director

Influential thrash metal label Combat Records relaunches under the auspices of KOCH with a video for At All Cost.

artist: At All Cost
song: "Death To Distraction"
label: Combat/KOCH
director(s): Pax Franchot
production co: The Lodge Pictures

NEWS: Music Video Directors With New Movies

If you're the sort that likes to see if your favorite music video directors can successfully make the leap to the big screen, you're in luck. There are plenty of well-known video auteurs who have movies that are  in theaters now. I haven't seen any of the following movies, so I can offer no recommendations or witticisms. Sorry.

Junebug - directed by Phil Morrison
Phil has directed many indie rock videos over the years, including my all-time favorite: Yo La Tengo's "Sugarcube." The video stars Bob Odenkirk and David Cross as rock professors (and it's important to note that not only does it predate School of Rock by many years, but it's also much funnier).

Pretty Persuasion - directed by Marcos Siega
Marcos made his name with a series of funny videos for Blink-182. He also has another film currently in theaters, but it's kind of been under the radar: Underclassman, starring Nick Cannon.

Thumbsucker - Mike Mills
Mike is a well-known artist who has created album covers and music videos for Sonic Youth, Air and many other bands. This is his first major film.

SHOT: Stephen Malkmus - Lana Kim & Andy Bruntel, directors

This stop action animated video for former Pavement frontman Stephen Malkmus involves photographs, the 1-hr photo development process, blood, and monsters.

artist: Stephen Malkmus
song: "Baby C'mon"
label: Domino (Matador in the U.S.)
director(s): Lana Kim & Andy Bruntel
production co: The Directors Bureau

NEW RELEASE: Shakira "No"

Shakira "No" Epic
Jaume De Laiguana, director
Sergi Ciuro & Ester Udaeta, producers
Laiguana & Piramide, production cos
Alejandro Oset, DP
Anna Oriol, editor
Description: Although this b&w video for "No" is technically a beauty piece, it shows Shakira without the makeup, lighting and post-effects that most divas need to radiate on screen. The camera picks up every pore of Shakira's face, and even her tears, as she performs this Spanish language ballad. Besides just looking beautiful for the camera, Shakira also sews together a set of wings for herself that she puts to use as the song crescendos to a big finish.

NEW RELEASE: Franz Ferdinand "Do You Want To"

Franz Ferdinand "Do You Want To" Epic
Diane Martel, director
Gina Harrell, producer
DNA, production co
Stefan Czapsky, DP
Paul Martinez, editor
Description: Franz Ferdinand channel The Knack on this first single from their much ballyhooed sophomore effort, You Could Have It So Much Better. The video places the band members at a bizarre, yet stuffy art show where they get a chance to act all goofy for the camera and cause a commotion. Their behavior quickly becomes contagious and all the art patrons and hipsters decide to cut loose and join the fun. Franz Ferdinand generally come across as one of the more purposely entertaining rock/pop bands since maybe The Monkees (I guess), while director Diane Martel engineers a rapid succession of cool set-ups and surprising transitions.