NEW RELEASE: R.E.M. "Supernatural Superserious"

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

BOOKED: Counting Crows - Ryan Travis, director

artist: Counting Crows
song: "You Can't Count On Me"
label: Interscope
director(s): Ryan Travis
production co: Shadow Screen
rep: Yell Productions

SHOT: Will.I.Am. - Toben Seymour, director

Featuring Cheryl Cole of Girls Aloud...

artist: Will.I.Am
song: "Hertbreaker"
label: Interscope
director(s): Toben Seymour
production co: DNA

BOOKED: The B-52's - Roboshobo, director

artist: The B-52's
song: "Funplex"
label: Astralwerks
director(s): Roboshobo
production co: The Revolver Film Co.
rep: Labuda Management

BOOKED: Sara Bareilles - Marcos Siega, director

artist: Sara Bareilles
song: "Bottle It Up"
label: Epic
director(s): Marcos Siega
production co: Hungry Man
rep: Lanette Phillips Management

NEW RELEASE: The Count & Sinden "Beeper"

The beeper conjures up a simpler, better time. A time when we (and our dealers) were just reachable enough. This video for music production crew The Count & Sinden with guests Kid Sister and Flosstradamus combines some fittingly retro 8-bit graphics — similar to what you saw in the M.I.A. "Boyz" video — and an old school dance party held deep within a hidden location. It's a nice reminder of that hip-hop used to be a whole lot more fun before anything not obsessed with hardness, money and status was relegated to the underground. --> watch "Beeper"

The Count & Sinden f/ Kid Sister & Flosstradamus
"Beeper" (Domino)
Joey Garfield & Joseph Patel, director | Mark DePace , producer | Ghost Robot, production co | Rob Benavides, DP | Pat Deriso, editor

NEW RELEASE: Brett Dennen "Ain't No Reason"

This is the kind of video that has the potential to come off as sanctimonious with its message that there's always collateral damage or somebody much less fortunate when it comes to many of the creature comforts take for granted. Luckily, Brett Dennen  has the kind of innocent voice and persona that makes it hard for anyone but the biggest cynic to dismiss this as anything but heartfelt and pure. --> watch "Ain't No Reason" (directors cut)

Brett Dennen
"Ain't No Reason" (Dualtone/Downtown)
Claire Carre , director/editor | Justin Benoliel, producer | Partizan, production co | Ted Hayash, DP

BOOKED: Webbie – Edwin Decena, director

artist: Webbie f/ LeToya
song: "I'm Missing You"
label: Trill/Asylum/Atlantic
director(s): Edwin Decena
production co: Pure Productions

SHOT: Snoop Dogg – Pook, director

Shot in Vegas…

artist: Snoop Dogg feat Too $hort & Mistah FAB
song: "Life Of The Party"
label: Geffen
director(s): Pook
production co: Triggerhappy/Big Pook

NEWS: RW Media Signs Michael Maxxis

Director Michael Maxxis has signed with RW Media for representation. Maxxis most recently directed the  Ours video(s) "Live Again/God Only Wants You."