September 2014

Watch It

Remaking Eric Prydz "Call On Me" with Cancer Patients

Can one of the sexiest videos of all time get remade for a higher purpose? Eight Norwegian cancer patients prove that they can make a version of the Eric Prydz perv classic "Call On Me" that's actually more revealing than the original and just as hot. 

The remake is from Aktiv Against Cancer, a group dedicated to encouraging Cancer patients to remain active and confident during treatment.

Blog

Perspective on the OK Go x Apple Perspective Promo

This isn't the first time that a commercial shared the same creative DNA as music video — in fact, it's not even the first time for Apple, which had a similar issue with an advertisement that was close to a Postal Service video — and we've all by now lost count about how many music videos were clear homages or recreations of creative stuff from other media.

Amongst many things revealed at Apple's product launch this week, was a new iPhone and a promo spot for it that plays with perspective illusions — quite similar to the OK Go "The Writings On The Wall" video and created by the same production/creative team. Adding fuel to the fire is OK Go band manager Andy Schoun can cite specific conversations between the band and Apple about partnering on that video.

The most interesting thing to me — we've been over the legality and ethical issues about stuff like this before — is this is a hint at how dominant Apple is worldwide. OK Go's video has 10 million views and tons of press and even an MTV VMA, but that must pale in comparison to the marketing reach Apple has via all its platforms and advertising budgets. If it didn't, then there's no way they'd risk being second to a great idea — although you could claim that Apple's genius is not being the first to do something, but to be the best at doing something.

PS: Why has no music video ripped off this great Honda Perspectives ad from last year?

Community / Watch It

Speed of Snakes "Backbone of Night" (Stevie Russell, dir.)

Formed tangentially from two of Ireland's most popular alternative rock bands Adebisi Shank & BATS. Vin McCreith and Rupert Morris have been experimenting and developing Speed Of Snakes for several years. A rich blend of Vin's synth-electronic production mastery and Rupert's vocal and lyrical stylings has created a unique sound that trespasses on the realms of dance, synthwave, pop and rock all wrapped up in an epic science fiction concept.

"Backbone of Night" is the first single from their debut album 'SPEED OF SNAKES'.

In Depth

Loud Visionaries Profile: Director Dave Ma

All week we'll be reprinting The 405's music video series Loud Visionaries Week. Yesterday was all about Hiro Murai, but today they shine the light on Edward John Drake .The 405 presents their Loud Visionaries series focusing on the new wave of music video directors and creatives.

LOUD VISIONARIES: Dave Ma, director:

Dave Ma has found his feet, and they're currently buried deep in the world of enigmatic visuals and subtle camera work. The man is aware of what makes us tick, aware of who is, and is certainly aware of how he can translate all that into beautiful filmmaking. Bastille loves him, Flight Facilities came back for seconds... things are looking good for citizen-of-the-world Dave 'probably watching porn' Ma.

read on for the interview...

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