quicktime / 28 mb http://www.the-martin-sulzer.com/mov/lptf_big.mov

quicktime / 7 mb http://www.the-martin-sulzer.com/mov/lptf_stream.mov


an older video from skinner's debut "original pirate material", directed by german the martin sulzer.
         

I like bits of this, but taken as a whole I think it relies too heavily on google image search and jerky flash animation. Compare it to the other video for this song to see how much this one also spectacularly fails to capture the spirit of the song and lyrics.

         

Of course it relies on google images and jerky animation. That's what it is. It's not the best video in the world, but I think it totally works for the song. There's nothing more obnoxious to me than a band/label remaking a video. Essentially this is the scenario: Pay some young director next to nothing to make a video for a band. The video helps raise awareness about the band, gains fans, etc. Then, based on the success (partially due to the video) the band now has money to put into a bigger and better video. Which is fine and good, but do a video for a different song.

A good example of this is the two versions of the "New Slang" by the Shins. While the newer version is great, the first one work just fine. It's such an insult to the directors that bust their ass for no money. I know it's always up to the label, but it's a trend that I'd like to see stopped.

         

I think I agree with you winchandpulley. The problem here lies with animation versus live action, see most Production company’s, commissioners, record labels and music industry folk don’t get animation. And why should they!?, true dedicated animators are usually pale, withdrawn, socially akward, unfashionably dressed and misanthropic. If you have worked hard to achieve your position of responsibility and importance why would you want to trouble yourself with such visually unappealing, difficult, befuddled people who talk so vaguely and in such intangible undefined ways. If you have a breakthrough artist with a slightly bizarre but refreshing clip and you want to give them a push you are faced with two options. Option A: Contact the original pale, wane director/animator and try and convince him/her to "clean up" their version a bit. This will usually be met with misanthropic obfuscation and cry’s of "artistic integrity" and so forth unless cash is waved infront of pasty unfashionable noses. Option B: is to take said cash and hand over to a trendy, fashionably dressed by no means misanthropic live action director who knows all the cool film lingo and wont act weird and try and show you some obscure manga film as potential reference. Option b is obviously a far sounder choice for those who have worked hard at their social networking to claw their way into such a demanding respected position as a music video commissioner. It’s all about "the audience" anyway, and it’s your responsibility to second guess them and guide their interpretation of the bands image. A well lit live action Mike Skinner strutting down the street at 25fps is much easier on the eye than a clunky cut out 8fps Flash Mike Skinner. It also makes it easier to identify Mike skinner on all related posters, CD covers, Flyers and associated promotional material for future sales purposes. (Must have a word to that stylist tell them to up the budget of Mike's onscreen wardrobe without loosing his "from the streets" legitimacy) Plus if you choose option B you will be able to drop by the set and pretend for a moment that you are part of the creative process in the exciting sexy world of filmmaking.

         

Exactly. Which is all well and good, I suppose. I mean, I like walking onto other people's sets and eating their red vines and sipping their craft service coffee as much as the next guy. My problem comes with having such little faith in an artist that the "hot single" they already have a video for, needs a new video. If I were in a band I'd rather have two videos for two songs than two videos for one song. It's that easy. If you're the pasty low-budget director dude, and the band went with another, more established director for their second video, while the director would be a little miffed I think they would say, "Hey, you know the band that Chris Milk is doing a video for? I did their first video. I sure can pick 'em." But if the label chose the hot director to redo the young director's clip, the dude should have every right to want to jump off a bridge. Or at least punch something.

So, here's a message to you labels...if it ain't broke, don't do another video for it.

Amen.

         

Fair enough, but this video is 'broke'. Artistic integrety aside, the second version is a vast improvement.

         

I think the 2nd version of "New Slang" was commissioned by the label that released the Garden State soundtrack. Sub Pop had nothing to do with it... just a note, your point still stands..

and I didn't read all that but I'd object to vidbot's classification of a true dedicated animator..

         

Generalising I know however I myself am an animator and I was referencing myself for the description.