Archive for April, 2009
Greatly Exaggerated
I have been working my way through DFW’s “A Supposedly Fun Thing …” and got to the essay titled ‘Greatly Exaggerated’ and the first few paragraphs talk about some of the recent last 40 yrs discussion on post-structuralism and the ‘Death of the Author’ vs., although I didn’t know it before a few minutes ago, the writer.
The thing with reading DFW on philosophy is that its like owning ‘Kind of Blue’. Actually, maybe it isn’t in the sense that I don’t know if it represents greatness in the form in the way KOB does but it does serve as an entre into the world of philosophy for those who aren’t interested per se in deep study of the subject but appreciate a little bit of it now and then especially if its introduced through a friend.
So, anyway, the point is that the ideas presented in this essay are better argued, more thoughtful, more resonant issues that my review of Sometimes a Great Notion touched on, grazed, glanced, etc.
Short Film #3
Slight difference with an emphasis on the TFC logo that Kelly White designed. Infinite possibilities, no?
BTW, it goes without saying, but this is YouTube so you can grab these vids and post them anywhere you want (on the internet) (well, I guess anywhere at all, but it’s up to you on logistics from an ex-digital/analog perspective.)
Short Film #2
We’re doing a bunch of these and Monte and I are working through a variety of different styles and iterations. John pointed out the Radiohead vids from Kid A and those were a nice little focal point for another series of videos that are more focused on visuals and less marketing-oriented. So check it out. More to come.
Record Labels As A Network Of Relationships
I keep coming back to the value of personal relationships. The value of a web of trusted referrals. People to help you out. People that will do stuff for you. People that will say to a 3rd party, “Trust me, this guy is good.”
Those kinds of recommendations come from all different places. But that’s ultimately the value that record labels still deliver and that will carry over into the future. The filtering service.
The imprimatur.
Great Song, Great Video, Too Long
As good as this song is and as striking as the visuals are and as first class as the whole thing is and very beautiful and I also like the funky beats, etc., and as true as all of that is, I think this only proves my point about length in the internet age. The video is too long. Not that the song is too long. But 50 seconds is probably the ideal length for this thing. I wonder if that means songs should be shortened to 50 seconds. Calling Bob Pollard! Your services are requested.
Passion Pit – The Reeling from phantomcolor on Vimeo.
Money Meet Mouth (New Video)
I’ve been talking about how I think many songs are too long for music videos and that there is a more ideal form that is shorter, perhaps even as long as commercials. Well, Monte and I have been emailing and he decided to apply his talents to the music for The Flying Change. I really do think this is some beautiful stuff and I am so excited to be working on it with Monte. So check it out. And spread it around. This is the first in a planned flock. The next one will be set to the chorus of ‘Broken Bow’. Can’t wait.
