Artist: The White Stripes - Michel Gondry

This week, I thought I'd point out the music video Michel Gondry directed for The White Stripes' song "The Hardest Button to Button." The song itself does not have much to do with my concept (although it is about a child trying to find his place in a family after a new child is born, which could be a metaphor for my work) but the technique used by the director is directly related, as you will see when you watch it.

"The video utilizes pixilation animation to create the effect of dozens of drum kits and guitar amplifiers multiplying to the rhythm of the song as Jack and Meg perform. For example, in one sequence, Meg is seen playing the bass drum at a subway station. At every beat she plays, she appears with a new bass drum while the last becomes vacant. This was achieved by first setting up a trail of bass drums. Then, Meg would be filmed performing a single beat on the last drum in the line, followed by the removal of that drum. Meg would then proceed to the next drum, play another beat, and so on. The final video is edited to include the drum beats with the sequence reversed, making it appear as if the drums are being added to the beat, appearing out of thin air. As many as 80 identical bass drums and Fender guitar amps were used in the video." - Wikipedia

I think that the crazy clutter produced by the performance in this video is a good example of the humor and absurdity that I want to bring to my new images. Besides that, it's a good song. Enjoy!