Some examples of what I like

Here are a few examples of music videos I like. I'll give a little spiel as to why for each one. Some of them might not be exactly doable for our purposes, but I think there are a few things we can maybe take away from some of them.

First up is the video fro Holly Herndon's "Home," a break-up song about the NSA. I like the head on perspective - gives a cold, calculated feel. The overlaid textures and scrolling icons are something that can feel off-putting, but this is very much on purpose and definitely fits with what they're going for. The shots from behind the camera itself are equally strange and unsettling. Good stuff. Also, note the large, colorful text punctuating certain words.

Next, the "Arcosanti Cut" of Hundred Waters' "Out Alee". This is a bit more traditional, in that it combines a handsomely-shot live performance with equally-handsomely-shot views of various locations, in this case around the strange desert-town of Arcosanti, where the band were staying and performing at the time. I think the biggest things to take away from this video are the colours and the camera-work. While very traditional in the live performance sections (lots of static shots or short pans), the camera work opens up in the location shots, with long floaty pans across the environment. There's also a lot of colour-correction going on, with everything given a flattened, purple cast. This all gives the video a sort of dream-like feeling.

Next, another very different, unfortunately very low-res, video for Fifth Column's "Like This". Combines various shots of the band performing and hanging around, various narrative bits, and a man getting his head shaved for some reason? Cutting style is anarchic, camera work is all over the place, and it's all shot on something like super-8. Nothing seems to match up, but it all feels right for the song, which itself is fairly loose and meandering, but also a little harsh and rebellious. This all fits pretty well with Fifth Column themselves, who were a kind of DIY feminist punk outfit in '80's Canada.

Next video is slightly NSFW:

The video for Gesaffelstein's track "Pursuit". I am all about this video. Cold, calculated, well-paced camera movement, a cool mix of old world and new world imagery, some slight cyberpunk influences, subtle, interesting effects and an eerie atmosphere. Kind of love all of this. It only briefly segues it "normal" music video for a second or two with strobing lights and dancing, but this is quickly turned on its head.

Silliness follows:

And finally, the amazing opening to one of the best/worst films of all time, "Yor, Hunter From the Future", for no reason whatsoever.