COMMENTARY: Dr. Harding's Test

Or, how I learned to stop worrying and love the flashing lights.

There's been a lot of news this week about how the new Gnarls Barkley video "Run" has been "banned" by MTV due to something called the Harding Test.

Here's the deal...

Perhaps you remember all those stories from a few years back about kids going into seizures while watching Pokemon. That story was about as overblown as this one, but there is indeed a small chance (1 in 17,500 to be exact) of a child — especially one with epilepsy — experiencing a seizure due to photosensitivity.

The most notable effort to stem this problem in the U.S. was requiring video games to come with warnings about the epileptic risk. U.K. broadcasters have taken a stricter approach, requiring all televised content to be pre-screened to ensure that any flashing lights and repetitive patterns do not surpass certain thresholds that may make it more likely to induce seizures. The test most often used is called the HardingFPA Flash and Pattern Analyser.

Since many videos consist of flashing lights and patterns, it is not uncommon to have problems when submitting them to MTV UK and other English channels. The videos are not "banned," they just need to either be re-edited or have the strobe intensity toned down to pass this test. It's not a big deal, really.

So, the Gnarls Barkley video "Run" has not been "banned" by MTV or MTV UK. It did, however, reportedly fail a broadcast test that all UK channels run in order to minimize the chances of causing seizures among a very small percentage of viewers.

If you are a music video producer, here is what you need to know:

• If there is a chance the video will be on MTV UK, you should be somewhat cognizant that  excessive flashing lights and dizzying patterns may cause the video to fail the aforementioned Harding Test.
• If it does fail, you can either re-edit or do a color correction in order to minimize the intensity of the objectionable parts. (The Harding Test actually tells you the exact timecode and images that are in violation of the acceptable levels)

If you are a music video fan, here is what you need to know:

• Absolutely nothing. Sit back. Relax. Enjoy the pretty pictures and call a doctor if you start to feel funny.

If you are a manager or a publicist or a record executive, here is what you need to know:

• Applying the word "banned" and "MTV" is guaranteed news. So, the next time your video doesn't pass standards at MTV, don't just quietly re-edit. Leak out word that the video has been BANNED and watch the news and blog mentions roll in.

SHOT: Drive By - Kevin Estrada, director

Director Kevin Estrada (center) on set with Drive By...

artist: Drive By
song: "Boring"
label: Riot Squad
director(s): Kevin Estrada
production co: The Revolver Film Co.

NEWS: Battles "Atlas" Plug Award Winner

And the video winner at the annual indie-fixated Plug: Independent Music Awards...

Battles "Atlas" (Warp) — directed by Timothy Saccenti

Enjoy it in Quicktime or via YouTube  below... Full list of winners over at the Plug site .

SHOT: Against Me! - Marc Klasfeld, director

Against Me! frontman Tom Gabel with director Marc Klasfeld on the set of "Stop," the band's new video/spot to support the Rock The Vote campaign.

artist: Against Me!
song: "Stop"
label: Warner Bros.
director(s): Marc Klasfeld
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Talib Kweli "Hostile Gospel Pt. 1"

The truth is hard to swallow, but Talib Kweli makes sure it goes down like butter in his latest clip "Hostile Gospel Pt. 1." With the struggles of an African nation as a backdrop, the rapper tackles the problems of American society armed with an uplifting chorus recalling his earlier hit, "Get By." The idea of a rapper walking through a crowded Nigerian city reciting a list of problems might've looked bleak on the treatment page, but like any good sermon, Kweli's message is anchored by hope, calls-to-action and a sanctified choir demanding salvation. (review by Craig Belcher) --> watch "Hostile Gospel" via YouTube

Talib Kweli "Hostile Gospel Pt. 1" (Warner Bros.)
Andrew Dosunmu, director | Rachel Watanabe-Batton and Michelle Wheatley, producer | DV8, production co | Robert malpage, DP

SHOT: Grand Ole Party - Manny Marquez, director

Director Manny Marquez melded the old and the new on this shoot, using a 8x10 portrait camera from the 19th century and then filmed the resulting images with an HD cam.

artist: Grand Ole Party
song: "Look Out Young Son"
label: DH
director(s): Manny Marquez
production co: Streetlight Films
 

BOOKED: Tyga - Dale "Rage" Resteghini, director

artist: Tyga
song: "Coconut Juice"
label: Decaydance
director(s): Dale "Rage" Resteghini
production co: Raging Nation Films
rep: Yell Productions

BOOKED: Sergio Mendes - Neon, directors

artist: Sergio Mendes
song: "Funky Bahia"
label: Concord
director(s): Neon
production co: Partizan

BOOKED: Karmina - Anastasia & Ian, directors

artist: Karmina
song: "The Kiss"
label: CBS
director(s): Anastasia & Ian
production co: DNA

NEW RELEASE: Bon Iver "The Wolves"

This sad, yet eminently dignified video for Bon Iver seems like the work of someone in mourning for a very good reason. While out in Fall River, WI, director Matt Amato received news of a close friend's passing, thus inspiring this meditation on how to keep the fire going while in the midst of some wintry woods. --> watch "The Wolves (Act I & 2)"

Bon Iver "The Wolves (Act I & II)" (Jagjaguwar)
Matt Amato, director/DP/editor | The Masses, production co | RW Media , rep

NEW RELEASE: Mariah Carey "Touch My Body"

This luxuriously high-end clip starts out like the biggest budget porn movie ever – with the computer geek coming to a hillside mansion for a tech call. When the lady of the house opens the door while barely wrapped in lingerie and a filmy robe, one might expect Mary Carey rather that Mariah Carey – but then the singing starts and there is no mistaking that Mimi is the star of this production. Brett Ratner gets a suitably comedic performance from 30 Rock scene-stealer Jack McBrayer as things get way less porny and more like an ultra-glossy episode of Beauty and the Geek – the asexual nerd-tacular fun include unicorns, Frisbees and a wicked game of Guitar Hero. Isn’t that what everyone wants to do with Mariah Carey (review by Doug Stern) --> watch "Touch My Body" via MTV.com

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Mariah Carey "Touch My Body" (Island Def Jam)
Brett Ratner, director | Ron Mohrhoff, producer | HSI, production co | Paul Cameron, DP | Jarett Fijal, editor

BOOKED: P.O.D. - Michael Maxxis, director

artist: P.O.D.
song: "Addicted"
label: Columbia
director(s): Michael Maxxis
production co: Spy Films/Bucks Boys Productions
rep: RW Media

BOOKED: One Flew South - Disposable, directors

artist: One Flew South
song: "My Kind Of Beautiful"
label: Decca
director(s): Disposable
production co: Poya Pictures
rep: RW Media

PHOTO: B-52's and Roboshobo Imagine the "Funplex"

B-52's frontman Fred Schneider and director Roboshobo dream about having their very own Segway on the green screen set of the band's new video, "Funplex."

"Funplex" is the first clip and title track off the band's Astralwerks bow. Director Roboshobo is signed with The Revolver Film Co and repped by Labuda Management.