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COMMENTARY: Dr. Harding's Test

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

GnarlsThere'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.

March 7, 2008 in News | Permalink

SHOT: Drive By - Kevin Estrada, director

Drive By 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.

March 7, 2008 in Revolver Film Co., Riot Squad | Permalink

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 .

March 7, 2008 in News | Permalink

SHOT: Against Me! - Marc Klasfeld, director

Against Me 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

March 7, 2008 in RFM, Rockhard, Warner Bros. | Permalink

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

Talib 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

March 6, 2008 in New Releases, Warner Bros. | Permalink

SHOT: Grand Ole Party - Manny Marquez, director

Gop 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
 

March 6, 2008 | Permalink

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

March 6, 2008 in Decaydance, Raging Nation, Yell Productions | Permalink

BOOKED: Sergio Mendes - Neon, directors

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

March 6, 2008 in Concord, Partizan | Permalink

BOOKED: Karmina - Anastasia & Ian, directors

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

March 6, 2008 in CBS, DNA | Permalink

NEW RELEASE: Bon Iver "The Wolves"

Bon Iver 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

March 5, 2008 in Jagjaguwar, RW Media, The Masses | Permalink

NEW RELEASE: Mariah Carey "Touch My Body"

MariahMariah and Jack 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

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

March 5, 2008 in HSI, Island Def Jam, New Releases | Permalink

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

March 5, 2008 in Bucks Boys, Columbia, RW Media, Spy | Permalink

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

March 5, 2008 in Decca, Poya Pictures, RW Media | Permalink

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

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.

March 5, 2008 in Astralwerks, Labuda Mgmt., Revolver Film Co. | Permalink

MTV Adds for the Week of 3/10/08

MTV
MTV Adds:
30 Seconds to Mars "A Beautiful Lie" (Virgin)
All Time Low "Dear Maria, Count Me In" (Hopeless)
Danity Kane "Damage" (Bad Boy)
Day 26 "Got Me Going" (Bad Boy)
Gnarls Barkley "Run" (Downtown/Atlantic)
Leona Lewis "Bleeding Love" (J)
Rick Ross f/ T-Pain "The Boss" (Slip-N-Slide/Def Jam)
Snoop Dogg f/ Too $hort & Mistah FAB "Life Of The Party" (Geffen)
Tokio Hotel "Ready Set Go" (Universal)

MTV2 Adds:
2 Pistols f/ T-Pain & Tay Dizm "She Got It" (Universal Republic)
All Time Low "Dear Maria, Count Me In" (Hopeless)
Linkin Park "Given Up" (Warner Bros.)
Rick Ross f/ T-Pain "The Boss" (Slip-N-Slide/Def Jam)
Sheek Louch "Good Love" (D-Block/Koch)
Snoop Dogg f/ Too $hort & Mistah FAB "Life Of The Party" (Geffen)
Soulja Boy "Let Me Get 'Em" (Interscope)
Tokio Hotel "Ready Set Go" (Universal)

MTVU Adds:
The Knux "Cappuccino" (HHH/Interscope)
Mayday Parade "When I Get Home, You're So Dead" (Fearless)
Minus The Bear "Throwin' Shapes" (Suicide Squeeze)
Rick Ross f/ T-Pain "The Boss" (Slip-N-Slide/Def Jam)
Tokio Hotel "Ready Set Go" (Universal)

MTV Jams Adds:
Glasses Malone f/ Akon "Certified" (Cash Money/Universal Motown)
The Knux "Cappuccino" (HHH/Interscope)
Pitbull "The Anthem" (TVT)
Snoop Dogg f/Too $hort & Mistah FAB "Life Of The Party" (Geffen)

March 5, 2008 in MTV | Permalink

VH1 Adds for the Week of 3/10/08

Vh1Vh1 Adds:
Gnarls Barkley "Run" (Downtown/Atlantic)
Jordin Sparks f/ Chris Brown "No Air" (Jive/ZLG)
Lupe Fiasco "Superstar" (1st & 15th/Atlantic)
Vampire Weekend "A Punk" (XL)

VH1 Soul Adds:
Amanda Diva "Supa Woman" (DivaWorks Inc.)
Ashanti "The Way That I Love You" (The Inc./Universal Motown)
Gnarls Barkley "Run" (Downtown/Atlantic)
Raheem DeVaughn "Customer" (Jive/ZLG)

March 5, 2008 in VH1 | Permalink

BET Adds for the Week of 3/10/08

BET Adds:
Janet "Rock With U" (Island)
Jay-Z "I Know" (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam)

Rap City Adds: 
Lil' Will "My Dougie" (Asylum/Atlantic)
Webbie f/ LeToya "I Miss You" (Trill/Asylum/Atlantic)

March 5, 2008 in BET | Permalink

Fuse Adds for the Week of 3/10/08

FuseAdds:
Ashes Divide "The Stone" (Island Def Jam)
Gnarls Barkley "Run" (Downtown/Atlantic)
Silversun Pickups "Little Lover's So Polite" (Dangerbird)
Vampire Weekend "A Punk" (XL)

March 5, 2008 in Fuse | Permalink

Music Choice Adds for the Week of 3/10/08

Music Choice
Adds:
Anberlin "The Unwinding Cable Car" (Tooth & Nail)
As Cities Burn "Empire" (Tooth & Nail)
Asia Cruise "Selfish" (Jive)
Bishop Leonard Scott "Sing Unto The King" (Tyscot)
Carmen Calhoun "Life" (White Chocolate)
Carmen Calhoun "When God Says Move" (White Chocolate)
Colbie Caillat "Realize" (Universal Republic)
Dream Theater "Forsaken" (Roadrunner)
Duo Live f/ Fabolous & Al B. Sure "Princess (Remix)" (Redemption)
Feist "I Feel It All" (Interscope)
Flyleaf "All Around Me" (Octone/A&M/Interscope)
Gorilla Zoe f/ Big Gee "Tryna Make A Jug" (Bad Boy South/Atlantic)
Jack Johnson "If I Had Eyes" (Brushfire/Universal)
Jimmy Eat World "Always Be" (Interscope)
Kanye West "Flashing Lights" (Roc-A-Fella/Island Def Jam)
Leona Lewis "Bleeding Love" (J)
Madina Lake "One Last Kiss" (Roadrunner)
Nite Club "No Matter Which Way" (Black Budget)
Smif-N-Wessun f/ Joell Ortiz & Rock "Stomp Thru" (Duck Down)
Soulja Boy "Yahhh!" (Interscope)
Timbaland f/ Keri Hilson & Nicole Scherzinger "Scream" (Mosley/Blackground/Interscope)
Type O Negative "September Sun" (SPV)

March 5, 2008 in Music Choice | Permalink

CMT Adds for the Week of 3/03/08

CMTCMT Adds:
LeAnn Rimes "Good Friend And A Glass Of Wine" (Curb)
Trisha Yearwood "This Is Me You're Talking To" (Big Machine)

CMT Pure Adds:
Tift Merritt "Broken" (Concord)
Trisha Yearwood "This Is Me You're Talking To" (Big Machine)
Willie Nelson "You Don't Think I'm Funny Anymore" (Lost Highway)

March 5, 2008 in CMT | Permalink

MuchMusic Adds for the Week of 3/03/08

Much MusicAdds:
Akon f/ T-Pain "I Can't Wait"
Amy Winehouse "Back To Black"
Angels & Airwaves "Secret Crowds"
Brian Melo "Shine"
Buck 65 "Dang"

March 5, 2008 in Much Music | Permalink

NEWS: MVPA Awards Deadline This Week

The submission deadline is looming for the 17th annual Music Video Production Awards Association Awards... This major industry event bestows awards for all technical categories — even including best hair and best colorist/telecine — and draws a veritable who's who of directors, producers and commissioners.

All entries must be in by this Thursday, March 6, by 6pm PT.

Details on how to enter are at oes.mvpaawards.com/howtoenter/ with category/fee breakdowns at oes.mvpaawards.com/categories/

March 4, 2008 in News | Permalink

NEW RELEASE: Janet "Feedback" starring Quincy & Mingus

Didn't love the futureshock video that director Saam delivered for Janet Jackson's "Feedback?" Well, too bad, because it's certainly memorable and that's really the barometer of a successful video these days. Look for the video to have serious legs — shall we make the "four legs" joke? — with this unofficial kitty cat parody/tribute that'll extend the reach to the much coveted cat lady demographic.  --> watch "Feedback" starring Quincy & Mingus

March 4, 2008 in New Releases | Permalink

NEW RELEASE: Ashanti "The Way That I Love You"

Ashanti_wayAshanti_way2 The video for this "you've done me wrong" ballad opens with a breathy 911 call and a shot of a bloody knife. Ashanti  clearly has motive in the muder of her philandering man — and she seems very comfortable handling a blade in the kitchen — but whether or not she did the deed depends on how closely you watch this smooth, yet sharp edged and suspenseful clip from director Kevin Bray. If you find yourself intrigued by the video concept, you should either 1) See a therapist, 2) Get out of your relationship, or 3) check out the Oxygen series Snapped — about women who get driven to kill — that Ashanti told MTV News was the video's inspiration. --> watch "The Way That I Love You" via Yahoo

Ashanti "The Way That I Love You"
(The Inc./Universal Motown)

Kevin Bray, director | Hagai Shaham, producer | DNA, production co | Christopher Probst , DP | Clark Eddy, editor

March 4, 2008 in DNA, Motown, New Releases, Universal | Permalink

NEW RELEASE: Gnarls Barkley "Run"

GnarlsJTWhat starts out as a basic spoof of a "crazy fresh" '80s hip-hop dance show —  with Justin Timberlake as the poor white man's Don Cornelius — suddenly gets very hypnotic in this  brand new Gnarls Barkley clip. Zebra stripes and b&w checkerboard patterns collide with one another as Danger Mouse mans the turntables and Cee-Lo lays out a decidedly Crazy croon. --> watch "Run" at MTV.com

Gnarls Barkley "Run" (Downtown/Atlantic)
Happy, directors | Dave Robertson, producer | Smuggler, production co  | Labuda Management, rep | Maz, DP | Doobie White, editor

March 3, 2008 in Atlantic, Downtown, Labuda Mgmt., Smuggler | Permalink

PHOTO: Walter Robot Building Pretty For People In Planes

Here's the Walter Robot team working hard on the new People In Planes video, "Pretty Buildings." Christopher Louie adjusts the camera, while Bill Barminski works on some models.
Walter Robot

The video will support the forthcoming People In Planes album on Wind-Up Records. Walter Robot is signed with Merge @ Crossroads.

March 3, 2008 in Merge @ Crossroads, Wind-Up | Permalink