When You Die – MGMT

I hadn't realized MGMT had a new record from this last year, but came across this one through suggestions on youtube. And I like even from a simple storytelling perspective of repeating ones day, and weird dream logic, before all the visual effects. And the effects are great. As close as I have seen to how psychedelia actually works, applying patterns. 

People have come a long way with algorithms to apply art styles to an image, or that one terrifying one which puts faces and legs all over everything and eyes and turns things into many faced frogs. eek. And this use, is one of the best I've seen in video. 

And I always love when I see something where I'm not entirely sure how its made. Well done.

Directors: Mike Burakoff & Hallie Cooper-Novack

VFX Supervisor: Jamie Dutcher

Spike Jonze – Apple Home

I mean what can I say? I've been a fan of Spike Jonze since Mouse days, since Girl and Chocolate. He has made some of the most personally impacting and meaningful work that I have ever seen. And of course, he's still going.

This music video / film / ad is so simple in idea and so amazingly executed. And using props and sets and storytelling to show you, escape. Sanctuary in music. Expansive soundscapes. 

It's wonderful. Truly. Bravo.

And a bonus, From Mouse 1996:

Kerala – Bonobo

Bonobo Kerala - Directed by Bison

I love this video. Its so simple in concept but so effective in its storytelling. It's simply hypnotic in a way of only revealing a few more frames at a time with each loop back. Also the subtlety in the visual effects here is impressive. Things are happening, but we are a little unclear exactly what, or how. And with each loop back we are both teased and pulled away from what we just saw and given another chance to watch it through.

Well done, Bison.