1960’s…

THE BEATLES

Strawberry Fields Forever – The Beatles the promotional film

I chose this music video because of a variety of interesting and useful camera techniques that I might will want to use later in my music video. Moreover, most of the Beatles music videos are black and white. As I already analysed a similar video, I decided to choose a video that is full of bright colours.

To start with, Strawberry Fields as an actual place where John Lennon lived with his aunt. It was basically an orphanage and the aunt thought they would lead John astray. John liked going there because having lost his father and later his mother he felt a kinship to the lads.

The promotional film was produced by Tony Bramwell for Subafilms, and were shot on colour 35mm film by a crew from London-based Don Long Productions. The Swedish director was Peter Goldmann, who had been recommended by Klaus Voormann.

The clip presented the Beatles’ new group image, since all four now sported moustaches (they grew up, the stoped being little boys). Instead of a performance of the song, the clip relies on abstract imagery and features reverse film effects, stop motion animation, jump-cuts from day- to night-time, superimposition and close -up shots. The Beatles are shown playing and later pouring paint over the upright piano; at one point, McCartney appears to leap from the ground onto a branch of the tree.

During this video, there were a lot of close up shots where audience could faces of all 4 members. In my opinion, this was used in order to represent artist’s new image to their audience. Because of their huge success, a lot of people tried to see them in real life, however sometimes it was impossible. Therefore, I also think that these close up shots of their faces were made for the fans, so they could at least see the members on tv.

Also, audience could see unusual techniques and that added credibility to the video.

I have looked through many videos that were created by The Beatles and I can say that Strawberry Fields Forever looks very different from other videos. The used techniques, settings looked very unusual from others, it changed form pure pop to something more cultural. This could possibly happen because of rebranding their image  and rebranding of evolution of their songs – closer to rock. From small boys band they grew up into males who have moustaches and sing about the war. This helped to change their image, which could also help to attract more audience.

Beautifully and spookily lit … much attention is given to close-ups of The Beatles’ faces and facial hair, as if the viewer is invited to contemplate the significance of the newly furry Fabs. There’s an appropriately surreal air about the film … which, when experienced simultaneously with The Beatles’ extraordinary new music, is deliciously disorientating. The final scene of The Beatles pouring pots of coloured paint onto the “piano” is oddly shocking, but brilliantly memorable as a statement of iconoclastic artistic intent.

In the end of 1960’s, there were no music videos because of the lack of technology. Nobody had computers or tv, therefore there was no point of filming videos with songs. Instead of that, people were creating promotional films for different groups and bands. This was done in order to promote the band in some ways in big tvs. People would focus more on the lyrics. The song “Strawberries Fields Forever” has very powerful and deep meaning behind the lyrics.

John Lennon was the main songwriter out of all four members in the group. “Its whatever I’m singing about me and my life, if it is relevant for the people lives, that’s alright” – John. Sometimes, the song speaks to audience in an indescribable emotional level that the reason the artist write this song becomes useless to people but it means a lot to him. John Lennon wanted to write a song about something as important as the war. The song was written during the film shooting , where John Lennon needed to play a role in “I won the War”. Strawberry Fields was the name of a Salvation Army children’s home near John Lennon’s house. It was describes as the dark grimy place with unmanned vegetation. But, to John it was a magic garden that he would hop over a wall and hide amongst the wild fine with his childhood friends. Strawberry Field Forever in other words is a psychoanalysis of John Lennon set to music.

I chose this picture because it is well known picture of the “Abbey Road” album 1969. I think it is the most famous representation of the group. Therefore, if I will have an opportunity, I will use this image either in the music video or in the package.

Explanation: the reason why I am using already existed pictures of old groups is because I’m trying to remind the new generation of the group such as Beatles. Throughout my research, I will try to find most recognisable image of artists or bands and will try to use in my project.