I stumbled on this a while ago and forgot to share… The controversial UK teen show came to the USA.
Let’s skip the debate about the morality of the content–whether it’s exploitative or informative or neither. On a purely visual basis, I’d say Writer/Director Evan Silver comes up gold in the promotional intro to MTV’s “Skins” about the youth gone wild.
IMHO it’s dope. Inspirational cinematography that’s not over the top technically. Well written. A killer edit (by Nathan Byrne). An elegant use of timeline, speed ramps, and the content marries exceptionally well with the shooting style. Perfect beats for the piece as well. It’s got RVI. Raw visual impact.
[BTW, if you took moral issue with the spot… (or if there’s cynic in your soul) then you’d better watch the parody version here. You’ll be happy to know that the kids are all perfect–monopoly, sunny delight, and bubbles–just like you thought they’d be.]
Why can’t MTV just play DEVO videos?
@tim. that, my friend, is the best question of the lot of em…
amen.
Not terribly original, IMHO; this style of shooting stories in reverse, the use of “speed ramps,” etc. are all fairly frequently used nowadays. No doubt these visual tropes will eventually start to feel trite and overused. As for the content, hmm, also not “dope” — especially given the target audience… And I thought I was wild in my youth!? When the occasional skinhead would get thrown through a window at a punk show/party. But at least the girls wore clothes and usually kept them on (dressing like a stripper or a hooker was generally frowned upon; wearing a slip as a dress could easily pass for risque). And the booze went into our mouths, not all over our faces and the furniture. (At least not intentionally.) But maybe I’m just getting old & cynical.
You should check out the trailers from the U.K. original series… Well done too 😉
Specially the series 2 & 3 ones.
Links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ4UWzlT_1U&feature=fvst (SERIES 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho69_sCkwyI (SERIES 3)
Skins is not controversial here in Europe…
People have their own & different mind though.
Some people thinks it’s too easy. Some too much. Some others thinks it’s a good panel of today’s youth.
Now come on Chase. You can’t post a video like this and not expect there to be conversation about the content. You’re smarter than that. 🙂
Personally, I think there are significantly more exceptionally edited videos in the world that could have been shown on one of the most trafficked photog blogs around. I totally appreciate all you do to highlight great content. I am a staunch supporter (and will continue to be). But, I must admit, I was disappointed to see you give praise and more exposure to this show: even if it’s “just the editing” you’re praising.
If you all like cool videos so much, with great cinematography and editing, I strongly suggest you watch a few of these:
http://www.methproject.org/View_Ads/index.php
It’s funny how people who support this show say that we parents are over-protective tight-asses who are burying our heads in the sand. You totally miss the point. We are fully aware of what goes on in schools nowadays. The issue is not about being over protective or naive. The issue is about concerned parents (like myself) trying to deal with issues that will have a profound impact on my 16 y/o daughter. Whether it’s guys in her school that will look at and treat her a certain way because of what they see on TV that enforces treating women/girls like objects. Or whether it’s making drug use look glamorous enough that kids will not see the harm in trying it: even once.
It’s not about keeping things “taboo.” It’s about giving our kids something inspiring, enlightening and constructive to look up to. Showing them there is something more to them than what is portrayed in this show. Studies have shown that kids will live up to the expectations that we place on them. This show, and others like it, have greatly reduced those expectations. It says, “This IS what we expect of you.” Then we act so surprised when teen pregnancy, drug use, and drop out rates in this country are increasing.
As far as I’m concerned, shows like this are to teen kids what “Stepin Fetchit” was to African Americans.
MTV is responsible for creating havoc in the minds of the youth.