Crowned by his sweeping MTV victory in 1990, the 80s were Fincher's break-through decade, and we should look forward to a fine selection of his early work.
To further whet your appetite, check out these two snippets:
"When David Fincher ruled MTV" — Fantastic!
Now don't forget to bookmark this for Tuesday:
http://youtube.com/80sOnVEVO
Watch Karen O cover Led Zeppelin's song just below :
This song was first featured in Riddley Scott's Legend. Watch music video below :
With Robert Paulson's compliments.
Reznor's Twitter here.
Big thanks to an anonymous contributor, who has unearthed yet another one of those treasures: As Billboard Magazine reported in 1985 then 23 year-old David Fincher directed Christopher Cross' racing clip for "Charm The Snake".
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| © Billboard Magazine, November 1985 |
It's a curious early work by our favorite director. In the video, which has a few nice racing shots, I couldn't spot a single shot of what would later evolve to be the Fincher signature style. There are some lightning fast cuts of parts of machinery that are shot in somewhat of a fincheresque light and there is one memorable dolly shot during the box-stopp montage -- but nothing really that would remind viewers of the genius-in-the-making helming the work.
I would be interested to hear the stories surrounding these early gigs from Fincher himself. I can well imagine at this point in his career it was all about getting acquainted with the technology, developing a routine in working with a 30-man crew and not loosing your head over having to scrap 50% of your nicely storyboarded shots. Fincher has admitted his music video years were his film school. And as such, like we know, they have served him very well.
I didn't mean to ramble so long. I guess this comes in part due to the great new collaborators, who have signed up to help out on the blog. Let me say thanks to the new editorial team, whom the readers will get acquainted with over time. You are truly a blessing to this blog, and I am hoping we will continue to put out Fincher news more frequently, more timely and, well, just more. Thanks!
Now thanks again to the contributor for this find.
Here's the video:
The video is odd, to say the least. It's very experimental, mostly so in using changing, skewed and mixed aspect ratios. At first it looks pretty horrific, however, after about a minute of benevolent inspection it starts to get interesting enough for a coughed, uh, okay, I know what he was going for.
What I do like is the chick stripping throughout the video. And the cross cutting of different outfits within a smooth camera move. You'll see what I mean.
Can't thank Dustin enough for this awesome contribution: This truly is a great find, since the title of this video directed by Fincher has never come up anywhere else. -- Thanks a lot!
Here's the web-link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID_N7rv-iN8
...and if you are still in doubt, like I was, here's proof with one damn young director in the photo:
So how do you like it?
Jim Haygood, a frequent Fincher collaborator, took on the editing of the clip. The legendary Jordan Cronenweth (director of photography on "Blade Runner" and Fincher's "Oh Father" for Madonna) helmed photography -- ... and some six years later, in 1999, David Fincher would collaborate with Cronenweth's son, Jeff, on FIGHT CLUB.
Full credits here:
Producers: Gregg Fienberg, Reid Shane for Propaganda Films
Director: David Fincher
Editor: Jim Haygood
Director of Photography: Jordan Cronenweth
Vfx: Dreamquest, Pacific Data Images
The video is just beautiful. There are some insanely great shots in there, some wonderful lighting and just great angles and stagings. That's what I love about Fincher's style: He knows how to shoot something in a way that will stick in my head for a while. Those floor-level shots pointing up from underneath the "downtown train" are just brilliant, shot at the exact perfect slow-motion speed and lit just right... that's masterful directing.
I don't want to start speaking about a black-and-white period Fincher has been going through, but towards the end of the 80s he seemed to have quite enjoyed that "color palette".
How do you guys like the video?
Youtube.com: Patty Smith - Downtown Train
+++ UPDATE 11/16/2007: There is an interesting discussion evolving in the comments section of this post. Thanks a lot to every contributor for voicing their respective opinion.
And a tremendous "Thank You" to Kevin for his essay:
You put a lot of effort into it -- we appreciate that!
I ran into this wildly interesting, must-share-with-you-guys article about "The Close-Ups Of David Fincher"; a blog-entry primarily about Fincher's work with Madonna, and a brief analysis of some of his editing tricks and lighting styles.
Even though I do not agree with the author that David Fincher reached his creative and artistic peak in 1992 with the "Vogue" video for Madonna, the article is an interesting read and I wish there were more like this out there.
Every time I watch a Fincher work, whether it's one of his music videos, commercials or especially his movies, I cannot help but sense a magical touch to the way each scene is shot, lit and edited.
The movement of the Fincher camera, the mood of the Fincher lighting, the smoothness of the Fincher editing -- I wish somebody came up with a detailed analysis of how all these elements interact in the Fincher universe. Sort of like THE FINCHER CODE; FINCHER FOR DUMMIES; the kind.
On the other hand I guess genius cannot be compressed into formulas. It's clear that Fincher follows priniciples in each field of directorial decision-making. Principles yes. Rules no.
Can't wait to hear your view on this. And if anyone has observations about Fincher's style to share with the rest of the fanatic bunch ... this is certainly the place to do so.
Thanks for writing and commenting.
And don't forget to read the article! It's this way:
http://blog.spout.com/2007/10/24/the-close-ups-of-david-fincher/
It's finally available! I have been after this video on and off for months and now finally it's up. Great!
However: As opposed to my introduction of this post, the 1987 "Don't Tell Me The Time" is not a pre-hash of SE7EN, although there is some tasteful cinematography and lighting going on that clearly identifies the video as a Fincher work. The parts I like best are a long traveling shot from left to right through the apartment, its perfect angle and the lighting of it.
Oh, and of course the video has to feature the most "interesting" guitar-solo shot ... uhm kinda ... if you know what I mean.
Most of you have probably not seen this, so enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djEPz-gsxZc
Disclaimer: This video may have been posted by a user with no official right to do so.
Canadian rockband LOVERBOY had relied on Fincher's genius once before in that same year, 1987, to crank out the video for their single "Love will rise again". Good thing they did it again: The video, which was first released in August 1987, was nominated for "Best Editing" at the annual MTV VMAs. And it definitely stands the test of time!
Gotta love Mr. Fincher! What a cool video!
Watch it here:
...and in case this video is blocked in your area, try this also:
video.se.msn.com/...
Whoever did this: Great job! This clip really brings together so many awesome shots from all the Fincher films -- except Alien3. Notable the editing is very tastefully done and really brings a great dynamic to the shots. It makes this compilation worth watching!
Nothing huge.
But fun.
Enjoy it here:
