It's no secret that MTV is rotting our culture. Having worked as a writer in the music video industry for the past five years, the one thing I know is that the network short circuits true creative expression. Don't get me wrong, there are lots of music video directors pushing the envelope and putting out some groundbreaking ideas, but MTV doesn't pay attention. You have to go to a RESFEST or something.
My job involves listening to songs (too often pop), collaborate on ideas with directors and wish to hell that someday our culture and the hands that kneed it will take a fucking risk. MTV plays everything safe and bans almost any video that takes a leap. In turn, I can't really write the stories that need to be told to the ever-impressionable TRL audience. I can't write a video concept about the destruction of the environment or the war in Iraq and expect it to be taken seriously. Hell, one of my videos for Disturbed was banned because the earthquake/Armageddon depicted looked too much like the events of 9/11 (which it didn't).
Scott Keneally: Writer at Large
Here is a video idea I had for System of a Down's "BYOB." It wasn't made, but I love the concept.
System of a Down “BYOB”
Harking back to the brutal days of Gladiator contests, the music video for "BYOB" will be a symbolic and searing social commentary about the irony of war. In our somewhat surreal piece we will find young children forced into the roles of Gladiators for the pure amusement of the rich elite spectators. It is within this shocking context that we'll create an unforgettable portrait of the song. >>>Read More
Also, if you'd like to see some of the videos I've contributed to, go to www.chrisapplebaum.com. Together, we've worked on videos for Jessica Simpson, Jewel, Kid Rock and many others. Nobody in the business makes girls look hotter. Or check out www.brothersstrause.com. I've worked with these guys for most of my career.
Or for some funny music video ideas check out my "Music Video Ideas that (Unfortunately) Will Never Be Filmed" on McSweeney's. (Sincere thanks to Josh Williams and Jeff Gordinier for their brave wit and generosity with ideas).