Viral: Erykah Badu's WINDOW SEAT, filmmaker & marketing perspective notes

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Originally uploaded by MRVPhoto

THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN BY FLICKR USER MRVPHOTO DURING THE REDBULL SOUNDCLASH I ATTENDED LAST FALL IN DALLAS TX-- WHICH WAS AN AMAZING MUSICAL EVENT FEATURING SHINY TOY GUNS, THE CANNABINOIDS AND ERYKAH BADU.



Erykah Badu's video Window Seat is currently a hot topic of web (and hyper local) discussion. As of 3-30-10 (8:27p) On yahoo an article/blog note on the video and album release has 600+ comments, on twitter she has 114,231 followers and currently in 3,276 lists. Her facebook fan page has listed 181,418 fans.
The video begins with the titles, "Inspired by Kim & Matt," with an old 60's voiceover recording and when the announcer says "jam packed with spectators waiting their chance to see the president" out walks Badu from an antique car. Lead to believe it takes place in that era by the style of blurred low quality look lenses, it all brings you back to modern times as they reveal a modern day vehicle near the parking meter and Badu's purple hoodie. This video is a continuos shot all the way through 5:35mins. I'm a fan of long takes and I truly liked the clever use of framing to the pacing of Badu's actions. The moment this video continues in slow motion and she takes off her sunglasses, I knew where it was going- as far as the action on screen. She would then proceed to removing each clothing item, etc. The first time I watched the video, I immediately skipped through to the end to see if it actually had something different about it. I already liked the song, but the filmmaker in me wanted to see the story told through the video. The video ended with such a powerful image that I decided to sit through the entire clip.
Although I had seen the same concept before about slow mo- removing clothing in a busy street, this one has a much better take on it. The lyrics, music and statement. I wonder if & what kind of steadcam they used, and how many people where behind the camera since in some instances the passerbys seemed to not even care or mind for all the action.
"Quick to assassinate what they do not understand"
I find irony with that line at the end of the video and with the reaction quotes from several people the Dallas Morning News chose to interview and publish- among them president of the Downtown Dallas organization and a civic volunteer.
I posted this on my facebook 3pmish

So far these reactions:
Orlando: likes this.
Rene: loved it...not to mention the album is well worth the purchase......i can just imagine the reactions of people getting onto 35E that day and i'm surprised their were no wrecks lol.......
4 hours ago ·
James: wow
3 hours ago ·
Robert: Yeah saw that this morning.. interesting. I like this one too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_bM0bN6xQ4
3 hours ago ·


FROM A MARKETING STAND POINT: This was genius! Released first exclusively on her site, then "leaked" and reposted all over keeping it fresh and in the buzz days before her album release. Went extremely viral, got people talking, people visiting the site and trying to find out more about the symbolism behind it- on only day 3. It has already spurred out tons of conversation, from all types of stand points and about all themes. Web Videography at its best. Powerful, effective, and thought provoking. I LIKE! :)
I am wondering why her video is not on VEVO, and I'm very curious to see how many hits are on the "official video" online are. Her video is currently available to watch on her site and on several other youtube user's channels.
This is a great example of why I believe in web videography.
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~~~GRACIAS~~~
Thank You Erykah Badu for making this happen. Let's evolve!
What did you think?