Skyfall - Opera Cover

Hi guys and girls,

I've just completed a music video for an opera singer called Shelley Anne Rivers. She covered 'Skyfall' and knowing I was a music video director and massive 007 fan got me to produce the video. I tried to pay homage to Binder and Brownjohn with some of the shots. It was a lot of fun to make and research. :))

Have a watch and see what you think of it.
It's not meant to replace to original in anyway it's just a different take on a wonderful song.

Chris -{

https://youtu.be/Lfnl1GvRwic
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Comments

  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 26,417Chief of Staff
    Hand on heart - the cover is awful....the song loses all its 'power'...on the plus side...it's a great video...you certainly did a great job on it -{
    YNWA 97
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Loved the video, beautifully shot. -{ .... But I prefer Adele. ;)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,596MI6 Agent
    I'm with the others. It's a beautiful video, but the song just doesn't work well in this context. The song is too basic for an opera singer, and in this context the song sounds too simplistic.
    Visit my blog, Bond Suits
  • HatThrowingHenchmanHatThrowingHenchman Russia With LovePosts: 1,834MI6 Agent
    I guess the word you were looking for is TERRIBLE :(
    even the video looks very cheap
    "You see Mr.Bond, you can't kill my dreams...but my dreams can kill you.Time to face destiny" - "Time to face gravity"
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Oh, I though the video itself was great, loved the shot of the lady
    On the bed in the dress shot from above. -{ very elegant. :)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Charmed & DangerousCharmed & Dangerous Posts: 7,358MI6 Agent
    I thought it was a lovely video, very much focusing on the singer. Her voice is good too but IMHO it needed a more orchestral backing to help.
    "How was your lamb?" "Skewered. One sympathises."
  • NeverSayDieNeverSayDie Posts: 495MI6 Agent
    Oh, I though the video itself was great, loved the shot of the lady
    On the bed in the dress shot from above. -{ very elegant. :)

    Thank you Thunderpussy
  • NeverSayDieNeverSayDie Posts: 495MI6 Agent
    I guess the word you were looking for is TERRIBLE :(
    even the video looks very cheap

    Thank you for your constructive and well thought out feedback HatThrowingHenchman remembering that several human beings with feelings have put a lot of time and effort in to this. I appreciate the time you took to write just one positive thing and being a true supportive member of the James Bond community.
    I wish you well with all your creative endeavours in the future :)
  • Asp9mmAsp9mm Over the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,483MI6 Agent
    edited September 2015
    I guess the word you were looking for is TERRIBLE :(
    even the video looks very cheap

    Thank you for your constructive and well thought out feedback HatThrowingHenchman remembering that several human beings with feelings have put a lot of time and effort in to this. I appreciate the time you took to write just one positive thing and being a true supportive member of the James Bond community.
    I wish you well with all your creative endeavours in the future :)



    You wanted to know what people thought about it. If you don't like negative feedback, then don't ask for opinions, and don't throw your teddy out of the pram when you get what you asked for, but wasn't what you actually wanted. If people don't get honest opinions how can anyone better their work?

    Appealing to the community for support without negative feedback is never going give you fair opinions about your work, just ones you like to hear. It's like asking your parents if they thought your idea/performance was good. It's not a helpful or insightful opinion that will better you in any way. Replying to someone who disliked it with sarcasm and with reproach does you no favours. You asked, you got. Accept, ignore, learn from it, your choice. Veiled insults is never good.

    My simple opinion after viewing it once: The performance of the song wasn't the best. The video was obviously not original and inspired by past film intros we've seen a million times and have been parodied and copied ad nauseum. You achieve some beautifully lit shots, but it isn't going to win any originality awards. As a fan video it's bloody good, as a professional video for a career singer, it's not.

    Sorry, just being truthful. If you'd rather I'd have lied then PM me and I'll change the post. Or you can be rude about my opinion and we'll both move on, and I'll apologise for letting the whole Bond community down..... or not.
    ..................Asp9mmSIG-1-2.jpg...............
  • Thunderbird 2Thunderbird 2 East of Cardiff, Wales.Posts: 2,774MI6 Agent
    edited September 2015
    Hey, that was great!

    Miss Rivers looks lovely, she has a terrific voice, and the video is top notch stuff. :)

    I can see what the others are saying about the song, it's odd hearing the lyrics being sung in such a high pitch compared to Adelle, with less orchestration, but I enjoyed it nevertheless.

    More please! :D
    This is Thunderbird 2, how can I be of assistance?
  • NeverSayDieNeverSayDie Posts: 495MI6 Agent
    Asp9mm wrote:
    You wanted to know what people thought about it. If you don't like negative feedback, then don't ask for opinions, and don't throw your teddy out of the pram when you get what you asked for, but wasn't what you actually wanted. If people don't get honest opinions how can anyone better their work? Appealing to the community for support without negative feedback is never going give you fair opinions about your work, just ones you like to hear. It's like asking your parents if you thought your idea/performance was good. It's not a helpful or insightful opinion that will better you in any way.

    The performance of the song wasn't the best. The video was obviously not original and inspired by past film intros we've seen a million times and have been parodied and copied ad nauseum. You achieve some beautifully lit shots, but it isn't going to win any originality awards.

    Sorry, just being truthful. If you'd rather I'd have lied then PM me and I'll change the post. Or you can be rude about my opinion and we'll both move on, and I'll apologise for letting the whole Bond community down..... or not.

    Thank you for your honest feedback. No the video is not original and was not in any way intended to be, it was supposed to be a homage to the title sequences of the past. This is what the artist requested. We looked at particular title sequences for colour ideas etc. I'm glad you like the shots they took a long time to light. The scene with her on the fur rug is all lit with pink LED tea lights gently waved above her. This was a happy accident on set and gave a great result. This is a technique I'm going to use again. :)

    Regards the song I had no involvement in it's recording. I too prefer the original edgy Adele version, this is a very different take on it.

    I'm not asking for you all to enlarge my ego and give me compliments. I actually post stuff here to get feedback. I really do appreciate and take on board what you guys say. All I just ask that people aren't rude and remember there is a human being behind this post. :)

    So please do hit me up with ideas, changes, possible alterations for the future. Stuff like, ' Really liked it but I feel like there could have been more wide shots, there were too many close up shots back to back' or ' i like the start but I think the cutting got too fast near the end'. This is all great feedback I can use for future productions.

    Cheers guys! -{
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    On a technical note. Is it difficult setting up shots with a lady
    and a gun. In it Not getting too phallic ? I do realise that never
    Was a problem on the Bond titles as that was obviously what they
    Were going for at times ( TMWTGG, titles ;) ).
    I was only wondering if it is a concern, for a more " Family viewing "
    Music video. :)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • NeverSayDieNeverSayDie Posts: 495MI6 Agent
    On a technical note. Is it difficult setting up shots with a lady
    and a gun. In it Not getting too phallic ? I do realise that never
    Was a problem on the Bond titles as that was obviously what they
    Were going for at times ( TMWTGG, titles ;) ).
    I was only wondering if it is a concern, for a more " Family viewing "
    Music video. :)

    You've hit the nail on the head! I wish I'd shot less with the gun. Especially the one with the silencer (which in fact is a toy gun from ASDA for £6 sprayed up). I only really noticed how phallic it was in the edit. :))

    Personally I wish I had more time to shoot more cutaways to insert between shots and try and been more experimental but when you're pressed for time it becomes tricky. 15 hours flies by!!!

    I would love to have a go with black light paint similar to the AVTAK titles.
  • Thunderbird 2Thunderbird 2 East of Cardiff, Wales.Posts: 2,774MI6 Agent
    edited September 2015
    Oh Chris, no no, not the AVTAK black light routine. That was one sequence I felt did not work because it looked cheap and obvious. Maybe Mr Binder was more pushed for time than normal?

    Bond's world works best reflecting the aspects of action (the gun does do that) and luxury. Diamonds, expensive drinks, and nature elements with a twist. Water, fire, mild storm effects etc. you have that in the video, esp the Chinese lanterns on the water, the aforementioned overhead shot and great lighting effects.
    As a counter suggestion, what about a little dry ice for cloud effects, with low light, to create a slightly translucent effect, or alternatively, light reflected through lenses or broken glass to create rainbow effects with a natural light effect?
    This is Thunderbird 2, how can I be of assistance?
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Black light would look cool -{ , I also liked the floating lanterns in the water.
    Very Skyfall casino.
    I remember reading years ago about a screen change Lon Chaney did for a
    Film version of Jekyll and Hyde ( in the silent era) in which his face changed
    Completely, to a horrid mask of evil. He only used make up and wouldn't tell
    How it had been achieved for years. Until he told the story of him using infra-red
    Sensitive make up and an infra red lighting rig, so the special make up could only
    Be seen as the infra-red lights were increased. -{
    ( I'm saying infra-Red, it could have been UV, I can barely remember the story )
    Still it scared the pants off the audience, which is all that matters. :)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff
    If I can correct you without weakening your case, TP: it was Fredric March, and the director used differently coloured filters.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Sorry Barbel, I forgot you were at the screening. :p :))
    Talented guy none the less.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff
    Sorry Barbel, I forgot you were at the screening. :p :))


    AA_OLD_MAN.jpg
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    On the subject of Jekyll and Hyde, the first play to be censored in Britain
    Was J&H, as women were fainting at it ( the wimps) way back in the 1890s
    Era. I remember that from a Blue Peter special.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff
    There's also the story (dunno if it's true*) that when Mrs Stevenson read the first draft of the story she was so horrified she threw it on the fire, so Robert Louis Stevenson had to start it again from scratch.

    * no, I wasn't there....
  • NeverSayDieNeverSayDie Posts: 495MI6 Agent
    Ooooo I love the broken glass rainbow effect Thunderbird 2! I'll research that now :-)
    I also think your right about the ATAK titles, it can look cheap. I think if I did black light I'd try mixing a couple of techniques together or as Thunderpussy suggested maybe infra-red/UV.

    Yes, the floating lanterns were straight from Skyfall. I took around my Greg Williams Skyfall photo book to show Shell and she stopped on a the arrival at the casino page and said 'I love that!'.

    Huge thank you to Barbel and Thunderpussy for the Jekyll and Hyde clip!!!
    Ironically I have to shoot a video scene EXACTLY like this for a stage production of J&H next year. He looks into a mirror which will be actually be a flat screen TV and the audiences sees the transformation. You've done my research for me!!! -{
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    :))
    I tried reading Dracula once but gave up as it's so slow for a modern dude
    like me.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff

    Huge thank you to Barbel and Thunderpussy for the Jekyll and Hyde clip!!!
    Ironically I have to shoot a video scene EXACTLY like this for a stage production of J&H next year. He looks into a mirror which will be actually be a flat screen TV and the audiences sees the transformation. You've done my research for me!!! -{

    2 free tickets for us, then? :D
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    There's also the old theatrical glass sheet at 45 degrees trick,
    So someone off stage can appear on stage as a ghost etc. ;)
    ( Also from Blue Peter, I get most of my facts from there)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • NeverSayDieNeverSayDie Posts: 495MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:

    Huge thank you to Barbel and Thunderpussy for the Jekyll and Hyde clip!!!
    Ironically I have to shoot a video scene EXACTLY like this for a stage production of J&H next year. He looks into a mirror which will be actually be a flat screen TV and the audiences sees the transformation. You've done my research for me!!! -{

    2 free tickets for us, then? :D

    I'll see what I can do. Halloween 2016. :)
  • NeverSayDieNeverSayDie Posts: 495MI6 Agent
    There's also the old theatrical glass sheet at 45 degrees trick,
    So someone off stage can appear on stage as a ghost etc. ;)
    ( Also from Blue Peter, I get most of my facts from there)

    Ah! Pepper's ghost.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepper%27s_ghost

    I remember seeing this at the Doctor Who Blackpool exhibition as a child and watching a model of the TARDIS disappear. It blew my mind. That could do another way of doing it!!
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I love old tec, some of the stuff they could do years ago. Is amazing. -{
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • NeverSayDieNeverSayDie Posts: 495MI6 Agent
    I love old tec, some of the stuff they could do years ago. Is amazing. -{

    I agree. I much prefer to do everything in camera as possible as opposed to do it with CGI.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Yep, the old " Bad CGI" debate :# only the other day I watched a video
    Of what the " Vampires" in " I am Legend" would have looked like, if they
    Had used the masked etc ( showed some test footage) and it looked far
    better than the cartoonish Gouls we ended up with.
    Even many modern magic asts, although they look all up to date and
    Trendy, all use old techniques from the Victorian era and earlier. Variations
    On " Pepper's Ghost" you mentioned to hide stuff. ;)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
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