OK Go: Drone-Powered Music Videos Disrupt

Posted By Mark Kaelin in Lifehacks, Music, Tech, Video

BreakingModern — For the past few years, the band OK Go has been making the most original and fascinating music videos on the planet, and its latest video is no exception to the claim. Meshing cutting-edge technologies like Honda’s UNI-CUB personal mobility device and the very latest in camera-equipped drones, the guys of OK Go made a video that is about as cool as cool can get.

I Won’t Let You Down

The video was created to support the band’s song, “I Won’t Let You Down,” which is on their album Hungry Ghosts. I would classify OK Go’s music in a popular, rock-based genre, but that doesn’t really tell the whole story. The band’s music is well-crafted and deceptively catchy. I have a bit of an earworm going even now.

For a tech and gadget geek like me, the technology used in the video is what gets my blood going. The Honda UNI-CUB is like a Segway that you sit on. However, unlike the utilitarian Segway, the UNI-CUB is far more stylish and much less snarky remark-inducing.

Now, I’m not saying the UNI-CUB is going to be standard equipment for people  who spend their days sitting, but I do see it having some niche uses. Unfortunately, the UNI-CUB is still almost impossible to purchase, at least in the United States.

The other technology used to make this video extraordinary is the drone-mounted camera. The seamless transitions from eye-level shots to overhead camera angles are achieved with a radio-controlled robotic drone. Say that out loud, “radio-controlled robotic drone.” We are definitely entering into some strange new filmmaking territory.

I can see drone-mounted cameras changing how movies are made and, more importantly, what shots directors can conceive of and produce. Consider what the helicopter has done for filmmaking, and then consider what camera angles can be achieved with the much smaller and more nimble drone. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing some amazing films with this new technology.

Video

An interactive version of the “I Won’t Let You Down” video is located on its own website. From there you can also see an interview about how the video was made, why it was filmed in Japan and get a full description of the Honda UNI-CUB.

There is also a web app that will let you choreograph and perform your own music video. You can decide what path each animated band member will take and what actions they will perform at each beat. Believe me, the little game is not as easy as it sounds. It should give you some additional appreciation for how hard the band, choreographers, dancers and director had to work make this video.

Video: OK Go - I Won’t Let You Down - Official Video

More from OK Go

If the “I Won’t Let You Down” video has made you curious about other OK Go videos, I would suggest “This Too Shall Pass” from their album Of the Blue Colour of the Sky. One of my favorite Rube Goldberg Machine examples of all time. To see the rest of OK Go’s videos I would suggest you subscribe to their YouTube channel.

For BMod, I’m Mark W. Kaelin.

First Image: By Morio (photo taken by Morio) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Second Image: By Alexander Glinz (photo by Alexander Glinz / uploaded by Joadl) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0-at], via Wikimedia Commons