Director Ian Perlman takes an extremely personal approach to the stock-footage music video. Rather than downloading a bunch of footage from web archives, Ian used old footage of his own family in the video for "Together/Never" by Oberhofer. Pulling footage from two VHS tapes shot by his grandfather, Ian is able to create a music video that has recognizable moments from growing up to anyone who watched the video, not just his own family. We talked to Ian about the video, getting confidence from Brad Oberhofer, and screening the video for the videos stars - his family.
Doug: How did you get involved with the project?
Ian: Brad has become one of my closest friends here in Brooklyn. Just after he finished recording the Notalgia EP, we aimlessly rode our bikes into Manhattan and he played me a rough mix of "Together/Never". I found myself humming it's tune for the rest of the night and as we climbed up the Williamsburg Bridge back into Brooklyn, I thought about how much has changed since my Grandfather used to live here. After he passed away, I discovered two VHS tapes full of old 8mm footage he had filmed, documenting our family's life in New York during the late 1950's. The images he captured always felt too precious and pure to ever consider using for a music video, until I found myself watching the footage late one night while listening to Brad's Notalgia EP.
Baby Ian and his grandfather Al
Doug: What was the process like pitching the idea of using your own family footage in the music video?
Ian: It felt like my Grandfather shot the film with Brad's music in mind, all the camera cuts seemed to flow perfectly. In attempt to relay the same magic I had just witnessed over to Brad, I grabbed my phone and recorded the 8mm film playing over "Together/Never" on my laptop. He loved it just as much as I did and gave me the confidence I needed to begin editing.
Doug: How does your family feel about the use of their old footage?
Ian: Just as I had finished the final cut, I had the chance to personally screen what I had been working on to the relatives seen throughout the video. They were so excited to see themselves close to 60 years ago, calling out their recollection of the moment playing before their eyes once again. It reminded my mother of when they used to bring the rolls of film to their neighbors/friends houses for entertainment.
Ian's mother Audrey and grandmother Lillian
Doug: Do you think the video has a different meaning if the viewer doesn't know who the people are in the video?
Ian: My philosophy was if the flow of the edit was in harmony with the song, just about anyone could stumble upon the music video and enjoy it, without the need to know who anyone in the video was. It will hopefully remind them of their own childhood or even inspire a search through their family's archives. I'd consider the video a success if that became the case.
Clarence Alvin Greifinger
Doug: Were the footage distortions and imperfections actually in there or did you add those?
Ian: The dirt, scratches, and imperfections were all created from years of use. It became what I subconsciously searched for as I sifted through the footage, taking a screen grab of any that caught my eye.
Doug: What were you looking for in the footage, what was behind choosing the clips that you did?
Ian: I wanted the central link to be the bond between my mother and her sister, but also act as an homage to their late parents. There were so many amazing moments in those two VHS tapes, it was truly a challenge to pick the best clips.
