What is the place of the music video now?

Screenings from HOME TAPING and VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR introduced by Yasmeen Baig-Clifford, Director of Vivid Projects followed by a panel discussion with Justin Smith (Fifty Years of British Music Video 1965-2015) and award winning film and music video director Richard Heslop.

Launched with a remit to support ‘minority programming’ Channel 4 started broadcasting in 1982 with a platform for marginalised and controversial content. In 1986 The Chart Show emerged, heavily influenced by the video formats of MTV and unique at the time for replacing presenters with a computer-generated information display. Music video production moved on from an experimental visual music aesthetic to a more commercial footing.

With music video forming an increasingly important part of historical studies of the 80s, what is the context for music video now?

Justin Smith and Richard Heslop discussed these issues and more in a post-screening discussion chaired by Professor Paul Long, Director, Birmingham Centre for Media and Cultural Research.

Justin Smith is Professor of Media Industries, University of Portsmouth and Principal Investigator on the Arts and Humanities Research Council-funded project ‘Fifty Years of British Music Video, 1965-2015’ in collaboration with Dr Emily Caston, London College of Communication (UAL).

Richard Heslop is an established director of music videos and films, directing videos for artists including The Cure, Happy Mondays, The Smith, Sinead O’ Connor, Pop Will Eat Itself and New Order, as well as programmes on Channel 4 and the BBC. Selected early films are screening at Vivid Projects 6-21 May.

The event was presented in collaboration with the Birmingham City University, Parkside gallery exhibition ‘Is There Anybody Out There? Documenting Birmingham’s Alternative Music Scene 1986-1990’.