It is hard to believe that The Beatles’ iconic music video A Day in The Life was released over 50 years ago. As one of the most acclaimed music videos of all time, A Day in The Life is widely viewed to be an incredible feat of artistry and storytelling. It has served as an inspiration and influence to countless directors, animators and musicians over the years.
Before the making of A Day in The Life, the band had a reputation for incorporating a variety of art forms, such as illustrations and claymation, into their music videos. Producer, Youri Lentini, was determined to create something outside of the box. As Lentini explored different animation styles, the idea for A Day in The Life developed. After a long process of concepting and production, A Day in The Life was finally released and set a new bar for music video potential.
The video tells the story of a day in the life of a family. Leading with a voice-over from the narrator, each character in the family is introduced. As each section of the song progresses, so does the day. The story follows the family as they interact and go about their day, troubleshooting issues and spending time together. With intricate animation and carefully placed cutaways, the video captures every emotion and detail of the day. As the day ends and the sun sets, the video ends in a tranquil beauty with the family saying goodbye and coming back together as one at the end.
Understanding the Artistry
The Beatles’ A Day in The Life video was created using claymation, a type of stop-motion animation. The video was crafted with extreme precision, storyboarding every scene to get the exact look and feel that the producers wanted. Clay figures and backgrounds were used to create every scene. The movements were extremely delicate and small, meaning that it took hours and hours of work to get the desired finished product.
The claymation technique was something never before seen in music videos at the time. The clay figures were crafted to look like the family, adding to the overall realism of the video. The colors and shading used made the video look and feel real and human, not something created from a computer or an effect. The details and accuracy achieved with claymation is something that filmmakers and animators can still appreciate and learn from today.
The camerawork in the video was just as precise. Combined with the claymation, the camerawork enhanced the beauty and realism of the video.The shots were placed perfectly and in conjunction with the music. As the conversation between the characters unfolded, the shots shifted and panned to give viewers a full understanding of the scene. The movements and the cinematography created an incredibly realistic viewing experience.
The Effect
The Beatles video A Day in The Life was considered a groundbreaking piece of art at the time of its release. From its use of claymation to its brilliant camerawork, the video made waves in the music industry. It was one of the most technically advanced music videos ever created and solidified The Beatles as true masters of the music video realm.
Since its release, A Day in The Life has inspired countless filmmakers and animators to get creative in their own work. Its use of imagery, symbolism, and storytelling has left its mark on several directors. Its simplistic presentation of a day in the life of a family sets it apart from other music videos. Its legacy is undeniable and its influence can still be felt today.
The Alleged Cloning of the Video
The powerful influence of The Beatles’ A Day in The Life music video can be seen in many other music videos from established artists. Years after its release, the video was said to be cloned by musician, Pedro Almodovar, in his music video for the song Mis Dos Manos.
Almodovar released the video for Mis Dos Manos in 2004 and it featured clay figures in a claymation world very similar to the world of The Beatles’ A Day in The Life. This led to many accusing Almodovar of plagiarizing the legendary video. Almodovar called the accusations “absurd” and attributed the similarities to both his and The Beatles’ video makers depicting similar views of daily life.
The theme of daily life depicted in both music videos is the key similarity between the two. Both videos show different perspectives on a day in the life of a family. While the videos are similar in many ways, Almodovar’s video lacks the intricacies of The Beatles’ video.
Legacy Lives On
The Beatles’ A Day in The Life video is considered a timeless classic that has had a significant impact on the music industry. While its legacy has been extended to more than just music videos, its influence on current filmmakers and animators is still seen. Due to its intense level of craftsmanship and unique storytelling, The Beatles’ A Day in The Life remains a beloved music video even decades after its release.
Conclusion
The Beatles’ A Day in The Life is one of the most iconic music videos of all time. Crafted with intricate claymation, precise framing, and unique storytelling, The Beatles’ video stands the test of time and continues to be an inspiration to many filmmakers and animators today. Allegations of plagiarism of the video has only added to its notoriety, but it remains a timeless classic. The Beatles’ A Day in The Life is an incredible piece of artistry and an impressive feat worthy of its standing in music history.
