2. Background Information
Born 1977, Sydney
Studied ‘Visual Communication’ at the University of Technology
In addition to his background in film and video, Askill also has a background in music composition and performance
He has directed the following Music Videos;
⁻ Sia – The Greatest (2016)
⁻ Sia – Cheap Thrills (2016)
⁻ Sia – Big Girls Cry (2015)
⁻ Sia – Elastic Heart (2015)
⁻ Sia – Chandelier (2014)
⁻ Sia – Breathe Me (2004)
⁻ WIM – See You Hurry (2011)
⁻ Phoenix – Rally (2007)
⁻ Placebo – Follow The Cops (2006)
Link to his website for more information: http://www.danielaskill.com/
3. Overview
Sia ‘Cheap Thrills’ – The music video ‘Cheap Thrills’ is visually engaging as is rather odd and doesn't make much sense . The lyrics do not relate to what we see on
the screen. An example of this would be the dancing between the two in wigs and the lyrics are repetitively talking about money. However the lyrics are very
youthful in the way they’re written and could show how the two in wigs stand out compared to the others who are living in the past. As Sia is a rather unusual
person we only expect nothing less than weird. The whole music video is introduced as if we’re watching a show the TV. The whole music video follows in black
and white representing the age, it being old fashioned as well as it maybe connoting the responsibilities and qualities of getting older. This is then contradicted by
the youthful dancing and lyrics, ‘Baby I don’t need dollar bills to have fun tonight’ showing that money isn't always everything. Personally, this music video
denotes that youth and younger qualities can be found within older people and that you grow to learn that money doesn’t always lead to happiness.
Sia ‘Breathe Me’ – ‘Breathe Me’ tells the realistic struggle of people who are having to cope with various mental health problems. This video is shown through a
montage of over 2500 polaroid photos that depict the daily life of a suffer. The lyrics do relate to what we see on screen through a story that has a deeper
meaning. The whole video is about feeling empty inside, hopeless, unworthy, so the only way you come with in order to cope with that unbearable pain is through
self injury and self neglect. Suffering probably of depression and anxiety, this persons wishes company to feel whole again. This song can also be seen as a cry for
help through the lyrics, ‘Ouch, I have lost myself again’, ‘Hurt myself again today’, ‘Lost myself again and I feel unsafe’ and ‘Be my friend, hold me’. The
repetitiveness of ‘Again’ shows the constant struggle. However, although a heavy topic Sia does manage to present it in a lighter manner. The various shot types
used in the video make us feel apart of her life through the photos as well as going through what she’s going through.
4. Camera/Cinematography
Daniel Askill is very unique in the way he likes to film and capture scenes. Looking at a variety of her music videos, I’ve noticed that Daniel likes to stick with the
basic shots like; close ups, medium long shots, two shots and establishing shots but put the together in a creative format by using zooms, quick paced transitions
while also filming long meaningful takes. Being a man himself, I feel most of his music videos are made around his perspective on things and the way he interprets
ideas. For example; in the music video, ‘Breathe Me’ a lot of close ups and medium close ups are used when the focus in on Sia and how she feels. From a male
perspective its just another emotional, unstable woman and Daniel has shown this very well by capturing the most hardest and low times at the points in the
music video.
Another example is Sia’s ‘Cheap Thrills’, again a lot of extreme close ups are used on the two wearing wigs allowing us to connect and get close with those in
particular already telling us that there's something special with the two. Many of the camera shots are simple in the way that he doesn’t like to experiment much
however, he does fill that gap by the use of her camera movement. Daniel likes his audience to feel ‘In the moment’ with the actors and therefore has a lot of
‘point of view’ shots. He has done this multiple times within many of his music videos but one I found stood out in particular was again, Sia's ‘Breathe Me’ where
we saw everything from Sia’s point of view. It was as if we were there with her. I also feel Daniel did this due to a lot other people going through the same thing
and them being able to understand/relate. Daniel also used panning shots within his other music video to give a sense of thrill and pace but again, was a point of
view so it really brought us together with the actors. Daniel is known for his creativity when it comes to filming, use of camera shots and angles but always
manages to give it that edge/feel by adding in those panning and/or tracking shots and that’s what gives his music videos so much definition and character.
7. Mise-en-scene (CLAMPS)
Daniel loves adding definition to his music videos by experimenting with lighting, costume and setting, those are like hi important three. When it comes to lighting
I’ve found that he likes to have quite dimly lit scenes. Example below – The black and white two shot of the couple in wigs– This gives a mysterious and thrilling
feeling hence, ‘Cheap Thrills’. It appears sad yet full of energy maybe reflecting the feelings of the others surrounding them. His experimentation with light can
vary in depth, whether it be artificial or not, tints and even projections. Another couple examples below, the second picture where we see a polaroid of Sia against
a plate with a bright white light upon the picture could resemble hope and openness, that maybe she’s ready to talk about it.
When it comes to costume, most of the females seen in Daniels music videos wear formal or appropriate clothing unlike the ones in Melians. Similarly, the men
wear very formal/traditional clothing. Depending on the roles and who the actors are trying to portray, example; Sia’s ‘Cheap Thrills’, is very old fashioned and
keeping with the time so clothing that’s quite 70’s. Again, Daniel tries to get creative giving an artificial yet authentic to Sia feel.
Setting is a massive thing for Daniel Askill. Its always extremely unique and crazy. His locations have varied from flats, professional white rooms, hotels, and
libraries. Every new set for him is like a new canvas to work on. He thrives on what he does.
8. Editing Techniques
A way to add depth to your music video is by trialling various editing techniques. By cutting up your shots you begin to tell a story rather then having one smooth
shot-to-shot which gives a realistic feel and appears more genuine than constructed. Directors often cut up their shots and form them through inserting
juxtapositions and metaphor shots. This is one of Daniel’s techniques also. He used this technique all through, ‘Breathe Me’ where the shots were very short and
cut up, by doing this the music video picked up pace but also made it more interesting to watch. There were also a few close ups within the music video towards
the end conveying feelings of intensity and warmth within the narrative.
Another example of where Daniel used long shots and cross-fade was in Sia’s ‘Cheap Thrills’. The long shots allowed us to see the awkwardness within some of the
scenes between the characters. From where the presenter was holding the mic while smiling for a elongated amount of time directly at us. As an audience this
implies the passage of time. These are often used towards the end of music videos to either end the scene smoothly or leave us with a feeling of intention. Daniel
once again keeps things unique and likes to either tell a story through his creativity within mise en scene and/or experiment with his setting.
9. The Narrative
Sia ‘Breathe Me’ – ‘Breathe Me’ tells the realistic struggle of people who are having to cope with various mental health problems. This video is shown through a
montage of over 2500 polaroid photos that depict the daily life of a suffer. The lyrics do relate to what we see on screen through a story that has a deeper
meaning. The whole video is about feeling empty inside, hopeless, unworthy, so the only way you come with in order to cope with that unbearable pain is through
self injury and self neglect. Suffering probably of depression and anxiety, this persons wishes company to feel whole again. This song can also be seen as a cry for
help through the lyrics, ‘Ouch, I have lost myself again’, ‘Hurt myself again today’, ‘Lost myself again and I feel unsafe’ and ‘Be my friend, hold me’. The
repetitiveness of ‘Again’ shows the constant struggle. However, although a heavy topic Sia does manage to present it in a lighter manner. The various shot types
used in the video make us feel apart of her life through the photos as well as going through what she’s going through.
“
”
Daniel often likes to have or portray things close to the singers heart heart which can help motivate or empower others through his creativity within his directing.
He likes sending out important messages by using his music videos as a encouraging influence. In the example chosen above, I've written a quick overview of what
Sia’s ‘Breathe Me’ is depicting. As you can see the focus is upon the group of mental health and this being close to Sia’s heart as well as it was important for Daniel
to share the power and show their story/side by producing a video which not only has a great meaning behind it but can also entertain. Daniel sticks to strong
topics within his music portrayal and he always manages to put the intentions across without it being too heavy and going off track.
10. Artistic Performance
Overall, visually his music videos are extremely satisfying and unique to watch. He covers so many levels within his videos which make the videos have such an
authentic feeling to his name. His artistic performances reach heights that no other music video director would have thought of. Daniel goes above and beyond
with his ideas. Always referring back to her original intentions and ideas of the artist.
Here in ‘Cheap Thills’ he
experiments with an old
fashioned TV like theme. The TV
style, black and white and over-all
audio sounds aged. This gives the
music video a traditional feel
making us feel within that time
period.
Sia’s ‘Breathe Me’ experiments on a new level. Having a whole music video shown
through moving polaroid is unlike any other. It gives the feel that its never ending
maybe reflecting the feelings going through Sia’s mind at the time.
Again, Sia’s ‘Breathe Me’ really
dives to new levels with the
polaroid's. It gives an authentic to
Sia feel. You know its one of hers
because its so different and
unusual.
