Watch Money for Nothing: A History of the Music Video

Money for Nothing: A History of the Music Video is a documentary film that traces the development of music videos from their origins in the 1960s to their heyday in the 1980s and 1990s. The film is directed by Jamin Bricker and co-written by Tyce Hoskins, who also serves as the host and narrator of the film. The documentary opens with an overview of the early music videos, which were mostly rudimentary clips of artists performing on television. The film then delves into the origins of the music video as an art form, looking at how artists such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones began experimenting with the medium in the 1960s. The film explores how these early music videos set the tone for future music videos, inspiring artists to use the medium as a way of expressing their creativity and connecting with their audiences.

As the film progresses, it examines the rise of MTV in the 1980s and how the music video became an essential marketing tool for record labels and recording artists. The documentary features interviews with key figures from this era, including directors such as David Fincher, Kevin Godley, and Anton Corbijn, as well as musicians such as Sting, Duran Duran, and Adam Ant. These interviews provide insight into how music videos were created, the challenges that directors and musicians faced, and how the medium evolved over time.

One of the key themes of the documentary is how music videos were a reflection of the cultural trends of their time. From the decadence and excess of the 1980s to the political and social upheavals of the 1990s, the film shows how music videos both reflected and influenced the popular culture of the time. The film also looks at how music videos became more experimental and avant-garde in the 1990s, with directors pushing the medium to its limits and experimenting with new techniques and technologies.

Money for Nothing also examines how music videos helped to break down racial and gender barriers in the music industry. The film features interviews with musicians such as Michael Jackson and Madonna, who used their music videos to challenge cultural stereotypes and promote social and political messages. The documentary also highlights the important contributions of female directors such as Julie Dash and Sophie Muller, who helped to create some of the most iconic music videos of the era.

Overall, Money for Nothing is an engaging and insightful look at the history of the music video. The film is well-paced and features a wealth of interesting interviews and archival footage, providing a comprehensive overview of the medium and its impact on popular culture. Whether you're a fan of music videos or just interested in the history of popular culture, this documentary is a must-see.

Money for Nothing: A History of the Music Video is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes.