The Flying Nun Music Video Collection

12 March 2010
www.nzonscreen.com

The Flying Nun Music Video Collection

NZ On Screen has launched a collection of classic Flying Nun music videos, curated by the label’s founder Roger Shepherd. [ http://www.nzonscreen.com/collection/the-flying-nun-collection ]

The clips are accompanied by an inside story from Shepherd and written tributes from ex-MTV Europe chief Brent Hansen and media commentator and former Rip It Up editor Russell Brown.

The timing of the Flying Nun Collection marks Shepherd’s recent buy-back (from Warner Music) of the record company he founded in Christchurch in 1981.

Flying Nun is synonymous with Kiwi indie music, and with autonomous DIY, bottom-of-the-world creativity. This collection celebrates the label’s ethos as manifested in the music videos. The collection features a choice selection of 21 music videos reflecting their significance to Flying Nun history, and Shepherd’s personal favourites.

Included are label legends such as Chris Knox (Nothing’s Going to Happen, The Brain that Wouldn’t Die, Face of Fashion); The Clean (Beatnik, Anything Could Happen, Getting Older); the Verlaines (Death and the Maiden); Straitjacket Fits (She Speeds); Sneaky Feelings (Husband House); The Bats (North by North); and The Chills (Heavenly Pop Hit).

It’s the first time the classic 1993 clip for the 3Ds track Spooky has been available since it screened.

Flying Nun's Auckland branch is represented by the Headless Chickens (Gaskrankinstation) and the Able Tasmans (Hold Me). The Chills’ Heavenly Pop Hit, Bailterspace's Splat and Garageland’s Come Back are examples of bigger budget overseas clips. Weta-love story Papa People by Bressa Creeting Cake, Look Blue Go Purple’s quirky Cactus Cat clip, and just about anything from Chris Knox are wilful definitions of 'unique'. The oldest tracks in the collection are The Clean clips, and the noise control-baiting Adults and Children by The Gordons.

NZ On Screen Content Director Irene Gardiner said the Flying Nun Collection represented an extraordinary slice of New Zealand music and video-making history.

“Many of the music videos in the collection are triumphs of creativity and flair over budget. The Jonathan Ogilvie-directed She Speeds promo has become an absolute classic, and was made for $250. Chris Knox’s work is internationally recognised for its original movie-making.”

Roger Shepherd puts the distinction of the Flying Nun promos down to geography, blissful ignorance and a sheer just-do-it spirit:

“They were made at the bottom of the world, so any international technical advances and styles were happily reinterpreted and transmogrified into videos that looked different and at times just a little strange. A general style may have loosely evolved ... but it was simply due to limited budgets and correspondingly unlimited imaginations.”

All the clips in the collection - and 34 other Flying Nun promos - are available to be embedded. Share, and enjoy - anything could happen!

Fully funded by NZ On Air, NZ On Screen was established in 2008 to showcase New Zealand television, film, and music video. The Flying Nun Collection, and over 900 other titles, can all be seen free of charge on www.nzonscreen.com - http://www.nzonscreen.com/collection/the-flying-nun-collection

ENDS

© Scoop Media