Woods Hole Film Festival - Behind a Good Song
Embracing classical values, homegrown record label Signature Sounds forges a sustainable way forward for music in the internet age.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Oskar Peacock & Nemo Allen
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
In many ways the project fell into our lap. We had been doing some video production work for Signature Sounds, the record label spotlighted in the film, and when they asked us to record their 20th anniversary concert we jumped on the opportunity. It was only after the concert that we realized we had enough footage for a short documentary.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
As Hannah Mohan, lead singer of the band And the Kids says in our film – people tend to gloss over what it takes for musicians and record labels to produce the music that we all consume. It’s important to be aware of how we consume art, and to take note on whether it is an equitable system that benefits the artist.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Our focus was to establish a single point of view between the experience of musicians and those who work in record label as to the difficulties they face today in the light of a changing marketplace. The result of no longer being able to live off the records they put out means that artists have to be touring constantly in order to pay the bills. This is by no means exclusive to Signature Sounds artists, but is the experience of independent musicians across the country.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Over the course of editing the film has gone through dozens of incarnations. The finished product is definitely not what we thought we’d have but we are both quite pleased with it.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive. But as is often the case with filmmakers, we ourselves are our toughest critics, and there are many moments we wished we had been able to go back and record.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback we received has taught us never to underestimate the audience. I am pleasantly surprised in post screening conversations; more often than not the audience appears to be well attuned and considerate of the struggles of the films subjects. They have engaged us in nuanced conversation, and are quick to relay to us their own experiences.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I think filmmakers, upon finishing a film are always concerned with how they are going to make their next one. We are always on the look out to make that new connection that can evolve into the next project.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Although the film is universal in nature, it speaks to a specific cultural area, that being the Pioneer Valley and the greater state of Massachusetts. We are looking for ways to distribute the film locally within cultural institutions and local media.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We would like to spark a serious discussion surrounding equity and art.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Are we willing to accept the decline of independent music or can we support our artists and together establish a system that permits the artist and the people whom support them the freedom to pursue what they love?
Interview: August 2017
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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Behind a Good Song
Embracing classical values, homegrown record label Signature Sounds forges a sustainable way forward for music in the internet age.
Length: 24:05
Director: Oskar Peacock & Nemo Allen
Producer: Oskar Peacock & Nemo Allen
Writer: Oskar Peacock & Nemo Allen
About the writer, director and producer:
Nemo Allen and Oskar Peacock are filmmakers from New York City whose music videos for And The Kids have been featured on NPR Music and the Wall Street Journal Music Blog.
Looking for: Local distribution
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/behindagoodsong/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Funders: Kickstarter
Where can I see it in the next month?
We are still waiting to hear back from a number of film festivals. We just had our festival premier at Woods Hole Film Festival, and right after we are screening at Chain NYC Film festival on Wednesday August 9th.