"Heroes and Villains"
Backstory and Praise
In the summer of 2004, legendary composer and former Beach Boy Brian Wilson released the acclaimed album Brian Wilson Presents Smile. The work was a collaboration between Wilson and another renowned songwriter and composer, Van Dyke Parks. That December, Wilson announced through his website a contest to make a video for his song, "Heroes and Villains."
Entrants had about a month to produce and submit their respective videos. I made a video, but shortly after the deadline, I realized (because I'd kept a copy) that the CD I had sent most likely didn't work. I hastily posted the (functioning) video on my own website (manicbaby.com; you're there right now), and contacted brianwilson.com in hopes of getting it into the competition. A few days later, the website administrator sent me an email saying it was out of their hands (see below).
Regardless, in February 2005, four entries (a winner and three runners-up) were selected; mine was not one of them. It happens. But the response to my video (via email and message boards) was so unusual, positive, and affirming that I wanted to share it, and to say thanks. So… thanks.
The winning entries were originally posted on brianwilson.com, but they were removed after about a month. You can see the main winning entry on the Brian Wilson Presents Smile DVD. You can see mine here.
One more thing: all the following quotes were completely unsolicited and came from people whom I’d neither met nor communicated with in any form (including online) prior to their statements.
Praise via email
"We [the website] don't have anything to do with the contest - it's all Warner Bros. Records and Brian. Personally, I really liked what you did and you presented it really nicely on the web. In fact, I sent Van Dyke Parks (Smile lyricist) and David Leaf (Brian Wilson's biographer) links to your video because I thought they'd get a kick out of it. Great job."
Michael DeMartin
Administrator
www.BrianWilson.com
"Pure whimsy! Thanks for taking the time to let me see this talented video. Gratefully, Van Dyke."
Van Dyke Parks
Lyricist, Brian Wilson Presents Smile
"Just wanted to let you know I got a kick out of your video. Well done! The video is great fun."
Andrew Burns
Writer - Classic Rock Q107/The Legends of Classic Rock
Q107.com
Praise through Yahoo Groups
"Justin, that was brilliant. My reaction to the clip was lots of smiles and much shaking of my head wondering how people get so clever!"
Daniel Kerr
"Wow!! You put that together in a month??? Amazing! Stellar effort, man. You should be very proud."
Ron Bierma
"I love your movie!!! It is amazing what you got with such complicated lyrics."
Alicia
Praise through BrianWilson.com
(quotes are from the Brian Wilson Message Board)
"You should all check this video out... Fun stuff, and a great job by Justin Hannah."
Ron Palais
"Just Watched Justin Hannah's Video - It's Amazing!!! Wow!!! Justin really did an amazing job. It's really unbelievable. It is so creative. I strongly recommend that everyone check it out. Seeing the video with the music gave me chills. Good job Justin. I am very impressed."
David / Acquesta
"Nice job. The animated sections and the silent movie motifs really stand out for me."
Ken Sherman
"Absolutely brilliant stuff.. watch out Spielberg!"
KJ Miskelly
"First-class Job Justin -- superb concept and equally impressive editing. I'm clapping with both feet in the air doing my best seal impersonation, I'm so impressed."
London in New York
"I think Brian will like it."
Paul71
"Some cool editing in yours - very impressive post production especially."
Mathew Lock
"It's a winner for sure -- Good job! I love it."
That's Not Me
"That was great! Very clever, Justin! :)"
GuessImDumbAngel
"AWESOME! Great job Justin!!"
Betsy
Comments through BrianWilson.com,
after they'd announced the winners
"Poor Justin Hannah.... Not even a runner-up prize! Soooo unfair! I loved your video mate."
Rockin_Ukulele
"Super super job, Justin!! Congratulations, you should win something. Maybe, a trip to Omaha for one."
Josher
"Message for Video winner Justin Hannah... Not only are you amazingly creative - you handled all facets of video production from concept to filming to editing - but you did this in a matter of days and with virtually no budget. Truly impressive and I'm not easily impressed. You surpassed expectations in a big way as I, for one, had my doubts when the contest was announced anyone could pull it off the first-class way you did. Hope you enjoy your trip to LA and get to chat with Brian."
London in New York
(my response: "lol! thanks, but i didnt win")
"It was another Justin... I thought it was you, too! Well, I saw your video, and it's a winner in my book, and it looks like a bunch of people thought so too! Watch out Spielberg, here comes Justin Hannah!"
Carly
"And this didn't win?????? Well done to all involved in this piece of creativity. It 'seams' very well with the song, complementing the lyrics and generally setting a scene of the 'Old Wild West'. I can only imagine the work which went into this: the artwork, cartoon drawings, sets, lighting, not to mention the editing. Anyway I watched it twice already and it's even better second time around. If this didn't win then how good is the winner?"
Tony Rivers
"Justin Hannah is a winner in my eyes! Really cool video, that one! I fell in love with 'Margarita' immediately!"
Bobby California
"Definitely -- Just want to say that Justin Hannah definitely is talented. If he is considering a career in film, I hope he goes for it because he has 'it'. I literally got those tinglies watching the video with the music. It made the music seem so alive and it is such a classic story."
David / Acquesta
"Justin, your video was nothing less than awesome... I can't imagine how many man hours were put into making it.”
Spooky
"Well... How The Fug Didn't Justin Hannah's masterpiece make it as a runner up!"
Surfs Up
"Justin was you-know-what [“robbed?”] but should have received mention as most impressive. A masterpiece indeed."
London in New York