the Patrick Replies episode answering comments and questions about this video is out now! and yes I address all the comments about the easter eggs in the video for "The Man" ua-cam.com/video/GHxNDePcxF4/v-deo.html
There's a small correction to be made. At 12:13, you describe No Body, No Crime as about a woman killing her husband, but in the actual song it's about a woman who kills her BEST FRIEND'S husband bc she suspects he killed her best friend. She frames the man's mistress for the crime.
And it's also an example of her using "easter eggs" in her lyrics, not just her videos, with her reference to the husband's truck's slashed tyres that only makes sense if you're a country music fan or you know how to use Google.
And also it is implied that the mistress might have her own plan to kill him too because she took a life insurance policy, making it easier to pin the crime on her. It all falls perfectly together. Now that's what we call, a perfect crime.
At first I thought this video was titled “is Taylor Swift our next great dictator” and I went well that’s a new direction for this channel but I think I’m into it
I actually met Sadie Sink a year ago when she came to visit one of my classes (which was a tv production class) and when we got around to talking about All Too Well it was actually really interesting to me. I never really cared about Taylor Swift, so learning that she directed the whole short and other anecdotes Sink mentioned really surprised me. I remember Sink mentioning how well planned out the whole short was and how skilled Swift was as a director. Also, wanna mention that the video was great as always.
A man talking about Taylor swift for almost an hour without any condescension or hint of embarrassment. Just taking the subject seriously the entire time both in it’s criticism and genuine praise. Honestly could not have imagined something like this even 10 years ago.
i’m not a swiftie but i grew up with them so i have an appreciation for her music and talent, but i swear some of my guy friends are just literally unable to genuinely interact with her music. it’s so weird and annoying. is it that hard to admit it’s cool she at least cowrites all her music?
As a swiftie I completely get that her music is not to everybody’s tastes, that’s 100% cool with me. But it’s in incredibly frustrating that 90% of the criticisms she receives is nothing to do with her music and everything to do with trying to prove that they’re edgy and different. One thing I will say is I get why people might not like the stuff they hear on the radio as Taylor’s said herself that she writes 3 songs on her albums that are made for everyone on radio and then her the rest of her albums are fucking amazing and people who I think would legitimately like them refuse to listen to them because they’re scared they’ll catch the uncool disease.
This comment embodies a lot of what is wrong with, well, everything. A lot, at least! I mean, to think that there are millions of people who think that liking Taylor equals a detriment to their masculinity, or however ya wanna put it, is just. fickun. ridiculous.
I have always felt that the storyteller factor in her songs is a carry over from being a country music writer. That has always been my joy in listening to country music.
The ending of the Lavender Haze MV actually does make sense in the video too. It means that instead of feeling trapped in a room (1950's shit as she says in the song), she feels liberated even if she is in a relationship. And if you take it further, she has a scene in Lover music video where she and her love interest are swimming in fish bowl. She describes this scene as what her fame feels like to her. So in Lavender Haze MV, she's still in the water but she has now found a way to hide in plain sight even she's in the bowl. And of course, koi fish is not just a Speak Now reference but they are a symbol of love (they swim in pairs). And them being large also shows like the size difference; like she is trapped in the fish bowl, but she can make herself smaller (keep things private) to feel less trapped and create her own little oceanic magical universe (some infinities are bigger than other infinities or this case universes).
But all of that proves his point - it’s an external reference to other Taylor Swift material, not a cogent ending to the video. It only makes sense within the world of that music video if you know Lover extremely well, and googled to see if koi fish are symbolic of anything (I don’t think that particular allusion is well known) It’s a minor point that she has in the past, sacrificed cohesion or editorial rhythm in order to signal Easter eggs to fans, and it doesn’t make her bad at her job - in fact, that she’s learned from it and adapted, is pretty great.
@@TheCrazy99s My first point was pushing down the the room to reveal an infinite universe as an ending can standalone in this music video. The song after all is about enjoying just being in a relationship without the pressure of society's picket fence dreams. I just added all the other stuff as extra information. I understand why that can be misunderstood as to be arguing his point.😅 Just to be clear, I do agree with his point as a whole but not about the ending of Lavender Haze MV entirely. A better example would have been Bejeweled MV. And he said koi fish is just an Easter egg for Speak Now. So I explained that there was a story behind that too. It's an Easter Egg which has narrative importance rather than just spoiling a release date.
Interesting. I can't help but notice that once she breaks down the walls of the lavendar haze smoke filled room that she's in with her current partner- there are "a lot of fish in the sea" and then a vast endless Uknown space (literally.) I personally (art being in the eye of the beholder) see it as the start of questioning the relationship. To me it feels... like the start of questioning a long-term relationship. Alone she activates the lavender haze while he sleeps- not even waking as she touches him affectionately. In my brain "I just want to stay in that lavender haze" translates so well to "I just want to stay in that honeymoon phase". (And as far as the only thing that I'll say about T.Swift on a personal level is that T.Swift at least appears to be someone who loves the idea of being in love, the amazing lovey-dovery start of the relationship that rarely lasts- unless you get really lucky. Thankfully she found her true true love. Shout out to Bejeweled.) The actor that plays the lover only acknowledges her at the party in front of others, when she's dancing in the beginning and tracing constellations down his back, he's asleep. If he'd turn to kiss her here it would hit differently for me. There's no time when they're alone and happy. To me it feels like someone (melancholic) thinking about wanting to stay in that honeymoon phase/lavendar haze, and feeling trapped- why push the walls down of your happy place while you're already feeling "melancholia"? (Not an actual question. Just my own curiosity.) I do see it as a transition of curiously pushing down the walls to get a peek outside- and seeing... the unknown. I personally feel like the sizing of the fish is important- as is the appearance of more than 2. It could be a dramatic easter egg, but she could've easily just had two koi fish in a tank in their bedroom- or just kept the part where she sees the koi in the TV screen her man is on. Since it's filmed like a fever dream, I was curious to see dream analysis, generally seeing something as much larger than it is supposedly points toward either seeing someone/yourself through an inflated lens (big ego) or... "expressing a desire to be more dominant in a situation or relationship". I feel like there are endless ways to interpret that ending, and I obviously have no idea what she was really thinking. Maybe I'm projecting from my own past experiences, which- is what she wanted us to do- 'not picture her ex, think about our ex'. I do think dream interpretation is BS, but I think it could be used as a jumping point for an artist. Esp. one going for "70s fever-dream" as a theme. But the idea of seeing something as HUGE when IRL it's small- just seems so.... foreboding. Like the unconscious brain recognizing a problem and screaming "Pay attention to this".
I was there at TIFF when Swift presented All Too Well and it was utter pandemonium. King Street was so swarmed with Swfites you literally could not move. Regardless of her talents as a filmmaker/screenwriter, she's going to be successful (and she *has* demonstrated talent, for the record). Searchlight made a very smart business move.
If the ongoing news cycle around the Eras tour has taught me anything, it's that Swifties are a terrifying and unstoppable force of nature rivaled only by the BTS Army. If she wanted to run for president, she'd probably win in a landslide just on sheer Swiftie power alone.
@@grahamkristensen9301 Definitely.TIFF always attracts people who want to see celebrities, but Taylor Swift being there for like 15 minutes made the pedestrian traffic go from "busy" to "human crush." ALSO: the live band (not Taylor Swift-related) playing down the block got completely drowned out by the hundreds of Swifties scream-singing Taylor's songs. It was surreal.
I've yet to see her demonstrate talent on her own accord- what's the best song Taylor has ever written/produced without another big name songwriter/producer credited? Her vocals are mediocre at best, her lyricism is shallow and basic and her best melodies and chords are tied with producers and musicians that are beyond her. She has certainly collaborated with some talented folks- but I have yet to buy into the hype that she herself is talented and not just a nepo baby :P
@@ems0upthe whole speak now Taylor’s version is a record coming out next Friday from when she was 19-20 and she wrote all by herself to show the critics that she is an amazing storyteller on her own
@@ems0upshe’s not a nepo baby. She grew up privileged, but she’s pretty damn talented and hardworking. One of her albums is completely self-written and she has writing credits in every song. Girl works hard and writes great songs.
A friend convinced me to finally give Taylor a serious listen this year and...I only regret I waited this long. I always kinda vaguely liked the singles when I heard them but mostly discounted it as just another pop star. Yeah......yeah, no I'm all in now. Red (Taylor's Version) has shot to be among my favorite albums of all time and Taylor is probably in my top 10 artists overall. The opening notes of All Too Well never doesn't hit me with the weight of a collapsing star. I started with Folklore just because it came to mind first and it hooked me, then my friend had me go back to Red, then I worked backward to the start and then forward again and...with how autobiographical her writing is, it's tough not to go read about individual songs to get the context for them and see a life unfolding across the years. I've never had an experience with a musician like that, the closest I can relate it to is Pink Floyd which to me is a strong compliment. If she adapts The Last Great American Dynasty to a film that would be amazing, I was thinking about how there should be a movie about that story just last week, had no idea that was a rumor going around.
I went the other way around-turning into a Pink Floyd fan from a Taylor Swift fan-and there's definitely a string between them that enticed us both. Not that I know what it is, I just think they're both a vibe.
@@justanotherboneclock8639 You can just sink into both so much, even though the emotions are so different between them it's still such a big experience to go through. Glad you found them, maybe you're on a journey to branch out into all sorts of prog rock like Yes and Rush now haha
I'm so happy for Patrick that he got to the Mission Impossible premiere - the power of the internet can be used for good! I'm not that much of a fan of Taylor Swift but this was still really interesting. Also personally I thought the month+ period between videos was just a UA-camr setting boundaries on their time & everything is always so high quality, it's worth it
Perhaps another popstar to director example to think about is Barbra Streisand, who went from a singing and acting career to directing Yentl and The Prince of Tides. Be Kind Rewind has an interesting video on her directorial debut
The melodrama fits perfectly for the ATW fight, IMO. It's a fight between two immature people - a nineteen year old girl playing at adulthood and a twelve years older manchild dating her precisely because he is emotionally stunted and can't handle an adult relationship. The dinner party makes him uncomfortable because he is having to present the relationship to his peers, who can see how awkward it is. His girlfriend is insecure in this company and doesnt fit. Instead of reassuring her, he becomes embarassed at the view of the relationship he sees reflected by his friends, and pulls back from her. Falling back on gaslighting and repeated "fucks" is true to the character, who cannot face his own flaws or communicate in an adult way. So he tantrums like a teenager. Making the moment bigger or slowing it down and making it more articulate, would kill it. I would also argue the pull out and slow push back in on Taylor in the sea in Cardigan is appropriate. The shot didn't need to be made more interesting. It would have distracted from the point being conveyed. The anxiety and feeling of overwhelm necessitates the pull back, which needs to be held on to make you feel the isolation. She is drowning in the emotional tumult, but no-one is coming to save her. There is no sun on the horizon. The only escape is pull back in and turn inward. To process (through music) the feelings that have turned her world so dark. Jazzing it up would distract from the point. We need to feel the intensity of the isolation and the slow agony of coming back to yourself in such a moment. I have no issue with her choice there
It does, but I get a strong feeling from how she uses the word in her songs that 'fuck' is not a word Taylor uses much in her personal life. She almost always puts too much emphasis on it, tries to use it like a hammer in the way only people who think of it as a naughty word do so it comes across as subtly unnatural when she uses it. It was something that really made me realize she has huge theater kid energy and is a big ole dork before I saw enough outside interviews and media to know for certain she's a big ole dork, which I appreciate.
@@jasonhunter2819we have multiple videos of her using fuck very casually lol (both in things she's approved the release of and like, she'll be caught on camera in the audience at award shows talking to someone), it's definitely a word she likes to use but felt hindered from using publicly for a long time. As someone who watches reaction videos to her music, I find the cursing stands out a lot to people who were aware of her sort of clean country pop princess persona before getting into her music, vs the people who are like "I've never really paid any attention to her before" who don't bat an eye at it
@@jasonhunter2819h no she definitely does her early persona was just that of the innocent country girl, she was definitely swearing like any other normal teenager. It's quite apparent, since the release of Folklore, swearing has become a regular part of her songwriting. Even the 10 minute All too Well version was originally written for the orininal red album (just was shortened for release) and had the line "fuck the patriarchy."
That piano in the ocean scene made me cry so much at first, and I didn't know why, until I focused on the actual video instead of the song, and everything made sense. That shot is very powerful, but it's not for everyone.
This exactly. It's all about the context of the narrative story. I enjoy that you can tell it's improvised and not very polished, it fits the relationship the story is conveying. Passionate, messy and short-lived. Yes melodrama can feel empty and childish but as you've perfectly explained it fits the characters and their dynamic in the story.
Great video. I respectfully disagree with your take on the kitchen argument scene of the All Too Well video however. The melodrama by the female lead was indeed earned and believable when you consider how very young Taylor Swift was when she was in the relationship that this song (and video) are based on.
My sister is a huge Taylor Swift fan. I never got the hype besides Reputation which I really enjoy but I always respected her to try something new with both her music videos and her music in general. Very few pop stars go that route nowadays. All of em seem very vanilla.
One big difference between her and other pop stars is that she basically writes all of her own stuff (and writes for a lot of other people too, IIRC). Nowadays, that's super rare in pop music (especially when a large amount of those songs are big hits - it just shows that she's super creative and talented, all on her own). And I say that as someone who's not into pop in general, and never got into her music. But I can definitely respect it.
I’m a fan of Taylor Swift's music and I’m concerned about her venturing into a new realm of entertainment. Directing and writing a feature-length film is no small task and definitely different from creating music. The fears about this not aligning with her previous creative outputs are valid, and the worry of it not meeting expectations is real. However, Swift has surprised us in the past with her ability to evolve and adapt. It'll be intriguing to see how she translates her storytelling skills from songs to screen. Let's hope for the best!
I liked that you took her seriously as an artist. As a swiftie I completely get that her music is not to everybody’s tastes, that’s 100% cool with me. But it’s in incredibly frustrating that 90% of the criticisms she receives is nothing to do with her music and everything to do with trying to prove that they’re edgy and different. One thing I will say is I get why people might not like the stuff they hear on the radio as Taylor’s said herself that she writes 3 songs on her albums that are made for everyone on radio and then her the rest of her albums are fucking amazing and people who I think would legitimately like them refuse to listen because they’re scared they’ll catch the uncool disease.
Well and especially with her early albums, she likely had very little control over which songs got promoted as radio singles. Her record label probably decided a lot of that. And they don't always pick the ones that people will actually love the most.
The reason I don’t listen to her is because I don’t like the musical style. The only songs of hers I like are the ones with a stronger beat like style and out of the woods. I respect her writing but I like my music more intense.
This!! The amount of times I’ve seen people say “all she sings about is her ex’s” like thanks for letting us know you’ve never actually listened to her and just ran with the media headlines
I feel like there's this idea that if someone doesn't fit the "artist" aesthetic then they're not to be taken seriously. I also think three "artist" aesthetc is anything that is not feminine which to me is another form of misogyny. It's like people look at Taylor and assume she has nothing interesting to say.
25:20 the back shot of The Man in the subway station is more of a deeper cut easter egg that references 🛴 and him buying her masters. She’s literally peeing on her old masters and 🛴. Now, this actually serves the overall narrative on taking control of her music and undercutting (beating) the man in his own game. But I understand non-fans not catching on the reference and seeing a pointless long back shot.
As a swiftie and film buff, I'm really happy to have come across this video (and your channel!). I like that you objectively analysed her videos from a filmmaking perspective and not just obsess over the easter eggs and her ex's (I get tired of it too).
Actually, "No Body No Crime" is about a woman murdering the cheating husband of a friend, after the husband murdered his wife. Also, as a fun fact, the cheerleading rival is also played by Swift.
Yeah, I was hoping he would mention that! Even her earlier videos often had interesting touches like that. For me it makes the entire song much better - just this subtle little undermining of the strong "not like other girls" dichotomy set up by the lyrics.
I think the experience I had where I really understood Taylor Swift's appeal was when I decided to listen to the entire Evermore album in order, and as I was listening to the songs and lyrics, I ended up crafting this entire narrative arc around the songs about a love that ended tragically and the two trying to get together again...I'm not entirely sure if Taylor intended the entire album to be this way, but that was actually the power of her narrative in the songs...it convinced me that she was telling a story, not just singing songs.
The Man shot of the man peeing on the wall is actually a story telling device she used to help us with the rerelease order of the taylor’s versions, it also has Easter egg to scooter Braun in it!
I think that she is pretty, but I wish she had gotten into dancing instead. I don't think anyone should listen to any music other than classical and folk
If you read this Hello Emma! That musical transition into Mission Impossible was beautiful. Brian Metolius once again showing off in the best possible way. Love the Essay Pat. cheers.
as a big swiftie and an audiovisual student, I really loved what you said about what she needs to improve as a director, the choices she could’ve made in All Too Well or the man MV are spot on. I love the kitchen argument but at the same time I thought she could’ve directed it more too instead of just letting them improvise. So excited to see what she’ll do next though specially the movie
One correction: No Body No Crime is not about someone murdering their cheating husband, it's about a cheating husband who murders his wife when she finds out and the wife's friend then murdering him in revenge.
It'll be interesting to see what kind of film Swift makes as her first feature. I feel like the overacting in most of her music videos works since most of those scenes aren't really going for anything other than comedy, so if she tries to go for a more dramatic movie, she could have her work cut out for her. Although a film version of The Last Great American Dynasty could work with more of a comedic tone now that I think about it.
I really will not be surprised if we get to see her someday show her latest feature film flooded with critical acclaim, gets up to the Oscar stage and take that ultimate validation of filmmaking greatness. She's smart, she's creative, and she assumes the authoritative role with a margin of freedom like a director does. I want to witness her realize her full potential in this endeavor.
I thought this was going to devolve into a Kanye interruption joke. Like she wins this prestigious award for her next step in her career and it happens again! 😅
@@T0xXx1k nop I dont think anyone will pull that stunt on her ever again considering what has become of the last one who did. Taylor works hard, yes, but Tayvoodoo works the hardest.
I personally could not be less interested in Taylor Swift and anything adjacent to her (because I'm one of those annoying pretentious music snobs who can't stand pop music I'm not proud of it but it is what it is). But I also don't have enough words for how glad I am you made this video essay, it's so deeply valuable it is for you to engage with such an overwhelmingly quote-unquote "girly" topic and to treat it so seriously, and to treat this female pop star as a real artist, because she is (regardless of whether to her work is to my personal taste), and to apply the same dedicated analytical lens you do to other topics that are generally considered more worthy of it by the mainstream. And it was a genuinely interesting and compelling watch and honestly so inspiring to see her career trajectory and growth as an artist.
@claudiaortensia4670 it's nice to see people who don't particularly like Taylor Swift but still appreciate and see her as an artist. I've seen so many people, even under this video comment section, that does not like her songs and just because of that deemed her untalented and dismiss all her works.
@@elliebehrady2108 You're right, that sort of thing does actually sound closer to my taste! I did hear good things about both these albums and what I heard did make it sound like something I'd enjoy, not sure why I didn't consider listening to those at least.
@@lexiw638 I just feel very, very strongly about all art being appreciate and respected for what it is, and artists being acknowledged and recognized for their hard work and effort! And in particular women in artistic industries, or even just artists whose work is primarily popular among girls and women, because I feel people like Taylor often get dismissed as being shallow and unworthy and untalented for those reasons, and Patrick's comparison to Madonna reminds me a lot of the nasty hate she got back in the 90's. So even if I don't necessarily personally vibe with her pop music, I really feel the need to go bat for her and her creative efforts.
I am so glad that this video exist, Patrick is not wrong, and this opinion does not come out of the blue. Even as someone who is so third-party to witnessing her career and it's not even a fan of her music, it's very clear that she was taking steps to put her foot in the door, and to garner some kind of respect or clout around her name before she just immediately thrusted herself into a movie. It's easier for me to imagine Taylor Swift directing a movie than Fred Durst
You clearly cut a section out about Taylor (and Madonna) as actor. Are we to assume that is on Nebula? Is this the video that finally makes me get a subscription???
Some fantastic points you're making here, Patrick, I gotta say. I've never been into Swift's genre of music, so I had no idea that she was directing her own music videos/films. I'm definitely going to have to start looking into her work after this, so thanks for that. I also have a strange compulsion to look into picking up a Henson razor, but I'm not sure why because I've been rocking a beard for the better part of two decades now and I haven't shaved since I was a teenager. I just. Gotta have one though.
You're probably right about what direction Taylor Swift would go in as a filmmaker, but... do we want her to write and direct a Marvel Special Presentation about Dazzler? Also the transition from All Too Well to the Mission: Impossible theme was as smooth a shave from your sponsor, Brian doesn't miss.
I wanted to bring up a point regarding the overly long shots you mention in some of her first self directed videos. I can't speak to if this is true in all cases, but in the example you gave of The Man; that wall shot is filled with easter eggs. That's why it lasted as long as it did, to give us Swifties a chance to catch them and pick them apart. I could see how to a non Swiftie watching it might feel pointless or a bit boring, but it can't be denied she had a reason in this instance. Fair point on that cardigan shot though. 😂
"No body, no crime is about a woman murdering her cheating husband" Um actually it's about a woman getting murdered BY her cheating husband and then the woman's best friend revenge murdering him but close enough
She strikes me as someone who doesn't like negativity around her, which unfortunately probably breeds some yes men, but also makes it so she has better hiring practices than a lot of artists
Sir I must say. You are certainly a Swiftie. The best kind! A respectful, interested in her very interesting stories. Able to decode/ understand them for what they are on a deeper level. You can recognize and explain her talents and what makes her so superb in all the way. Not delving creepily into her personal life. Focusing on her music and meanings and talents. I’ve been saying Lynchian is to David Lynch as Swiftian is/ will be to Taylor Swift.
I just realized something. Taylor Swift reminds me of all the book series I used to read when I was a tween. The book series starts off by the main character introducing themselves, then as time goes on, you can see how the events in their life changed them. It feels like each album is a book in the series called Taylor Swift's life.
If her film bombs on both levels, she's gonna get teared to shreds, and that's a real shame. I couldn't care less about Taylor Swift, but today's climate of absolutely vitriolic delight in others' failures, especially those who already got something going for them, actively deters artistic progress
Well, can you really blame anyone for taking delight in others' failures in the arts where so many people are nepo babies who don't deign to admit they had a leg up (Ben Platt and the like) and validate the swathes of hopeful, talented normies for whom the door to such pursuits seems bolted. Personally, I think it's fair game for the current demographics of music and film/tv. If it was professional football, then you can forgive a familial connection (e.g., Lampard or Maldini) or rich, accommodating parents (e.g., Kaka or Lloris) because football is a capital-M meritocracy.
@@themidwife1624 I agree that any entertainer/creator who got in hollywood due to nepotism is a free ticket to fame, but I would argue that they should judged on the same basis that any entertainer who was not born a leg up in the industry. I want to see directors succeed at a film they love, not be torn down by critics constanty, there’s a fine line between stating your dislike for a certain film & pointing out it’s percieved flaws AND tearing the director down, saying they’re talentless & trash, “don’t make movies ever again” kinda thing: imo we can kinder in our criticism, we don’t need to kill someone’s passion for art.
@@PurpleNoir Criticisms can be kinder, sure. But I hard disagree on the idea of judging nepo/privilege babies by the same standards. I think the film industry is crying out for new ideas and fresh perspectives and don't believe such creators can offer that given the nature of their upbringings. There's a much larger opportunity cost in giving that person a feature film to direct than giving it to a no name director whose transitioning out of smaller projects. And I think one way you crack down on nepotism in the industry is by shining a light on it and throwing around harsher critiques so that maybe these people get a smaller share of opportunities in the future.
I think her songwriting is the perfect synthesis of country and pop. Country songwriting is all about telling a story with lots of specific details. So she had a better background as a storyteller than most pop songwriters, but she was able to tell stories that related to a younger and broader audience the way a lot of pop music does.
lol, Patrick, take all the time you need to make these videos, because they are amazing. I know you probably feel bad, and I do appreciate trying to pick up the pace, but if you need more time always just take it cuz I know the videos are always 10/10. Keep up the great work.
Congrats on getting the tix to MI7 premiere! That's dope. And this was an awesome video overall. Had no idea Taylor was signed on to direct a film. Might be the biggest thing since Barbie, lol.
I was already a big fan of Taylor Swift, but I totally agree! He makes a great argument. If you liked what he said about Taylor Swift, I’d totally suggest listening to her albums, specifically Evermore and Folklore. Have a good one!!
A little late to the party, but great video!! I always love when you explore topics that veer off the typical male film goer or film buff experience. Now I'm going to go watch the Mamma Mia masterpiece for the 10th time, brb
I wonder if Patrick has noticed the DC and Marvel references in Taylor’s songs (“Poison Ivy” in Don’t Blame Me, “Spider-Boy” in Karma, which is a deep-cut to an Amalgam Comics character. And lastly, She literally has a song called, “Superman”!!!)
I mean poison ivy is a plant and with spider-boy i think she intended to metaphoricly describe Scouter Braun as he was snitching away her albums. But superman definitly refers to the dc hero.
3 minutes in, 2 things: Incredibly laugh out loud moment with the ‘the essay should be no longer than.. *click*’ And the prologue almost looks like it’s shot on film. It’s not, right? Just amazing colouring!
Fascinating video for me especially considering for me it was specifically Swift's music videos that won me over and made me a fan. Blank Space was when I went alright, this is great.
I was first introduced to her during love story. I've never been in a romantic relationship. The only remotely close are my experiences being se*ually harassed and assaulted lol. But her storytelling really put me in her shoes. It's like reading a compact novel delivered in a catchy tune. I don't really understand people who say they've grown out of her songs just because they're no longer in lovey dovey relationships. When people make fun of her songs, it just sounds like bullying someone for reading a romance novel and it just sounds like misogyny. How is it different from loving sports or loving gaming? It's passion for some sort of entertainment.
Some of the narratives to those songs are literally high school as a setting. That maybe what people mean, like they don't relate to the high school or Romeo and Juliette type love stories. Just IMO but in like 38 so I don't quite vibe with that 'era' anymore myself 😅 idk how old you are but that may be what the disconnect is. Just a thought. 🧡🦇✌️
There's one other pop star turned director that I think is worth mentioning: David Byrne. His sole directing effort, 1986's True Stories, is a musical that also feels like a documentary about humans made by an alien. Despite the fact that he only has one film under his belt (so far), his other projects, both with and without Talking Heads, remind me a lot of Taylor Swift's work in terms of scale and ambition.
I believe the canoe scene in Karma is a reference to the River Styxx (apologies I'm not well-rehearsed in Greek god imagery.) There's a fascinating video that pairs each scene with an equivalent Greek God that fleshed out that concept much better than I ever could, Taylor the more experienced artist is leading the newer artist through... (a metaphor for a hell-like place/the music industry). The paddle lashing through her reflection (and yes there's a Greek God of mountains) is fascinating. At least she didn't drown in her own reflection. (My mind couldn't help but recall Midnights first single there.)
I've always seen Patrick as the Oasis of UA-cam... Also thank you Emma for reminding me I'm old... 8 in 2009, are you kidding me? I was in high school then lol
Congrats on making it to the M:I premiere, Patrick!!! I found your channel through your M:I videos, which made me realize the love that I have for this franchise so it feels like it's come full circle somehow. Idk if you'll ever take a stab at the James Bond movies next (MAYBE my second favourite action film franchise ever after M:I) but know that I'll be here for it (and all your subsequent videos of course).
Taylor is such an amazing storyteller and I would be so happy to live in a world where she has full creative control over a feature length film (or 2 or 10)
As a fan of film and as a fan of Taylor Swift (which I went to the eras tour back in April, aka the best experience of my life), this video was like made for me and it was great to watch. I don't think she will be the greatest filmmaker out there, but I think she will have a very good career as a filmmaker for all the reasons you brought up in the video and more, and i will be there for her first featture day 1. Also congratulations on going to the MI7 premiere.
I semi-agree with the thought that she would do an autobiographical approach, but as a folklore/ evermore listener first, I have so much faith in her storytelling abilities not just in stories about herself. Obviously there will ve elements of herself in there no matter what because shes a good artist, but I didnt necessarily think she would make a movie just about a relationship for example, i feel its going to be very complex. I get the argument though so who knows.
I never comment on a video but this is so well done, researched, entertaining. Definitely subscribed!! I can’t understand how the channel doesn’t have more subscribers because it definitely deserves it
Would you consider Boots Riley enough of a pop star that his work as a director (Sorry to Bother You, 2018 and I'm a Virgo) would place him in the same pop-star turned director category alongside Melanie Martinez, Prince, Madonna, and now Taylor Swift?
two videos in other countries AND two videos with musical outros! wonderful work as always ("am I his Jake Gyllenhaal?"). psyched for the next one, especially after his new movie destroyed me.
Cant wait for her to make her cinematic debut. I feel like she could drop either a great drama expanding on All Too Well or swap over and do some insane horror flick
The opening sequence. Is. Epic. Cannot wait to finish watching. The production vibes are clean and just…omg “Are you ready for it? YESssssS.” WATCHING THEN PROBABLY WILL COMMENT A LOT OF THOUGHTS.
This is cool. I don't really listen to much Taylor Swift but I have a newfound respect for what she is doing with storytelling in music videos! It kinda reminds me of MJ's work!
Hi Patrick (& Emma)! As someone who is not in your target demographic, this video was a real delight. I’m a Taylor fan (and it’s my name, ha), though not a Swiftie. This was a great dive into Taylor’s process that still had a healthy objectivity. In your opinion - do you think she will make a tour film of Eras like she did of Reputation, for those of us who couldn’t nab tickets? I’ve been a fan of yours for a long time but really got hooked (and compelled to subscribe to Nebula) with your Little Women video a couple of years ago. Thanks for making videos about stuff you like, even if it’s not always what people expect.
I absolutely love the Anti-Hero music video. It is so funny and clever while also poignant. And the funeral scene is fantastic. The fact that her oldest son grew up to be Mike Birbiglia is amazing.
hello literally only 5 minutes in but I just have to say this is why I love your videos, you cover topics that are so interesting and culturally relevant but in a rather unique way. And I love that you just make whatever you want algorithm be damned (ie: your mamma mia video, which I hold near and dear to me heart). Also, based on the comments you did get to go to the MI premiere and it truly couldn’t have happened to a more worthy person. Your MI video is the entire reason I gave the movies a chance (despite my strong dislike for tom cruise), and now I LOVE them! Can’t wait to see the new one.
Swiftie here! While she might have wanted a fresh visual approach, there were a lot of unnecessary drama around Joseph Kahn. There were accusations that he was stealing ideas, he was bullying swifties on twitter, and there were a lot of popular posts on Tumblr and The Swift Life (app developed for rep) begging her to stop working with him. I don’t know if it really matters, but her ending her directorial relationship with him was more than just creative. For reference: 22:32
The ending to this is so good. And did the Taylor swift thing you were talking about where you revealed something in your personal life that we have been following. I guess you are the Taylor Swift of UA-cam.
She stayed on the peeing on the wall longer so you could read the signage of the Easter eggs on the wall . There's a lot more to the stories if you know.. her videos are riddled with surprises . That in itself could be a university course.
I agree so much with your opinion about the kitchen scene in all too well. As a former theather kid myself, the fight feels a little forced and like the intensity came out of nowhere
Finally! Somebody perfectly encapsulated exactly how I feel about the All Too Well Short film. It's a solid first stab at a film I just wish she was a bit more ambitious with its structure or possibly just released a short film that told the story of the song rather than a music video with a flash of dialogue. Funnily enough, I was watching a tonne of music videos a few weeks back because I was so obsessed with seeing how various different genres of music covert the vibes of their songs into the visual language of film. And one of my recent favourites is The Shoes' Time to Dance video. Not only does it have a fantastically unhinged Jake Gyllenhaal performance as a serial murderer but it was perfectly cut to capture the frenetic energy of the electronic music without overly leaning into the stereotypical fast cuts to the beat vibe of a lot of electronic music videos
Things you love to see: 1) That opening title sequence 2) Patrick at the mission impossible premiere 3) A surprise bag of tayto I didn't know you could get in the US* *working theory is Patrick's mum manifested them through sheer Irishness
the Patrick Replies episode answering comments and questions about this video is out now! and yes I address all the comments about the easter eggs in the video for "The Man"
ua-cam.com/video/GHxNDePcxF4/v-deo.html
Eating Tayto like a true Irishman! Nice one Pat!
Kubrick made "The Killing" when he was 34 years old.
There's a small correction to be made. At 12:13, you describe No Body, No Crime as about a woman killing her husband, but in the actual song it's about a woman who kills her BEST FRIEND'S husband bc she suspects he killed her best friend. She frames the man's mistress for the crime.
Haven't got there yet, but I'm a bit bummed he got that wrong, that's my favorite TS song exactly because of the story.
i wanted to mention that as well!
And it's also an example of her using "easter eggs" in her lyrics, not just her videos, with her reference to the husband's truck's slashed tyres that only makes sense if you're a country music fan or you know how to use Google.
And also it is implied that the mistress might have her own plan to kill him too because she took a life insurance policy, making it easier to pin the crime on her. It all falls perfectly together. Now that's what we call, a perfect crime.
True! I don’t get how ppl don’t get the song 😩
At first I thought this video was titled “is Taylor Swift our next great dictator” and I went well that’s a new direction for this channel but I think I’m into it
I thought the same exact thing and said to myself “yeah sure, I don’t see why she can’t be”.
At this point, if she says she wants to overtake a small country, I'm pretty sure swifties will make that happen so you might be onto something.
Honestly, I'd love to see a satirical video essay discussing the possibility of Taylor becoming a dictator in a completely serious tone.
i'd love for taylor to take over my third world country
I mean probably 😂
I actually met Sadie Sink a year ago when she came to visit one of my classes (which was a tv production class) and when we got around to talking about All Too Well it was actually really interesting to me. I never really cared about Taylor Swift, so learning that she directed the whole short and other anecdotes Sink mentioned really surprised me. I remember Sink mentioning how well planned out the whole short was and how skilled Swift was as a director. Also, wanna mention that the video was great as always.
Which school do u go to and what grade are you?
@@Azarath_Metrion_Zinthos sounds like a university class for film students
A man talking about Taylor swift for almost an hour without any condescension or hint of embarrassment. Just taking the subject seriously the entire time both in it’s criticism and genuine praise. Honestly could not have imagined something like this even 10 years ago.
i’m not a swiftie but i grew up with them so i have an appreciation for her music and talent, but i swear some of my guy friends are just literally unable to genuinely interact with her music. it’s so weird and annoying. is it that hard to admit it’s cool she at least cowrites all her music?
As a swiftie I completely get that her music is not to everybody’s tastes, that’s 100% cool with me. But it’s in incredibly frustrating that 90% of the criticisms she receives is nothing to do with her music and everything to do with trying to prove that they’re edgy and different. One thing I will say is I get why people might not like the stuff they hear on the radio as Taylor’s said herself that she writes 3 songs on her albums that are made for everyone on radio and then her the rest of her albums are fucking amazing and people who I think would legitimately like them refuse to listen to them because they’re scared they’ll catch the uncool disease.
What is wrong with a man talking about Taylor? I am a 52 year old man, and I loved her from the beginning.
This comment embodies a lot of what is wrong with, well, everything. A lot, at least! I mean, to think that there are millions of people who think that liking Taylor equals a detriment to their masculinity, or however ya wanna put it, is just. fickun. ridiculous.
@@GreetingsFromBlackwoodFarm genuine question, does my comment come across like I’m against men liking Taylor Swift?
I have always felt that the storyteller factor in her songs is a carry over from being a country music writer. That has always been my joy in listening to country music.
I thought so too!
Yes
iirc she talked about country's ever lasting influence in her songwriting in folklore long pond studio sessions in Disney+.
She's been very vocal about how her storytelling is shaped by country influences and is one of her biggest assets.
But why should her beauty be wasted on pop music? Would she not be better off with classical music?
The ending of the Lavender Haze MV actually does make sense in the video too. It means that instead of feeling trapped in a room (1950's shit as she says in the song), she feels liberated even if she is in a relationship.
And if you take it further, she has a scene in Lover music video where she and her love interest are swimming in fish bowl. She describes this scene as what her fame feels like to her. So in Lavender Haze MV, she's still in the water but she has now found a way to hide in plain sight even she's in the bowl.
And of course, koi fish is not just a Speak Now reference but they are a symbol of love (they swim in pairs). And them being large also shows like the size difference; like she is trapped in the fish bowl, but she can make herself smaller (keep things private) to feel less trapped and create her own little oceanic magical universe (some infinities are bigger than other infinities or this case universes).
But all of that proves his point - it’s an external reference to other Taylor Swift material, not a cogent ending to the video. It only makes sense within the world of that music video if you know Lover extremely well, and googled to see if koi fish are symbolic of anything (I don’t think that particular allusion is well known)
It’s a minor point that she has in the past, sacrificed cohesion or editorial rhythm in order to signal Easter eggs to fans, and it doesn’t make her bad at her job - in fact, that she’s learned from it and adapted, is pretty great.
@@TheCrazy99s My first point was pushing down the the room to reveal an infinite universe as an ending can standalone in this music video. The song after all is about enjoying just being in a relationship without the pressure of society's picket fence dreams. I just added all the other stuff as extra information. I understand why that can be misunderstood as to be arguing his point.😅
Just to be clear, I do agree with his point as a whole but not about the ending of Lavender Haze MV entirely. A better example would have been Bejeweled MV.
And he said koi fish is just an Easter egg for Speak Now. So I explained that there was a story behind that too. It's an Easter Egg which has narrative importance rather than just spoiling a release date.
Interesting. I can't help but notice that once she breaks down the walls of the lavendar haze smoke filled room that she's in with her current partner- there are "a lot of fish in the sea" and then a vast endless Uknown space (literally.) I personally (art being in the eye of the beholder) see it as the start of questioning the relationship. To me it feels... like the start of questioning a long-term relationship. Alone she activates the lavender haze while he sleeps- not even waking as she touches him affectionately. In my brain "I just want to stay in that lavender haze" translates so well to "I just want to stay in that honeymoon phase". (And as far as the only thing that I'll say about T.Swift on a personal level is that T.Swift at least appears to be someone who loves the idea of being in love, the amazing lovey-dovery start of the relationship that rarely lasts- unless you get really lucky. Thankfully she found her true true love. Shout out to Bejeweled.)
The actor that plays the lover only acknowledges her at the party in front of others, when she's dancing in the beginning and tracing constellations down his back, he's asleep. If he'd turn to kiss her here it would hit differently for me. There's no time when they're alone and happy. To me it feels like someone (melancholic) thinking about wanting to stay in that honeymoon phase/lavendar haze, and feeling trapped- why push the walls down of your happy place while you're already feeling "melancholia"? (Not an actual question. Just my own curiosity.) I do see it as a transition of curiously pushing down the walls to get a peek outside- and seeing... the unknown.
I personally feel like the sizing of the fish is important- as is the appearance of more than 2. It could be a dramatic easter egg, but she could've easily just had two koi fish in a tank in their bedroom- or just kept the part where she sees the koi in the TV screen her man is on. Since it's filmed like a fever dream, I was curious to see dream analysis, generally seeing something as much larger than it is supposedly points toward either seeing someone/yourself through an inflated lens (big ego) or... "expressing a desire to be more dominant in a situation or relationship".
I feel like there are endless ways to interpret that ending, and I obviously have no idea what she was really thinking. Maybe I'm projecting from my own past experiences, which- is what she wanted us to do- 'not picture her ex, think about our ex'.
I do think dream interpretation is BS, but I think it could be used as a jumping point for an artist. Esp. one going for "70s fever-dream" as a theme. But the idea of seeing something as HUGE when IRL it's small- just seems so.... foreboding. Like the unconscious brain recognizing a problem and screaming "Pay attention to this".
@@TheCrazy99s trash easter eggs
@@sociallyenginerd8846 swift is garbage, someone not fit for a relationship
I was there at TIFF when Swift presented All Too Well and it was utter pandemonium. King Street was so swarmed with Swfites you literally could not move. Regardless of her talents as a filmmaker/screenwriter, she's going to be successful (and she *has* demonstrated talent, for the record). Searchlight made a very smart business move.
If the ongoing news cycle around the Eras tour has taught me anything, it's that Swifties are a terrifying and unstoppable force of nature rivaled only by the BTS Army. If she wanted to run for president, she'd probably win in a landslide just on sheer Swiftie power alone.
@@grahamkristensen9301 Definitely.TIFF always attracts people who want to see celebrities, but Taylor Swift being there for like 15 minutes made the pedestrian traffic go from "busy" to "human crush."
ALSO: the live band (not Taylor Swift-related) playing down the block got completely drowned out by the hundreds of Swifties scream-singing Taylor's songs. It was surreal.
I've yet to see her demonstrate talent on her own accord- what's the best song Taylor has ever written/produced without another big name songwriter/producer credited? Her vocals are mediocre at best, her lyricism is shallow and basic and her best melodies and chords are tied with producers and musicians that are beyond her. She has certainly collaborated with some talented folks- but I have yet to buy into the hype that she herself is talented and not just a nepo baby :P
@@ems0upthe whole speak now Taylor’s version is a record coming out next Friday from when she was 19-20 and she wrote all by herself to show the critics that she is an amazing storyteller on her own
@@ems0upshe’s not a nepo baby. She grew up privileged, but she’s pretty damn talented and hardworking. One of her albums is completely self-written and she has writing credits in every song. Girl works hard and writes great songs.
You need to give more money to whomever is responsible for that opening sequence.
@@mhawang8204really good skill
100%, it SLAPS. SO. HARD!
A friend convinced me to finally give Taylor a serious listen this year and...I only regret I waited this long. I always kinda vaguely liked the singles when I heard them but mostly discounted it as just another pop star. Yeah......yeah, no I'm all in now. Red (Taylor's Version) has shot to be among my favorite albums of all time and Taylor is probably in my top 10 artists overall. The opening notes of All Too Well never doesn't hit me with the weight of a collapsing star.
I started with Folklore just because it came to mind first and it hooked me, then my friend had me go back to Red, then I worked backward to the start and then forward again and...with how autobiographical her writing is, it's tough not to go read about individual songs to get the context for them and see a life unfolding across the years. I've never had an experience with a musician like that, the closest I can relate it to is Pink Floyd which to me is a strong compliment.
If she adapts The Last Great American Dynasty to a film that would be amazing, I was thinking about how there should be a movie about that story just last week, had no idea that was a rumor going around.
hope you're enjoying speak now taylors version!
@@andreaf8404 SO MUCH
I went the other way around-turning into a Pink Floyd fan from a Taylor Swift fan-and there's definitely a string between them that enticed us both. Not that I know what it is, I just think they're both a vibe.
@@justanotherboneclock8639 You can just sink into both so much, even though the emotions are so different between them it's still such a big experience to go through. Glad you found them, maybe you're on a journey to branch out into all sorts of prog rock like Yes and Rush now haha
shes just a trash person to me, that resembles a trash person I personally knew, even the same mental logic in her lyrics, and play victim bs
I'm so happy for Patrick that he got to the Mission Impossible premiere - the power of the internet can be used for good! I'm not that much of a fan of Taylor Swift but this was still really interesting. Also personally I thought the month+ period between videos was just a UA-camr setting boundaries on their time & everything is always so high quality, it's worth it
Tom Cruise is the world's biggest movie star! 🔥🔥🔥
Perhaps another popstar to director example to think about is Barbra Streisand, who went from a singing and acting career to directing Yentl and The Prince of Tides. Be Kind Rewind has an interesting video on her directorial debut
Didn’t know that cool
Oh yes! We need a supplemental talking about Streisand.
I thought the same thing
But she’s a good actress and Swizzle isn’t 🙃
@@mabusestestament Are you besmirching the star of The Lorax (2012)
That audio transition at the end from the video to the reveal is next level. Incredible video Patrick
Yes! I absolutely loved the concept and the musicianship on display there
The melodrama fits perfectly for the ATW fight, IMO. It's a fight between two immature people - a nineteen year old girl playing at adulthood and a twelve years older manchild dating her precisely because he is emotionally stunted and can't handle an adult relationship. The dinner party makes him uncomfortable because he is having to present the relationship to his peers, who can see how awkward it is. His girlfriend is insecure in this company and doesnt fit. Instead of reassuring her, he becomes embarassed at the view of the relationship he sees reflected by his friends, and pulls back from her. Falling back on gaslighting and repeated "fucks" is true to the character, who cannot face his own flaws or communicate in an adult way. So he tantrums like a teenager. Making the moment bigger or slowing it down and making it more articulate, would kill it.
I would also argue the pull out and slow push back in on Taylor in the sea in Cardigan is appropriate. The shot didn't need to be made more interesting. It would have distracted from the point being conveyed. The anxiety and feeling of overwhelm necessitates the pull back, which needs to be held on to make you feel the isolation. She is drowning in the emotional tumult, but no-one is coming to save her. There is no sun on the horizon. The only escape is pull back in and turn inward. To process (through music) the feelings that have turned her world so dark. Jazzing it up would distract from the point. We need to feel the intensity of the isolation and the slow agony of coming back to yourself in such a moment. I have no issue with her choice there
It does, but I get a strong feeling from how she uses the word in her songs that 'fuck' is not a word Taylor uses much in her personal life. She almost always puts too much emphasis on it, tries to use it like a hammer in the way only people who think of it as a naughty word do so it comes across as subtly unnatural when she uses it. It was something that really made me realize she has huge theater kid energy and is a big ole dork before I saw enough outside interviews and media to know for certain she's a big ole dork, which I appreciate.
@@jasonhunter2819we have multiple videos of her using fuck very casually lol (both in things she's approved the release of and like, she'll be caught on camera in the audience at award shows talking to someone), it's definitely a word she likes to use but felt hindered from using publicly for a long time. As someone who watches reaction videos to her music, I find the cursing stands out a lot to people who were aware of her sort of clean country pop princess persona before getting into her music, vs the people who are like "I've never really paid any attention to her before" who don't bat an eye at it
@@jasonhunter2819h no she definitely does her early persona was just that of the innocent country girl, she was definitely swearing like any other normal teenager. It's quite apparent, since the release of Folklore, swearing has become a regular part of her songwriting. Even the 10 minute All too Well version was originally written for the orininal red album (just was shortened for release) and had the line "fuck the patriarchy."
That piano in the ocean scene made me cry so much at first, and I didn't know why, until I focused on the actual video instead of the song, and everything made sense. That shot is very powerful, but it's not for everyone.
This exactly. It's all about the context of the narrative story. I enjoy that you can tell it's improvised and not very polished, it fits the relationship the story is conveying. Passionate, messy and short-lived. Yes melodrama can feel empty and childish but as you've perfectly explained it fits the characters and their dynamic in the story.
Great video. I respectfully disagree with your take on the kitchen argument scene of the All Too Well video however. The melodrama by the female lead was indeed earned and believable when you consider how very young Taylor Swift was when she was in the relationship that this song (and video) are based on.
My sister is a huge Taylor Swift fan. I never got the hype besides Reputation which I really enjoy but I always respected her to try something new with both her music videos and her music in general. Very few pop stars go that route nowadays. All of em seem very vanilla.
One big difference between her and other pop stars is that she basically writes all of her own stuff (and writes for a lot of other people too, IIRC). Nowadays, that's super rare in pop music (especially when a large amount of those songs are big hits - it just shows that she's super creative and talented, all on her own). And I say that as someone who's not into pop in general, and never got into her music. But I can definitely respect it.
I’m a fan of Taylor Swift's music and I’m concerned about her venturing into a new realm of entertainment. Directing and writing a feature-length film is no small task and definitely different from creating music. The fears about this not aligning with her previous creative outputs are valid, and the worry of it not meeting expectations is real. However, Swift has surprised us in the past with her ability to evolve and adapt. It'll be intriguing to see how she translates her storytelling skills from songs to screen. Let's hope for the best!
I liked that you took her seriously as an artist. As a swiftie I completely get that her music is not to everybody’s tastes, that’s 100% cool with me. But it’s in incredibly frustrating that 90% of the criticisms she receives is nothing to do with her music and everything to do with trying to prove that they’re edgy and different. One thing I will say is I get why people might not like the stuff they hear on the radio as Taylor’s said herself that she writes 3 songs on her albums that are made for everyone on radio and then her the rest of her albums are fucking amazing and people who I think would legitimately like them refuse to listen because they’re scared they’ll catch the uncool disease.
Well and especially with her early albums, she likely had very little control over which songs got promoted as radio singles. Her record label probably decided a lot of that. And they don't always pick the ones that people will actually love the most.
The reason I don’t listen to her is because I don’t like the musical style. The only songs of hers I like are the ones with a stronger beat like style and out of the woods. I respect her writing but I like my music more intense.
This!! The amount of times I’ve seen people say “all she sings about is her ex’s” like thanks for letting us know you’ve never actually listened to her and just ran with the media headlines
@@riverAmazonNZHaunted SNTV
I feel like there's this idea that if someone doesn't fit the "artist" aesthetic then they're not to be taken seriously. I also think three "artist" aesthetc is anything that is not feminine which to me is another form of misogyny. It's like people look at Taylor and assume she has nothing interesting to say.
That musical shift at the end was amazing
right???
25:20 the back shot of The Man in the subway station is more of a deeper cut easter egg that references 🛴 and him buying her masters. She’s literally peeing on her old masters and 🛴. Now, this actually serves the overall narrative on taking control of her music and undercutting (beating) the man in his own game. But I understand non-fans not catching on the reference and seeing a pointless long back shot.
As a swiftie and film buff, I'm really happy to have come across this video (and your channel!). I like that you objectively analysed her videos from a filmmaking perspective and not just obsess over the easter eggs and her ex's (I get tired of it too).
Actually, "No Body No Crime" is about a woman murdering the cheating husband of a friend, after the husband murdered his wife.
Also, as a fun fact, the cheerleading rival is also played by Swift.
Yeah, I was hoping he would mention that! Even her earlier videos often had interesting touches like that. For me it makes the entire song much better - just this subtle little undermining of the strong "not like other girls" dichotomy set up by the lyrics.
Awesome. I remember when I first noticed her ability to incorporate the most unusual words into her lyrics. "Anti-Hero" is truly brilliant that way.
the first video she co directed was actually mine from the speak now album in 2010 when she was 19 years old
I think the experience I had where I really understood Taylor Swift's appeal was when I decided to listen to the entire Evermore album in order, and as I was listening to the songs and lyrics, I ended up crafting this entire narrative arc around the songs about a love that ended tragically and the two trying to get together again...I'm not entirely sure if Taylor intended the entire album to be this way, but that was actually the power of her narrative in the songs...it convinced me that she was telling a story, not just singing songs.
The Man shot of the man peeing on the wall is actually a story telling device she used to help us with the rerelease order of the taylor’s versions, it also has Easter egg to scooter Braun in it!
I highly appreciate a video that does not go into the patronizing route when discussing Taylor Swift's work.
shes still garbo
I think that she is pretty, but I wish she had gotten into dancing instead. I don't think anyone should listen to any music other than classical and folk
@@Siegfried5846 Swift has literally written two folk albums... you have contradicted yourself lmao
@@CoolScratcher I did not know that. Does she sing folk music without a known author?
@@Siegfried5846you’re beyond saving if you think that classical and folk are the only genres worth listening to
If you read this Hello Emma!
That musical transition into Mission Impossible was beautiful. Brian Metolius once again showing off in the best possible way. Love the Essay Pat. cheers.
Could not agree more. Brilliant!
Hello!
as a big swiftie and an audiovisual student, I really loved what you said about what she needs to improve as a director, the choices she could’ve made in All Too Well or the man MV are spot on. I love the kitchen argument but at the same time I thought she could’ve directed it more too instead of just letting them improvise. So excited to see what she’ll do next though specially the movie
One correction: No Body No Crime is not about someone murdering their cheating husband, it's about a cheating husband who murders his wife when she finds out and the wife's friend then murdering him in revenge.
It'll be interesting to see what kind of film Swift makes as her first feature. I feel like the overacting in most of her music videos works since most of those scenes aren't really going for anything other than comedy, so if she tries to go for a more dramatic movie, she could have her work cut out for her. Although a film version of The Last Great American Dynasty could work with more of a comedic tone now that I think about it.
Part of me really hopes she decides to stick behind the camera. It'll help it not seem like a vanity piece, if nothing else
As far as I remember she said in the Vanity interview with Martin McDonagh that she would be interested in making romantic dramas movies.
I really will not be surprised if we get to see her someday show her latest feature film flooded with critical acclaim, gets up to the Oscar stage and take that ultimate validation of filmmaking greatness. She's smart, she's creative, and she assumes the authoritative role with a margin of freedom like a director does. I want to witness her realize her full potential in this endeavor.
I thought this was going to devolve into a Kanye interruption joke. Like she wins this prestigious award for her next step in her career and it happens again! 😅
@@T0xXx1k nop I dont think anyone will pull that stunt on her ever again considering what has become of the last one who did. Taylor works hard, yes, but Tayvoodoo works the hardest.
wake up!!!!
Patrick trying to get that Swiftie crowd. I can respect that.
Dude is a legit fan
What's next, pandering to flat earthers?
@@TaylorMade4Zero come on!
Haven't seen his videos in years and this popped up in my recommended
@@zil1832he's raking up Swifitie views😂
I personally could not be less interested in Taylor Swift and anything adjacent to her (because I'm one of those annoying pretentious music snobs who can't stand pop music I'm not proud of it but it is what it is). But I also don't have enough words for how glad I am you made this video essay, it's so deeply valuable it is for you to engage with such an overwhelmingly quote-unquote "girly" topic and to treat it so seriously, and to treat this female pop star as a real artist, because she is (regardless of whether to her work is to my personal taste), and to apply the same dedicated analytical lens you do to other topics that are generally considered more worthy of it by the mainstream. And it was a genuinely interesting and compelling watch and honestly so inspiring to see her career trajectory and growth as an artist.
If you’re not interested in her pop music, she also has made two indie/folk albums (folklore and evermore) if you enjoy that kind of thing!
@claudiaortensia4670 it's nice to see people who don't particularly like Taylor Swift but still appreciate and see her as an artist. I've seen so many people, even under this video comment section, that does not like her songs and just because of that deemed her untalented and dismiss all her works.
@@elliebehrady2108 You're right, that sort of thing does actually sound closer to my taste! I did hear good things about both these albums and what I heard did make it sound like something I'd enjoy, not sure why I didn't consider listening to those at least.
@@claudiaortensia4670 Theres a bit of variation in the sounds and genres across the two albums so hopefully theres something for you there!
@@lexiw638 I just feel very, very strongly about all art being appreciate and respected for what it is, and artists being acknowledged and recognized for their hard work and effort! And in particular women in artistic industries, or even just artists whose work is primarily popular among girls and women, because I feel people like Taylor often get dismissed as being shallow and unworthy and untalented for those reasons, and Patrick's comparison to Madonna reminds me a lot of the nasty hate she got back in the 90's. So even if I don't necessarily personally vibe with her pop music, I really feel the need to go bat for her and her creative efforts.
I am so glad that this video exist, Patrick is not wrong, and this opinion does not come out of the blue. Even as someone who is so third-party to witnessing her career and it's not even a fan of her music, it's very clear that she was taking steps to put her foot in the door, and to garner some kind of respect or clout around her name before she just immediately thrusted herself into a movie. It's easier for me to imagine Taylor Swift directing a movie than Fred Durst
You clearly cut a section out about Taylor (and Madonna) as actor. Are we to assume that is on Nebula? Is this the video that finally makes me get a subscription???
Some fantastic points you're making here, Patrick, I gotta say. I've never been into Swift's genre of music, so I had no idea that she was directing her own music videos/films. I'm definitely going to have to start looking into her work after this, so thanks for that.
I also have a strange compulsion to look into picking up a Henson razor, but I'm not sure why because I've been rocking a beard for the better part of two decades now and I haven't shaved since I was a teenager. I just. Gotta have one though.
You're probably right about what direction Taylor Swift would go in as a filmmaker, but... do we want her to write and direct a Marvel Special Presentation about Dazzler?
Also the transition from All Too Well to the Mission: Impossible theme was as smooth a shave from your sponsor, Brian doesn't miss.
I wanted to bring up a point regarding the overly long shots you mention in some of her first self directed videos. I can't speak to if this is true in all cases, but in the example you gave of The Man; that wall shot is filled with easter eggs. That's why it lasted as long as it did, to give us Swifties a chance to catch them and pick them apart. I could see how to a non Swiftie watching it might feel pointless or a bit boring, but it can't be denied she had a reason in this instance. Fair point on that cardigan shot though. 😂
"No body, no crime is about a woman murdering her cheating husband"
Um actually it's about a woman getting murdered BY her cheating husband and then the woman's best friend revenge murdering him but close enough
All I know about Taylor Swift is that her label hires nice crews, based on working with them for her Eras tour at the US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
She strikes me as someone who doesn't like negativity around her, which unfortunately probably breeds some yes men, but also makes it so she has better hiring practices than a lot of artists
more detail?
hate her or love her she is talented and I can't wait to see what she does in the film industry
not talented to me
We already have enough privileged and entitled people making movies. She's worth nothing.
Wasted talent :(
Reem, I'm not even a swiftie and I agree
Sir I must say. You are certainly a Swiftie. The best kind! A respectful, interested in her very interesting stories. Able to decode/ understand them for what they are on a deeper level. You can recognize and explain her talents and what makes her so superb in all the way. Not delving creepily into her personal life. Focusing on her music and meanings and talents. I’ve been saying Lynchian is to David Lynch as Swiftian is/ will be to Taylor Swift.
The sketch in the middle of anti-hero with mike birbiglia and the waitress from always sunny is genuinely really funny.
I feel like I turned this on to watch the first couple minutes out of morbid curiosity and it was an enthralling hour that breezed by.
It took me months to realize that the bit with the names from the title sequence is modeled after Brian De Palma's Mission: Impossible
I just realized something. Taylor Swift reminds me of all the book series I used to read when I was a tween. The book series starts off by the main character introducing themselves, then as time goes on, you can see how the events in their life changed them. It feels like each album is a book in the series called Taylor Swift's life.
Literally Kanye West
If her film bombs on both levels, she's gonna get teared to shreds, and that's a real shame. I couldn't care less about Taylor Swift, but today's climate of absolutely vitriolic delight in others' failures, especially those who already got something going for them, actively deters artistic progress
Well, can you really blame anyone for taking delight in others' failures in the arts where so many people are nepo babies who don't deign to admit they had a leg up (Ben Platt and the like) and validate the swathes of hopeful, talented normies for whom the door to such pursuits seems bolted. Personally, I think it's fair game for the current demographics of music and film/tv. If it was professional football, then you can forgive a familial connection (e.g., Lampard or Maldini) or rich, accommodating parents (e.g., Kaka or Lloris) because football is a capital-M meritocracy.
@@themidwife1624 I agree that any entertainer/creator who got in hollywood due to nepotism is a free ticket to fame, but I would argue that they should judged on the same basis that any entertainer who was not born a leg up in the industry.
I want to see directors succeed at a film they love, not be torn down by critics constanty, there’s a fine line between stating your dislike for a certain film & pointing out it’s percieved flaws AND tearing the director down, saying they’re talentless & trash, “don’t make movies ever again” kinda thing: imo we can kinder in our criticism, we don’t need to kill someone’s passion for art.
@@PurpleNoir Criticisms can be kinder, sure. But I hard disagree on the idea of judging nepo/privilege babies by the same standards. I think the film industry is crying out for new ideas and fresh perspectives and don't believe such creators can offer that given the nature of their upbringings. There's a much larger opportunity cost in giving that person a feature film to direct than giving it to a no name director whose transitioning out of smaller projects. And I think one way you crack down on nepotism in the industry is by shining a light on it and throwing around harsher critiques so that maybe these people get a smaller share of opportunities in the future.
You could probably care less about Taylor Swift. Everyone can afford to.
I think her songwriting is the perfect synthesis of country and pop. Country songwriting is all about telling a story with lots of specific details. So she had a better background as a storyteller than most pop songwriters, but she was able to tell stories that related to a younger and broader audience the way a lot of pop music does.
I read the title as "Next Great Dictator", which isn't that unthinkable.
I mean c'mon have you SEEN Tayler Swift fans
Well, call me Kent Brockman, because I for one welcome our new Swift overlord.
Taylor Swift fans being broke after spending 10k to see a swift concert 9000ft away
Honestly, probably the most benevolent dictator we'd be likely to get.
I saw that same mistake, Swift doing an Evita Dictatorship?, maybe I had it on my mind.
Honestly, i felt Patrick at 16:17. Between Taylor’s songs and all those Nickelodeon revivals on Paramount+, 2000s kids are old now.
I love Emma - and she makes me feel so so old!
born in 2003. i will be old enough to drink in 6 months.
Dude, your opening animation is so good. Love your thoughts, but I think I love your dedication even more.
lol, Patrick, take all the time you need to make these videos, because they are amazing. I know you probably feel bad, and I do appreciate trying to pick up the pace, but if you need more time always just take it cuz I know the videos are always 10/10. Keep up the great work.
Richie singing along to Love Story in s2 ep 7 of The Bear is already one of my favorite TV moments of 2023 ... and maybe all time?
Congrats on getting the tix to MI7 premiere! That's dope. And this was an awesome video overall. Had no idea Taylor was signed on to direct a film. Might be the biggest thing since Barbie, lol.
Man you rocked this video. I actually care about Taylors work now. I did not care for it befor but you have brought it to my attention.
I was already a big fan of Taylor Swift, but I totally agree! He makes a great argument. If you liked what he said about Taylor Swift, I’d totally suggest listening to her albums, specifically Evermore and Folklore. Have a good one!!
Knowing Patrick's intense love of comics, I choose to believe that Zoo Crew was a reference to DC's Captain Carrot series.
A little late to the party, but great video!! I always love when you explore topics that veer off the typical male film goer or film buff experience. Now I'm going to go watch the Mamma Mia masterpiece for the 10th time, brb
I wonder if Patrick has noticed the DC and Marvel references in Taylor’s songs (“Poison Ivy” in Don’t Blame Me, “Spider-Boy” in Karma, which is a deep-cut to an Amalgam Comics character. And lastly, She literally has a song called, “Superman”!!!)
I really doubt she meant the amalgam character
@@drewdenato Still, best coincidence of the year! 😆
I mean poison ivy is a plant and with spider-boy i think she intended to metaphoricly describe Scouter Braun as he was snitching away her albums. But superman definitly refers to the dc hero.
I think In Don't Blame Me, she's talking about Poison Ivy the plant
@@asf8648 Tomato, Potato 😂
Just watched this on Nebula and I'm very surprised to find out the Henson Shaving is a real sponsor. This is Oikos all over again.
When the "next time" card revealed what the next video would be I reflexively said "oh, jesus."
Oughtta be a spicy one.
The intro sequence is just so good. The animation, the music, just dope 🤌
3 minutes in, 2 things:
Incredibly laugh out loud moment with the ‘the essay should be no longer than.. *click*’
And the prologue almost looks like it’s shot on film. It’s not, right? Just amazing colouring!
I think they put a black pro mist filter on the lens. The softer contrast and highlight bloom really add to the look.
Fascinating video for me especially considering for me it was specifically Swift's music videos that won me over and made me a fan. Blank Space was when I went alright, this is great.
I was first introduced to her during love story. I've never been in a romantic relationship. The only remotely close are my experiences being se*ually harassed and assaulted lol. But her storytelling really put me in her shoes. It's like reading a compact novel delivered in a catchy tune. I don't really understand people who say they've grown out of her songs just because they're no longer in lovey dovey relationships. When people make fun of her songs, it just sounds like bullying someone for reading a romance novel and it just sounds like misogyny. How is it different from loving sports or loving gaming? It's passion for some sort of entertainment.
Some of the narratives to those songs are literally high school as a setting. That maybe what people mean, like they don't relate to the high school or Romeo and Juliette type love stories. Just IMO but in like 38 so I don't quite vibe with that 'era' anymore myself 😅 idk how old you are but that may be what the disconnect is. Just a thought.
🧡🦇✌️
All Too Well (Patrick's Version) was the perfect way to end the essay
and congratulations for getting to go to the MI premiere!!!
There's one other pop star turned director that I think is worth mentioning: David Byrne. His sole directing effort, 1986's True Stories, is a musical that also feels like a documentary about humans made by an alien. Despite the fact that he only has one film under his belt (so far), his other projects, both with and without Talking Heads, remind me a lot of Taylor Swift's work in terms of scale and ambition.
I believe the canoe scene in Karma is a reference to the River Styxx (apologies I'm not well-rehearsed in Greek god imagery.) There's a fascinating video that pairs each scene with an equivalent Greek God that fleshed out that concept much better than I ever could, Taylor the more experienced artist is leading the newer artist through... (a metaphor for a hell-like place/the music industry). The paddle lashing through her reflection (and yes there's a Greek God of mountains) is fascinating. At least she didn't drown in her own reflection. (My mind couldn't help but recall Midnights first single there.)
I've always seen Patrick as the Oasis of UA-cam... Also thank you Emma for reminding me I'm old... 8 in 2009, are you kidding me? I was in high school then lol
F*ck! I'm old.
I was in college in 2009 😂 age and time....ahhh sweet friends
I was in kindergarten hahaha
I was 39 in 2009. I am not much more than ash and dust now.
I reckon Patrick and the team have really upped their game with the lighting of Patrick in this one. Good stuff team!
Congrats on making it to the M:I premiere, Patrick!!! I found your channel through your M:I videos, which made me realize the love that I have for this franchise so it feels like it's come full circle somehow. Idk if you'll ever take a stab at the James Bond movies next (MAYBE my second favourite action film franchise ever after M:I) but know that I'll be here for it (and all your subsequent videos of course).
I hope she adapts The Last Great American Dynasty or No Body, No Crime. I feel like they are the most cinematic ones to date
That title sequence was slick as Hell.
Yours weren't too bad either :)
Patrick walking face first into Betteridge's Law of Headlines, ruh roh.
Excited to watch this one though!
Taylor is such an amazing storyteller and I would be so happy to live in a world where she has full creative control over a feature length film (or 2 or 10)
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE PREMIERE!!! 🎉
As a fan of film and as a fan of Taylor Swift (which I went to the eras tour back in April, aka the best experience of my life), this video was like made for me and it was great to watch. I don't think she will be the greatest filmmaker out there, but I think she will have a very good career as a filmmaker for all the reasons you brought up in the video and more, and i will be there for her first featture day 1. Also congratulations on going to the MI7 premiere.
Great video as always Pat. The highlight being of course the Tayto cameo at the start. The god of crisps
I semi-agree with the thought that she would do an autobiographical approach, but as a folklore/ evermore listener first, I have so much faith in her storytelling abilities not just in stories about herself. Obviously there will ve elements of herself in there no matter what because shes a good artist, but I didnt necessarily think she would make a movie just about a relationship for example, i feel its going to be very complex. I get the argument though so who knows.
I never comment on a video but this is so well done, researched, entertaining. Definitely subscribed!! I can’t understand how the channel doesn’t have more subscribers because it definitely deserves it
Would you consider Boots Riley enough of a pop star that his work as a director (Sorry to Bother You, 2018 and I'm a Virgo) would place him in the same pop-star turned director category alongside Melanie Martinez, Prince, Madonna, and now Taylor Swift?
two videos in other countries AND two videos with musical outros! wonderful work as always ("am I his Jake Gyllenhaal?").
psyched for the next one, especially after his new movie destroyed me.
Cant wait for her to make her cinematic debut. I feel like she could drop either a great drama expanding on All Too Well or swap over and do some insane horror flick
Money gives confidence, and opens doors normally closed for many...both are needed to get directing gigs...
The opening sequence. Is. Epic. Cannot wait to finish watching. The production vibes are clean and just…omg “Are you ready for it? YESssssS.” WATCHING THEN PROBABLY WILL COMMENT A LOT OF THOUGHTS.
This is cool. I don't really listen to much Taylor Swift but I have a newfound respect for what she is doing with storytelling in music videos! It kinda reminds me of MJ's work!
Hi Patrick (& Emma)! As someone who is not in your target demographic, this video was a real delight. I’m a Taylor fan (and it’s my name, ha), though not a Swiftie. This was a great dive into Taylor’s process that still had a healthy objectivity. In your opinion - do you think she will make a tour film of Eras like she did of Reputation, for those of us who couldn’t nab tickets?
I’ve been a fan of yours for a long time but really got hooked (and compelled to subscribe to Nebula) with your Little Women video a couple of years ago. Thanks for making videos about stuff you like, even if it’s not always what people expect.
One of my favourite youTubers, covers one of my favourite artists/directors, thank you.
I absolutely love the Anti-Hero music video. It is so funny and clever while also poignant. And the funeral scene is fantastic. The fact that her oldest son grew up to be Mike Birbiglia is amazing.
His delivery of, "That's from Fearless tour 2009," is perfect.
I like how your using what you learnd from your sgow host area to building this new format of the show
I can't say I know much about Taylor Swift, but I'm always happy to see a Patrick Willems essay appear.
hello literally only 5 minutes in but I just have to say this is why I love your videos, you cover topics that are so interesting and culturally relevant but in a rather unique way. And I love that you just make whatever you want algorithm be damned (ie: your mamma mia video, which I hold near and dear to me heart). Also, based on the comments you did get to go to the MI premiere and it truly couldn’t have happened to a more worthy person. Your MI video is the entire reason I gave the movies a chance (despite my strong dislike for tom cruise), and now I LOVE them! Can’t wait to see the new one.
Swiftie here! While she might have wanted a fresh visual approach, there were a lot of unnecessary drama around Joseph Kahn. There were accusations that he was stealing ideas, he was bullying swifties on twitter, and there were a lot of popular posts on Tumblr and The Swift Life (app developed for rep) begging her to stop working with him. I don’t know if it really matters, but her ending her directorial relationship with him was more than just creative. For reference: 22:32
The ending to this is so good. And did the Taylor swift thing you were talking about where you revealed something in your personal life that we have been following. I guess you are the Taylor Swift of UA-cam.
She stayed on the peeing on the wall longer so you could read the signage of the Easter eggs on the wall . There's a lot more to the stories if you know.. her videos are riddled with surprises . That in itself could be a university course.
Thank you for reminding me at the beginning of the video that there is a nebula-only section. It reminds me that I have a nebula subscription.
We’re so proud of you Patt
I agree so much with your opinion about the kitchen scene in all too well. As a former theather kid myself, the fight feels a little forced and like the intensity came out of nowhere
Finally! Somebody perfectly encapsulated exactly how I feel about the All Too Well Short film. It's a solid first stab at a film I just wish she was a bit more ambitious with its structure or possibly just released a short film that told the story of the song rather than a music video with a flash of dialogue.
Funnily enough, I was watching a tonne of music videos a few weeks back because I was so obsessed with seeing how various different genres of music covert the vibes of their songs into the visual language of film. And one of my recent favourites is The Shoes' Time to Dance video. Not only does it have a fantastically unhinged Jake Gyllenhaal performance as a serial murderer but it was perfectly cut to capture the frenetic energy of the electronic music without overly leaning into the stereotypical fast cuts to the beat vibe of a lot of electronic music videos
Things you love to see:
1) That opening title sequence
2) Patrick at the mission impossible premiere
3) A surprise bag of tayto I didn't know you could get in the US*
*working theory is Patrick's mum manifested them through sheer Irishness