"Artifact"

On Friday (17th January) I finally got around to watching the critically acclaimed documentary made by the band 30 Seconds to Mars (and directed by Jared Leto) and how they had the idea of making a documentary about their next album (named "This is War" during the lawsuit process feeling this was too appropriate). The tables turned however when they almost ended up getting sued by their own record company for $30,000,000 and their documentary played a huge part in every day people finding out what really goes on in the music industry.

One of the main reasons that I was attracted to this film was because I'm a huge fan of the band and have been for a long time. I knew something had been going on for a long time but in terms of the media, I myself, never heard too much about the lawsuit that went on between them and EMI. Maybe that was because I don't listen to much news or it was purposely not "put out" that much because of the success and power that EMI have in the music industry.

Below are some screen shots that I took from the film, not only because I found the shots interesting but because they are beautifully shot:

(Lee Trink: Former Pres. of Capitol Music Group - EMI)

(Jared Leto on one of the first phone calls on hearing of the lawsuit)

(Tomo Milicevic speaking throughout the documentary about their struggle)

(Shannon Leto and Jared Leto in one of their big meetings with their lawyer talking to the competitor over the phone)

(Amazing shot of Los Angeles where 30 Seconds to Mars spent most of their time during the recording of their album)

(Jared Leto on the phone to his lawyer after not hearing from EMI after thousands of promises)

(Chester Bennington from Linkin Park talking about the hidden struggles of the music industry)

(Tomo and Jared jamming in the studio they built)

(The build up of how long it takes EMI to get back to Jared, despite being promised the next morning)

(The continuation of the build up and numbering what day it is of the lawsuit)

What surprised me most about 'Artifact' is that even though there were four film makers during the entire process, the film felt very smooth and you never noticed what camera man was shooting what footage. With over three thousand hours of footage, you have to give credit to the editing team of narrowing down that footage and smoothing it out perfectly. 

Now when I listen to the album "This is War" it feels so much more passioniate that I could have ever imagined. The songs are very powerful but I didn't know the fight and the power games that were going on throughout the making of this, and that is why it just screams at you now. They truly showed not only the music industry, but the media industry overall that it's about fighting for what you believe in, and not giving up despite questioning why it is happening to you.