Student takes celebrated music video to Cannes

One man stands alone against a black backdrop that sets the stage for a message. Dressed in a sharp black suit, he offers up silent prayers as graphic images of war, Sept. 11 and political leaders collide in the background. A female's voice is heard singing, \n"This world's a shame, it's time for a change. As time goes on, the hate still remains, so who do we blame? People are dying, the blind lead the blind. And all we say is, 'It's a sign of the times.'" \nSuddenly he snaps into action and delivers the words of a world torn by war. This is the opening shot of Ole Brereton's music video, "Sign of the Times," a project he began three years ago that recently has been receiving notice. A telecommunications and fine arts photography major in his final semester at IU, Brereton's first and only music video won the Broadcast Education Association's Festival of Media Arts award for best experimental video; he will be recognized today at a ceremony in Las Vegas. \nBrereton received hometown honors from the National Society of Arts and Letters, winning the Chapter Career Award for $1,000. It is the top award for visual arts in the local chapter of the society. \nThe video also earned him first place from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in Hollywood, the same academy that awards the Emmys. Price Hicks, director of educational programs and services for the academy, said judges look for the way the music is used to tell the story, original scores being a definite plus. Pieces are evaluated on originality, execution of concept and performance. \nBrereton's writing, directing and editing took him to Los Angeles during spring break to accept the top prize. \nThe contest, which had more than 700 entries in nine different categories, gave Brereton a name on the industry's narrow list.\n"Before, I was just another student," he said. "Having that on a resume can help you spark up a conversation with people in the industry. It shows that you've accomplished something."\nPaulette Maiden, a member of Price's staff, said winners have access to a lot of great things such as a banquet, a film festival showcasing the winners' work and a networking session in the recipients' honor. Christopher Masterson, who plays the oldest brother on the FOX show, "Malcolm in the Middle" presented Brereton's award. The big names in attendance gave Brereton the chance to network by handing out press kits. \n"It was more like a business trip than a vacation," he said.\nHicks, who has worked with the academy for 20 years, said she knows the kind of impact an award from the academy can have on a recipient's career. \n"A good piece of work is the student's calling card when they start the job search," she said. \nAlong with connections made in the states, Brereton's work will be seen overseas. Kodak awards the winning aspiring filmmakers $2,000 to attend the Cannes Film Festival in May, where they are going to show "Sign of the Times" in its entirety. \nAlthough this is Brereton's first music effort, he said he is inspired by hip-hop artists like TuPac who rap more about reality than fantasies.\nWhile Brereton said his aim was not offend, his message can be seen as controversial. \n"I wrote it after 9-11. I've always been opposed to war," he said. "I'm trying to capture all the raw emotion of war and death and destruction that's happened ever since 9-11." \nThe Bloomington native said he has a distaste for America's political system as it is now but has personal ties to the war he is against. Brereton's best friend and girlfriend are in the army and when he accepted his award, he thanked the servicemen and women in the armed forces. "I dedicated it to them," he said. \nThose interested in seeing Brereton's film along with his other work, can visit his Web site: www.olebrereton.com.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Lauren Cooper at lancoope@indiana.edu.