As Tone Deaf reported this morning, Aussie indie outfit SAFIA are a bit miffed after seeing the recently unveiled video for Ariana Grande’s hit ‘One Last Time’. In a statement posted to the band’s Facebook page, the group claimed that Grande’s video was in fact a rip-off of their ‘You Are The One’ clip.
“This might just be coincidence, but to us it looks like either the people at Ariana Grande’s label or the film maker have seen our clip for ‘You Are The One’ and reworked the concept a little bit and then straight up stolen and copied some bits… (ESPECIALLY THE END!),” the band wrote.
“Wouldn’t be the first time uncreative talentless fucks from big labels and/or big film firms steal ideas from small independent creatives who are trying really hard to make something different for a change.” Indeed, J Award winners Clubfeet made headlines last year after it was alleged their J Award-winning video was jacked for a One Direction clip.
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However, Perth band Injured Ninja think SAFIA need to calm down. “[We] think SAFIA should chill the fuck out about Ariana Grande,” they wrote on their Facebook page. “Everyone likes one shot end of the world videos – you aren’t special folks.”
The post was attached to their video for ‘Fallopian Tube Screamer’, which was produced by VIS Productions and directed by Dominic Pearce. Indeed, the two videos are rather similar, both depicting a character running through an apocalyptic scene, edited into one take, and ending with an embrace between characters.
Meanwhile, the director of Grande’s clip, Max Landis, who employed similar handheld POV effects in his film Chronicle, has weighed in on the controversy, tweeting at Jimmy Ennett, who directed SAFIA’s video. “Your video KICKS ASS. It sucks that the last shot is so similar,” Landis wrote.
“But it’s also similar to a MILLION OTHER SHOTS framed exactly the same way from a million other things.” He also gave Ennett and the band a “pro tip”, sharing Injured Ninja’s clip and writing, “Don’t accuse someone of stealing for having similar tropes if you REALLY ACTUALLY STOLE YOUR VIDEO YOU’RE ACCUSING THEM OF STEALING.”
@JimmyEnnett @SAFIAmusic I'm a fan of your work too, your video KICKS ASS. It sucks that the last shot is so similar..
— Max Landis (@Uptomyknees) February 17, 2015
And just give you some advice, as a friend. I'm being a friend to you right now.
— Max Landis (@Uptomyknees) February 17, 2015
I talked to Safia and they were very cool about it, but guys, I gotta be serious with you for a minute, as a creative person
— Max Landis (@Uptomyknees) February 17, 2015
Protip: don't accuse someone of stealing for having similar tropes if you REALLY ACTUALLY STOLE YOUR VIDEO YOU'RE ACCUSING THEM OF STEALING.
— Max Landis (@Uptomyknees) February 17, 2015
