Beautiful Noise (film)

HypFilms

Company type	Independent film studio
Industry	Film production
Founded	2004
Founder	Eric Green
Key people	Eric Green (writer and director), Sarah Ogletree (producer and editor)
Products	Documentary films

Beautiful Noise is a 2014 American music documentary film crafted by Eric Green, who both wrote and directed it. The film explores the legacy of three seminal rock groups—Cocteau Twins, the Jesus and Mary Chain, and My Bloody Valentine—and their significant influence on the development of shoegazing and alternative rock. It features more than 50 interviews, alongside archival clips and music videos.

The project began production in early 2005 with Sarah Ogletree serving as producer and editor. Although most of the work was completed by 2008, progress was delayed due to financial and legal complications. To finalize funding, Green initiated a successful crowdfunding effort on Kickstarter, which was bolstered by endorsements from the bands involved through social media channels.

Beautiful Noise had its debut screening at the Seattle International Film Festival on May 31, 2014.

Overview

Focusing on the late 1980s to early 1990s UK underground music scene, Beautiful Noise spotlights Scottish ethereal/dream pop pioneers Cocteau Twins, Scottish noise pop innovators the Jesus and Mary Chain, and Irish alternative rock trailblazers My Bloody Valentine. It demonstrates how their groundbreaking sound shaped the shoegazing movement, influencing bands such as Ride, Slowdive, Chapterhouse, and Lush. The documentary includes interviews with over 50 musicians, featuring notable figures like Wayne Coyne (The Flaming Lips), Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), and Robert Smith (The Cure).

In addition to interviews, the film showcases rare archival footage, television performances, music videos, and tour visuals from the highlighted bands. It also draws attention to contemporary artists inspired by shoegazing, including A Place to Bury Strangers, Wild Nothing, and M83.

Production

Eric Green penned and directed Beautiful Noise, with Sarah Ogletree producing and editing under their studio HypFilms. The concept originated in late 2004 when Green recognized a scarcity of documentaries about bands he had long admired, despite numerous films about groups like the Beatles, as well as genres such as punk and rap. Pre-production commenced in early 2005, followed by principal production beginning in March of that year. Green conducted interviews with the featured musicians over several years.

In 2007, an unauthorized email leak regarding Beautiful Noise attracted attention from major media outlets including The Guardian, NPR, and Pitchfork Media, which expanded public awareness of the project. This exposure prompted Green and Ogletree to launch a crowdfunding campaign via Kickstarter aimed at covering costs related to music rights licensing, clearances, and distribution. Their target was $75,000, with participating artists actively promoting the initiative on social platforms. The campaign concluded successfully on December 16, 2012, exceeding its goal by $9,740 from a total of 1,511 backers.

Between 2005 and 2007, Ogletree edited multiple versions guided by preliminary scripts from Green. The documentary incorporates archival material alongside bespoke artwork created in partnership with artist Angus Cameron. Brad Laner, founder of Medicine, composed the original score. Following the increased visibility after the 2007 leak, additional artwork contributions were made by John Nugent and Timothy O'Donnell alongside Cameron’s pieces. Ogletree finalized the editing process after completing the Kickstarter funding phase.

Release

Initially planned for a 2008 debut, Beautiful Noise encountered significant distribution obstacles caused by expensive music rights, the 2008 financial crisis, and a downturn in DVD market demand, which postponed its launch. When Green initiated the Kickstarter campaign, the anticipated release was set for 2013; nevertheless, ongoing licensing complications caused further delays. The documentary had its first screening at the Seattle International Film Festival on May 31, 2014, and subsequently made its international premiere at the Sheffield DocFest in England on June 8.

External links

• at Kickstarter