True, but your example is rather flawed using Michel Gondry, I think you are confused between Lo-fi Aesthetic as a style of Directing.

I know what you are saying, and it's great that whole pen and paper theory, but it's not really that realistic.

no i'm not
and
no it isn't

Yes you are

And

Yes it is.

yes well...we obviously come from different places Ben and it is all a matter of opinion.

in indonesia, mtv's been quite nice to us, they let us show videos of indie band's clip. and even on local mtv's awards years ago, the winners are from indie band with young directors, although mostly are low budgets and sometimes using the band's and the director's money, but it's satisfying, because we can let out all our creativities without any boundaries. since that happened, major labels kinda get pissed of and started to inflict, nowadays, it's harder to put indie clips because they make it hard for us. in the end, it's all about the money guys... :( survival for the richest.

Nothing new there then did.?

the Michele Gondry videos are absolutely big budget. He may not rent a mansion, a dozen tricked-out SUVs, and an army of eye candy (you know, to 'keep it real') but those videos required top cinematographers, pro editors and lots and lots of post-production.

maybe not a death, but a rebirth, we need better directors, who arnt that concerned with the obvious (i.e bouncing tits and ass), and as ben said Chris Cunningham is still doing his thing, just more though and maybe less budget

I dont think Chris Cunningham makes videos anymore. I'm sure he's working on a movie called 'Neuromancer'.

Chris was working on the adaptation of Neuromancer but it all fell apart, he continues to work in promo's and commercials and I beleive another feature.