"Artifact" is a portrait of the making of 30 Seconds to Mars' third studio album, aptly entitled "This is War". The album was written and recorded independently while the band was in the midst of a brutal 10 month, 30 million dollar lawsuit with their record label EMI.
In between a personal history of the band, recording sessions, and negotiations, we get a talking heads take on the record industry from industry insiders and other recording artists. In addition, there is a sequence that explains the endlessly complicated and one sided nature of the typical recording contract. Even in a digital age, there are still allowances for things like breakage and packaging.
The documentary should appeal to anyone wanting to know more about the endless battle between art and commerce, whether you're an artist negotiating those shark filled waters, or an individual trying to support your favorite band. In addition, anyone who knows frontman Jared Leto only through his acting career ("Requiem for a Dream", "Dallas Buyers Club") will get a nice introduction to another side of the multi-talented artist.
In between a personal history of the band, recording sessions, and negotiations, we get a talking heads take on the record industry from industry insiders and other recording artists. In addition, there is a sequence that explains the endlessly complicated and one sided nature of the typical recording contract. Even in a digital age, there are still allowances for things like breakage and packaging.
The documentary should appeal to anyone wanting to know more about the endless battle between art and commerce, whether you're an artist negotiating those shark filled waters, or an individual trying to support your favorite band. In addition, anyone who knows frontman Jared Leto only through his acting career ("Requiem for a Dream", "Dallas Buyers Club") will get a nice introduction to another side of the multi-talented artist.