Music careers

What does it takes to be a music video director and get your work shown on the internet and MTV around the world? These days the power of music video can give an artist a hit record around the world without them ever having to leave the country that they’re in! Video is also a powerful way to convey an artist’s image to a new audience and it can give a song meaning or even be a short film in itself. See if any of your favourite videos were made by these 10 heavyweights…

JOHAN RENCK

Johan Renck has directed stars like The Streets ‘Dry Your Eyes’, Kylie Minogue ‘Love at First Sight’ and Robbie Williams ‘Trippin'’, Madonna personally called Johan to request that they work together and he directed the videos for her 1999 single ‘Nothing Really Matters’ and this year’s massive come back track ‘Hung Up’. 

SPIKE JONZE
Spike Jonze has moved onto movies these days, but his music videos are some of the most distinctive of the last 10 years – check out Beastie Boys ‘Sabotage’ and Fatboy Slim’s ‘Weapon of Choice’ and ‘Rockafeller Skank’  – he’s also responsible for Björk ‘It's Oh So Quiet’ and worked with Jonny Knoxville to create the Jackass stunt show for MTV.

JONAS AKERLUND
Jonas Akerlund is also known for having a completely unique take on making music videos just take a look at a few of his favourites; Madonna ‘Music’, ‘Anerican Life’ and ‘Ray of Light’, Christina Aguilera ‘Beautiful’, Robbie Williams ‘Sexed Up’ and ‘Come Undone’ and even the Prodigy’s controversial ‘Smack My Bitch Up’

DAWN SHADFORTH
Flying the flag for female directors (and they are in a minority), is Sheffield director Dawn Shadforth who’s work includes Kylie’s ‘Spinning Round’ and ‘Can't Get You Out Of My Head’ videos as well as Goldfrapp  ‘Number 1’ and ‘Ooh La La’ and The Streets ‘Weak Become Heroes’.

MICHEL GONDRY
Frenchman Michel Gondry can thank Björk for the turning point of his career; he directed her debut solo video, ‘Human Behaviour’. He’s also done Kanye West ‘Heard 'Em Say’ and ‘The Hardest Button To Button’ and ‘Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground’ for the White Stripes.

HYPE WILLIAMS
Some people say Hype Williams is responsible for making urban music the world’s biggest selling genre today, notching up vids for some of the biggest names including Kanye West ‘Diamonds from Sierra Leone’ and ‘Golddigger’, The Game & 50 Cent  ‘How We Do’, Blu Cantrell ‘Breathe’ Kelis ‘Caught Out There’, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg ‘Still D.R.E.’

CHRIS CUNNINGHAM
Chris Cunningham is recognised as one of the most eccentric director’s on the planet, he’s most famous for his scary Aphex Twin videos, but did you know he also directed the vid for Madonna’s ‘Frozen’ and Bjork’s ‘All Is Full Of Love’?

 

DAVID LACHAPELLE
Fashion photographer turned video director David LaChapelle’s talent is making everybody look beautiful on screen – so he’s very popular with the laydeeez! His huge catalogue of work includes Christina Aguilera ‘Dirrty’ and ‘The Voice Within’, Gwen Stefani and Eve ‘Rich Girl’, Joss Stone ‘Super Duper Love’ and Britney Spears ‘Everytime’.

SCOTT LYON
Scott Lyon is the man behind the videos of the new wave of British Indie Rock bands, if there’s bunch of skinny guitar playing geezers with asymmetrical hairdos; he probably made their video. Just a few of his credits include: Franz Ferdinand ‘Walk Away’, Kaiser Chiefs ‘Modern way’ Hard-Fi  ‘Living for the Weekend’ and Bloc Party ‘Banquet’.

PAUL HUNTER
Paul Hunter is hotter than a hot thing at the moment, and as Pharrell’s director of choice you’ll find his work on any urban playlist you care to check out. How about Pharrell, and Gwen Stefani ‘Can I have it like that?’ Snoop Dogg and Pharrell ‘Signs’, Pharrell and Jay-Z ‘Frontin', Pussycat Dolls ‘Don't cha’, Gwen Stefani ‘Hollaback Girl’, Justin Timberlake ‘I'm Lovin' It’ and ‘Señorita’.

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