Music Video Directors

[redhawk23]

Something I've noticed recently is that there are a large number of successful directors of about the same age that all got their start making music videos. Not only that but a number of them even worked for the same company I've now found out. This includes David Fincher, Spike Jonze, Zach Snyder, Romanek, and Michel Gondry.

A lot of these directors are known for having a lot of style, but I've also heard a lot of complaints that in many cases their focus is too much style.

Now mind you the above examples are of course not the only examples of famous directors of films that started in music vids. What do you guys think, with music video directors do you think that there is widespread substituion of style over substance? In my opionion they don't seem on the whole to be better or worse in the story department than any other directors, although I do agree that they often times have very distinct style in their films.

 

[Rac]

Anton Corbjin is pretty excellent director.

 

[scifiwolf]

Well, there's that old saying "everybody's gotta start somewhere." I suppose the same goes for directors. There are plenty of Oscar-caliber directors who get their starts directing music videos as opposed to indie films or something. I really don't think that being a "music video director" should be an automatic strike against a director's reputation.

 

[KenK]

Well, there's that old saying "everybody's gotta start somewhere." I suppose the same goes for directors. There are plenty of Oscar-caliber directors who get their starts directing music videos as opposed to indie films or something. I really don't think that being a "music video director" should be an automatic strike against a director's reputation.

But it's surprising how often some folks around these boards carry it that way. Usually, they just hate that director anyway, but feel the need to bring up the music video directing thing as a negative for no genuine reason.

 

[BizarroAids]

Francis Lawerance and McG worked for the same company, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Justkidding]

Francis Lawerance and McG worked for the same company, if I'm not mistaken.

Pretty much all the big movie directors now worked for Propaganda back in the 80's and 90's.

 

[redhawk23]

Pretty much all the big movie directors now worked for Propaganda back in the 80's and 90's.

I know its crazy, even michael bay.

 

[redhawk23]

Pretty much all the big movie directors now worked for Propaganda back in the 80's and 90's.

I know its crazy, even michael bay.

 

[Octoberist]

Let's not forget the greatest director of our generation: Brett RATNER!!!

 

[S.A.A.D.]

Something I've noticed recently is that there are a large number of successful directors of about the same age that all got their start making music videos. Not only that but a number of them even worked for the same company I've now found out. This includes David Fincher, Spike Jonze, Zach Snyder, Romanek, and Michel Gondry.

A lot of these directors are known for having a lot of style, but I've also heard a lot of complaints that in many cases their focus is too much style.

Now mind you the above examples are of course not the only examples of famous directors of films that started in music vids. What do you guys think, with music video directors do you think that there is widespread substituion of style over substance? In my opionion they don't seem on the whole to be better or worse in the story department than any other directors, although I do agree that they often times have very distinct style in their films.

You left out Samuel Bayer(the dude who directed the remake of A Nightmare On Elm Street) and Micheal Bay.

 

[Dark Victory]

Such a shame that Chris Cunnigham never went big.

 

[ShivNasty]

McG: bad name, worse director