Music

The Best New Music Video Directors - Part Two

by Anne T. Donahue

When it comes to music videos and their directors, it’s impossible to limit the best and most memorable to only five, so while earlier last week we covered some of our favourites, here’s the next instalment of our thoughts on who’s making the biggest impact in the world of video direction.

Christopher Mills

The force behind iconic videos for Broken Social Scene, the Tragically Hip, Interpol and Modest Mouse, Toronto’s Christopher Mills has been working with film since his childhood, having spent much of his adolescence making short horror films with his friends before going on to study at Sheridan College and Ryerson University.  However, though each program was to meant to educate him formally, it was his time spent at a Winnipeg art co-op and his stint working part-time at an HMV that helped him develop his trademark style.

Renowned for his unique mix of live action, 2D and 3D filmmaking techniques, Mills has taken otherwise simple concepts and helped make them magical, transforming each video from a standard visual counterpart to an entirely different form of expression.  Having won a Juno for Broken Social Scene’s 2007 Stars and Sons, he’s also the mastermind behind Modest Mouse’s 2005 video hit, Float On, and continues to make his distinct mark on countless other video endeavours by indie rock royalty.

Marcus Söderlund

A favourite of fellow Swedish artists, director Marcus Söderlund has worked with the likes of Miike Snow, Taken By Trees and jj, and after directing The xx’s heart-warming video for Vcr, he recently made his mark on the international video circuit.  Known for his visual storytelling techniques, Söderlund is also an accomplished documentary filmmaker and commercial director, both of which have undoubtedly contributed to his talent for making each music video feel personalized, intimate and inviting

Using colour and space to capture viewers and keep their attention, the director’s ability to add to the artist’s original story has earned him accolades from musicians, fans and peers – as well as from critics, who placed him on Pitchfork’s list of The Top 50 Music Videos of the 2000’s for his work on Silly Crimes by The Tough Alliance.  Having already directed two videos this year, 2010 will hopefully see further efforts from Söderlund, who manages to take art and video direction to entirely new and refreshing levels.

Scott Cudmore

Scott Cudmore has already solidified himself as a distinct and bankable industry presence, having directed videos for Sloan, The National, Great Lake Swimmers, Hidden Cameras and Timber Timbre as well as having worked on various films, commercials and artistic projects – including that of Camera Music creator.  Cudmore’s understated direction style conveys emotion and depth in a unique and engaging way, adding both to the video’s narrative as well as to the artist’s original track.

Renowned for a distinctly raw and organic approach to his filmmaking techniques, Cudmore’s visual endeavors manage to make each video feel like short films reminiscent of early avant-garde cinema, while he still successfully manages to combine elements of modernity with striking visuals.  Refusing to abide by formulas and the mainstream direction style that has become increasingly prevalent, it’s exciting to think of the director’s future projects that will undoubtedly promise to challenge both musicians and viewers in new and innovative ways.

Richard Ayoade

An actor, comedian, writer and director, London’s Richard Ayoade has come to embrace countless aspects of the entertainment industry, having originally come into recognition following his work on Britain’s The Mighty Boosh and The IT Crowd.  In 2007, he directed the Arctic Monkeys film, At the Apollo (a live album DVD that went on to win Best DVD at the NME Awards) which led to his work on future video instalments for the esteemed UK band.

Most recently, Ayoade earned attention for the 2009 Yeah Yeah Yeahs video, Heads Will Roll, as well as for his visual depictions of the Arctic Monkeys’ Cornerstone and Crying Lightning.  A director with a penchant for originality and fearlessness, he’s also worked on videos for Vampire Weekend, Kasabian, the Last Shadow Puppets and Super Furry Animals, and has proved that while a trademark style may be fine for some, Ayoade’s only characters tic is his flair for the diverse.

Price James

The go-to for various UK and North American artists extraordinaire, Price James has taken his mix of intense visual effects and conceptual artistry and applied it to the music of Peaches, Florence and the Machine and Simian Mobile Disco, keeping each video stylish and intriguing, but still reflective of each musician.  Previously deemed a “trendy” director for his work with up-and-coming buzz-bands, James managed to successfully prove his critics wrong by presenting videos that maintain interest and originality, but that also showcase meaning and longevity.

A favourite of pop-disco artists Friendly Fires, James’ unconventional techniques mimic the band’s energy and exuberance, while the playfulness displayed for Florence Welch’s Kiss With a Fist earned attention for its simplicity and appropriateness.  And with so many burgeoning artists currently coming out of the UK, it goes without saying that James’ work will undoubtedly continue to make an impact with both musicians and viewers.