SHOT: Against Me! - Marc Klasfeld, director

Against Me! frontman Tom Gabel with director Marc Klasfeld on the set of "Stop," the band's new video/spot to support the Rock The Vote campaign.

artist: Against Me!
song: "Stop"
label: Warner Bros.
director(s): Marc Klasfeld
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Hilary McCrae – Adria Petty, director

artist: Hilary McCrae
song: "Every Day (When Will You Be Mine)"
label: Hear/Concord
director(s): Adria Petty
production co: Harvest
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Duffy – Adria Petty, director

artist: Duffy
song: "Mercy"
label: Island Def Jam
director(s): Adria Petty
production co: Harvest/Merge @ Crossroads
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Seether - Tony Petrossian, director

artist: Seether
song: "Rise Above This"
label: Wind-Up
director(s): Tony Petrossian
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEWS: Phil Griffin Goes To Rockhard & RFM

Director Phil Griffin has signed with Rockhard Films and will be repped by Robin Frank Management.

Griffin has been one of the top video directors out of the UK, largely working with such pop acts as Westlife, Dannii Minogue, Daniel Bedingfield and Girls Aloud.

Griffin is best know in the US, however, for his Amy Winehouse videos "Rehab" and "No Good." He was recently with Anonymous Content, which produced his "Good Friends And A Glass Of Wine" video for Leann Rimes.

NEW RELEASE: Skillz "The 07 Rap Up"

Take one underappreciated rapper, throw in some news clips, build it around a singular concept and you've got a recipe for a clip that should get people watching and talking. Just ask Ice Cube. The formula also works for Koch artist Skillz, whose annual recap of the year in urban music was finally augmented with a well-deserved video. The Virginia rapper reminds us how many ridiculous things can happen to famous people in 12 months, while the video uses file footage and hilarious recreations of the year's shakers, movers and losers. Director Mr. Roboto brings a polish to Skillz DIY-style, but leaves the rough edges sharp enough to cut a pompous celebrity down to size. (review by Craig Belcher) --> watch "The 07 Rap Up" via MySpace or YouTube

Skillz "The 07 Rap Up" (Koch)
Mr. Roboto, director | Amanda Fox, producer | Robot Films, production co | Robin Frank Management, rep | Joe Provenzano, DP | T. David Binns, editor

NEW RELEASE: Coheed & Cambria "Feathers"

Keeping up appearances as a quintessential 1950s suburban TV family is harder than it seems. It takes serious money to keep food on the table and sometimes you have to get a little creative and find ways to, ahem, stretch your meat. The matron of the lovely Feather family depicted in this new Coheed & Cambria video has come up with an even more ingenius idea, however. Why spend your family's money at the supermarket when there's plenty of opportunity to seduce, butcher and cook all the free range longpig that roam in your own neighborhood? This cannibalistic ode to the 1989 cult classic Parents works like a charm, thanks in large part to director Marc Klasfeld being able to capture all the menace that lurks at the heart of everything that we thought was wholesome about both TV families and the food chain. --> watch "Feathers" via Sony Musicbox or YouTube

Coheed And Cambria "Feathers" (Columbia)
Marc Klasfeld, director | Dave Robertson, producer | Rockhard Films, production co | Yon Thomas, DP | Richard Alarcon, editor

TURN ON YOUR TV: Coheed & Cambria "Feathers" MTV2 Debut

The brand new Coheed And Cambria video "Feathers" is airing all day — aka 12 times in total — on MTV2  as part of the channel's "Unleashed" promotion.

Rockhard Films director Marc Klasfeld delivers a parody of the "perfect" nuclear TV family of the 1950s. Get a taste via a teaser clip, a fake wiki page and more at a promo site called Meet The Feathers.

NEW RELEASE: Erykah Badu "Honey"

In this debut clip from from her first release in five years, New Amerykah (Part 1), Erykah Badu visits a beloved, but endangered species… the record store. Badu sees her self pictured on various album covers — from the current (Nas' Illmatic) and the classic (Funkadelic's earthbound Maggot Brain and the apposite Ohio Players' Honey) — mouthing the words to this mellow funk joint. During a brief interlude, Ms. Badu pays homage to OutKast's"Hey Ya," complete with a throwback wardrobe and the requisite duplicates of herself. The video by Badu and director Chris Robinson —now aka Mr. Roboto —  is a savvy tribute to popular music and the remaining places that distribute it in its traditional state. That show of respect is only reinforced by the end, when Badu hands the clerk her cash and lets him keep the change. Try doing that in iTunes. (review by Craig Belcher) --> watch "Honey" (via Yahoo)

Erykah Badu "Honey" (Universal Motown)
Erykah Badu & Mr. Roboto, directors | Megan Gutman, producer | Robot Films, production co | Robin Frank Management, rep | Crash, DP | T. David Binns, editor

BOOKED: Estelle f/ Kanye West - Syndrome, directors

artist: Estelle f/ Kanye West
song: "American Boy "
label: Homeschool/Atlantic
director(s): Syndrome 
production co: Robot Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Sean Kingston - Ray Kay, director

artist: Sean Kingston f/ Elan from The D.E.Y. and Juelz Santana
song: "There's Nothing"
label: Beluga Heights/Epic/Koch
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Jordin Sparks f/ Chris Brown - Chris Robinson, director

Reigning American Idol Jordin Sparks says hello to her labelmate and de facto reigning pop idol,  Chris Brown...

artist: Jordin Sparks f/ Chris Brown
song: "No Air"
label: Jive/ZLG
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: Robot Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Vanessa Carlton - Marc Klasfeld, director

artist: Vanessa Carlton
song: "Hands On Me"
label: The Inc./Universal Motown
director(s): Marc Klasfeld
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Trey Songz - Ray Kay, director

artist: Trey Songz
song: "Last Time"
label: Atlantic
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Trey Songz - Syndrome, directors

artist: Trey Songz f/ Plies
song: "Can't Help But Wait"
label: Atlantic
director(s): Syndrome
production co: Robot Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Chingy - Syndrome, directors

artist: Chingy f/ Ludacris & Bobby Valentino
song: "Gimme That"
label: Disturbing The Peace/Island Def Jam
director(s): Syndrome
production co: Robot Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Serj Tankian - Tony Petrossian & Ara Soudjian, directors

artist: Serj Tankian
song: "Sky Is Over"
label: Serjical Strike/Warner Bros.
director(s): Tony Petrossian & Ara Soudjian
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Erykah Badu - Chris Robinson, director

artist: Erykah Badu
song: "Honey"
label: Universal Motown
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: Robot
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: M.I.A. "Paper Planes"

You know gangsta rap isn't quite so scary anymore when the likes of 50 Cent is considered safe enough to be the face of a line of vitamin enhanced sugar water. M.I.A., on the other hands, probably scares the heck out of lots of folks on the Giuliani mailing list with her militant and third world appropriation of hip-hop. M.I.A. takes the g-rap cliches of slinging dope and banking money, but adds a nice post-millennial terrorist spin with verses about forging visas and murdering hostages. Director Bernard Gourley — who has established some impeccable rap credentials with videos for The No Limit crew, Three 6 Mafia, E-40, etc, etc — plays down the menace, choosing instead to reinforce the connection to hip-hop by portraying M.I.A. as some sort of undercover dealer. Imagine Master P's "Ice Cream Man" — worth watching that clip just for the site of P clutching his old school mobile phone — as a food vendor in one of those ubiquitous Halal street carts. Nice. The rest of the video matches pastiche style of the song with a quick cameo by  original hip-hop outsiders Beastie Boys and an intro with "Paper Planes" descending upon NYC.

    At the end of the day, though, this video is really just a means to the slyly manufactured controversy that M.I.A. whipped up when she posted a (ow disappeared) rambling and ALL-CAPS blog post about how she was shocked — shocked! — that the song's distinctive gunshot chorus would have to be edited for play on any responsible corporate channel and decided to sabotage a big MTV run. It's a ballsy and calculated move that would have made The Clash proud — the ultra-catchy and compelling "Paper Planes" is basically a remix of the Combat Rock track "Straight To Hell" — but I have to say that one cringing look at this YouTube clip of two chicks doing it up M.I.A.-style is all I needed to understand why most TV stations either avoids or throws warnings on anything that might provoke imitable behavior. --> watch "Paper Planes"

M.I.A. "Paper Planes" (Interscope)
Bernard Gourley, director/editor | Maryann Tanedo , producer | Immigrant Film, production co | Robin Frank Management, rep | Joe Maswell, DP | Baked Goods, vfx

PROFILE: Jessy Terrero, director

Jessy Terrero's credits as a director run the gamut from the 2004 comedy Soul Plane to some deadly serious videos for 50 Cent.

Recent clips include:

• Ludacris f/ Mary J. Blige "Runaway Love"
• 50 Cent f/ Akon "I Still Will"
• Santana f. Chad Kroeger "Into The Night"

name: Jessy Terrero
company: Terrero Films
job/title: owner/director

first video: My first video was for a Toronto based rap group called Ghetto Concept. I was writing treatments at the time for other directors, so they knew I was behind many of video concepts they had admired. They asked me to write a treatment for this video they were trying to do for $10,000.  I originally was not up to direct it, but since I wrote the concept they felt I was the one who should bring it to life.  Six months after the video's completion it was nominated for best rap video that year in Canada. --> watch "Precious Metals"

strangest video: The strangest video happened to be one I shot for Kay Slay.  The Mayor’s office denied us filming permits in Kay Slay’s projects, so we moved the shoot to a project in Yonkers.  During a set up which involved cameos ranging from G-Unit to Foxy Brown to Raekwon, a fight suddenly broke out between rival crews from Yonkers.  For once, it had nothing to do with us, but it just happened to be on our set.  The police were present, but when the shots rang out they were nowhere to be found. Once the smoke cleared, the police started to resurface.  At one point there were six grips trying to hide behind a bench made for two people. --> watch "Too Much For Me"

what's next: Nurturing the growth and development of Terrero Films. Partnering with my long time rep Jalina Stewart and producers Josh Goldstein and John Nguyen, we have developed a strong roster of fresh talent across the board. It allows me to not only direct a wide range of videos, but it also gives me the opportunity to mentor all the young directors we have signed. Starting with Ulysses Terrero, Rich Newey and Steven Oritt, we plan on taking our company to the forefront of music video and commercial production. I believe with the music industry constantly influx and the need for more innovative approaches to marketing, now is the perfect time for a new company to emerge.

NEW RELEASE: 50 Cent f/ Akon "I Still Will"

"The Curtis Supremacy" or "The G-Unit Ultimatum" were probably not considered as alternate titles when 50 Cent was told he could not use the original lyric/title “I'll Still Kill” on music television, but this video will definitely remind you of Matt Damon’s amnesia. The song title and chorus are certainly less menacing as "I Still Will," but director Terrero doesn’t let that get in the way of a grimy, spy/crime infused storyline. The prison sequences have a distinctive and intense look with plenty of lens flares and a distorted depth of field that adds a bite, while the "action" sections with 50 stalking a variety of "high value targets" like a one-man Blackwater seems like they must have been toned down in the edit. Let it be known that nothing gets in the way of this man’s chill. (review by Doug Stern) --> watch "I Still Will"

50 Cent feat. Akon "I Get Money (remix)/I Still Will" (G-Unit/Interscope)
Jessy Terrero, director | Jonathan Lia, producer | Terrero Films, production co | Shawn Kim , DP | Jeff Selis, editor

BOOKED: Backstreet Boys - Bernard Gourley, director

artist: Backstreet Boys
song: "Helpless When She Smiles"
label: Jive/ZLG
director(s): Bernard Gourley
production co: Immigrant Film
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Johnta Austin - Ray Kay, director

artist: Johnta Austin
song: "The One That Got Away" 
label: So So Def/Island Urban Music
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films 
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Seether "Fake It"

We hold these music video truths to be self evident: Most rap and rock stars don't have lear jets, sexy booty girls do not follow them around all day ready to fulfill their ass-shaking needs and all those beautiful people you see on-screen are only so beautiful because of all the "beauty work" that gets applied to each and every frame. It's all a sham and everybody knows it and, perhaps more absurdly, most fans expect and demand it. Director Tony Petrossian — who previously turned a caustic eye on the two-dimensional artifice of the Hollywood life in his Stone Sour video "Throught The Glass" — takes viewers behind the scenes on a series of faux-videos created to perfectly match Seether's new "I can smell the bullshit from here" single, "Fake It." Each clichéd set-up looks hot and expensive and over the top, but in the end they are all just videos and far from anything you — or most stars, for that matter — would experience in real life. There a few jabs at specific video trends and directors — the letterbox flourishes pioneered by Hype Williams, for example — but they come across as playful nods of respect and not playa hatin'. --> watch "Fake It"

Seether "Fake It" (Wind-Up)
Tony Petrossian, director/editor | Dave Robertson, producer | Rockhard Films, production co | Robin Frank Management, rep | Michael Bernard, DP

BOOKED: Jay-Z - Chris Robinson, director

artist: Jay-Z
song: "Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)"
label: Roc-A-Fella/Island Def Jam
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: Robot Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: I-Nine - Ray Kay, director

artist: I Nine
song: "Seven Days Of Lonely"
label: Arista/J Records
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: M.I.A. - Bernard Gourley, director

artist: M.I.A.
song: "Paper Planes"   
label: Interscope
director(s): Bernard Gourley   
production co: Immigrant Film
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: 50 Cent f/ Akon - Jessy Terrero, director

artist: 50 Cent f/ Akon
song: "I'll Still Kill"
label: G Unit/Interscope
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEWS: RFM Signs Director Bernard Gourley

Robin Frank Management is now representing director Bernard Gourley of Immigrant Film. Credits include:

• 50 Cent f/ Robin Thicke "Follow My Lead"
  
• Talib Kweli "Hot Thing"
• Hurricane Chris "A Bay Bay"
• Lil' Flip feat. Lyfe jennings "Ghetto Mindstate"
• DJ Khaled f/ Consequence, Kanye West & John Legend "Grammy Family"
• E-40 "Tell Me When To Go"

NEW RELEASE: Alicia Keys "No One"

At Mexican restaurants you can usually get a condiment caddy that comes on a rotating lazy-susan with four different sections – one red salsa, one green, sour cream and guacamole. The latest video for Alicia Keys "No One" is just like that, except that the side-dish Zoetrope is the inner-mechanism of a musicbox that spins between various performance set-ups and styling looks rather than delicious chip accouterments.
    Director Justin Francis, most often associated with Saline Project, lets Ms Keys look four kinds of beautiful while the four way division also allows the video to show off four different kinds of product placement watches. The video ends with a block party in an alley with rain coming down and an upbeat, celebratory feel that matches the energy of the track. Also, getting Alicia wet actually gives the video a fifth hairstyle. Yahtzee! (review by Doug Stern)--> watch "No One" via YouTube and SonyBMG Musicbox

Alicia Keys "No One" (J Records)
Justin Francis, director | Alison Foster, producer | HSI, production co | Robin Frank Management, rep | Pascal Lebeque, DP | Jarrett Fijal, editor | Paula Good, production designer

NEW RELEASE: Vanessa Carlton "Nolita Fairytale"

Nope, it's not deja vu."Nolita Fairlytale" indeed begins exacly like director Marc Klasfeld's breakthrough clip for Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles" in which the singer and her piano go traveling far and wide. But, Ms. Carlton isn't looking to replicate the past; She's looking to shatter it , which is exactly what happens to the paino when she jumps out and lets it get smashed by a taxi. Once on foot, Carlton takes the viewer on a tour in and around the Nolita neighborhood which, as any New Yorker knows, has gone from shoddy to stylish over the past decade. This depiction gores beyond that, however, depicting the hood as a true fantasy land filled with giant magic mushrooms, living chess pieces and even mounted police on Unicorns. --> watch "Nolita Fairytale"

Vanessa Carlton "Nolita Fairytale" (The Inc./Universal Motown)
Marc Klasfeld, director | Meredith Welsch, producer | Rockhard Films, production co | Robin Frank Management, rep | Max Goldman, DP | Richard Alarcon, editor

SHOT: Nelly - Chris Robinson, director

First video off Nelly's forthcoming album Brass Knuckles...

artist: Nelly
song: "Wadsyaname"
label: Fo Reel/Derrty/Universal Motown
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Wyclef Jean "Sweetest Girl"

Having a clique/label named Refugee Camp uniquely qualifies Wyclef Jean to solve any/all of the world's immigration problems, but the goal here is a bit more personal: 'Clef wants to make sure "The Sweetest Girl" gets into the country. Despite that stated concern the former Fugee spends most of the video performing this tune on his acoustic and collaborating with Akon and Lil' Wayne inside a refugee camp. Thankfully, the Sweetest Girl ain't so sweet and decides to take matters into her own hands by launching a molotov cocktail and starting a full scale riot among her fellow detainees. The eventual outcome is left TBD as an ending title promises that these "memoirs of an immigrant [are] to be continued."

    While you wait, however, you should also check the viral video for a totally different vibe. Although the official video is a deadly serious opus with feature film aspirations, this director-uncredited "viral" is way more light-hearted —  nothing more than a constant stream of consciousness visual riffs on the lyrics — and will probably leave you smiling and humming the melody instead of thinking about what you (or Wyclef, or Sally Struthers) can do to save the world.  --> watch "The Sweetest Girl" (or watch "The Sweetest Girl" viral)

Wyclef Jean f/ Akon, Lil' Wayne and Niia
"The Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)" (Columbia) [official video]
Chris Robinson, director | Alison Foster, producer | HSI, production co | Omer Ganai, DP | David Blackburn & Harvey White, editor

PROFILE: Marc Klasfeld, director

Music video director Marc Klasfeld has done it all. So, we will let the work speak for itself.

Humor and buzzworthy clips? Here ya go:

• Alien Ant Farm "Smooth Criminal"
• Sum-41 "Hell Song"
• Chamillionaire "Hip-Hop Police"

Rock? You bet.

• Taking Back Sunday "MakeDamnSure"
• Avenged Sevenfold "Bat Country"

Hip-Hop? Please.

• Nelly "Country Grammar"
• Jay-Z "Girls, Girls, Girls"

Pop? Of course.

• Vanessa Carlton "A Thousand Miles"
• 'NSync "Grilfriend"

And that's just scratching the surface of his videography — which can be viewed in higher res versions at his Rockhard Films site — and not mentioning such big hits as Foo Fighters "Times Like These," Shop Boyz "Rock Star" and many others.

So, now that the work has spoken, it is Marc's turn to speak for himself.

name: Marc Klasfeld
company: Rockhard Films
job/title: director/owner

first video: Jimmy Santis "In Jesus Name" - I was still in film school and saw an ad on the NYU board that a guy had $1500 to shoot a Christian rock music video.  I showed Jimmy this short S&M film I made in class and although he frowned upon the content, he loved the execution and hired me.  The video sucked, but it opened up the world of music videos to me: Romanek, Jonze, Hype, Gondry, Bayer and others who were all making the career of "music video director" something noble. I was so turned on by vids, I actually wrote a book at the time called "The Art of Video," which was a vain attempt at a Cahiers Du Cinema-like Auteur Theory for video directors.  I never did anything with the book, but it stored an encyclopedia of video knowledge in my head and gave me a deep creative pool from which I'm still inspired.  I also started Rockhard Films around this video and Rockhard is easily the thing I'm most proud of because its a company run from a director's perspective, where now other directors can fully realize their visions.

strangest video: I'm kind of known for strange videos, so you can just throw a rock at my reel and hit one, but I'll just pick my Enrique Iglesias "Don't Turn Off The Lights" video because it was so outrageous and deemed in "bad taste" by the label that they declared it never be seen again.  You can see it on YouTube now, and some people think its one of my best.  The video was also the inspiration behind my Bears documentary. We had Enrique making love to an amputee, being chased in a gay bear bar and getting a rectal exam in a doctor's office.  Even by today's standards of pop stars gone wild, its still really strange for people to consider Enrique like this, but it makes me smile every time I watch it.

what's next:  Becoming a black belt in jiu-jitsu.  I've been working on it for 5 years.  Jiu-Jitsu is a huge source of inspiration for me and it gives me perspective on the music video industry.  Everyone is down on the industry these days but I'm now involved in commercials, TV, movies and docs and I'll say this: Separate from indie film and docs, there is no place with the freedom and creativity level of music videos for directors.  The video industry will rebound and be much stronger for it.  The history is too rich. The form too special.  A technological invention will come along and change everything.  The record industry is by nature excessive — it's rock 'n roll after all — and things can happen quite quickly.  When I try to describe what I do in vids to people outside the industry, its difficult to keep a straight face because it doesn't really sound like a job. In fact it sounds quite ridiculous when you say it out loud.  My Dad sold hats for a living, my Mom was a secretary — every time they see a video of mine, their reaction is always the same: I can't believe that you get paid to do this.

BOOKED: Wisin & Yandel - Jessy Terrero, director

Video for the Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel shooting in the Dominican Republic...

artist: Wisin & Yandel
song: "Sexy Movemiento"
label: WY Records
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films
rep: Robin Frank Management
DP: Thomas Kloss

SHOT: The Dream - Ray Kay, director

Braggadocio ain't nothing new in hip-hop or r&b, but it takes serious cojones to insert the lyric "I don't no hook for this hit" in your debut single. Then again, this song is one big hook in and of itself. Although The Dream may be a new name as an r&b singer, his songwriting credits — under government name  Terius Youngdell Nash — include such hits as Rihanna "Umbrella," Britney Spears featuring Madonna "Me Against The Music" and B2k "Everything." The smooth b&w clip with swatches of color falls in the lineage of the "Drop It While It's Hot" and "Flava In Ya Ear" videos, but with a style all its own. The most notable element is the handwritten lyrics matched with thumbnail images that give the clip a casual scrapbook feel — not to mention the many beauties who slowly pulse to the beat and an almost scene-stealing introductory verse by Fabolous. --> watch "Shawty Is a Ten"

The Dream "Shawty Is A Ten" (Island Def Jam)
Ray Kay, director | Jill Hardin, producer | Rockhard Films, production co | Robin Frank Management, rep | Anders Flatland, DP | Zuk, editor

NEW RELEASE: Serj Tankian "Empty Walls"

Freed from the confines of System Of A Down, Serj Tankian lets loose with a giddy, yet downright serious video that depicts a bunch of kids playing a game of war. And not just any war, but the Iraq War — with 9/11 as the illogical, yet quite accurate starting point for our current foreign entanglements. Telling this sad tale through the conceit of kids at playtime does indeed threaten to diminish the seriousness of the situation. That said, it also underscores just how horrifying this shit is. The sight of a toy plane knocking over a block Twin Towers has a visceral kick on several levels since it brings up memories of the day and makes you wonder if children are indeed incorporating that sort of awfulness into their fun and games. The kids playing Abu Gharib isn't meant to produce a laugh; it's meant to leaves you sick and utterly appalled at what's been carried out in the name of our country. That seriousness of intent — regardless of the silliness of these preschoolers — is underscored by the revealing conclusion where you're reminded that the absurdity of war doesn't make our dead soldiers any less dead. --> watch "Empty Walls"

Serj Tankian "Empty Walls" (Serjical Strike/Warner Bros.)
Tony Petrossian, director | Nicole Acacio, producer | Rockhard Films, production co | Simon Thirlaway, DP | Richard Alarcon, editor

IN DEPTH: Chamillionaire "Hip Hop Police"

Maybe winning a VMA for his video "Ridin" raised the stakes. Maybe he didn't want to be remembered as one-hit wonder. Whatever the case, Chamillionaire has stepped up big time with what's undoubtedly the most ambitious and entertaining hip-hop video of the year. Cham and director Marc Klasfeld go for laughs and social commentary, creating something that would be perfectly at home  between the Chapelle Show and The Daily Show. "Hip-Hop Police/Evening News" is damn good and damn funny. And, Cham does a much better impression of a white person than Bill O'Reilly.

Marc Klasfeld, director: "The Shop Boyz 'Party Like A Rock Star' video with Universal Records video commissioner Robin Simms had been a great experience. She invited me to her office to meet Chamillionaire, who said he wanted to do something different for Hip-Hop… really different. Something with the impact of my Scarface 'My Block' video in terms of message. Once I heard the songs, I suggested we go back to Hip-Hop's roots in social commentary. Not that there is anything wrong with a good booty video, but there is currently a shortage of meaningful Hip-Hop videos in a world that is rife with topics for rappers to discuss. I told him there is only one man we need to turn to for influence: Ice Cube. His songs and videos in the '90s were provocative and ballsy. When Cham saw Ice Cube's 'True To The Game' video, he got excited to do something that challenging. Check out that video and imagine it playing on BET today.

I said we have to dive into the N-word controversy head first. All the pundits are discussing it, but no one in Hip-Hop is. Hip-Hop needs to respond to this. So, the video imagines a world where rappers are under siege and rap is outlawed - all because Cham is misheard using the N-word by the Hip-Hop Police. Cham plays multiple roles in the video, including himself and an officer, just like it is on the track. He also plays the role of a right-wing like news show host. Putting him in 'white face' took about four hours, and the morning of the video he got cold feet about it. It took some convincing by me to get it done. We should've videotaped that motivational speech, it was pretty hilarious.

There is a lot of satirical imagery, like the SWAT team raiding Roscoe's. We combined shot footage with stock footage, a concept I had played around with on my movie The L.A. Riot Spectacular. I love the idea of not knowing what is real and what is fake — sort of like watching the actual news. We also shot a video for 'Evening News' which riffs on current events and then combined the two into like a 9 minute short film. For 'Evening News' we again took stock footage shots and digitally altered them for satirical purpose — like with what I was calling a NASCAR tank, riding through Iraq with sponsorship logos all over it.

I'm really excited about the positive reaction to the video. Robin Simms and Cham deserve a lot of the credit too. I don't want to sound like an pretentious art house Jarmusch type, but Hip-Hop could really use more vids and songs like this. They aren't selling records anyway, so why not take a shot at something different?"

--> watch "Hip Hop Police/Evening News" (full screen Flash version)

Chamillionaire "Hip Hop Police/Evening News" (Universal Motown)
Marc Klasfeld, director | Billy Parks, producer | Rockhard Films, production co | Robin Frank Management, rep | Barry Norwood, DP | Richard Alarcon, editor

BOOKED: Alicia Keys - Justin Francis, director

artist: Alicia Keys
song: "No One"
label: J Records
director(s): Justin Francis
production co: HSI Productions
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Backstreet Boys - Ray Kay, director

Let the comeback begin...

artist: Backstreet Boys
song: "Inconsolable"   
label: Jive/ZLG
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Enrique Iglesias - Jessy Terrero, director

artist: Enrique Iglesias
song: "Tired Of Being Sorry"
label: Interscope
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films
rep: Robin Frank Management
DP: Maz Makhani

NEW RELEASE: Chamillionaire "Hip Hop Police"

Chamillionaire hits hard with a double dose of surprisingly political raps crossed up with some laugh out loud comedy, making for a sort of hip-hop spin on The Daily Show. The rapper plays himself as the “hassled by the cops” guy once again, but this time makes it clear that he feels it's hip-hop that's under attack and he's ready to fight back. Director Marc Klasfeld keeps the jokes focused and sharp as Chamillionaire plays nearly every roles in the dual clips – including a detective, a pasty newscaster and even himself as a televised talking head in the no spin zone. Guest rapper Slick Rick, brings his lilting sense of narrative as Chamillionaire captures the classic Flavor Flav vibe in the sense that he's cracking jokes while speaking some serious truth to power. The overall feel is joking and playful, but it is clear Chamillionaire is NOT messing around. (review by Doug Stern) --> watch "Hip Hop Police/Evening News" (full screen Flash version)

Chamillionaire "Hip Hop Police/Evening News" (Universal Motown)
Marc Klasfeld, director | Billy Parks, producer | Rockhard Films, production co | Robin Frank Management, rep | Barry Norwood, DP | Richard Alarcon, editor

SHOT: Emily King f/ Lupe Fiasco - Syndrome, directors

artist: Emily King feat. Lupe Fiasco
song: "Walk In My Shoes"   
label: J Records
director(s): Syndrome   
production co: Robot Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Ne-Yo - Jessy Terrero, director

Shot in the Dominican Republic...

artist: Ne-Yo
song: "Can We Chill"
label: Island Def Jam
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films
rep: Robin Frank Management
DP: Thomas Kloss

SHOT: Vanessa Carlton - Marc Klasfeld, director

She hasn't gone hip-hop, but Vanessa Carlton's next album — Heroes & Thieves, due  October 27 — is her first for Irv Gotti's The Inc (aka Murder Inc, the home of Ja Rule).

artist: Vanessa Carlton  
song: "Nolita Fairytale"   
label: The Inc/Universal Motown
director(s): Marc Klasfeld 
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Keke Palmer - Syndrome, directors

artist: Keke Palmer
song: "Footworkin"
label: Atlantic
director(s): Syndrome
production co: Robot Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Santana f/ Chad Kroeger - Jessy Terrero, director

"Into The Night" is one of three new tracks on the upcoming Santana career retrospective, Ultimate Santana. The video stars Freddy Rodriquez (Grindhouse, Six Feet Under) and Dania Rodriguez (aka AJ's girlfriend Blanca on The Sopranos).

artist: Santana feat. Chad Kroeger
song: "Into The Night"
label: Arista/J Records
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Kat DeLuna - Jessy Terrero, director

Shot in the Dominican Republic...

artist: Kat DeLuna
song: "Am I Dreaming"
label: Epic
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Common f/ Lily Allen - Chris Robinson, director

artist: Common f/ Lily Allen
song: "Drivin' Me Wild"
label: Geffen
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Gwen Stefani f/ Damien Marley - Saline Project, directors

Shot on-location in Puerto Rico and Jamaica...

artist: Gwen Stefani f/ Damien Marley
song: "Now That You Got It" 
label: Interscope
director(s): Saline Project
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Serj Tankian - Tony Petrossian, director

To support the System Of A Down singer's solo album, Elect The Dead, due out October 23....

artist: Serj Tankian
song: "Empty Walls"
label: Serjical Strike/Warner Bros.
director(s): Tony Petrossian
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Chamillionaire - Marc Klasfeld, director

artist: Chamillionaire
song: "Hip-Hop Police" and "Evening News"
label: Universal Motown   
director(s): Marc Klasfeld
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: The Last Goodnight - Marc Klasfeld, director

artist: The Last Goodnight
song: "Pictures Of You"
label: Capitol
director(s): Marc Klasfeld
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management
DP: Shawn Kim

BOOKED: Pretty Ricky - Syndrome, directors

artist: Pretty Ricky
song: "Love Like Honey"   
label: Bluestar/Atlantic   
director(s): Syndrome
production co: Robot Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Modest Mouse - Justin Francis, director

The Modest Mouse track "Little Motel" will come to haunting life via a music video tale about a tragic night for a single mother and her child. The photo shows director Justin Francis lining up a shot with his crew on-location in Reno, NV.

artist: Modest Mouse
song: "Little Motel"
label: Epic
director(s): Justin Francis
production co: Just One Film/HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

PROFILE: Tony Petrossian, Rockhard Films

Tony Petrossian is a music video director. Since the only name he drops in his Profile is Jean-Claude Van Damme — and it's a self-deprecating reference, no less —I figured it made sense to list some recent credits, just to frame his formative tales of filmmaking:

• Taking Back Sunday "Liar"
• Stone Sour "Through Glass"
• Avenged Sevenfold "Beast & The Harlot"

OK. Now, enjoy ..

name: Tony Petrossian
company: Rockhard Films
job/title: director

first video: The first music video I ever did cost $1k. It was close to a decade ago and I did it to help out a rapper friend of mine. The idea? A rapper stuck inside a TV set. From inside the box, he holds a remote control and every time he clicks it, the scene outside the TV changes. I paid a key grip to build a rod iron swivel arm that we bolted to a flatbed truck. On one end of the arm was the TV set with a prerecorded performance. On the other side, we mounted a camera and a chair where I sat.  I looked like a WWII airplane gunner as we flew down the streets, swinging the arm insanely from side to side to get as many backgrounds as possible behind the TV set. To my surprise, we never got pulled over.

strangest video: Every video is strange in its own way. But the strangest project I've been involved with was not a video at all. It was a film I made when I was 15. At the time, my friends and I were totally impressed with an 18-year-old blackbelt who somehow found his way into our crew. The dude showed me a picture of Jean-Claude Van Damme at a breakfast table in his underwear, and I was somehow convinced he was really connected to Hollywood. I spent two weeks writing a feature centered around him and his martial arts skills. We shot on a couple Sony Hi8 cameras after school and on weekends, using friends as actors and crew. I suppose this was my Don Quixote project, because it was cursed from the start. First, I nearly killed my best friend shooting a scene which called for his feet to be tied with rope that extended up and over a tree branch and was tied to a car as it sped away in the opposite direction. Since none of us had drivers' licenses, we used my Grandmother as a stunt driver. God rest her soul. She couldn't hear us well enough when he yelled for her to stop so she kept driving and dragged my buddy all the way up the tree and almost over the branch. Ultimately, she stopped just in time to save his life... and probably my career. Next, we broke into a house in the hills of Glendale, CA, which was up for sale. Our intentions were to shoot a few scenes in the yard because of the incredible view. Well, a couple neighbors freaked out when they saw my friends in three-piece suits walking the perimeter of the yard with toy rifles. Within moments, the police stormed the house with guns drawn. Up until then, I didn't even know that Glendale PD had a chopper. Finally, the same 18-year-old Hollywood wannabe who inspired this project actually ended up robbing my parent's house. Dad, what can I say? You were right about him. Among the items he took were the video camera and all the footage we shot. He's since left the state. Probably for the best. That film would've sucked pretty bad.

what's next: I'm prepping a shoot for a band called Gallows out of the U.K. And I'm excitedly awaiting my biggest production ever: A little baby boy! My first. Pre-production was about 9 months ago so he should be arriving any day now. Of course, my wife will be the real director on this one — at least during delivery. I'll just be the useless dude in the corner cheering her on while, ahem, keeping an eye on my blackberry. I know. I should be ashamed of myself. Other than that, I'm working with my movie agent to find the right script to launch my feature career. I'm also doing everything possible to avoid finishing my own script. This includes running four miles a day, reading the backs of cereal boxes and cleaning the house repeatedly. Anything to avoid the dreaded task of screenwriting. Hey, I think I'm starting to see my abs again.

NEWS: DNA Signs Adria Petty

Production company DNA has announced the signing of director Adria Petty, whose credits include:

• Mat Kearney "Undeniable"
• Regina Spektor "Us"
• Ditty Bops "Wishful Thinking"

She will continue to be represented by Robin Frank Management, in conjunction with DNA.

SHOT: T.I. feat. Wyclef - Chris Robinson, director

artist: T.I. feat. Wyclef Jean
song: "You Know What It Is"
label: Grand Hustle/Atlantic
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: Robot Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Avril Lavigne - Marc Klasfeld, director

Normal people get His and Her towels. Celebrity couples operate on a different scale, however, so it's only right that newlyweds Avril Lavigne and Sum-41 frontman Deryk Whibley have videos in production with the same director.

"When You're Gone is shooting over three days in L.A.

artist: Avril Lavigne
song: "When You're Gone"
label: RCA
director(s): Marc Klasfeld
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Sum-41 - Marc Klasfeld, director

Normal people get His and Her towels. Celebrity couples operate on a different scale, however, so it's only right that newlyweds Avril Lavigne and Sum-41 frontman Deryk Whibley have videos in production with the same director.

artist: Sum-41
song: "Underclass Hero"
label: Island Def Jam
director(s): Marc Klasfeld
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Shop Boyz "Party Like A Rock Star"

Director Marc Klasfeld has done his fair share of breakthrough work for many rock and rap stars, establishing several different styles along the way. There are party rock videos for the likes of Avenged Sevenfold, but also serious portraiture based work for rappers like Juvenile. But, he's never fused those two strains together like he gets to do in the video for "Party Like A Rock Star" from up-and-coming rap group Shop Boyz. The video kind of  plays like a greatest hits reel of Klasfeld's videography, but it's an overall perfect fit for a rap song that celebrates the excess that was once the epitome of rock 'n' roll. --> watch "Party Like A Rock Star"

Shop Boyz "Party Like A Rock Star" (On Deck/Universal Republic)
Marc Klasfeld, director | Billy Parks, producer | Rockhard Films, production co | Robin Frank Management, rep | Yon Thomas, DP | Richard Alarcon, editor

SHOT: Apocalyptica - Tony Petrossian, director

Here I have a photo of director Tony Petrossian (third from left) with the members of Apocalyptica in Los Angeles for their video "I'm Not Jesus" and I can't come up with anything clever to say about a bunch of dudes in eyeliner who play heavy metal on cellos. Damn.

artist: Apocalyptica feat. Corey Taylor (of Slipknot and Stone Sour)
song: "I'm Not Jesus"
label: Sony BMG UK
director(s): Tony Petrossian
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Paul Wall "I'm Throwed"

Self-proclaimed "iceman" Paul Wall joins Jermaine Dupri, current cameo whore Travis Barker and some guy who isn't William Hung* for a chilled out b&w video that features some of Wall's diamond-heavy creations. Creative team Syndrome steps up to the plate too, laying down some silky motion design reminiscent of Robert Hales' vids for Jet "Are You Gonna Be My Girl?" and Gnarls Barkley "Crazy." (review by Kevin Holy) --> watch "I'm Throwed"

*No, that's Wall's jewelry and TV show partner, Johnny Dang.

Paul Wall  "I'm Throwed" (Swishahouse/Asylum/Atlantic)
Syndrome, directors/editors | Clark Jackson, producer | Robot Films, production co | Robin Frank Management, rep | Brandon Cox, DP

SHOT: Enrique Iglesias - Jessy Terrero, director

artist: Enrique Iglesias
song: "Do You Know (The Ping Pong Song)"
label: Interscope
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films
rep: Robin Frank Management
DP: Ketil Dietrichson

SHOT: Shop Boyz - Marc Klasfeld, director

The term "Party Like A Rock Star" probably conjures up many images in your mind. May they all be replaced by this photo of director Marc Klasfeld and a poor woman on the set of this video for Atlanta rap group Shop Boyz.

artist: Shop Boyz
song: "Party Like A Rock Star"
label: OnDeck/Universal Republic
director(s): Marc Klasfeld
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Musiq Soulchild - Marc Klasfeld, director

artist: Musiq Soulchild
song: "Teachme"
label: Island Def Jam
director(s): Marc Klasfeld
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Mat Kearny - Adria Petty, director

artist: Mat Kearny
song: "Undeniable"
label: Aware/Columbia
director(s): Adria Petty
production co: DNA
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Mike Jones "Mr. Jones"

Mike Jones vs. Mr. Jones. The former is the real rapper, a once poor guy still comfortable in the culture of the streets. The latter is the public persona of  the rap star, a wealthy baron now living in the lap of luxury. It's probably a duality that Jones has dealt with since making a name for himself with the Platinum album Who Is Mike Jones?  This split-screen examination focuses on the shared similarities, while showing what's possible when these two sides can coalesce in one personality. And, while you've seen split-screens before, the technical wizzes at Syndrome deserve extra credit for unveiling a steady stream of clever transitions that make it seem like the video's frames are either the pages of a book, or the sides of a cube. --> watch "Mr. Jones"

Mike Jones "Mr. Jones" (Ice Age/Asylum/Warner Bros.)
Syndrome, director | Clark Jackson, producer | Robot Films, production co |Robin Frank Management, rep | Brandon Cox, DP

BOOKED: Kings Of Leon - Adria Petty, director

artist: Kings Of Leon
song: "On Call"
label: RCA 
director(s): Adria Petty   
production co: Pablocita
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Beyonce - Ray Kay, director

artist: Beyonce
song: "Freakum Dress"
label: Columbia
director(s): Ray Kay   
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Mike Jones - Syndrome, directors

artist: Mike Jones
song: "Mr. Jones"   
label: Warner Bros.
director(s): Syndrome 
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Young Jeezy - Chris Robinson, director

artist: Young Jeezy feat. Keyshia Cole
song: "Dreamin" 
label: Island Def Jam
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Young Jeezy f/ R. Kelly - Chris Robinson, director

Shooting in Atlanta...

artist: Young Jeezy feat. R. Kelly
song: "Go Getta"
label: Island Def Jam
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Three Days Grace - Tony Petrossian, director

Shot in Toronto...

artist: Three Days Grace
song: "Never Too Late" 
label: Jive/ZLG
director(s): Tony Petrossian
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: LAX - Ray Kay, director

Video is for the girl group LAX signed to Blackground, not the unrelated boy band LAX on One Recordings. Confusing, no?

artist: LAX
song: "Forget U"
label: Blackground
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Nas - Chris Robinson, director

Shot over two days in NYC...

artist: Nas feat. Chrisette Michele
song: "Can't Forget About You"
label: Island Def Jam
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

PHOTO: On Set with Dropping Daylight

Director Justin Francis of The Saline Project (3rd from left) and producer Michelle Larkin on the set of "Tell Me" with Octone rockers Dropping Daylight. Francis is repped by Robin Frank Management.

BOOKED: Dropping Daylight - Justin Francis, director

Director Justin Francis of The Saline Project will use a collage of newsreels, tabloid pages and other forms of media to help spread the message of Dropping Daylight in "Tell  Me."

artist: Dropping Daylight
song: "Tell Me"
label: Octone
director(s): Justin Francis
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Deemi - Syndrome, directors

R&B/soul newcomer Deemi will break down her troubled life story as she walks the streets of  her Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn neighborhood.

artist: Deemi
song: "Soundtrack Of My Life"
label: Atlantic
director(s): Syndrome
production co: Robot Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Ludacris f/ Mary J. Blige "Runaway Love"

If Ludacris videos get any more serious, he might have to change his name. Famous for his club bangers, the rap star confronts the domestic issues that lead young girls to become runaways in his new release, "Runaway Love." The queen of hip hop soul and drama, Mary J. Blige, anchors the clip as she sings amid a sea of teenagers holding candles. You won't find typical video models here. The only thing the girls in this video try to shake are the troubling situations that leave them feeling trapped. Not only does Luda succeed in getting out a somber message without sounding like a court-ordered public service announcement, but this is easily one of the most sincere rap videos of the year. -- watch "Runaway Love" (AOL Video Quicktime link)

Review by Craig Belcher, curator of the blog Rap, Lies & Videotape

Ludacris feat. Mary J. Blige "Runaway Love" (DTP/Island Def Jam)
Jessy Terrero, director | John Winter, producer | Terrero Films, production co | Robin Frank Management, rep | Paul Cameron, DP | Jeff Selis, editor

BOOKED: Fantasia - Ray Kay, director

artist: Fantasia
song: "Hood Boy"
label: J Records
director(s): Ray Kay   
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Ludacris f/ Mary J. Blige - Jessy Terrero, director

artist: Ludacris feat. Mary J. Blige
song: "Runaway Love"
label: Disturbing The Peace/Island Def Jam
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Young Jeezy - Ulysses + Jessy Terrero, directors

Brothers Ulysses Terrero (left) and Jessy Terrero with rap star Young Jeezy on the set of "Bury Me A G," which was directed by Ulysses. The production was run back-to-back with another Joc video, "I Love It," directed by Jessy.

artist: Young Jeezy
song: "Bury Me A G" / "I Love It"
label: Island Def Jam
director(s): Ulysses Terrero / Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Fat Joe f/ Lil Wayne "Make It Rain"

While other NYC rappers call for a return to the regional sound that first popularized the art form, Atlantic Records expatriate Fat Joe enlists Lil' Wayne for an unabashed tribute to the southern style that currently rules the rap scene. Joe and Wayne rain on all those purists in this slick video with forklifts full of cash and alluring women not dressed for the bad weather. As for all the potential haters: If Fat Joe could get us to "Lean Back" on his last hit, then is it really that much of a stretch to quote the "Shoulder Lean?" -- watch "Make It Rain" in Quicktime, Real or Windows Media

This is the first review from new contributing writer Craig Belcher, curator of the blog Rap, Lies & Videotape.

Fat Joe feat. Lil' Wayne "Make It Rain" (Terror Squad/Imperial)
Mr. Roboto & Vinrok, directors | Nicole Acacio, producer
Robot Films, production co | Robin Frank Management, rep
Bliss Bussant, DP | T. David, editor

NEWS: RFM Repping Adria Petty

Director Adria Petty is now being represented by Robin Frank Management. Petty has directed visually distinctive videos for Regina Spektor, The Ditty Bops, Stellastarr and other artists.

SHOT: Pretty Ricky - Syndrome, directors

artist: Pretty Ricky
song: "On The Hotline"
label: Atlantic
director(s): Syndrome
production co: Robot Films

NEW RELEASE: Taking Back Sunday "Liar"

A polygraph machine sketches out a performance by Taking Back Sunday in this undeniably cool video. After establishing that initial conceit, the lie detector then begins to display a story in which singer Adam Lazzara appears to have been in a deceitful relationship with a female spy who's a Black Widow. 

My aim with this concept was to present a more dreamlike sort of logic. Where the rules can twist and bend. Where you have the basic tentpoles of a narrative but some of the connective tissue is purposefully left out. Alot like a lie itself.  I had a lot of fun making it and I hope that comes across as well. - Tony Petrossian, director 

--  watch "Liar" in Quicktime or Window Media

Taking Back Sunday
"Liar (It Takes One To Know One" (Warner Bros.)
Tony Petrossian, director/editor | David Robertson, producer | Rockhard Films, production co | Robin Frank Management, rep | Shawn Kim, DP

BOOKED: Rise Against - Tony Petrossian, director

artist: Rise Against
song: "Prayer Of The Refugee" 
label: Geffen
director(s): Tony Petrossian
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Monica - Chris Robinson, director

artist: Monica
song: "Dozen Roses (You Remind Me)"
label: J Records
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Eminem - The Saline Project, directors

Eminem is set to return with this video in support of the Shady Records mixtape The Re-Up...

artist: Eminem feat. 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks and Ca$his
song: "You Don't Know" 
label: Shady/Interscope 
director(s): The Saline Project
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Stacie Orrico - Ray Kay, director

artist: Stacie Orrico
song: "So Simple"
label: Virgin
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Josh Groban - Meiert Avis, director

artist: Josh Groban
song: "You Are Loved"
label: 143/Reprise/Warner Bros.
director(s): Meiert Avis
production co: Pusher Media
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Pharrell f/ Snoop Dogg - Chris Robinson, director

artist: Pharrell feat. Snoop Dogg
song: "That Girl"
label: Star Trak/Interscope
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Bobby Valentino - Jessy Terrero, director

artist: Bobby Valentino
song: "Turn The Page"
label: DTP/Island Def Jam
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Mic Little - Jessy Terrero, director

artist: Mic Little
song: "Put It In A Letter"
label: Island Def Jam
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Easy Star All-Stars - Syndrome, directors

Micha, Mars and James (far right) of  the Syndrome creative team with reggae legend Toots (center) of Toots & The Maytals and Easy Star's Eric Smith (far right) on the set of "Let Down." The video supports the new Easy Star All-Stars album Radiodread, which gives the Radiohead album OK Computer a reggae makeover.

artist: Easy Star All-Stars  feat. Toots & The Maytals   
song: "Let Down"
label: Easy Star
director(s): Syndrome
production co: Robot Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Paula Deanda - Ray Kay, director

artist: Paula Deanda feat. The Dey
song: "Walk Away"
label: Arista/J Records
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Young Buck - Syndrome, directors

artist: Young Buck feat. Jazze Pha
song: "If You Want Some"
label: G Unit/Interscope
director(s): Syndrome
production co: Robot Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: One Chance feat. D4L - Ray Kay, director

Director Ray Kay (center) with the guys of One Chance and D4L on the set of "Look At Her."

artist: One Chance feat. D4L
song: "Look At Her"
label: US/J Records
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Taking Back Sunday - Tony Petrossian, director

Taking Back Sunday will find themselves in a world ruled by lie detectors in this post-heavy clip for "Liar."

artist: Taking Back Sunday
song: "Liar (It Takes One To Know One)"
label: Warner Bros.
director(s): Tony Petrossian
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Kelis - Marc Klasfeld, director

artist: Kelis
song: "Blindfold Me"
label: Jive/ZLG
director(s): Marc Klasfeld
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Three Days Grace - Tony Petrossian, director

artist: Three Days Grace
song: "Pain"
label: Jive/ZLG
director(s): Tony Petrossian
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

PHOTO: Ray Kay w/ Monica, JD & Dem Franchize Boyz

Rockhard Films director Ray Kay (far left), Jermaine Dupri (fourth from left) and Dem Franchize Boyz hang with Monica on the set of  "Everytime Tha Beat Drops. " Ray Kay is represented by Robin Frank Management.

BOOKED: Slayer - Tony Petrossian, director

A wartime narrative will flash on the retina of a dying soldier in this video for death metal legends Slayer.

artist: Slayer
song: "Eyes Of The Insane"
label: American/Warner Bros.
director(s): Tony Petrossian
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Johnta Austin - Ray Kay, director

artist: Johnta Austin
song: "Turn It Up"
label: So So Def/Virgin
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

IN DEPTH COMMENTARY: Tony Petrossian on Stone Sour

Do you think Hollywood is nothing more than a two-dimensional sham of what's supposed to be glamorous? Well, in this video for Stone Sour's "Through Glass," that's exactly what it is: Fake. The beauty, the wealth — It's all just flat, cardboard cutouts.

Director Tony Petrossian takes us in depth with this exclusive commentary version of the video. Be sure to stay tuned to catch a special bonus ending that shows exactly how they pulled off a classic "How'd they do that?" effect.

Stone Sour "Through Glass" (Roadrunner)
Tony Petrossian, director/editor | Mikha Grumet, producer | Rockhard Films, production co | Robin Frank Management, rep | Martin Coppen, DP

BOOKED: Busta Rhymes - Chris Robinson, director

artist: Busta Rhymes
song: "In The Ghetto"
label: Aftermath/Interscope
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: T.I. f/ Jamie Foxx - Chris Robinson, director

artist: T.I. feat. Jamie Foxx
song: "Live In The Sky"
label: Grand Hustle/Atlantic
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Lupe Fiasco - Syndrome, directors

Shooting today in NYC...

artist: Lupe Fiasco feat. Jill Scott
song: "Daydreamin"
label: 1st &  15th/Atlantic
director(s): Syndrome
production co: Robot Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Monica - Ray Kay, director

artist: Monica feat. Dem Franchize Boys
song: "Everytime Tha Beat Drop"
label: J Records
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Gnarls Barkley "Smiley Faces"

Gnarls Barkley
"Smiley Faces" (Downtown/Atlantic)
Marc Klasfeld, director | Amanda Fox, producer | Rockhard Films, production co | Robin Frank Management, rep | Edgar Reyes, editor | Description: Oh, the emoticon. The crutch that even the finest writer resorts to when expressing emotion in an IM. Are you happy? Smiley face. Sad? Frowny face. Simple. Director Marc Klasfeld  finds a few more uses to these icons in the video for Gnarls Barkley. The story follows a series of risque misadventures in an 8-bit imagination of a smiley world.  Our smiley face hero gets more than he expects when he picks up a big busted smiley chick online. A booty call leads to a nasty encounter with a pimp, which leads to a bondage club and then jail — where he does indeed drop the soap. The video is currently airing in the UK, but we get a sneak peek thanks to YouTube. -- watch "Smiley Faces" (YouTube link)

BOOKED: Danity Kane - Jessy Terrero, director

P. Diddy's Making The Band girl group Danity Kane will make its official music video debut with "Show Stopper."

artist: Danity Kane
song: "Show Stopper"
label: Bad Boy
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films/Lotus Filmworks
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Nick Lachey - Ray Kay, director

artist: Nick Lachey
song: "I Can't Hate You Anymore"
label: Jive/ZLG
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Chris Brown - Jessy Terrero, director

artist: Chris Brown
song: "Say Goodbye"
label: Jive/ZLG
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films/Lotus Filmworks
rep: Robin Frank Management

PHOTO: Tony Petrossian On Set of Stone Sour

Director Tony Petrossian (left) lays out the motivation for a model and Poison guitarist C.C. Deville, who both filmed cameo appearances in the new Stone Sour video "Through Glass." The video uses an effect in which people turn into cardboard cut-outs to show how some people, especially in the rock world, are kind of flat and phony.

SHOT: Young Joc - Flyy Kai, director

artist: Young Joc
song: "I Know You See It"
label: Bad Boy
director(s): Flyy Kai
production co: Lotus Filmworks
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: DMX - Marc Klasfeld, director

Shooting in Arizona...

artist: DMX
song: "Lord Give Me A Sign"
label: Sony Urban/Columbia
director(s): Marc Klasfeld
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Obie Trice - Justin Francis, director

Shooting in Detroit...

artist: Obie Trice 
song: "Cry Now"
label: Shady/Interscope
director(s): Justin Francis
production co: Symbolic
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Talib Kweli - Syndrome, directors

artist: Talib Kweli
song: "Listen"
label: Blacksmith/Warner Bros.
director(s): Syndrome
production co: Robot Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Shawnna - Jessy Terrero, director

Shot in Miami...

artist: Shawnna
song: "Damn"
label: DTP/Island Def Jam
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films/Lotus Filmworks
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Stone Sour - Tony Petrossian, director

artist: Stone Sour
song: "Through Glass"
label: Roadrunner
director(s): Tony Petrossian
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Sean Paul - Jessy Terrero & Ras Kassa, directors

On-location in Kingston, Jamaica: Atlantic's Susan Silverman, Karma's Yamani Watkins, Sean Paul, and co-directors Ras Kassa and Jessy Terrero.

artist: Sean Paul
song: "Never Gonna Be The Same"
label: VP/Atlantic
director(s): Jessy Terrero & Ras Kassa
production co: Terrero Films/Lotus Filmworks and Karma
rep: Robin Frank Management (for Jessy Terrero)

NEW RELEASE: Head Automatica "Graduation Day"

Head Automatica
"Graduation Day
(Reprise/Warner Bros.)
Tony Petrossian, director | Ben Oswald, producer | Rockhard Films, production co | RFM, rep | Pat Darrin, DP | Ara Soudjian, editor | Description: Head Automatica deliver this appropriate song at an outdoor high school graduation ceremony. As the stereotypical student types receive diplomas, we get a sneak peek at what the future may hold for them. The rebellious punk rock chick might become the President, the jock could become a gay marriage activist, the hoodlum might become a kindly priest and, in the one unsurprising prediction, the ditzy rich blonde slut might get knocked up. An additional nice touch is having the aforementioned blonde portrayed by Casey of Laguna Beach. -- watch "Graduation Day" in Quicktime or Windows Media (a making-of special is also hosted at headautomatica.com)

BOOKED: Gnarls Barkley - Marc Klasfeld, director

artist: Gnarls Barkley
song: "Smiley Faces"
label: Downtown/Atlantic
director(s): Marc Klasfeld
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Don Omar - Jessy Terrero, director

Shot in support of The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift soundtrack...

artist: Don Omar
song: "Conteo"
label: Machete Music/Universal
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films/Lotus Filmworks
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: JoJo - Chris Robinson, director

artist: JoJo
song: "Too Little Too Late"
label: Blackground/Universal
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Kill Hannah - Justin Francis, director

artist: Kill Hannah
song: "Lips Like Morphine"
label: Atlantic
director(s): Justin Francis (of The Saline Project)
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Jibbs - Syndrome, directors

artist: Jibbs
song: "Chain Hang Low"
label: Geffen
director(s): Syndrome
production co: Robot Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Mobb Deep - Jessy Terrero, director

Mobb Deep, 50 Cent, Young Buck and all the other G-Unit players take over a remote hotel for a party. Featured in the picture are Havoc of Mobb Deep, director Jessy Terrero, Prodigy of Mobb Deep and producer Billy Parks.

artist: Mobb Deep
feat. Young Buck
song: "Give It To Me"
label: G-Unit/Interscope
director(s): Jessy Terrero
prod co: Lotus Filmworks
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: LeToya "Torn"

LeToya
"Torn" (Capitol)
Chris Robinson, director | Meredith Welsch, producer | HSI , production co | Robin Frank Management, rep | Don Davis, DP | Description: Original Destiny's Child member LeToya Luckett returns with this fashionable video which finds her "Torn" between sticking with her man, or kicking him to the curb for being a broke cheater. All you relationship experts can watch the video at to BET.com and vote for your preferred ending.

NEWS: RFM Repping Meiert Avis and Syndrome

Robin Frank Management is now representing director Meiert Avis, whose credits include music videos for U2, Audioslave, Bruce Springsteen, Matchbox 20, New Found Glory, H.I.M. and many other acts. Meiert's videos will still be produced through his company Pusher.

The Robot Films directing team Syndrome is another recent addition to the RFM representation roster. Syndrome's credits include the video for the Sergio Mendes and Black Eyed Peas collaboration "Mas Que Nada."

BOOKED: Cassie - Ray Kay, director

Singer/model Cassie will debut with a video for this club track being shot in Los Angeles. Cassie played the lead girl in Mario's "Here I Go Again" video and also appeared in advertisements for Missy Elliott's Respect M.E. Adidas clothing line.

artist: Cassie
song: "Me & U"
label: NextSelection/Bad Boy/Atlantic
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Taking Back Sunday "MakeDamnSure"

Taking Back Sunday
"MakeDamnSure" (Warner Bros.)
Marc Klasfeld, director | Nicole Acacio, producer | Rockhard Films, production co | Robin Frank Mgmt., rep | Martin Coppen, DP | Richard Alarcon, editor
Description: Truly charismatic singers are such a rare breed these days that you can forget that sometimes all it takes to make a compelling video is to capture a band on film. Adam Lazzara of Taking Back Sunday is one of those singers and Marc Klasfeld's video is certainly more than compelling as it mixes locked down coverage of the band's maniacal performance in a wind tunnel with stock footage that focuses on the most primal and brutal aspects of animal and human nature. It's clear that the animals kill to survive, but clever edits and morph effects that transform some awfully destructive human follies into more innocent and unspoiled images, make you wonder why we're still driven to destroy everything around us. -- watch "MakeDamnSure" in QuickTime or Windows Media

SHOT: Sergio Mendes & Black Eyed Peas - Syndrome, directors

artist: Sergio Mendes and The Black Eyed Peas
song: "Mas Que Nada"
label: Starbucks HEAR/Concord
director(s): Syndrome
production co: Robot Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Band Of Horses "The Funeral"

Band Of Horses
"The Funeral" (Sub Pop)
Matt Lenski, director | Rockhard Films, production co | RFM, rep | Description: The drinking life is not only nowhere near as glamorous as the corner drunk may lead you to believe, but it also severely increases the chances of you nodding asleep at the wheel and getting hit by a truck. So, if you're like the old man in this dingy, sad and hazy video for Band Of Horses and you think you see a dog at the bottom of your whiskey: Get some help. Please. The footage in this video, by the way, was shot by the director's father, artist Willy Lenski. -- watch "The Funeral"

NEWS: Regina Spektor Web Video Trilogy

Three web videos are currently in production for singer/songwriter Regina Spektor:

• Adria Petty is directing "Fidelity" through her own Adria Petty Design. Petty directed "Us" and several other pieces in support of Spektor's last album, Soviet Kitsch.
• Peter Sluszka is directing "Samson," which is being co-produced through Hornet and Adria Petty Design. Sluszka was the animation director for Spektor's "Us."
• Matt Lenski is directing "On The Radio." Lenski is signed with Rockhard Films and represented by Robin Frank Management.

Look for this web trilogy to debut in anticipation of Regina Spektor's upcoming  Sire/Warner Bros. album, Begin To Hope.

NEWS: Chris Robinson's ATL in Theaters

Longtime music video director Chris Robinson's feature film debut ATL opens in theaters today, March 31. A lot of factors point to this becoming a big hit among hip hop fans: In addition to Robinson's well-deserved rep as one of the most prolific and successful video directors of the past decade, the movie stars rappers Tip "T.I." Harris and Antwan Andre "Big Boi" Patton, the story is by Antwone Fisher,  and backers that includes superstar Will Smith, music impresario Dallas Austin, and TLC member Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins.

Chris Robinson has directed far too many music videos to name here, having worked with such stars as Jay- Z, Snoop Dogg, Alicia Keys, P Diddy, Busta Rhymes and Usher. He's repped for videos by Robin Frank Management.

PHOTO: Ray Kay & Nick Lachey

Rockhard Films director Ray Kay with Nick Lachey on location for the singer's  new video "What's Left Of Me." Ray Kay is repped by Robin Frank Management.

BOOKED: LeToya - Chris Robinson, director

Former Destiny's Child member LeToya Luckett will be making her solo video debut with "Torn." The shoot is scheduled for early April in L.A., with Chris Robinson directing.

artist: LeToya
song: "Torn"
label: Capitol
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

PHOTO: Daryl Palumbo/Head Automatica + Tony Petrossian

Head Automatica frontman Daryl Palumbo (left) went back to school with Rockhard Films director  Tony Petrossian for his band's upcoming video "Graduation Day." This will be the first clip off the band's sophomore Warner Bros. release, Popaganda.

BOOKED: Nick Lachey - Ray Kay, director

Nick Lachey may have survived a reality show about being married to Jessica Simpson, but as well know, the same can't be said about the marriage itself. This video for "What's Left of Me" will find the singer in what should be an extremely personal moment with his lady, if it weren't for the camera crew that's taping their every move. The camera crew does disappear, but so does everything else, including his woman.

artist: Nick Lachey
song: "What's Left Of Me"
label: Jive/ZLG
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Black Buddafly feat. Fabulous - Ray Kay, director

artist: Black Buddafly feat. Fabulous
song: "Bad Girl"
label: RSMG/Island Def Jam
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Field Mob feat. Ciara - Jessy Terrero, director

artist: Field Mob feat. Ciara
song: "So What"
label: Disturbing Tha Peace/Geffen
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films/Lotus Filmworks
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Zero 7 - Matt Lenski, director

artist: Zero 7
song: "Throw It All Away"
label: Atlantic UK
director(s): Matt Lenski
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Head Automatica - Tony Petrossian, director

"Graduation Day" will be the lead video in support of Popaganda, the second album from Glassjaw singer Daryl Palumbo's new band Head Automatica.

artist: Head Automatica
song: "Graduation Day"
label: Warner Bros. Records
director(s): Tony Petrossian
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SMILE: Taking Back Sunday & Marc Klasfeld

Taking Back Sunday frontman Adam Lazzara (left) with Rockhard Films director Marc Klasfeld on set of the band's new video "MakeDamnSure" in Los Angeles. This video will support the band's forthcoming Warner Bros. album, Louder Now.

BOOKED: Obie Trice - Jessy Terrero, director

Look for Eminem cohort Obie Trice to rebound nicely from a New Year's Eve shooting (bullets, not film) with a video for this upcoming single.

artist: Obie Trice
song: "Snitch"
label: Shady/Interscope
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films/Lotus Filmworks

NEW RELEASE: Avenged Sevenfold "Beast & The Harlot"

Avenged Sevenfold
"Beast & The Harlot" (Warner Bros.)
Tony Petrossian, director | Nicole Acacio, producer | Rockhard Films, production co | Robin Frank Management, rep | Pat Darrin, DP | Richard Alarcon, editor | Description: Avenged Sevenfold and their squad of harlots bring some unsuspecting victims over the dark side. Usually using the lure of sex, they're able to convert a wannabe showgirl, a scuzzy ladies' man, some strippers and even a young boy into their evil circle. Once the victim is infected, black spidery dendrites race to cover their skin, until they're totally encased in a shiny, black shell. As all this chaos ensues, Ax7 perform this downright wicked, old school-influenced metal tune amongst their already pleasantly sordid fans. -- watch "Beast & The Harlot"

BOOKED: Taking Back Sunday - Marc Klasfeld, director

artist: Taking Back Sunday
song: "MakeDamnSure"
label: Warner Bros.
director(s): Marc Klasfeld
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Santana feat. Sean Paul - Chris Robinson, director

artist: Santana feat. Sean Paul
song: "Cry Baby Cry"
label: Artista/J Records
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Rogue Wave "Publish My Love"

Rogue Wave
"Publish My Love" (Sub Pop)
Matt Lenski, director | Amanda Fox, producer | Ultrameena Films, production co | David "Shadi: Perez, DP | in8skils, editors | Goodlookin', special effects
Description: After an arduous journey through post-production, legal limbo and a big revision, a video is finally out there to support Rogue Wave's excellent album, Descended Like Vultures. The basic concept of "Publish My Love" remained unchanged throughout: Performance footage is scattered throughout the quickly flipping pages of several books. The original director's cut used actual books, which created the virtually impossible and potentially expensive task of obtaining clearances. So, the final version substitutes a generic book filled with pages of constantly evolving psychedelic patterns and effects. The original video may have been the better — thanks to some clever  compositions — but the revised one provides lots of visual candy for a great tune. -- Watch "Publish My Love" 

PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE: Kelis and Marc Klasfeld

With a song title like "Bossy" it's hard to imagine that Kelis is lost and asking for directions. More likely, this picture from the set of "Bossy" shows the singer behind the wheel discussing a shot with director Marc Klasfeld.

SHOT: Christina Milian - Ray Kay, director

Young Jeezy, director Ray Kay and Christina Milian on the set of "Say I."

artist: Christina Milian
feat. Young Jeezy
song: "Say I"
label: Island Def Jam
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEWS: Sanaa Hamri Feature Film Opens

Sanaa Hamri's feature film directorial debut Something New, had a very respectable opening over the Super Bowl weekend, grossing $5 on just over 1,200 screens. Hamri — who is signed with Anonymous Content and represented by Robin Frank — has directed music videos for Prince, Mariah Carey, Destiny's Child, Jadakiss and many other r&b/rap stars.

Box office statistics from Box Office Mojo.

Other music video directors with films slated for release in 2006 include Chris Robinson with ATL and Michel Gondry with The Science Of Sleep and the Dave Chappelle concert extravaganza Block Party.

BOOKED: Nerina Pallot - Marc Klasfeld, director

Shooting later this month in Los Angeles...

artist: Nerina Pallot
song: "Everybody's Gone To War"
label: 14th Floor (commissioned by Warner Music UK)
director(s): Marc Klasfeld
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: T.I. - Chris Robinson, director

Director Chris Robinson returns to the scene with a video in support of his feature film debut, ATL, which stars Tip Harris aka T.I. and Andre Antwan Patton aka Big Boi. The video for T.I.'s "What You Know About It" will be shooting later this week in L.A.

ATL was written by Antwone Fisher and produced by a team that includes Will Smith and Dallas Austin.

artist: T.I.
song: "What You Know?"
label: Atlantic
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Kelis - Marc Klasfeld, director

artist: Kelis feat. Too $hort
song: "Bossy"
label: LaFace/ZLG
director(s): Marc Klasfeld
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Ghostface feat. Ne-Yo - Ray Kay, director

artist: Ghostface feat. Ne-Yo
song: "Back Like That"
label: Island Def Jam
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Daddy Yankee "Rompe"

Daddy Yankee "Rompe" El Cartel/Interscope
Jessy Terrero & Carlos Perez, directors
Meredith Welsch, producer
Lotus Filmworks, production co
Robin Frank Management, rep
Steve Rees, editor
Description: Reggaeton's biggest star takes his aggressive style to a junkyard where clown dancers show off their moves and sexy models smash apart some cars.

NEW RELEASE: Juvenile "Rodeo"

Juvenile "Rodeo" (Atlantic)
Marc Klasfeld, director
Melissa Larsen, producer
Rockhard Films, production co
Robin Frank Management, rep
Michael Bernardo, DP
Rochard Alarcon, editor
Description: There are plenty of rap videos that exploit strippers. The uncensored  video for the Ludacris tune "P-Poppin" is one of the least safe for work examples. There are very few, however, that show the seedier side of the business. While Juvenile raps in some very big looking performance set-ups, director Marc Klasfeld trains the camera on real life strippers in Atlanta. While there are shots of the girls writhing on stage, most of the video spotlights the behind the scenes action. Most of it is often quite sad, whether it be a stripper counting her money outside a men's room or the woman who gets ready for her performance with a baby on her lap. As in most of his "serious" work, Klasfeld displays a true photographer's eye for capturing effective portraiture  set-ups and well composited shots.
    While "Rodeo" doesn't quite have the emotional resonance or complexity of director Jonas Akerlund's video for Metallica's "Turn The Page" — which featured former porn star Ginger Lynn as an adult industry worker who's past her prime and forced to compromise herself in order to provide for her daughter — Klasfeld and Juvenile treat these women as people, which is much more than can be said for most videos from this genre. -- Watch "Rodeo" in either Real or Windows Media (courtesy of juvenilerealitycheck.com)

NEW RELEASE: Tiffany Foxx & Snoop Dogg "Shake That"

Tiffany Foxx feat. Snoop Dogg "Shake That" Doggystyle/Koch
Mike Taylor, director
Cat Restrepo, producer
Robot Films, production co
Robin Frank Management, rep
Description: This new video from the compilation Bigg Snoop Dogg presents Welcome To Tha Chuuch - Tha Album is a showcase for newcomer Tiffany Foxx. The rapper struts her stuff on a stage, writhes in a posh banquet booth and trades verses with her boss Snoop Dogg.

SHOT: Juvenile - Marc Klasfeld, director

The rapper who brought us "Back That Azz Up" returns with a documentary style video that strives to tell the behind the scenes stories of  Atlanta strip club dancers.


artist: Juvenile
song: "Rodeo"
label: Atlantic
director(s): Marc Klasfeld
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE: Pharrrell, director Sanaa Hamri and Diddy

Pharrell Williams, director Sanaa Hamri and Diddy discuss a shot on the set of the Notorious B.I.G. duet track "Nasty Girl Part 2."

NEW RELEASE: Eric Benet "I Wanna Be Loved"

Eric Benet "I Wanna Be Loved" Friday/Reprise
Sanaa Hamri, director
Nicole Acacio producer
Anonymous Content, production co
Robin Frank Management, rep
Martin Coppen, DP
Description: A chance meeting with a woman at a coffee shop leads to a sultry relationship in this beautifully filmed new video from r&b balladeer Eric Benet.

SHOT: Young Jeezy - Jessy Terrero, director

artist: Young Jeezy
song: "Trap Star"
label: Island Def Jam
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Lotus Filmworks
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Juelz Santana - Jessy Tererro, director

artist: Juelz Santana
song: "Oh Yes"
label: Island Def Jam
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Lotus Filmworks
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Daddy Yankee - Jessy Terrero, director

artist: Daddy Yankee
song: "Rompe"
label: El Cartel/Interscope
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Lotus Filmworks
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Notorious B.I.G. feat. Diddy, Nelly & Jagged Edge - Sanaa Hamri, director

This video in support of a new Notorious B.I.G. duets album will be shooting this week in NYC...

artist: Notorious B.I.G. feat. Diddy, Nelly & Jagged Edge
song: "Nasty Girl Part 2"
label: Bad Boy
director(s): Sanaa Hamri
production co: Anonymous Content
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Tiffany Foxxx feat. Snoop Dogg - Mike Taylor, director

Bigg Snoop Dogg will show off newcomer Tiffany Foxxx in this video in support of the rapper's upcoming album Welcome To Tha Chuuch That album."

artist: Tiffany Foxxx feat. Snoop Dogg
song: "Shake That"
label: Doggystyle/KOCH Records
director(s): Mike Taylor
production co: Robot Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Pretty Ricky "Your Body"

Pretty Ricky "Your Body" Bluestar/Atlantic
Ray Kay, director
Melissa Larsen, producer
Rockhard Films, production co
Robin Frank Management, rep
Description: Pop/r&b quartet Pretty Ricky roll down interstate 95 to the beaches in Miami, where they perform this track and party with some babes.

SHOT: Avenged Sevenfold - Tony Petrossian, director

artist: Avenged Sevenfold
song: "Beast And The Harlot"
label: Warner Bros.
director(s): Tony Petrossian
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

Photo below of Avenged Sevenfold frontman M. Shadows with director Tony Petrossian.

NEW RELEASE: Sean Paul "We Be Burnin"

Sean Paul "We Be Burnin" VP/Atlantic
Jessy Terrero, director
Josh Goldstein, producer
Lotus Filmworks, production co
Robin Frank Management, rep
Description: Boasting gorgeous desert locales and an ultra widescreen aspect ratio, this is about as cinematic a reggae video you've ever seen. Sean Paul plays on his older hit "Gimme The Light" with this first joint off his new album, The Trinity. The video's plot concerns a pair of beautiful women who are picked up after their car overheats in the desert. Sean Paul performs among the sand dunes and at a nighttime party that is illuminated by neon crested trucks. In the end, it's unclear whether the women were seeing a mirage, or if they really were taken to a Sean Paul party spot.

SHOT: Shinedown - Marc Klasfeld, director

Shot in Atlanta...

artist: Shinedown
song: "Save Me"
label: Atlantic
director(s): Marc Klasfeld
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: N.O.R.E. - Mike Taylor, director

artist: N.O.R.E.
song: "I'm A G"
label: Island Def Jam
director(s): Mike Taylor
production co: Robot Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Simple Plan - Marc Klasfeld, director

artist: Simple Plan
song: "Crazy"
label: Lava/Atlantic
director(s): Marc Klasfeld
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Rogue Wave - Matt Lenski, director

The video for "Publish My Love" will focus on the rapidly flipping pages of a book.

artist: Rogue Wave
song: "Publish My Love"
label: Sub Pop
director(s): Matt Lenski
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Avenged Sevenfold "Bat Country"

Avenged Sevenfold "Bat Country" Warner Bros.
Marc Klasfeld, director
Rachel Curl, producer
Rockhard Films, production co
Robin Frank Management, rep
Martin Coppen, DP
Richard Alarcon, editor
Description: The obvious influence for both this video and song is Hunter S. Thompson's Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas. Beginning with the same Samuel Johnson quote that serves as the forward to Thompson's book, "Bat Country" recreates Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo's hallucinatory trip to Las Vegas, but with the members of Avenged Sevenfold as the stars. The car ride through the desert takes place under a deluge of bats, while the rather sordid activities in Vegas involve lots of beasts disguised as strippers.

PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE: International Star Tony Petrossian on the Set of Millionaire Video

Director Tony Petrossian's video for Millionaire's "I'm On A High" continues to get a staggering amount of press... in Belgium.

Video Static was able to obtain this photo from a Flemish newspaper of Tony Petrossian (left) and DP Yon Thomas (right) showing Millionaire singer Tim Vanhamel how to operate the video's uniquely rigged camera. Because Video Static loves you, we've even had the original caption translated into English. Click the pic for the English version. (Full disclosure: I have no idea if the translation is accurate)

NEW RELEASE: Hush "Hush Is Coming"

Hush "Hush Is Coming" Geffen
Flyy Kai, director
Seth Levin, producer
Lotus Filmworks, production co
Robin Frank Management, rep
Description: Rap newcomer Hush debuts with a full-band theater performance to a raucous crowd.   The Detroit native is joined by track producer Eminem and guest singer Nate Dogg in the clip.

NEW RELEASE: 50 Cent feat. Mobb Deep "Outta Control (remix)"

50 Cent feat. Mobb Deep "Outta Control (remix)" Shady/Aftermath/Interscope
Jessy Terrero, director
Melissa Larsen, producer
Terrero Films/Lotus Filmworks, production co.
Robin Frank Management, rep
Harvey White, editor
Description: 50 Cent and special guests Mobb Deep get the club jumping "Outta Control" in this teaser video for the upcoming re-release of 50's Massacre. This new version of the hit album will come with a DVD that has a video for every track.

NEW RELEASE: Bloodhound Gang "Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo"

Bloodhound Gang "Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo" Republic/Geffen
Marc Klasfeld, director
Nicole Acacio, producer
Rockhard Films, production co.
Robin Frank Management, rep
Max Goldman, DP
Richard Allercon, editor
Description: The video for "F.U.C.K." (get it?) is as gleefully juvenile as you'd expect. Guest star Bam Margera drives a vehicle that's a cross between the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile, a banana and a giant cock. Sexy, oiled chicks operate heavy equipment, such as jackhammers and gigantic power drills. Meanwhile, singer Jimmy Pop unfurls a litany of sexual metaphors as he performs with the Bloodhound Gang  inside a tunnel. The action comes to a climax when Bam delivers a banana to an older construction worker who promptly deep throats the phallic fruit. Watch the video, courtesy of Geffen Records, in Quicktime, Windows Media or Real Player.

NEW RELEASE: Black Eyed Peas "Don't Lie"

Black Eyed Peas "Don't Lie" A&M/Interscope
The Saline Project, directors
Scott Edelstein, producers
HSI, production co.
Robin Frank Management, rep
Description: Black Eyed Peas are placed in a virtual city where each member deals with temptation and regret in regards to members of the opposite sex. This post heavy video shows performance in various tropical settings, including a few where the Peas tower above the landscape like giants.

SHOT: Millionaire - Tony Petrossian, director

Shot on-location in Brussels, Belgium...

artist: Millionaire
song: "I'm On A High"
label: PIAS/Warner Bros.
director(s): Tony Petrossian
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

Added bonus: Here's a shot of Tony Petrossian with Millionaire on the set of "I'm On A High." That's Tony, second from right.

BOOKED: Sean Paul - Jessy Terrero, director

artist: Sean Paul
song: "We Be Burnin"
label: Atlantic
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Lotus Filmworks
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: CKY - Matt Lenski, director

Although CKY stands for Camp Kill Yourself, their video for "Familiar Realm" may be the cheeriest damn thing you see all year. That is, until you realize that something strange and rather devious lurks beneath the smiling facade of the dancing family members.

artist: CKY
song: "Familiar Realm"
label: Island Def Jam
director(s): Matt Lenski
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: 50 Cent - Jessy Terrero, director

This clip features Mobb Deep and was shot at the old Limelight nightclub in NYC...

artist: 50 Cent
song: "Outta Control"
label: Shady/Aftermath/Interscope
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Lotus Filmworks
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Stat Quo - Milke Taylor, director

Shot in Atlanta...

artist: Stat Quo
song: "Like Dat"
label: Shady/Aftermath/Interscope
director(s): Mike Taylor
production co: Robot Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Mario "Here I Go Again"

Mario "Here I Go Again"  3rd Street/J Records
Ray Kay, director
Lou Miguel, producer
Rockhard Films, production company
RFM, rep
Description: R&B star Mario alternately confronts and romances a sexy woman in "Here I Go Again." The couple's tumultuous relationship plays out in such locations as the streets of New York City, on a rooftop, in a taxi and on a watery stage in front of a truck. Also included are a few choreographed dance set-ups.

So Nice, We Print Their Picture Twice

Fans of The Klasfeld, rejoice. Here is a second picture from director Marc Klasfeld's "Bat Country" video shoot for Warner Bros. band Avenged Sevenfold.

Mixed in among the members of Avenged Sevenfold are Warner Bros. executives Craig Aaronson (Second from left) and Andy Olyphant (center, back) plus Rockhard Films director Marc Klasfeld (far right).

PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE: Avenged 7fold + Marc Klasfeld

Things look like they got a tad messy on the Las Vegas set of Warner Bros. band Avenged Sevenfold's video "Bat Country." Pictured from left are Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Zacky Vengeance and singer M. Shadows with video director Marc Klasfeld of Rockhard Films.

NEW RELEASE: Pretty Ricky "Grind With Me"

Pretty Ricky "Grind With Me"  Bluestar/Atlantic
Ray Kay, director
Ben Oswald, producer
Rockhard Films, production company
Robin Frank Management, rep
Description: The members of hip-hop quartet Pretty Ricky romance some ladies at their oceanfront, contemporary mansion.

SHOT: Teairra Mari - Ray Kay, director

artist: Teairra Mari
song: "Make Her Feel Good"
label: Roc-A-Fella/Island-Def Jam
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Hush - Flyy Kai, director

artist: Hush featuring Nate Dogg
song: "Hush is Coming"
label: Geffen
director(s): Flyy Kai
production co: Lotus Filmworks
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Frankie J - Ray Kay, director

artist: Frankie J
song: "How To Deal"
label: Columbia
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Mashonda - Ray Kay, director

Scheduled to shoot in NYC...

artist: Mashonda featuring Nas
song: "Black Out"
label: J Records
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEWS: Matt Lenski With Rockhard And RFM

Newly signed Rockhard Films director Matt Lenski is slated to make his TRL debut today with his video for Fallout Boy's "Sugar We're Going Down." The comedic clip tells the tale of an antler boy who gets treated like an outcast.

Matt Lenski is repped by Robin Frank Management.

BOOKED: Avenged Sevenfold - Mark Klasfeld, director

artist: Avenged Sevenfold
song: "Bat Country"
label: Warner Bros.
director(s): Mark Klasfeld
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Simple Plan "Untitled"

Simple Plan "Untitled" Lava
Marc Klasfeld & Simple Plan, directors
Alison Foster, producer
Rockhard Films, production company
Robin Frank Management, rep
Description: Simple Plan and director Marc Klasfeld create a powerful anti-drunk driving message in the video for this ballad. Things revolve around an accident in which a drunk driver collides with a car driven by a teenage girl. The results are tragic for all involved, in addition to the girl's family. At the moment of impact, the video shifts to her home where her parents and siblings are suddenly jarred out of their normal routines and sent flying, as if they had been hit by a car. Simple Plan's Pierre Bouvier sings at the scene of the incident and at the hospital ER where the video ends and fades into a message from MADD.

NEW RELEASE: Unwritten Law "She Says"

Unwritten Law "She Says" Lava
Jessy Terrero, director
John Nguyen, producer
Lotus Filmworks, production company
Robin Frank Management, rep
Description: Two feuding lovers are on the verge of reconciling when tragedy strikes in this video for rock band Unwritten Law. The off and on again relationship becomes permanently off when a cop shoots down the boyfriend for violating a restraining order that she had previously filed.

SHOT: Young Jeezy - Jessy Terrero, director

Shot on-location in Atlanta...

artist: Young Jeezy
song: "And Then What/Trap or Die"
label: Island Def Jam
director: Jessy Terrero
production co: Lotus Filmworks
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Nelly - Chris Robinson, director

artist: Nelly
song: "N Dey Say"
label: Universal
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Black Eyed Peas - The Saline Project, directors

Scheduled to shoot in Los Angeles...

artist: Black Eyed Peas
song: "Don't Lie"
label: A&M/Interscope
director(s): The Saline Project
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Amerie - Chris Robinson, director

artist: Amerie
song: "Touch"
label: Sony Urban/Columbia
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: H.S.I.
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Unwritten Law - Jessy Terrero, director

Director Jessy Terrero delivers a story of a tempestuous love affair that reaches a tragic, unexpected resolution in this video for rock band Unwritten Law.

artist: Unwritten Law
song: "She Said"
label: Lava
director(s):  Jessy Terrero
production co: Lotus Filmworks
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEWS: Marc Klasfeld's Film To Debut At Tribeca Film Fest

Director Marc Klasfeld's feature film debut The L.A. Riot Spectacular is set to world premiere today at the Tribeca Film Festival. Subsequent showsing are also scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Visit Tribeca Film Festival for schedule and ticket information.

Klasfeld's satirical take on the Rodney King incident stars Snoop Dogg, Charles Dutton, George Hamilton and Emilio Estevez.

BOOKED: Syleena Johnson feat. R. Kelly & Fabolous - Jessy Terrero, director

artist: Syleena Johnson featuring R. Kelly & Fabolous
song: “Hypnotic”
label: Jive/ZLG
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films/Lotus Filmworks
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Fat Joe feat. Nelly - Chris Robinson, director

A behind the scenes look at rap stars Fat Joe and Nelly on tour...

artist: Fat Joe featuring Nelly
song: “Get It Poppin' ”
label: Atlantic
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: Robot Films/HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Mario - Ray Kay, director

artist: Mario
song: "Here I Go Again"
label: J
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Toni Braxton - Chris Robinson, director

artist: Toni Braxton
song: "Please"
label: Blackground/Universal
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Simple Plan - Marc Klasfeld, director

artist: Simple Plan
song: "Untitled"
label: Lava
director(s): Marc Klasfeld
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Slipknot - Tony Petrossian, director

artist: Slipknot
song: "Before I Forget"
label: Roadrunner
director(s): Tony Petrossian
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Young Buck "Look At Me Now"

Young Buck "Look At Me Now/Bonafide Hustler"  G Unit/Interscope
The Saline Project, directors
Scott Edelstein, producer
HSI, production company
RFM, directors' rep
Description: This video features Mr. Porter, 50 Cent and Tony Yayo. Young Buck drives through his old neighborhood and remembers his childhood days - which are visualized by personal photographs and recreations of various scenes. The outro of the video is for "Bonafide Hustler," which triggers a switch to Tony Yayo's home turf of NYC.

NEWS: SxSw Music Video Winners

Congratulations go out to the winning videos selected at last week's SxSw Film Festival.

Badly Drawn Boy's "Year Of The Rat" won the Jury Award For Best Music Video. The clip was directed by Monkmus and produced by Douangta Inthavixay. Executive producers were Soft Citizen's Sandy Hunter and Jamie Watson. The video was released by Astralwerks Records.

Slipknot's "Vermilion" received a Special Jury Award. Rockhard Films' Tony Petrossian directed; Ben Oswa produced. Petrossian is repped by Robin Frank Management. The video was released by Roadrunner Records.

BOOKED: Pretty Ricky - Ray Kay, director

artist: Pretty Ricky
song: "Grind With Me"
label: Atlantic
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Faith Evans "Again"

Faith Evans "Again" Capitol
Chris Robinson, director
Dawn Rose, producer
Robot Films/HSI, production company
Jeff Selis, editor
Description: Faith Evans deals with both the annoyances of everyday life and struggles that are more specific to famous people like herself.

Flyy Kai Takes Flight

Director Flyy Kai adds three more videos to his reel. Although he's signed with Lotus Filmworks, smaller budgeted projects are run through his own company, Red Summer Photoplace.

artist: Boo
song: "I’m Ready"
label: Royal Dollar/J (artist signed to J; video was through his sub-label, Royal Dollar)
director(s): Flyy Kai
production co: Red Summer Photoplace
rep: Robin Frank Management

artist: Savage featuring Akon
song: "Moonshine"
label: Dawn Raid/Universal New Zealand
director(s): Flyy Kai
production co: Red Summer Photoplace
rep: Robin Frank Management

artist: Mista Raja featuring Killa Mike
song: "You Got Me F'd Up"
label: Associ
director(s): Flyy Kai
production co: Red Summer Photoplace
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Melanie C - Ray Kay, director

Former Spice Girl Melanie C grants a behind-the-scenes look at how a superstar's video gets made in her new clip.

artist: Melanie C
song: "Next Best Superstar"
label: Red Girl (Melanie's own independent UK label)
director(s): Nathan Cox
production co: Alchemy Pictures (UK)
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Mark Morrison - Ray Kay, director

Ray Kay travelled to Barbados for a video with UK pop star Mark Morrison and his special guest, reggae singer Tanya Stephens.

artist: Mark Morrison featuring Tanya Stephens
song: "Dance For Me"
label: Mona Records (UK label)
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Black Rays
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: The Game - The Saline Project, directors

artist: The Game featuring 50 Cent
song: "Hate It Or Love It"
label: G Unit/Aftermath/Interscope
director(s): The Saline Project
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

Booked: Young Buck, Amerie, Faith Evans, 50 Cent - Robin Frank Management, rep

artist: Young Buck
song: "Look At Me Now/Bonafide Hustler"
label: G Unit/Interscope
director(s): The Saline Project
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

artist: Amerie
song: "1 Thing"
label: Columbia
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

artist: Faith Evans
song: "Again"
label: Capitol
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

artist: 50 Cent
song: "Candy Shop"
label: Shady/Aftermath/Interscope
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Lotus Filmworks
rep: Robin Frank Management