BOOKED: Ashanti - Kevin Bray, director

artist: Ashanti
song: "The Way That I Love You"
label: The Inc./Universal Motown
director(s): Kevin Bray
production co: DNA

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: Lil Wayne - Gil Green, director

After a little legal dust-up in Arizona, Lil Wayne will head to the more permissible environs of Las Vegas for this new video...

artist: Lil Wayne 
song: "Lollipop"
label: Cash Money/Universal Motown
director(s): Gil Green
production co: Merge @ Crossroads
rep: Labuda Management

Commissioned by The Emperor, who has gotten back up on his throne...

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: Enrique Iglesias - Paul Minor, director

artist: Enrique Iglesias
song: "Donde Estas Corazon"
label: Universal International
director(s): Paul Minor
production co: Streetgang Films

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: Blue October "Calling You"

The blind man who can see is one of the oldest literary archetypes in the book, so it was only a matter of time before he wandered into a music video. Director Jeff Richter imagines his Tiresias as a tattoo-covered  former gangbanger named Enrique, who's now interested in raising his daughter and, of course, using his disability to help others. Kind of like Daredevil, but without the fancy costume, acrobatic adventures. Meanwhile, back at the video's performance space, Blue October play this modern rock love song in a room strewn with light bulbs and baby photos. --> watch "Calling You"

Blue October "Calling You" (Universal Motown)
Jeff Richter, director/editor | Clark Moffatt, producer | Earthquake Productions, production co | Yell Productions, rep | Jessica Young, DP |

SHOT: Akon f/ T-Pain - Bryan Barber, director

artist: Akon feat. T-Pain
song: "I Can't Wait"
label: SRC/Universal Motown
director(s): Bryan Barber
production co: Believe Media
rep: Lanette Phillips Management

PHOTO: Gil Green And Hundreds Of Millions

This is what a "Hundred Million Dollars" — the Birdman video that is, not the loot — looks like: Director Gil Green of 305 Films in the center with (from left) Birdman, Rick Ross, Dre of Cool And Dre and Fat Joe on the set of the clip. The track also features Young Jeezy, Lil' Wayne and DJ Khaled.

Gil Green is represented by Labuda Management. The video is due out via Cash Money/Universal Motown.

SHOT: Kia Shine - Dan The Man, director

Kia Shine mixes it up in front of the New Daisy Theatre in Memphis, TN for his new video "Wow."

artist: Kia Shine
song: "Wow"
label: Universal Motown
director(s): Dan The Man & Kia Shine

SHOT: Shiny Toy Guns - Omri Cohen, director

You know those "direct a video" contests that everybody likes to gripe about? Well, meet Omri Cohen. He won a Red Hot Chili Peppers video contest by directing a DIY clip for "Charlie." In addition to all the advertised prizes and perks, he also got his proverbial foot in the door and has now been commissioned to deliver a viral trilogy for Shiny Toy Guns.

artist: Shiny Toy Guns
song: "You Are The One"
label: Universal Motown
director(s): Omri Cohen
production co: Lifelike
rep: Lanette Phillips Management

BOOKED: Trap Starz - Ethan Lader, director

Shooting in Trap Starz' Dallas hometown...

artist: Trap Starz
song: "Get It Big"
label: OnDeck/Universal Republic
director(s): Ethan Lader
production co: One World
rep: Kerri Kleiner

NEW RELEASE: Alter Bridge "Rise Today"

Alter Bridge, as you may or may not know or care, is basically Creed without Scott Stapp and all those histrionics. As such, the sound of "Rise Today" is pretty darn straightforward hard rock and the video is an equally polished, yet also no-frills clip. Director Dale "Rage" Resteghini — who's recently been on a hip-hop tear, most notably with the omnipresent Crank Dat Soulja Boy video — returns to his rock roots with a multitude of film stocks, lighting flares and edit effects to enliven the band's bare bones performance. --> watch "Rise Today"

Alter Bridge "Rise Today" (Universal Republic)
Dale "Rage" Resteghini, director | Kim Resteghini, producer | Raging Nation, production co | Yell Productions, rep |  Zeus, DP | Jeff Richter, editor

BOOKED: Blue October - Jeff Richter, director

artist: Blue October
song: "Calling You"
label: Universal Motown
director(s): Jeff Richter
production co: Earthquake Productions
rep: Yell Productions

SHOT: Colbie Caillat - Kevin Bray, director

Shot in San Francisco...

artist: Colbie Caillat
song: "Little Things"   
label: Universal Republic
director(s): Kevin Bray 
production co: DNA

BOOKED: Birdman - Gil Green, director

artist: Birdman f/ Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross
song: "Hundred Million Dollars"
label: Cash Money/Universal Motown
director(s): Gil Green
production co: Picture Perfect  
rep: Labuda Management

note: director is signed with Merge @ Crossroads

NEW RELEASE: Juanes "Me Enamora"

Spanish language pop rocker Juanes calls his disillusioned girlfriend's cell, but she's not picking up. Her stuff is in the back seat and she's driving away from him. Luckily, Juanes has pull and he immediately gets a road crew/marching band to block her progress and deliver his message of love via a series of animated high tech signs. Far fetched? Maybe, but Juanes is from Colombia. And as everybody knows, Colombia is a country where the highway department is not just good. It's fabulous. And the directing team Aggressive is known for outlandish greenscreen work and — as you can tell from the before/after shot — this video is yet another fine example of their slick style. --> watch "Me Enamora" (director's cut)

Juanes "Me Enamora" (Universal Music Latino)
Aggressive, directors | JP Fox, producer | Refused TV , production co | Damian Acevedo , DP | Jason Yantz, editor

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

SHOT: Alter Bridge - Dale "Rage" Resteghini, director

Director Dale "Rage" Resteghini (third from left) with Alter Bridge — aka Creed with a different singer — on the set of "Rise Today," which will debut the band's new album Blackbird.

artist: Alter Bridge
song: "Rise Today"
label: Universal Republic
director(s): Dale "Rage" Resteghini
production co: Raging Nation Films

SHOT: Graham Colton - Nigel Dick, director

artist: Graham Colton
song: "Best Days"
label: Universal Republic
director(s): Nigel Dick
production co: DNA

SHOT: Yung Ralph - Rich Newey, director

Director Rich Newey and Yung Ralph on the set of "Look Like Money."

artist: Yung Ralph
song: "Look Like Money"
label: Universal Republic
director(s): Rich Newey
production co: Terrero Films
rep: Laure Scott Representation

SHOT: Juanes - Aggressive, directors

Colombian rock star Juanes (center) takes a break from his new video to pose with the Aggressive directing duo of Dan Shapiro and Alex Topaller.

artist: Juanes
song: "Me Enamora"
label: Universal Latino
director(s): Aggressive
production co: Refused TV

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: Yung Ralph - Rich Newey, director

artist: Yung Ralph
song: "Look Like Money"   
label: Universal Republic   
director(s): Rich Newey 
production co: Terrero Films
rep: Laure Scott Management

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: 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: Shop Boyz - Ghettonerd, director

artist: Shop Boyz
song: "They Like Me"
label: Universal Republic
director(s): Ghettonerd
production co: Goon Media
rep: Heidi Gregory Management

SHOT: Brisco f/ Lil Wayne & baby - Scott Franklin, director

artist: Brisco feat. Lil Wayne and Baby
song: "In The Hood"   
label: Cash Money/Universal Motown 
director(s): Scott Franklin
production co: Fred Films
rep: Labuda Management

BOOKED: Mya - Erik White, director

artist: Mya
song: "Ridin"
label: Universal Motown 
director(s): Erik White
production co: Uncle

NEW RELEASE: Pharoahe Monch "Body Baby"

Perhaps inspired by the success of Outkast's Andre 3000 — who proved that it was possible to defy musical boundaries and embrace a goofy eccentricity while still being hip-hop — Pharaoahe Monch has finally let his full personality get the fuck up in "Body Baby." This wild ride through retro soul and r&b is matched with a video that incorporates everything from comic book transitions, the yellow Volkswagen van from Little Miss Sunshine, some soda shop sockhopping and even an Elvis impersonation by Mr. Monch. It might all be a touch too out there to achieve a "Hey Ya" level of success, but it's hard to imagine that this longtime underground sensation won't be recognizing for delivering one of the most creative and whimsical hip-hop videos and singles of the year. --> watch "Body Baby" below...

Pharoahe Monch "Body Baby" (SRC/Universal Motown)
Lenny Bass, director | Brian Quinlan, producer | DNA, production co | Kira Kelly, DP | Scott Meyer, editor

SHOT: Baby feat. Lil Wayne - Benny Boom, director

Shot in New Orleans...

artist: Baby aka Birdman feat. Lil Wayne
song: "Pop Bottles"
label: Cash Money/Universal Motown 
director(s): Benny Boom
production co: Uncle

SHOT: Shiny Toy Guns - Travis Kopach, director

artist: Shiny Toy Guns
song: "Rainy Monday"
label: Universal Motown
director(s): Travis Kopach
production co: Refused TV/Dignity & Shame

NEW RELEASE: Straylight Run "...Living In The Future"

It ain't magic that makes all those objects disappear in the Straylight Run video "Soon We'll Be Living In The Future." It also ain't green screen. Director Travis Kopach — who also delivered a trippy little clip for the band's "Hands In The Sky" — explains the why and the how for this video about literally packing away your memories and emotional baggage...

Travis Kopach, director: "Emotion doesn't exist in green screen. Emotion exists in a tangible piece of set that you can grab and feel. With that in mind we set out to create a completely practical illusion with four 20 x 20 foot sets built four feet off the ground and a lot of locked off camera shots that allowed us to 'split the frame' in the edit and shoot with emotion. Those camera/edit tricks — plus the scenes where we juxtaposed this amazing song against a projection screen of rolling clouds — make up my second video for this band that I absolutely adore."

Straylight Run "Soon We'll Be Living In The Future"
(Universal Republic)
Travis Kopach, director | Jeremy Sullivan, producer | Refused TV , production co | Jon Fordham, DP | Don O'Reilly, art director

NEW RELEASE: Kinfolk Kia Shine "Krispy"

Kinfolk Kia Shine is a new rapper on the scene and that shiny black pyramid you see in this video is not The Luxor hotel, but the Pyramid Arena in his hometown of Memphis, TN. As for "Krispy," director Vem starts off Kia Shine's debut video with the definition. It's an adjective, "describing one's fresh style and unique swagger," but I have a feeling Kia Shine is talking more about his ice and rims than the way he walks. "Krispy" shows Kia not walking, but floating above the Memphis streets, sporting a neck-full of chains and a dozen wardrobe changes. Later in the video he parties in front of the Mississippi River with his crew and a trove of dancers. In the end, I somehow still don't know what "Krispy" means, but I can't stop saying it anyway. (review by Kevin Holy) --> watch "Krispy"

Kinfolk Kia Shine "Krispy" (Universal Motown)
Vem, director | Tom Evans, producer | The Artists Company, production co | Laure Scott Management, rep | Zeus Morand, DP | Vem/Sweatshopeditorial, editor

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

PHOTOS: Bajofondo Tango Club - Alma Har'el, director

Two pictures from the set of the Bajofondo Tango Club music video "Pa' Bailar:"

1. Renowned tango dancers Julio Balmaceda Y Corina De La Rosa with Partizan director Alma Har'el (on right).
2. A pedicure break on the set, or a scene from the video? We shall see. PS: The manicurist is played by a member of the L.A. dance troupe Hysterica; she also appeared in the Beirut "Elephant Gun" video that Har'el directed.
   

Bajofondo Tango Club is led by Argentinian music maestro Gustavo Santaolalla, who won Oscars for his soundtracks to Brokeback Mountain and Babel. The video supports their new Surco/Universal Latin album Mar Dulce.

PS: Enlarge the photos by clicking 'em.

BOOKED: Bajofondo Tango Club — Alma Har'el, director

Bajofondo Tango Club is led by Argentinian music maestro Gustavo Santaolalla, who won Oscars for his soundtracks to Brokeback Mountain and Babel.

artist: Bajofondo Tango Club
song: "Pa' Bailar"   
label: Surco/Universal Latin
director(s): Alma  Har'el 
production co: Partizan 

NEW RELEASE: Amy Winehouse "Rehab"

Since the U.S. release of Amy Winehouse's Gold certified album Back To Black, the singer has gotten a lot of media attention Stateside. Some of that is due to gossip, but much of it comes thanks to "Rehab," a classic, soulful song that actually turns America and Great Britain's gossip-hungry zeitgeist on its head with Winehouse's sexy and confident refusal of Hollywood's finest destination. After all, one can easily imagine Ms. Spears, Lohan, et al grinding their teeth  — or just grinding — whenever "Rehab" comes blasting at a club or out of a car on Sunset Blvd. Director Phil Griffin's video is a subtle yet strong performance piece which shows Winehouse bedecked in her trademark eye shadow as she ponders that fateful trip. But a quick tease of the hair and a couple shots and you know she should be just fine. (review by Kevin Holy) --> watch "Rehab"

Amy Winehouse "Rehab" (Universal Republic)
Phil Griffin, director | Hywit Abate, producer | Bikini Films, production co [note: Griffin now repped in the US by Anonymous Content] | Adam Frisch , DP | James Rose @ NWH, editor

SHOT: Nate James - Ethan Lader, director

On location in Ireland: Director Ethan Lader (center, flexing, of course), manager Anthony Hamer-Hodges to his left (yellow shirt) and artist Nate James to Lader's right (holding the slate) with the rest of the video crew. click pic to expand

artist: Nate James
song: "Kingdom Falls"
label: FroFunk/Universal UK
director(s): Ethan Lader
production co: Oil Factory
rep: RW Media

--> watch "Kingdom Falls"

SHOT: Kinfolk Kiashine - Vem, director

Kinfolk Kiashine and director Vem at the legendary Arcade Restaurant in Memphis for the "So Krispie" video shoot.

artist: Kinfolk Kiashine
song: "So Krispie" 
label: Universal Motown
director(s): Vem
production co: The Artists Company
rep : Laure Scott Management

SHOT: Colbie Caillat - Liz Friedlander, director

artist: Colbie Caillat
song: "Bubbly"   
label: Universal  Republic
director(s): Liz Friedlander 
production co: DNA

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

BOOKED: Straylight Run - Travis Kopach, director

First video off Straylight Run's upcoming major label debut album, The Needle The Space. Shooting in NYC...

artist: Straylight Run
song: "Soon We'll Be Living In The Future"   
label: Universal Republic 
director(s): Travis Kopach 
production co: Refused TV

NEW RELEASE: Lil Wayne & Birdman "You Ain't Know"

If you associate the Cash Money crew with nothing else but gritty depictions of the dirty south, this period piece video for "You Ain't Know" might strike you as a surprising departure. Set during the gangster era of the '40s or so  — grills and bling were in style back then too, of course— the video stars Lil Wayne and Birdman in a backroom deal at a posh nightclub. --> watch "You Ain't Know"

Lil Wayne & Birdman
"You Ain't Know" (Cash Money/Universal)
David Palmer, director | Palmer Productions production co | James Kniest, DP | Valerian Bennett, editor

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: Scissor Sisters - Robert Hales, director

Director Robert Hales (third from left) with the Scissor Sisters on the London set of "Kiss You Off."

artist: Scissor Sisters
song: "Kiss You Off"
label: Universal Motown 
director(s): Robert Hales
production co: HSI

photo by Kevin Tachman

SHOT: Ali & Gipp - Juwan Lee, director

artist: Ali & Gipp
song: "Almost Made Ya"   
label: Universal Motown
director(s): Juwan Lee
production co's: Uncle

SHOT: Thirteen Senses - Michael Reich, director

Director Michael Reich staged a miniature version of a Japanese horror movie — and hosted a picnic — out in Malibu, CA for UK rock band Thirteen Senses.

artist: Thirteen Senses
song: "Follow Me"
label: Vertigo/Universal UK
director(s): Michael Reich
production co: Draw Pictures

BOOKED: Mya - Benny Boom, director

artist: Mya
song: "Lock You Down"
label: Universal Motown
director(s): Benny Boom
production co: Uncle

SHOT: Lil Wayne - David Palmer, director

artist: Lil Wayne feat. Sizzla & T Streets
song: "The Only Reason" 
label: Cash Money/Universal
director(s): David Palmer
production co: Palmer Productions

SHOT: Birdman & Lil Wayne - David Palmer, director

artist: Birdman & Lil Wayne feat Scott Storch
song: "You Ain't Know" 
label: Cash Money/Universal
director(s): David Palmer
production co: Palmer Productions

NEW RELEASE: Scissor Sisters "She's My Man"

Let's admit it: Wire work is so passe. Those gravity-defying acrobatic effects from The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and countless knock-offs? Yawn. You know it, I know it and director Nagi Noda knows it. That's why she opts to use something cooler, yet astoundingly simple in this video for Scissor Sisters. It's a form of Japanese puppetry  in which stagehands known as Kurokos — who are clad entirely in black and set against a black backdrop — move things around the stage. Since the black on black makes them nearly invisible, the things they control appear to be floating and defying the laws of physics, gravity, etc. Simply put: Imagine if roadies had the grace, dexterity and inconspicuousness of ninjas. In this case, the Kuroko take care of almost all the movement in this dangerous dinner table fight between band members Jake Shears and Ana Matronic. It was all shot in one take, the camera never moves, there's no slo-mo effects and (almost) no special effects — my source tells me there's only one minor effect in the whole video. Watch and wonder. --> watch "She's My Man" (and check this ping pong clip for bonus Kuroko action)

Scissor Sisters "She's My Man" (Universal Motown)
Nagi Noda, director | Hiroaki Nakane, producer | Partizan, production co

NEW RELEASE: Rapture "Pieces Of The People We Love"

Although I try and refrain from calling any video "cool" —  it's a pretty vague description — this new Rapture video is really best described with that word. This video is just downright cool, in the best way: Casual, effortless, suave, sophisticated. Cool. The lone trick is an effect that lets band members and the glittery dancers pull themselves up or disappear through  the white cyc floor. But, this is a video all about groove, be it the Gary Glitter  beat or the simple, yet cool (of course) dance moves. --> watch "Pieces Of The People We Love" at YouTube

The Rapture "Pieces Of The People We Love" (Universal Motown)
Ben Dickinson & Jon Watts, director | Black Dog, producer | Karen Lin, production co | Matt Santo, DP

SHOT: Hinder - Nigel Dick, director

artist: Hinder
song: "Better Than Me" 
label: Universal Republic
director(s): Nigel Dick   
production co: DNA

BOOKED: Young Cash - Dale "Rage" Resteghini, director

artist: Young Cash
song: "Stunna Shades"   
label: SRC/Universal Motown
director(s): Dale "Rage" Resteghini   
production co: Raging Nation
rep: Yell Productions

BOOKED: Lloyd - Erik White, director

artist: Lloyd
song: "Get It Shawty"
label: Universal Motown
director(s): Erik White
production co: Uncle

BOOKED: Faber Drive - Frank Borin, director

artist: Faber Drive
song: "2nd Chance"    
label: Universal Republic
director(s): Frank Borin
production co: Shadow Screen Productions
rep: Yell Productions

BOOKED: Swizz Beatz - Benny Boom, director

artist: Swizz Beatz
song: "It's Me Snitches"   
label: Universal Motown
director(s): Benny Boom
production co: Uncle

BOOKED: Scissor Sisters - Nagi Noda, director

Shooting in Tokyo...

artist: Scissor Sisters
song: "She's My Man"
label: Universal
director(s): Nagi Noda
production co: Partizan

NEW RELEASE: Blue October "Into The Ocean"

Blue October frontman Justin Furstenfeld is both an audience member and a performer in an old-timey stage portrayal of a hunt for the great White Whale. The empty seat next to the spectating Furstenfeld that's reserved for his wife presumably explains what the singer is searching for in both the stage show and the song lyrics. --> watch "Into The Ocean"

Blue October "Into The Ocean" (Universal Motown)
Zach Merck, director | Billy Parks, producer | @radical.media, production co | Ketil Dietrichson, DP | David Baum, editor | Evan Rohde, production designer

IN DEPTH: The Rapture "Whoo! Alright - Yeah... Uh-Huh"

There's only way to shoot a party video and ensure it looks like an actual party. That's right, you gotta throw a real, honest to goodness party. Diretcor Ben Dickinson — newly signed to Black Dog Films — and The Rapture do exactly that in the insanely fun clip for the insanely titled track "Whoo! Alright — Yeah... Uh Huh" Part tribute to a blighted, yet up-and-coming, hip Brooklyn neighborhood and part celebration of School House Rock animation, this video succeeds on nearly every level.

Ben Dickson/The Rapture: "The rooftop party is how we do in Brooklyn! And since it's such a big part of summertime here I thought it was very important to throw a real party for WAYUH. I wanted to create a palpable sense of energy in the video, you know?  So all the Rapture's friends came out and we had a big BBQ with kegs of shitty beer. The Bangers were DJ'ing.  I remember spontaneous dance-offs in between takes.  I mean, I was dancing too. The energy on set was wonderful.

We shot it around where I live in Bushwick. Jon Watts lives right around the corner from me and we have a joke about how our neighborhood is like Sesame Street. We live in a little enclave of creative people and it's colorful and everything you need is within short walking distance.  You run into people you know everywhere. So the animation was inspired by those psychedelic shorts from Sesame Street and School House Rock and other cartoons from that era.  It just made sense to me.

--> watch "Whoo! Alright — Yeah... Uh-Huh"

The Rapture "Whoo! Alright — Yeah... Uh-Huh" (Mercury/Universal)
Ben Dickinson, director | Mark DePace, producer | Greencard Pictures, production co | Matthew Santo, DP | Ben Dickinson & Ron Winter, editors

NEW RELEASE: Scissor Sisters "Land Of 1000 Words"

This Scissor Sisters video  is essentially an homage to the work of the late Maurice Binder, a famous title designer responsible for the classic and trippy opening montages for Barbarella, Charade and nearly every James Bond flick. The Sisters appear mostly within silhouettes of naked babes, while faux credits list nearly everyone involved in the creation of the clip. --> watch "Land Of A Thousand Words"

Scissor Sisters "Land Of A Thousand Words" (Universal)
National TV, directors/editors/production co | Mike Sarkissian @ Three Foot Giant, rep | Omer Ganai, DP

SHOT: Lil' Flip & Mr. Capone-E - Matt S. Hamrick, director

artist: Lil' Flip & Mr. Capone-E
song: "King Of The Streets"
label: SMC/Fontana
director(s): Matt S. Hamrick
production co: Street Entertainment/Treasure Entertainment

SHOT: Blak Jak - Dr. Teeth, director

artist: Blak Jak   
song: "Bobbin My Head"
label: Universal Republic
director(s): Dr. Teeth
production co: The Filming Company
rep: Labuda Management

BOOKED: Blue October - Zach Merck, director

artist: Blue October
song: "Into The Ocean"
label: Brando/Universal Motown
director(s): Zach Merck
production co: @radical.media

SHOT: Drake Bell - Neon, director

Drake Bell of Nickelodeon series Drake & Josh continues his music career with a video in support of his first album for Universal Motown.

artist: Drake Bell
song: "I Know"
label: Universal Motown
director(s): Neon
production co: Raging Nation

SHOT: Akon - Gil Green, director

Director Gil Green has returned from a two week trip to Ghana as part of an effort to increase the quality of videos shot in the region, sponsored by MTV's African property MTV base, the Ghanian Ministry of Tourism and the NYU program in Ghana.

The director ran numerous workshops for film students at the NYU Ghana campus and then allowed the  group to co-produce and co-direct videos — under the name The Red, Gold and Gil Green — for both international star Akon and local artist Tic Tac featuring Batman. The videos were shot in Ghana's capital city Accra and the coastal region of Elmina. MTV base filmed all the activities for a forthcoming "Making Of" special. -- see photo of Gil Green working the camera as Akon performs

artist: Akon
song: "Mama Africa"
label: SRC/Universal   
director(s): Gil Green
production co: Partizan

SHOT: Ali & Gipp - Fat Cats, directors

artist: Ali & Gipp
song: "N Da Paint"
label: Derrty/Universal  Motown
director(s): Fat Cats   
production co: F.M. Rocks

SHOT: Vittorio Grigolo & Nicole Scherzinger - Declan Whitebloom, director

Merge director Declan Whitebloom and Nicole Scherzinger of The Pussycat Dolls on the set of the "You Are My Miracle" video for Italian "popera" singer Vittorio Grigolo. Scherzinger duets with Grigolo on the track and co-stars in the video.

artist: Vittorio Grigolo feat. Nicole Scherzinger
song: "You Are My Miracle"
label: Polydor/Universal Classic
director(s): Declan Whitebloom
production co: Merge @ Crossroads

BOOKED: The Rapture - Ben Dickinson, director

Director Ben Dickinson will be heading to Brooklyn again to shoot another video for The Rapture in support of their album Pieces Of The People Will Love. Set to take place at a massive block party, the video should have a dancetastic edge, thanks to VMA nominated choreographer Tanisha Scott.

artist: The Rapture
song: "Whoo! Alright — Yeah... Uh Huh"
label: Mercury/Universal
director(s): Ben Dickinson
production co: Greencard Pictures

SHOT: Shiny Toy Guns - No Brain, director

artist: Shiny Toy Guns
song: "Le Disko"
label: Universal
director(s): No Brain
production co: Continuum
rep: Laure Scott

BOOKED: Scissor Sisters - National TV, directors

Creative team National Television — now being repped by Mike Sarkissian — are set to direct a sure-to-be outlandish video for Scissor Sisters.

artist: Scissor Sisters
song: "Land Of A Thousand Words"
label: Universal
director(s): National Television
production co: National Television
rep: Mike Sarkissian

SHOT: Pharoahe Monch - Paul Minor, director

Director Paul Minor recreates the infamous NYC blackout of 1977 in this video for underground hip-hop star Pharoahe Monch.

artist: Pharoahe Monche
song: "Push"
label: SRC/Universal
director(s): Paul Minor
production co: Streetgang Films

SHOT: Akon feat. Eminem - Benny Boom, director

artist: Akon feat. Eminem
song: "Smack That"
label: SRC/Universal
director(s): Benny Boom
production co: F.M. Rocks

PHOTO: Lenny Bass on set of "Chicken Noodle Soup"

DNA director Lenny Bass with Young B and DJ Webstar on the Harlem, NY set for  the "Chicken Noodle Soup" video.

Photo courtesy John Ricard.

SHOT: Penelope - Fat Cats, directors

Shooting today in Los Angeles...

artist: Penelope 
song: "No Matter What They Say"
label: Motown/Universal
director(s): Fat Cats
production co: F.M. Rocks

SHOT: DJ Webstar & Young B - Lenny Bass, director

Los Angeles may have clown dancing and krumping, but New York City has its own dance with a silly name: The Chicken Noodle Soup. This video was shot in Harlem, which is the epicenter of this dance movement.

artist: DJ Webstar & Young B
song: "Chicken Noodle Soup"
label: Scrilla Hill/Universal
director(s): Lenny Bass
production co: DNA

SHOT: Paulina Rubio - Paul Boyd, director

Since it's all about action and not words, this video will feature the Mexican pop star Paulina Rubio fighting crime on various rooftops in downtown Los Angeles.

artist: Paulina Rubio
song: "Ni Una Sola Palabra"
label: Universal Mexico
director(s): Paul Boyd
production co: MotivFilms
rep: RW Media

BOOKED: Hedley - Kevin De Freitas, director

artist: Hedley
song: "Gunnin' "
label: Universal Canada (band signed to Capitol in US)
director(s): Kevin De Freitas
production co: Blink Pictures

SHOT: Swollen Members - Margaret Malandruccolo, director

Canadian trio Swollen Members are joined by rap vet Everlast for this video shot in L.A.

artist: Swollen Members feat. Everlast
song: "Put Me On"
label: Battle Axe/Universal
director(s): Margaret Malandruccolo
production co: Blink Pictures

SHOT: Damian Marley - Ras Kassa, director

artist: Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley
song: "Move"
label: Tuff Gong/Ghetto Youths/Universal
director(s): Ras Kassa
production co: Karma

BOOKED: Birdman & Lil Wayne - Benny Boom, director

Shooting in Miami...

artist: Birdman & Lil Wayne
song: "Stuntin' Like My Daddy"
label: Cash Money/Universal
director(s): Benny Boom
production co: F.M. Rocks
rep: Milk & Honey

SHOT: Hinder - Nigel Dick, director

artist: Hinder
song: "Lips Of An Angel"
label: Universal
director(s): Nigel Dick
production co: DNA

SHOT: The Rapture - Ben Dickinson, director

The Rapture and over 75 roller skaters took over a Brooklyn roller rink for this shoot...

artist: The Rapture
song: "Get Myself Into It"
label: Mercury/Universal
director(s): Ben Dickinson
production co: Greencard Pictures

SHOT: Chamillionaire - Rich Lee, director

Director Rich Lee threw a fashion runway show with a twist over the long July 4 weekend for this video follow-up to Chamillionaire's hit "Ridin'."

artist: Chamillionaire
song: "Grown And Sexy"
label: Universal
director(s): Rich Lee
production co: DNA

SHOT: Damian Marley - Ras Kassa, director

Shot in Kingston, Jamaica...

artist: Damian Marley feat. Stephen Marley
song: "All Night"
label: Tuff Gong/Ghetto Youths/Universal
director(s): Ras Kassa
production cos: Karma / Guru Films

SHOT: The Working Title - Christopher Mills, director

Pictured on the set with The Working Title are producer Shannon Brand and director Christopher Mills (front row, seated), AD Jeff Cowan (top left), the video's featured actress (second from left) and Steve Smith of A Squared Management. click pic to enlarge

artist: The Working Title
song: "The Mary Getaway (I Lost Everything)"
label: Aware/Universal
director(s): Christopher Mills
production co: Spy Entertainment

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

BOOKED: Remy Ma feat. Ne-Yo - Dale Resteghini, director

Shooting in Miami over the Memorial Day weekend...

artist: Remy Ma feat. Ne-Yo
song: "Feel So Good"
label: SRC/Universal
director(s): Dale Resteghini
production co: Raging Nation Films

BOOKED: 216 - Melina, director

Shooting in the group's hometown of Cleveland...

artist: 216
song: "Hey Hey"
label: Universal
director(s): Melina
production co: F.M. Rocks
rep: Milk & Honey

SHOT: Gary Nichols - Paul Boyd, director

artist: Gary Nichols
song: "Unbroken Ground"
label: Universal Nashville
director(s): Paul Boyd
production co: MotivFilms
rep: RW Media

NEWS: Gina Harrell Joins Universal Video Prod Dept

Gina Harrell has been named the the new Senior V.P., Video Production for the Universal Motown Republic group. She joins Amanda Allen in the department.

SHOT: Shooter Jennings - Dean Karr, director

artist: Shooter Jennings
song: "Gone To Carolina"
label: Universal South
director(s): Dean Karr
production co: The Mine

NEWS: Panzer & Friedman Exit Universal Production Dept

Longtime Universal-Motown video production execs Jeff Panzer and Wendi Friedman are leaving the label to start a new company that will specialize in freelance video commissioning and other creative services. Their last day at Universal is Friday, April 20.

Friedman exits as VP, Music Video Production, while Panzer reigned as The Emperor Of All Video for over a decade. During their tenure at Universal, they were responsible for commissioning videos for the label's full roster, including the Platinum stars Nelly, 3 Doors Down, Cash Money, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Godsmack and many others.

Video Static will have Panzer and Friedman's contact info in tomorrow's FREE weekly email recap, so now's as good a time as any to make sure you're signed up.

SHOT: India.Arie - Barnaby Roper, director

India.Arie will be showing off four distinct personalities, in addition to some different hairstyles, in this new video.

artist: India.Arie
song: "I Am Not My Hair"
label: Motown/Universal
director(s): Barnaby Roper
production cos: Collaboration Factory / Flynn Productions
rep: Laure Scott

BOOKED: Ali & Gipp - Melina, director

Ali from the St. Lunatics and Gipp from Goodie Mobb will support their forthcoming combo album Kinfolk with a video that features them in the pages of various magazines. 

artist: Ali & Gipp
song: "Go Head"
label: Derrty/Universal
director(s): Melina
production co: F.M. Rocks
rep: Milk & Honey

BOOKED: Elijah - Fabien Pruvot, director

L.A. house Propeller has booked a video for French rapper Elijah.

artist: Elijah
song: "Question De Feeling"
label: Universal France
director(s): Fabien Pruvot
production co: Propeller

NEW RELEASE: The Sam Roberts Band "The Gate"

The Sam Roberts Band
"The Gate" (Universal Canada)
Christopher Mills, director/editor | Anthony Seck, producer | Spy Entertainment, production co | George Vale, DP | Description: Canadian rock star Sam Roberts borrows the scrappy, psychedelic tone of Revolver era Beatles for this rollicking track from his upcoming album Chemical City. Director Christopher Mills — who at this point could be considered the master of improvised, visual psychedelia — is more than up to the challenge of achieving a suitably burnt and trippy look to match the tune. Shots of the barren desert landscape outside Las Vegas is mixed with a performance in which Roberts and his bandmates are on miniature wooden platforms that are tugged back and forth across a stage by purposefully exposed pulleys. -- watch "The Gate"

SHOT: Godsmack - Wayne Isham, director

Wayne Isham directed some controlled chaos outside Las Vegas with a squadron of flashy cars and trucks for the new Godsmack video, "Speak."

artist: Godsmack
song: "Speak"
label: Republic/Universal
director(s): Wayne Isham
production co: Merge @ Crossroads

BOOKED: Theory Of A Deadman - Kyle Davison, director

artist: Theory Of A Deadman
song: "Since You've Been Gone"
label: 604/Universal Canada (Roadrunner in US)
director(s): Kyle Davison
production co: Blink Pictures

NEW RELEASE: MVP "Bounce"

MVP (Most Valuable Playas)
"Bounce, Shake, Move, Stop!"
(Casablanca/Universal)
Robert Clivilles & Fritz Celestin, directors | Music Factory, production co | Description: C&C Music Factory co-founder Robert Clivilles is the svengali behind MVP featuring rapper Stagga Lee. Post house KromA created various 3-D environments, in addition to lots of other effects, including one that allow dancers to shatter into pieces when they hit the floor.

SHOT: Big Tuck - Juan Carlos, director

Big Tuck will further hype the Dallas hip-hop scene with this club video featuring Play-N-Skillz and other local acts.

artist: Big Tuck
song: "Tussle"
label: Universal
director(s): Juan Carlos
production co: The Filming Co.

BOOKED: Blue October - Kevin Kerslake, director

artist: Blue October
song: "Hate Me"
label: Universal
director(s): Kevin Kerslake
production co: Merge @ Crossroads
rep: Labuda Management

SHOT: 3 Doors Down - Wayne Isham, director

artist: 3 Doors Down
song: "Landing In London"
label: Republic/Universal
director(s): Wayne Isham
production co: Merge @ Crossroads

NEW RELEASE: Jack Johnson "Upside Down"

Jack Johnson
"Upside Down"
Universal
The Malloys, directors
Black Dog, production co
Description: Jack Johnson keeps performing this tune even after he slips on a banana peel left behind by that pesky Curious George monkey and falls into the ocean. Johnson performs under the water with no health effects, except for the hallucinations that transport him into Curious George's animated world. These  scenes were made by inserting Jack Johnson into pre-existing footage from the film. -- Watch "Upside Down"

SHOT: Lil Wayne - Benny Boom, director

Director Benny Boom and Lil Wayne in NYC for the "Hustler Musik" shoot.

artist: Lil Wayne
song: "Hustler Musik"
label: Cash Money/Universal
director(s): Benny Boom
prod co: F.M. Rocks
rep: Milk & Honey

Photograph courtesy of John Ricard

PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE: Hinder "Get Stoned"

Members of Universal band Hinder prepare to rock at the Farmer's Daughter Motel in Los Angeles for their debut music video, "Get Stoned." Look closely and you can see the band's "groupies" lining the balconies above the stage and (part of) F.M. Rocks video director Zach Merck on the far right.

The video's concept called for a recreation of the famously debauched rock 'n' roll scene at the Los Angeles Hyatt on Sunset (aka The Riot House).

BOOKED: Hinder - Zach Merck, director

Director Zach Merck and crew will recreate the famously debauched rock 'n' roll scene at the Los Angeles Hyatt on Sunset (aka The Riot House) in this video for "Get Stoned."

artist: Hinder
song: "Get Stoned"
label: Universal
director(s): Zach Merck
production co: F.M. Rocks

BOOKED: 10 Years - Kevin Kerslake, director

10 Years singer Jesse Hasek will find himself in the back seat of a cab driven by a tortured refugee in this new video for "Wasteland."

artist: 10 Years
song: "Wasteland"
label: Republic/Universal
director(s): Kevin Kerslake
production co: Merge @ Crossroads
rep: Labuda Management

BOOKED: Remy Ma - Jim Jones & Scott Franklin, director

Rap star Jim Jones is joining with Scott Franklin to co-direct a video for Remy Ma, the first lady of Terror Squad. The video imagines that Remy lives a very lavish lifestyle in a gargantuan mansion with man servants who cater to her every need.

artist: Remy Ma
song: "Conceited"
label: SRC/Universal
director(s): Jim Jones & Scott Franklin
production co: Fred Films
rep: Labuda Management

BOOKED: Trisha Yearwood - Randee St. Nicholas, director

artist: Trisha Yearwood
song: "Trying To Love You"
label: Mercury/Universal
director(s): Randee St. Nicholas
production co: northbynorth6
rep: Laure Scott

SHOT: Nelly feat. Paul Wall - Fat Cats, directors

This video was shot in Atlanta at a fictional "grill" shop.

artist: Nelly feat. Paul Wall, Gipp & Ali
song: "Grillz"
label: Universal
director(s): Fat Cats
production co: F.M. Rocks

BOOKED: Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley feat. Nas - Frank E. Flowers, director

Indie film director Frank E. Flowers will be making his music video debut with a shoot this week in NYC for Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley and guest rapper Nas.

artist: Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley feat. Nas
song: "Road To Zion"
label: Tuff Gong/Ghetto Youths/Universal
director(s): Frank E. Flowers
production co: @radical.media

NEW RELEASE: Jamie Cullum "Get Your Way"

Jamie Cullum "Get Your Way" Verve Forecast/Universal
Daniel Greaves & Sharon Coleman, directors
Tandem Films (UK), production co
Description: It's Jamie And The Purple Crayon in this video mix of live action and animation. Jamie Cullum starts the fun by using a crayon to draw a microphone and stand. The crayon then decides to take control of the situatiuon and breaks free to draw a multitude of objects with which to torment the singer. Eventually Cullum is able to fight back and take control of the situation, but by that point he's been slapped around, stabbed, gnawed on by a monster and even strung up on a hangman's post. Check out the adventurous video at the Verve Forecast site.

BOOKED: Shooter Jennings - James Minchin, director

Noted rock photographer James Minchin is directing the debut video for Waylon Jenning's alt-country rocking son, Shooter Jennings.

artist: Shooter Jennings
song: "Steady At The Wheel"
label: Universal South
director(s): James Minchin
production co: Frycat
rep: RW Media

SHOT: Remy Ma - David Palmer, director

Rapper Remy Ma will represent for all five boroughs of NYC in her forthcoming video, "Whuteva."  See photo below of Remy and director David Palmer on-location at the Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens.

artist: Remy Ma
song: "Whuteva"
label: SRC/Universal
director(s): David Palmer
production co: Palmer Productions
rep: Labuda Management

SHOT: Tyra feat. Penelope - Fat Cats, directors

artist: Tyra feat. Penelope
song: "Get No Ooh Wee"
label: Universal
director(s): Fat Cats
production co: F.M. Rocks

SHOT: Def Leppard - John Logsdon, director

Director John Logsdon takes the viewer behind the scenes of a Def Leppard rehearsal for this video in support of the band's cover of the Badfinger song "No Matter What." The video focuses on the pre-production involved in setting things up and then the actual performance. "No Matter What" is featured on Def Leppard's 2-CD 2-CD hits compilation, Rock Of Ages.

artist: Def Leppard
song: "No Matter What"
label: Island Def Jam/Universal Music Enterprises
director(s): John Logsdon
production co: 1171 Production Group

NEW RELEASE: The Mars Volta "L'Via, L'Viaquez"

The Mars Volta "L'Via, L'Viaquez"  Strummer/Universal
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, director
Jim Agnew, producer
Notorious 24:7, production company
Simon Chan, editor
Description: Hallucinatory images and effects overlay band performance. Mars Volta guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez directed.

NEW RELEASE: Kaiser Chiefs "Oh My God"

Kaiser Chiefs "Oh My God"  Universal
Charlie Paul, director
Luke Jacobs, producer
Itch Film, production company
Description: Kaiser Chiefs find themselves at a series of whimsical locales. They play miniature instruments in a toy store, hang out with a harem in a lush Bedouin tent, and even try to stay warm on an Antarctic iceberg. They also stop by a martial arts retreat and a posh library. The editing gets more manic and line animations begin to overlay the footage as the song progresses to its big finish.

BOOKED: Lil' Mo - David Palmer, director

Lil' Mo will pay tribute to "Dem Boyz" from her hometown of Baltimore in this upcoming video.

artist: Lil' Mo
song: "Dem Boyz"
label: Cash Money/Universal
director(s): David Palmer
production co: Palmer Productions
rep: Labuda Management

SHOT: The Mars Volta - Artificial Army & Omar Rodriguez Lopez, directors

This next video for prog-rock act The Mars Volta was co-directed by guitarist Omar Rodriguez Lopez. It layers kaleidoscopic and hallucinatory images and effects over a live performance.

Artificial Army also directed the hit video for The Mars Volta's "The Widow."

artist: The Mars Volta
song: "L'Via/L'Viaquez"
label: Strummer/Universal
director(s): Artificial Army & Omar Rodriguez Lopez
production co: Refused TV

NEW RELEASE: Stevie Wonder "So What The Fuss"

Stevie Wonder "So What The Fuss" Motown
Paul Hunter, director
Rubin Mendoza, producer
HSI production company
Harvey White, editor
Description: Stevie Wonder returns to the music scene with a sound that owes much to the hard funk of his best 1970s work. In other words, think "Living For The City," and not "I Just Called To Say I Love You."  The sound of Stevie and his band performing in a studio wafts through the ventilation ducts and inspires his neighbors to dance and have a good time.

As if a new Stevie Wonder release isn't noteworthy enough, this video is the first to be available with a descriptive track so that blind or visually-impaired viewers can know what's happening on-screen. Busta Rhymes narrates the descriptive track. And, to top it all off, the guitar work on this single is by Prince.

SHOT: Lindsay Lohan - Jake Nava, director

Promotion for Lindsay Lohan's Herbie: Fully Loaded kicks into a higher gear with a video tie-in for her new single "First." The video will mostly consist of Lohan and her band rocking out at a race track.

artist: Lindsay Lohan
song: "First"
label: Casablanca/Universal/Hollywood
director(s): Jake Nava
production co: F.M. Rocks

BOOKED: Nelly - Chris Robinson, director

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

NEW RELEASE: The Features "Blow It Out"

The Features "Blow It Out"  Universal
Chad Denning, director
Brett Darken & Matt Nahay, producers
Peace Frog, production company
Chad Denning & Brian Wilson, editors
Description: The Features perform this pop/rock tune in a cozy recording studio.

NEW RELEASE: Baby feat. Lil Wayne "Neck Of The Woods"

Baby aka Birdman featuring Lil Wayne "Neck Of The Woods"  Cash Money/Universal
David Palmer, director
Jasper Thomlinson, producer
Palmer Productions, production company
Labuda Management, director's rep
Steve Rees, editor
Description: Baby and fellow Cash Money rapper Lil Wayne how what it's like in the "Neck of The Woods" where they used to live. These gritty streets are then contrasted with the plush mansion which the Birdman currently inhabits.

NEW RELEASE: Nelly "Errtime"

Nelly "Errtime"  Derrty/Universal
Benny Boom & Nelly, directors
Roger Urbina, producer
F.M. Rocks, production company
Milk & Honey, director's rep
Harvey White, editor
Description: MTV/Paramount updates the 1974 film The Longest Yard for a new generation. This remake stars Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Nelly and Burt Reynolds (who had the lead role in the original movie). "Errtime" is the lead single/video off the star-studded soundtrack. Nelly performs on various sets with a bevy of hot babes and guest stars Snoop Dogg, the St. Lunatics and Adam Sandler.

NEW RELEASE: David Banner "Ain't Got Nothing"

David Banner "Ain't Got Nothing" SRC/Universal
Gregory Dark & David Banner, director
Sharlotte Blake, producer
SharkWorks, production company
Description: First video off Banner's upcoming CD Certified. This comical adventure finds Banner and guest rappers Magic and Lil Boosie throwing a performance party to raise money for their rent. Some of the weirder occurrences leading up to the party are a baby that looks exactly like Banner and an ATM that comes alive.

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

SHOT - Damian Marley - Ras Kassa, director

Damian takes the viewer on a tour of some of the deepest and gritties parts of Trenchtown, Jamaica in this video...

artist: Damian Marley (aka Jr. Gong)
song: "Jam Rock"
label: Tuff Gong/Ghetto Youths/Universal
director(s): Ras Kassa
production co: Karma

SHOT: Razorlight - Jamie Thraves, director

artist: Razorlight
song: "Somewhere Else"
label: Mercury Records UK (Universal in the US)
director(s): Jamie Thraves
production co: Oil Factory

BOOKED: Baby - David Palmer, director

artist: Baby featuring Lil Wayne
song: "My Neck Of The Woods"
label: Cash Money/Universal
director(s): David Palmer
production co: Palmer Productions
rep: Labuda Management

SHOT: Jack Johnson - The Malloys, directors

This video required Jack Johnson to perform everything in reverse. The video starts with Johnson all disheveled in a chair and then reverses itself to show how he got that way.

artist: Jack Johnson
song: "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing"
label: Universal
director(s): The Malloys
production co: Black Dog

SHOT: Nitty - Davy Duhamel, director

Rap newcomer Nitty shows off his dance moves outside of a school in the video for "Hey Bitty." The song is a play on the 1982 Toni Basil hit, "Mickey."

artist: Nitty
song: "Hey Bitty"
label: Universal
director(s): Davy Duhamel
production co: F.M. Rocks

BOOKED: Akon - Gil Green, director

artist: Akon
song: "Lonely"
label: SRC/Universal
director(s): Gil Green
production co: Partizan

SHOT: The Features - Zach Merck, director

Director Zach Merck mixes The Features' raw performance with a time-lapse collage that shows the irreverent doings in a small city.

artist: The Features
song: "Blow it Out"
label: Universal
director(s): Zach Merck
production co: F.M. Rocks

SHOT: Jojo - Fat Cats, directors

Jojo stays grounded even as she deals with the trappings of fame in this video directed by the Fat Cats.

artist: Jojo
song: "Not That Kinda Girl"
label: Blackground/Universal
director(s): Fat Cats
production co: F.M. Rocks

SHOT: Brie Larson - Chris Applebaum, director

Chris Applebaum directed "She Said" for new pop singer Brie Larson. Brie works at an all American burger joint where she's forced to deal with all sorts of characters. Eventually she gets fed up and leaves to perform with her band on a huge stage. Unfortunately, her big break have been just a dream.

artist: Brie Larson
song: "She Said"
label: Casablanca/Universal
director(s): Chris Applebaum
production co: Partizan