Commissioned artist Cynthia Erivo’s first solo music video, The Good, directed by Mollie Mills for RadicalMedia.
In Cynthia’s words, “It's unbelievably important to keep telling stories that give space and solace to LGBTQ+ members, Black members of our society, of our communities, because there isn't enough, there's not enough space,” Erivo says. “I think the more we can see it, the more we get to understand that we deserve space too. And we have to be seen so that we can make great things, that we can create great art, and that our experiences are valid too.”
“Produced by Untold Studios and directed by Gabriella Kingsley, the spellbinding visual aims to celebrate and empower Black women, elevating Nina Simone’s legacy of championing Black talent and beauty. Drawing inspiration from Nina’s iconic looks, rising star Gabriella Kingsley translates her style through contemporary and artistic visuals, playing with mesmerising movement and dynamic backdrops to showcase the hypnotic lyrics of ‘I Put A Spell On You.’
The film was commissioned by Liz Hart on behalf of record label, Verve, to celebrate and pay homage to this renowned artist on what would be her 90th Birthday, helping to ensure her legacy lives on in contemporary culture.
Gabriella explains , “Working on Nina’s Simone’s iconic track ‘I Put a Spell on You’ was a dream come true for me. Concept-wise I knew straight away I wanted to capture strong, beautiful, Black women and that’s what sparked the idea of recreating her iconic looks because who represented that better than Nina herself.
The crew and cast were meticulously chosen and they really executed my vision perfectly. Overall the process working with her estate, Verve and Untold Studios was a truly nourishing and liberating experience and I hope the world enjoys it as much as I did honouring the queen and legend that is Nina Simone.” - Little Black Book
Commissioned a visual mission statement by legendary Jazz artist Jon Batiste to support the release of his breakthrough album, WE ARE. Directed by Bram VanderMark this musical short film beautifully blends editorial moments with vulnerable interviews, to offer a cathartic insight into the life and times of one of America’s most exciting contemporary artists.
Creative Director for The Secret of Us - Gracie Abram’s astonishing new work made in collaboration with Vevo. Featuring three live performances from her album of the same title, interwoven with an intimate conversation with Gracie discussing her creative process and how these songs came to life in the studio.
For this episode of Extended Play I wanted to create a safe space for Gracie to inhabit both creatively and emotionally. For an artist, talking deeply about their work requires a certain amount of vulnerability. We chose famed Valentine Studios in North Hollywood not just for its stunning, entirely authentic vintage decor and pro audio gear, but because it’s the sort of space where an artist feels at home.
The viral success of the live version of “I Love You, I’m Sorry” is testament to how taking an artist first approach as a CD translates into truly compelling content.
Thank you, Gracie, for trusting us with your songs and stories.
Director and Creative Director for Tate McRae’s episode of Extended Play made in collaboration with Vevo, including stunning live versions of “Exes”, “We’re Not Alike” and a unique ballad arrangement of “Hurt My Feelings”
Creative Director for Olivia Rodrigo’s Official Live Performance series made in collaboration with Vevo. Channeling the spirit, intensity and raw power of a 90s era Riot Grrl, Olivia delivered three intense live performances from her sophomore album, GUTS, including “All American Bitch”, “Pretty Isn’t Pretty” and “Get Him Back”.
Commissioned an arresting video from London based director Ashleigh Jadee produced by Dynasty Entertainment, featuring the Jaiy Twins
““Hustle,” the first single from Sons of Kemet’s upcoming Black to the Future, breaks down borders with similar fervor. The band goes full bore once again: The brass races ahead while the dubstep wobble of the drums points squarely into the future. The gruff voice of London-based rapper (and previous Hutchings collaborator) Kojey Radical blends into the mix, delivering a plainspoken message of Black pride. He’s joined by Lianne La Havas, who provides smoky backing vocals for the mantra: “Born from the mud with the hustle inside me.” The video follows two dancers—one dressed in black, one dressed in white—from the city, through the woods, and finally into the water, symbolizing, as Hutchings has described it, internal struggle and rebirth. With a moral urgency as fierce as its rhythms, “Hustle” represents this journey by traversing the length of Black musical history.” - Pitchfork
Creative Director for Camila Cabello’s Official Live Performance series made in collaboration with Vevo, featuring a heart-wrenching version of “Godspeed”
Creative Director of a four song live performance series made in collaboration with Halsey to promote the release of her new album, “The Great Impersonator”. It feels like Halsey has taken the biggest creative swing of her career and labels it a “confessional concept album.” As the October 25 release day approached, fans watched her inhabit a kaleidoscope of musical heroes. That was only the beginning. We decided to take the nostalgic trip one step further with these Official Live Performances, seeking to answer the questions: “What if Halsey arrived in a different time? What if she recorded in the 1970s, 80s, 90s or early 2000’s?” So we built four interconnected stages reflective of each decade - with vintage outfits and instruments to match. We captured the action on 35mm film for that timeless feel. Leaning into personal authenticity, Halsey did her own makeup. Team Vevo and Team Halsey’s long history of collaboration allowed this to be one of the series’ most ambitious shoots.
Directed St. Vincent’s astonishing live performance of “Reckless” for Live from Vevo Studios. Captured on our iconic Los Angeles studio stage, Annie and her band nearly tore the roof off with the raw power of their sound.
Listen LOUD.
Creative Director for Offset’s iconic Ctrl performance of “On the River”
Just as Offset was due to grace Vevo's ctrl stage in Brooklyn I got a slightly panicked note from the producer that he wanted to perform with his baby son. There were concerns about having a child on set, about release forms - but all I could think of was what a powerful statement about Black fatherhood this would be.
Powerful quickly became an understatement. Offset's performance of "On the River" with baby Wave in his arms is absolutely arresting. Watch this video and try not to be affected by the precision of his delivery while bouncing his child in one arm. Revel in the juxtaposition of raw and tender moments, the joy on Wave's face as he caught the beat, the quiet words of praise at the end.
Thank you Offset and Wave for delivering Vevo's most impactful ctrl performance of 2023
Directed two live performances for rising star Renee Rapp, made in partnership with Vevo, including this powerful version of her hit single, “Snow Angel”. Captured on the stage of the historic August Theater in New York City, the venue held special meaning for Renee. She launched her career starring in the Broadway production of “Mean Girls” delivering hundreds of performances of the show on the very same stage.
Creative Director for Post Malone’s incendiary three song Official Live Performance made in collaboration with Vevo, featuring this live performance of hit single “Overdrive”
Creative Director for Imagine Dragons’s episode of Extended Play, made in collaboration with Vevo. This four song live performance film includes an insightful interview with lead singer Dan Reynolds exploring his creative process and breaking down the band’s studio work flow for their latest album, LOOM
Creative Director for J Balvin + Vevo for his Official Live Performance of “Ganster” - filmed in collaboration with the team at The Lift, CDMX.
The Colombian superstar arrived at the oldest section of Mexico City to film a mysterious and energetic performance of “Ganster.” While watching him weave between hazy corridors of historic architecture, one can’t help but think about Balvin’s timeless impact on a genre that he’s helped popularize around the world.
Creative Director for a very special short film made in collaboration with hip hop legends Common + Pete Rock. Featuring three live performances on Vevo’s ctrl stage in Brooklyn interwoven with an insightful interview captured at the birth place of the album, famed Electric Lady Studios.
“The Auditorium Vol. 1 is more than just a showcase of two hip-hop icons embracing their unapologetic boom-bap style to deliver the nostalgia that hip-hop enthusiasts crave. It is also a testament to the reality about the longevity of hip-hop culture and a demonstration of how the most esteemed emcees continue to refine their craft.” - Forbes
I had the honor of commissioning the first official music video for the iconic “Feeling Good” on behalf of the Estate of Nina Simone. Made in partnership with Dove in support of The Crown Act.
“In honor of Black Music Month, Dove has partnered with Verve Records, UMe, and the Nina Simone Charitable Trust to create an original music video for legendary artist Nina Simone’s classic song “Feeling Good.” Directed by Sara Lacombe, the BET-award-winning creative behind visuals such as City Girls featuring Cardi B’s “Twerk” and Migos featuring Drake’s “Walk It Talk It,” the “Feeling Good” video aims to celebrate natural hair, Black women, and raise awareness for The CROWN Act, a law to end race-based hair discrimination.
The music video depicts a delicate portrait of multiple generations of Black females, living their truths, loving each other, celebrating their hair, and, of course, feeling good.” - VIBE MAGAZINE
Directed two live performance videos for reimagined rock versions of superstar Demi Lovato’s hit singles “Cool for the Summer” and “Sorry, Not Sorry”, made in partnership with Vevo and featured in the Live from Vevo Studios series
Director and Producer for a three song suite of live performance videos with the luminous Mandy Moore - shot inside the hallowed halls of Studio B at United Recording in Los Angeles
Fifteen
Executive Producer on behalf of Bacardi Rum, BBDO and Phantoscopic, Ltd. as part of a multi-platform campaign in conjunction with Spotify and platinum selling EDM group, Major Lazer.
I was brought on by the London based award-winning director duo, Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, to produce four short form documentaries on local artists + one 30 second ad spot to launch the campaign.
Winner 2018 D&AD Branded Content, 3x Cannes Lions for Social Media + Influencer, CLIO for Multicultural
MYSTIC DAVIS Port Antonio, Jamaica
SHOKRYME Kingston, Jamaica
COHOBA Santo Domingo, DR
DYNAMITE St. Vincent Grenadines
Creative Director and Commissioner of composer and pianist Chad Lawson’s global album campaign “breathe”, released by Decca Records / Universal Music Group. I oversaw the design and creation of all visual elements including portrait photography and artwork design by Neil Krug, direction of lead music video “irreplaceable”, direction of lead performance video “fields of forever” + commissioning a suite of seven abstract films from Neil Krug and two narrative shorts by director Caitlin Gerard. The album hit #2 on the Billboard Classical Music Chart and continues to stream +1M week on week.
Executive Producer and Commissioner of an exclusive live stream event hosted by Decca Records, highlighting maestro Ludovico Einaudi’s most treasured compositions.
Commissioner and Creative Director for 23 year old Icelandic composer Gabriel Olafs’ stunning debut on Decca Records, Solon Islandus. In addition to portrait photography by Anna Maggy with styling by Bernat Buscato, I directed a short form documentary entitled The Story of Solon Islandus, and commissioned a suite of visualizers by Icelandic artist Heimir Hlooverson, plus four live performance videos by director Blair Alexander captured at Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik summer 2022.
Commissioned the official music video for Nina Simone’s iconic track “My Baby Just Cares for Me” as remixed by incendiary electronic artists HONNE. Shot on location in Cape Town, South Africa on the hottest day of the year, director Jolynn Minnaar and her dedicated crew from Stage 5 Films delivered a stunning portrait of human care in all its forms.
The best compliment a commissioner could imagine came directly from Nina’s Estate:
“I think every element Nina would have wanted is here. The locales and casting here are terrific, distinctly African. It’s multiracial, intergenerational, multicultural, gender fluid.
You have lifted the 1985 version between the remix and the visuals. You’ve all done very well and should be congratulated.”
Executive Producer for the BAFTA and Academy Award Nominated score written by Miss Management client, Mica Levi.
As told by director Pablo Larrain to The New Yorker, “She doesn’t go the conventional route—she won’t layer a ‘sad’ note on a sad scene. She will find an equally evocative emotional tone that adds another layer to the movie. Her sensibility brings another dimension.”
Produced feature length documentary about poet, author and musician Gil Scott-Heron, directed by Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard and commissioned by Richard Russell.
Who is Gil Scott-Heron? had its US theatrical debut at the IFC Theater in New York and has been shown at numerous international film festivals world-wide, winning Best Music Film at the 2015 Portobello Film Festival in London.
Creative Producer of Photography and Key Art for Fuse TV’s fall series The 212.
Video Commissioner for 2019 Best New Artist Grammy Award Nominees in their featured video “Dope Girl Magic.”
Creative Producer of Photography and Key Art for Fuse TV’s fall series T-Pain’s School of Business.
Creative Producer during an epic 10 day shoot in the wilds of West Texas, from Marfa to the famed Sonic Ranch studios in Tornillo. We followed the band as they began recording “Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared?” while also filming the music video “Death in Midsummer”
Commissioned photographer Lauren Dukoff to shoot Adele’s first US press campaign for breakthrough album, 19. Lauren went on to shoot images for Adele’s first 4 single releases and the iconic cover art for sophomore album, 21.
Director and Producer for music video, La Luz
“The video begins with a lone protagonist holed up in a van outside of an uninhabited, rugged terrain, but as night turns to day and a mysterious substance is consumed, the wide open vistas surrounding him come into focus and start to take on a life of their own. Aided by a masterful blend of panoramic views and intimate, often psychedelic profile shots that the band credits to the team of director Liz Hart and director of photography Sonja Tsypin, “La Luz” unfolds into a truly epic adventure.” - Rolling Stone
Video Commissioner and Creative Director for legendary composer Joe Hisaishi’s first official music videos including “Summer” and “One Summer’s Day” - each now with over 30M views. Dubbed “the John Williams of Japan” by Pitchfork, Joe-san is responsible for the stunning music of over 30 films by celebrated animation house Studio Ghibli, including the Academy Award nominated “Spirited Away.”
Produced and staged back to back theatrical screenings with the original Under the Skin score performed by a 25 piece orchestra, conducted by Mica Levi. This event was conceived to maximize exposure and awareness among the voting members of the Academy of composer client Mica Levi's contribution to Jonathan Glazer's haunting sci-fi masterpiece. Under the Skin was Mica Levi's first film score.
Read reviews of this special evening in Variety, LA Times and The Hollywood Reporter.
