The Music Video Focus

The power of the pop promo is is explored in this in-depth Focus, speaking to masters of the craft about how to bring big tunes to the small screen.

Talent

Romain Chassaing: Fusing music videos and movies

With his ability to create fantastic, narrative-led music videos that feel like short films, Romain Chassaing has already taken the promo world by storm. David Knight talks to a director who is now repeating that feat in the commercials arena.

Craft

How to create modern music videos with old-school techniques

In the first of our Music Video focus posts, rubberband. talks about directing Tokyo Drifting, an exuberant music video knockout for Glass Animals that combines nostalgia and novelty.

Insight

BUG: An oral history

With the BFI's regular celebration of pop promos entering its 13th year, we speak to its creators (David Knight, Louise Stevens, Phil Tidy and Adam Buxton) about playing host to some of the greatest music video directors and films of the past decade.

Showcase

Throwback Thursday: Iconic Music Videos

Looking through the Source archives, we've pulled out 21 music videos that we consider to be iconic. Whether it was a bold interpretation of the song, the narrative that was overlaid, the dance routine, or the scope of the project, here are some of the most impactful promos from the 90s until now.

Talent

Promo king Vaughan Arnell on a life behind the lens

Ahead of his talk at the Kinsale Sharks, where he'll be sharing is thoughts and experiences from three decades of making commercials and music videos, Vaughan Arnell gives us an insight into working with some of music's most recognisable names.

Craft

Music Video of the Year: FKA twigs, Cellophane

Director Andrew Thomas Huang, who has collaborated with artists like Bjork, Perfume Genius, and Thom Yorke, shares some of the process and influences behind his Icarus-inspired, shots Awards Europe-winning 2019 music video, Cellophane.

Insight

MPC at 50: Their favourite music videos

In celebration of the company's half-century, we spoke to the teams behind some of their most defining pop promo moments.

Inspiration

Playlist: Tim Pope

We chat to iconic director Tim Pope about his artistic influences, his favourite promos, and his close connection with with The Cure.

Talent

Crown Jewell: How IPJ became commercial and music video king

After a staggering fourteen ad shoots in 2019, it's safe to say that Ian Pons Jewell has 'broken through'. David Knight talks to the director about how his music video roots, as well as the his ongoing flirtation with the form, has created such relentless creativity.

Inspiration

Playlist: Michael Middelkoop

We chat to CZAR Amsterdam director Michael Middelkoop about his favourite promos, his admiration for Spike Jonze, and his childhood Ace Ventura obsession...

Inspiration

Playlist: Elliot Simpson

We speak to Park Village director/photographer Elliot Simpson about music videos, his big inspirations and his secret desire to become a DJ!

Craft

Music Video of the Year: The Chemical Brothers

As we near the end of our Music Video Focus we talk to the those behind one of our two shots Awards Europe 2019 Music Videos of the Year. Below, Outsider directing duo Dom&Nic and The Mill's ECD Jonathan ‘Wes’ Westley, explain the nuts and bolts of making The Chemical Brothers' Free Yourself.

Inspiration

Playlist: Taichi Kimura

We spoke with Caviar's very own Taichi Kimura about his fave music promos, his admiration for the DaVinci Control Surface and his embarrassing first CD purchase in the UK...

Karena Evans: Force of nature

Cut the tempo: How to edit for music video

What does it mean for a music video to go viral?

Talent

Dressing for success: Mr Gammon on the craft of costuming

With a career costuming movers and shakers in the music industry since the 90s, Mr Gammon knows what it takes to make a film truly eye-catching. As part of our Music Video Focus, we chat to him about some of his favorite shoots and the secrets of his styling.

Inspiration

Playlist: Hannah Lux Davis

We chat to London Alley director Hannah Lux Davis about her obsession with 90's pop promos, how the industry is changing, and who she would love work with next.

Talent

Paul Harrison: Making the grade

As part of this months music video focus Daniel Huntley asked Freefolk colourist Paul Harrison to 'shed some light' on the world of colour grading for music videos.

The Sustainability Focus

It’s the burning question – with humanity facing an existential threat more potent than war, famine or disease, how can an industry full of world-class communicators talk about the climate crisis? shots discusses low-carbon film production, greenwashing and the paradox of consumerism vs planetary survival.

The Neurodiversity Focus

With growing awareness that an estimated 20 per cent of the global population is neurodiverse - the fact that advertising needs to get on top of the spectrums is a no-brainer. This month, shots speaks to experts, commentators and ADHD/ASD-powered adfolk about battling stigma, enhanced creativity and making more ND inclusive campaigns.

The Photography & Cinematography Focus

In a cacophonous digital culture that bombards us with a stream of personal image-sharing and branded visuals, it can be hard for photography to stand out. This month, shots pulls focus on the DPs and photographers whose work sets the optic nerves a-tingle and considers the input of non-human image generators.