SHOT: Snoop Dogg – Pook, director

Shot in Vegas…

artist: Snoop Dogg feat Too $hort & Mistah FAB
song: "Life Of The Party"
label: Geffen
director(s): Pook
production co: Triggerhappy/Big Pook

SHOT: Charlotte Sometimes - Claire Carre, director

Not quite a cover of the classic Cypress Hill hit...

artist: Charlotte Sometimes
song: "How I Could Just Kill A Man"
label: Geffen
director(s): Claire Carre
production co: Partizan

SHOT: Prima J - Ethan Lader, director

artist: Prima J
song: "Nadie (No One)"
label: Geffen
director(s): Ethan Lader
production co: Kleiner, Inc.

SHOT: Rooney - Brian Lazzaro, director

artist: Rooney
song: "I Should've Been After You" &  "Are You Afraid" 
label: Cherrytree/Geffen
director(s): Brian Lazzaro
production co: Brandon Schantz Productions
art director: Mike Hersey

BOOKED: Ashlee Simpson - Alan Ferguson, director

artist: Ashlee Simpson
song: "Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)"
label: Geffen
director(s): Alan Ferguson
production co: Anonymous Content

IN DEPTH: Snoop Dogg "Sensual Seduction"

Music video director Melina knew this was not a typical Snoop Dogg song from the moment she heard it – and knew she had to get something different on screen. "Right from the beginning, Snoop was down for anything," says Melina, "and I knew it was going to be a lot of fun."

The visual touchstones were clips for Shalimar and Prince, but with a twist of humor. Melina notes, "The song is not too serious, so the video had to match. When we got to the set and Snoop was really going for it, it was amazing. He had all the dance moves and he really delivered a great performance. Snoop actually wanted to go further with a crazy Jheri Curl."

The dancers were shown clips of old Vanity 6 videos as references, and some mistakes and mis-steps were included in the finished video. The clip was shot on 16mm as well as a "vintage" video camera from the early '80s, that distorted some colors, but helped distill the look. As Melina worked with DP Omer Ganai, they purposefully zoomed and moved the camera at unexpected times – trying to mess each other up and catch the "seat of your pants" feel of early videos.

After the shoot was done there was even more fun to be had: The finished, on-lined clip was put through a regular VCR. "All along," Melina says, "I wanted to run the footage through a VCR, but it turns out that nobody had one. We went to a shady pawn shop in Santa Monica and bought a used VCR and ran the video through that three separate times to get just the right degraded, old school look." Melina also gave a shout-out to the guys at Baked Goods who created the classic video effects and the look of a VHS tape starting and stopping that bookends the video.

"That job was so much fun,' says Melina, "I wish I could do more videos like that."

--> watch "Sensual Seduction" via YouTube
(come on, it was shot on video and on-lined through a VCR 3x. YouTube compression just adds to the charm!)

Snoop Dogg "Sensual Seduction" (Geffen)
Melina, director | Steven Johnson, producer | Factory Features, production co | Omer Ganai, DP | Jarrett Fijal, editor | Baked Goods, vfx (note: Melina remains signed with Black Dog Films)

BOOKED: Keyshia Cole - Benny Boom, director

artist: Keyshia Cole
song: "I Remember"
label: Geffen
director(s): Benny Boom
production co: Uncle

NEW RELEASE: Mary J. Blige "Just Fine"

Mary J. Blige is back. Did she leave? Well, not for very long, but the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul title is still squarely in her court. For "Just Fine," the first single from her new album Growing Pains, Chris Applebaum directs and in turn delivers one of the flashier videos of his career — Mary's too, arguably —  by letting her do what she does best: Be herself. A lot of "Just Fine" is exactly what we have come to expect from a Mary video: simple yet professional setups that let her beauty shine. But Applebaum takes Mary to the next level by adding a groovy set of backlights, some electro-charged angelic wisps, and more than a few kick-ass wardrobe changes. (review by Kevin Holy) --> watch "Just Fine"

Mary J. Blige "Just Fine" (Geffen)
Chris Applebaum, director | John Hardin, producer | Reactor Films, production co | Mike Sarkissian/Three Foot Giant, rep  | Jonathan Sela, DP | Nabil Mehchi, editor

BOOKED: Lifehouse - Frank Borin, director

artist: Lifehouse
song: "Whatever It Takes"
label: Geffen
director(s): Frank Borin
production co: Shadow Screen/Factory Features 
rep: Yell Productions

PHOTO: Director Juwan Lee and Slim Thug

Uncle director Juwan Lee and Slim Thug on the set of "Theme Song" in Slim's hometown of Houston. Video will support the rapper's forthcoming Geffen album, Boss Of All Bosses.

artist: Slim Thug
song: "Theme Song"
label: Geffen
director(s): Juwan Lee
production co: Uncle/Trigger Happy

SHOT: Slim Thug - Juwan Lee, director

artist: Slim Thug
song: "Theme Song"
label: Geffen
director(s): Juwan Lee
production co: Uncle/Trigger Happy

SHOT: Mary J. Blige - Chris Applebaum, director

artist: Mary J. Blige
song: "Just Fine"
label: Geffen
director(s): Chris Applebaum
production co: Reactor Films
rep: Three Foot Giant

BOOKED: Common - Sanji, director

artist: Common
song: "I Want You"
label: Geffen
director(s): Sanji
production co: Violet Group
rep: Yell Productions

SHOT: Keyshia Cole - Erik White, director

Shot in Miami...

artist: Keyshia Cole
song: "Should Have Let You Go" 
label: Geffen
director(s): Erik White
production co: Uncle

NEW RELEASE: Common f/ Lily Allen "Drivin' Me Wild"

This video is at times a sunny, but snarkily dismissive story where Common tells wannabe players of both sexes that their games are not quite up to snuff, but it's the blingtacular performance moments that truly stand out. Common kicks back in the Roller wearing the most formal outfit ever seen in a rap video and chills with Jeremy Piven, who seems just a bit lost without Lloyd by his side. The hip performances are given a graphic "end of the world" vibe featuring Vanilla Sky empty streets, Lily Allen with a gas mask and Banksy tank posters. Director Chris Robinson adds in plenty of stylized eye candy – down to Lily as the cross-country Astronaut and Common walking the streets in his tux as the Maitre d’ of the Apocalypse. (review by Doug Stern) --> watch "Drivin' Me Wild"

Common f/ Lily Allen  "Drivin' Me Wild" (Geffen)
Chris Robinson, director | Clark Jackson, producer | HSI, production co | Crash, DP | Jeff Selis, editor

BOOKED: Angels & Airwaves - Shane Drake, director

To support the band's forthcoming sophomore album I-Empire...

artist: Angels & Airwaves
song: "Everything's Magic" 
label: Geffen   
director(s): Shane Drake
production co: Red Van Pictures
rep: Labuda Management

note: Shane Drake is signed with Merge @ Crossroads

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

NEW RELEASE: Common "The People"

Common is in a very peculiar place for an artist of his caliber. Unlike any so-called "conscious" rapper before him, Common has achieved a mainstream success that hearkens back to the heyday of A Tribe Called Quest, yet with the added strength of being able to hold his own on Oprah and bump heads with politicians and other major figures in the black community while looking so damn serious about it. After getting his "Game" on in the first shot off his new album Finding Forever, the video for "The People," finds him hitting the streets. Directing duo Neon keeps the dream alive by wrapping Common in a warm glow as he strolls around the city, shaking hands and, uh, holding babies? Wait a second. Is this a video or a run for a share of the Democratic ticket? (review by Kevin Holy) --> watch "The People"

Common "The People" (Geffen)
Neon, directors | Magalie Selosse, producer | Partizan, production co | David Lanzenberg, DP | Bill Pollock, editor

BOOKED: Ray Lavender - Benny Boom, director

Shooting this week in Los Angeles... Ray Lavender aka Ray-L is signed to Akon's Geffen imprint...

artist: Ray Lavender
song: "My Girl Gotta Girlfriend"
label: Kon Live/Geffen
director(s): Benny Boom
production co: Uncle

SHOT: Keyshia Cole - Benny Boom, director

Shot in NYC...

artist: Keyshia Cole f/ Missy Elliott & Lil Kim
song: "Let It Go"   
label: Geffen
director(s): Benny Boom
production co: Uncle

NEW RELEASE: Rise Against "The Good Left Undone"

Rise Against escaped the underground quite some time ago, but there they are again, literally, in this hazy effects heavy video for "The Good Left Undone." The band members are all buried beneath the soil, serving as the  roots for a field of flowers. A girl frolics about, plucking flowers and thereby allowing sunlight to pour into these subterranean pockets, but the video ends before we see if the band is able to connect with the youngster. --> watch "The Good Left Undone"

Rise Against "The Good Left Undone" (Geffen)
Neon, directors | Julie Lee, producer | Partizan, production co | Simon Thirlaway, DP | Brandon Driscoll-Luttringer, editor | Ghost Town Media, visual effects

SHOT: Prima J - Bille Woodruff, director

Longtime film and video director Bille Woodruff — credits include the feature films Honey and Beauty Shop, plus videos for Toni Braxton, Britney Spears, R. Kelly, Babyface, Mary J. Blige and many others — recently helmed a video shoot for Geffen's new female r&b/pop duo Prima J.

artist: Prima J
song: "Rockstar"
label: Geffen
director(s): Bille Woodruff
production co: Form TV/Factory Features
rep: Yell Productions

BOOKED: Trevor Hall - Jarrett Bellucci, director

In support of the Shrek The Third soundtrack...

artist: Trevor Hall
song: "Other Ways"   
label: Geffen   
director(s): Jarrett Bellucci
production co: 1171 Production Group

SHOT: Lifehouse - Sean Mullens, director

artist: Lifehouse
song: "First Time"
label: Geffen
director(s): Sean Mullens
production co: Uber Content
rep: Heidi Gregory Management

NEW RELEASE: Eve "Tambourine"

Eve has always been stuck between two worlds. She's a gorgeous woman with the kind of presence associated with major R&B divas, but with the rep of a rough and tough rapper. Up-and-coming directing star Melina  meshed those two worlds to perfection for "Tambourine," a track which boats the candy-coated fun of Gwen Stefani twisted up with the vicious production of Swizz Beats. Melina's visuals capture the syncopated rush of energy the track creates and makes us want to join in the 1980s colored party and shake our tambourine with Eve as she delivers her fiercest "Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface" look. (review by Doug Stern) --> watch "Tambourine"

Eve "Tambourine" (Geffen)
Melina, director | John Winter, producer | Black Dog, production co | Omer Ganai, DP

NEW RELEASE: Common "The Game"

Common is a poet, not a pugilist. So, even though it seems like the rapper is prepping for a big fight in the intro of this sharp, b&w video, he's really just getting his game face on for a performance. That said, the stakes are as high as ever for Common, a well-respected and criticially-acclaimed  hip-hop vet who needs to prove that his 2005  commercial breakthrough album Be was no fluke. Therefore, "The Game" is a smart teaser for his forthcoming album Finding Forever: It's a no-frills, no-bullshit slice of hip-hop, an effective statement that Common is capable of winning people over without going pop or giving into the bling lifestyle that's pervasive in major label rap releases. --> watch "The Game"

Common "The Game" (Geffen)
Neon, directors | Anne Johnson, producer | Partizan, production co | Shawn Kim, DP | Bill Pollock, editor

BOOKED: Common - Neon, directors

artist: Common
song: "The People" 
label: Geffen
director(s): Neon
production co: Partizan 

BOOKED: Rufus Wainwright - Petro, director

Shooting in London... Petro Papahadjopoulos has done the tour visuals for Korn, Madonna and Kelly Clarkson.

artist: Rufus Wainwright
song: "Rules And Regulations"
label: Geffen
director(s): Petro
production co: Draw Pictures

NEW RELEASE: Klaxons "Golden Skans"

What happened to our cultural love affair with the future? In the '70s and '80s, the future was a gaping jaw — a wild mystery spawned from an increasingly technological globalization that was prepared to swallow us whole. While post-modernism (and this Internet thing) may have splayed our love into a billion pieces, that doesn't stop the Klaxons from awakening the spirits of that age with their first video to hit American soil, "Golden Skans." Shot in high speed and set out in the galaxy, the video shows the Klaxons battling the elements of the Universe: water, fire, and, er, some three-dimensional objects. All the while they are dressed in naught but ribbons. The video's coup de grâce involves breaking apart giant, Arkanoidian pills whose contents destroy everything but their utter awesomeness. (review by Kevin Holy) --> watch "Golden Skans"

Klaxons "Golden Skans" (DGC/Geffen)
Saam, director/editor | Grace Bodie, producer | Partizan, production co | Denzil Armour-Brown, DP

BOOKED: Rise Against - Neon, directors

artist: Rise Against
song: "The Good Left Undone"
label: Geffen
director(s): Neon
production co: Partizan

BOOKED: Eastern Conference Champions - Elliot Jokelson, director

Video to consist of all hand-drawn animation...

artist: Eastern Conference Champions
song: "The Box"
label: Suretone/Geffen
director(s): Elliot Jokelson
production co: Ghost Robot/Humoring The Fates

BOOKED: Nelly Furtado - Jesse Dylan, director

artist: Nelly Furtado
song: "In God's Hands" 
label: Geffen
director(s): Jesse Dylan
production co: Form TV 
rep: Yell Productions

SHOT: Common - Neon, directors

To support Common's upcoming album, Finding Forever, due in July....

artist: Common
song: "The Game"
label: Geffen
director(s): Neon
production co: Partizan

NEW RELEASE: Snoop Dogg "Boss' Life"

Murder isn't always the case for Snoop Dogg. The rapper was mired in legal troubles over a decade ago which begat an epic video about his fictionalized death. Now that things are running a bit more smoothly for the D-O-Double-G, he can afford to sit back and enjoy life. In "Boss' Life," this means grabbing a cigar, admiring his ladies, and joining his alter egos for a feast of fried chicken and absinthe. Judging by the Snoops across the table, you can see that the real Snoop persona is part blunt-rolling street thug, part gothic pimp, and part Steelers fan. The real Nate Dogg? Debonair, as always. (review by Kevin Holy) --> watch "Boss' Life"

Snoop Dogg feat. Nate Dogg "Boss' Life" (Geffen)
Anthony Mandler, director | Kim Bradshaw, producer | Box Fresh, production co | Ketil Dietrichson, DP | Jeff Selis, editor

SHOT: Matt White - Paul Minor, director

artist: Matt White
song: "Best Days "
label: Geffen
director(s): Paul Minor
production co: Streetgang Films
rep: Heidi Gregory Management

SHOT: Jibbs - Frank E. Flowers, director

artist: Jibbs
song: "Smile"
label: Geffen
director(s): Frank E. Flowers
production co: Factory Features

SHOT: Rooney - Benny Boom, director

artist: Rooney
song: "When Did Your Heart Go Missing"
label: Cherry Tree/Geffen
director(s): Benny Boom
production co's: Uncle / Factory Features

BOOKED: Rufus Wainwright - Sophie Muller, director

artist: Rufus Wainwright
song: "Going To A Town"
label: Geffen
director(s): Sophie Muller
production co: Oil Factory

NEW RELEASE: Macy Gray "Finally Made Me Happy"

Anybody who has heard almost anything from Macy Gray could have guessed that Prince is one of her strongest influences. But, just in case you've ever had any doubts it, this performance video makes her admiration absolutely clear. Purple is the predominant color, of course, while director Meiert Avis even recreates the classic bathtub scene from the "When Doves Cry" video. And in a further elucidation of her musical lineage: Fellow influence Natalie Cole makes a guest appearance on vocals, while Will.I.Am handles the piano duties. --> watch "Finally Made Me Happy"

Macy Gray "Finally Made You Happy" (Geffen)
Meiert Avis, director | Steven Johnson, producer | Pusher, production co | Labuda Management, rep | Danny Hiele, DP | Noah Caddis, editor

PHOTO: On the Set of Brick & Lace "Never"

Left Side: Director Benny Boom, rep Simran Leigh Brown and executive producer Scott Kalvert of Uncle on the set of the Brick & Lace video "Never." Right Side: Benny Boom watches on a monitor as a Steadicam operator captures a performance by Brick & Lace aka the sibling duo Nyanda and Naila Thorbourne.

SHOT: Jibbs - Meiert Avis, director

artist: Jibbs feat. Melody Thornton of Pussycat Dolls
song: "Go Too Far"
label: Geffen
director(s): Meiert Avis
production co: Pusher

BOOKED: Brick & Lace - Benny Boom, director

artist: Brick & Lace
song: "Never"
label: Geffen
director(s): Benny Boom
production co: Uncle

SHOT: The Game f/ Kanye West - Bryan Barber, director

artist: The Game feat. Kanye West
song: "Wouldn't Get Far"
label: Geffen
director(s): Bryan Barber
production co: Believe Media
rep: Yell Productions

note: Video is being produced through Believe Media. He has not signed with the company.

SHOT: Jibbs f/ Chamillionaire - Jonathan Mannion, director

artist: Jibbs feat. Chamillionaire
song: "King Kong"
label: Geffen
director(s): Jonathan Mannion
production co: DNA

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

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: Ringside - Bradley Scott, director

On location for the new Ringside video "Criminal" are (left to right): Director Bradley Scott, Ringside singer Scott Thomas, actress Michelle Burke and DP Kev Robertson.

artist: Ringside
song: "Criminal"
label: Flawless/Geffen
director(s): Bradley Scott
production co: Fallout Entertainment
rep: Laure Scott

BOOKED: Papa Roach - Kevin Kerslake, director

Papa Roach are putting on a not-very-secret concert in Los Angeles this Thursday evening to get footage for their new video "To Be Loved." In order to stock the crowd with their biggest fans, the band posted all the details on the event on both paparoach.com and their MySpace page.

artist: Papa Roach
song: "To Be Loved"
label: Geffen
director(s): Kevin Kerslake
production co: Merge @ Crossroads
rep: Labuda Management

NEW RELEASE: Angels & Airwaves "Do It For Me Now"

Angels & Airwaves
"Do It For Me Now"
(Suretone/Geffen)
Shilo, directors/producers/production co | Description: Tom DeLonge's post-Blink 182 band Angels & Airwaves almost defy the laws of gravity as they perform in front of a pair of gigantic video screens — actually, green screens — filled with atmospheric imagery."The idea was to create a video that appears as though it could have been captured completely in-camera. The song has an anthem-like quality about it and from the moment we first heard it we knew the imagery had to match it in scale and emotion." - Shilo creative directors André Stringer and Jose Gomez
-- watch "Do It For Me Now"

SHOT: Rooney - Roman Coppola, director

artist: Rooney
song: "Tell Me"
label: Geffen
director(s): Roman Coppola
production co: The Directors Bureau

BOOKED: Mary J. Blige - Bille Woodruff, director

artist: Mary J. Blige
song: "Take Me As I Am"
label: Geffen
director(s): Bille Woodruff
production co: F.M. Rocks

SHOT: New Found Glory - Brett Simon, director

artist: New Found Glory
song: "It's Not Your Fault"
label:  Geffen
director(s): Brett Simon
production co: DNA

SHOT: Ashlee Simpson - Marc Webb, director

Shot over the course of two days in Los Angeles. The b&w video will have a boxing theme.

artist: Ashlee Simpson 
song: "Invisible"
label: Geffen
director(s): Marc Webb
production co: DNA

SHOT: Jibbs - Syndrome, directors

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

BOOKED: Rise Against - Kevin Kerslake, director

artist: Rise Against
song: "Ready To Fall"
label: Geffen
director(s): Kevin Kerslake
production co: Merge @ Crossroads
rep: Labuda Management

BOOKED: Avant - Benny Boom, director

artist: Avant
song: "Lie About Us"
label: Geffen
director(s): Benny Boom
production co: F.M. Rocks
rep: Milk & Honey

SHOT: She Wants Revenge - Sophie Muller, director

Featuring a cameo by Garbage frontwoman Shirley Manson... 

artist: She Wants Revenge
song: "These Things"
label: Fearless/Geffen
director(s): Sophie Muller
production co: Oil Factory

SHOT: Angels & Airwaves - The Malloys, directors

Former Blink-182 member Tom DeLonge's ambitious new band Angels & Airwaves recently wrapped production on their first "official" music video with directing team The Malloys.

artist: Angels And Airwaves
song: "The Adventure"
label: Geffen
director(s): The Malloys
production co: Black Dog

A teaser video for the same track, directed by Mark Eaton, is currently up at the band's elaborate Web site. And, in a very overt signal that Angels & Airwaves are aiming for a more mature crowd than Blink-182, Eaton's video features full frontal nudity as it shows a scientist reanimating his sexy lover.

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

SHOT: Pink Spiders - Joseph Kahn, director

Director Joseph Kahn set new pop/rock band Pink Spiders in the midst of a fun rollerskating party for their video, "Little Razorblade." Shot back in early January, the video is now finished after visual effect house Ingenuity Engine filled in a giant dot matrix backdrop, neon rainbow effects and artwork for the letterbox borders.

artist: Pink Spiders
song: "Little Razorblade"
label: Geffen
director(s): Joseph Kahn
production co: HSI

BOOKED: She Wants Revenge - Joaquin Phoenix, director

Actor Joaquin Phoenix continues his foray into music video directing with a clip for buzz band She Wants Revenge. "Tear You Apart" is scheduled to shoot later this week in Los Angeles.

artist: She Wants Revenge
song: "Tear You Apart"
label: Flawless/Geffen
director(s): Joaquin Phoenix
production co: Anonymous Content

NEW RELEASE: Beck "Hell Yes"

Beck "Hell Yes" Geffen/Interscope
Garth Jennings, director
Nick Goldsmith producer
Anonymous Content, production co
Description: Some very advanced, very articulated and very real Sony QRIO robots bust some moves to this throwback hip-hop gem from Beck.
    This past Sunday's edition of The New York Times (December 5, 2005) had a great article entitled "Robot Rock" in which Beck and director Garth Jennings discuss the complexities in getting the video made. You can also watch"Hell Yes" at Beck's totally revamped website, beck.com.

SHOT: Ashlee Simpson - Diane Martel, director

"L.O.V.E" was shot on-loation in NYC, documenting a night on the town with Ashlee Simpson and friends.

artist: Ashlee Simpson
song: "L.O.V.E."
label: Geffen
director(s): Diane Martel
production co: DNA

NEW RELEASE: Limp Bizkit "Home Sweet Home/Bittersweet Symphony"

Limp Bizkit "Home Sweet Home/Bittersweet Symphony" Flip/Geffen
no director credited
Bill Yukich, producer
Gotham, production co
Description: A mysterious call that Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst answers at a payphone triggers a trip down memory lane in this "highlight reel" video. Footage from the band's archives and previous music videos are edited together to this remake of the Mötley Crüe hit "Home Sweet Home" that segues into a portion of The Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony."

NEW RELEASE: Lifehouse "Blind"

Lifehouse "Blind" Geffen
Nigel Dick, director
Nina Dluhy, producer
DNA, production co
Description: A teenage girl tries to maintain her sanity in a house that is dysfunctional due to her highly irresponsible and domineering father.  She finds strength to leave the situation thanks to the band's performance.

SHOT: Shaggy - Jonathan Mannion, director

artist: Shaggy feat. Natasha Watkins
song: "Ultimatum"
label: Geffen
director(s): Jonathan Mannion
production co: DNA
rep: Milk & Honey

BOOKED: Avant - Benny Boom, director

artist: Avant
song: "You Know What"
label: Geffen
director(s): Benny Boom
production co: F.M. Rocks
rep: Milk & Honey

NEW RELEASE: Ashlee Simpson "Boyfriend"

Ashlee Simpson "Boyfriend" Geffen
Marc Webb, director
Gina Leonard, producer
Description: An entire city clears out when all the teenagers head to a scrap yard to check out Ashlee Simpson and her band.

SHOT: Beck - Garth Jennings, director

Director Garth Jennings of Hammers & Tongs fame follows up his feature film debut The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy with a video for Beck.

artist: Beck
song: "Hell Yes"
label: Geffen/Interscope
director(s): Garth Jennings
production co: Anonymous Content

SHOT: Ringside - Joaquin Phoenix, director

Actor Joaquin Phoenix recently made his directorial debut with a music video for the band Ringside, which consists of fellow actor Balthazar Getty on electronics/beats and singer Scott Thomas.

artist: Ringside
song: "Tired Of Being sorry"
label: Flawless/Geffen
director(s): Joaquin Phoenix
production co: Anonymous Content

NEW RELEASE: The Like "What I Say And What I Mean"

The Like "What I Say And What I Mean" Geffen
Mike Myerberg, director
Steven Johnson, producer
Factory Features, production co
Vance Burberry, DP
Mike Myerberg & Ken Mowe, editors
Description: Alterna-girl group The Like boasts two members with fine musical pedigrees. Bassist Charlotte Froom is the daughter of  producer Mitchell Froom, and Tennessee Jane Bunny Thomas is the daughter of drummer Pete Thomas of Elvis Costello & The Attractions. A cynic will chalk up The Like's record deal to industry connections. A realist, or anyone who listens to this blistering track, will quickly understand that talent runs in the family. The video, it's worth adding, is beautifully shot and pretty kick ass in its own right. Froom and Thomas, alongside singer/guitarist Z Berg, rock out on a circular stage set in the middle of an Olympic swimming pool. They're surrounded by a troupe of synchronized swimmers who perform an Esther Williams worthy display of aquatic acrobatics in time to the beat.

NEW RELEASE: Weezer "We Are All On Drugs"

Weezer "We Are All On Drugs" Geffen
Justin Francis, director
Skot Bradford, producer
HSI, production co
Description: Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo is seriously tripping in this video. He thinks that everyone he sees is lip-syncing his lyrics. Door to door proselytizers, a traffic cop, a soccer mom, the paperboy, a barber, a woman on TV: All of them are making the rocker very nervous. So nervous, in fact, that he's not paying attention when he accidentally gets smashed in the face by a wooden plank. Also not paying attention, however, is his ambulance driver who gets in an accident while taking him to the hospital. Something that's a bit unclear in the first part of the video is whether the people who chime in with the "on drugs" refrains are being confessional, or just taunting the rock 'n' roll lifestyle. Slight surreal touches (such as the water falling in the band's indoor performance room) and the fact that  the rocker is constantly greeted with dangerous incompetence seems to indicate that, yes, everybody is definitely on drugs.

BOOKED: Lifehouse - Nigel Dick, director

artist: Lifehouse
song: "Blind"
label: Geffen
director(s): Nigel Dick
production co: DNA

SHOT: Ashlee Simpson - Marc Webb, director

artist: Ashlee Simpson
song: "Boyfriend"
label: Geffen
director(s): Marc Webb
production co: DNA

BOOKED: Field Mob - Erik White, director

artist: Field Mob
song: "Friday Night"
label: Geffen
director(s): Erik White
production co: F.M. Rocks
rep: Milk & Honey

BOOKED: She Wants Revenge - Ryan Rickett, director

artist: She Wants Revenge
song: "These Things"
label: Geffen
director(s): Ryan Rickett
production co: Refused TV

NEW RELEASE: Slim Thug "I Ain't Heard Of That"

Slim Thug feat. Bun B "I Ain't Heard Of That" Bosshoggoutlawz/Star Trak/Geffen
Hype Williams, director
Description: There are several elements that elevate "I Ain't Heard Of That" over the typical rap video: The very catchy song was produced by Star Trak/N.E.R.D./Neptunes guru Pharrell Williams and the video is entirely shown in a silvery black and white. But, the most unusual aspect is a letterbox layout that places footage where the black bars would normally be and lets you see two (and sometimes three) different edits at once. The easiest way to describe the main effect is as a 4:3 aspect ratio video that has been bisected by a widescreen video that pushed the 4:3 stuff to the top and bottom of the screen.

NEW RELEASE: Shaggy "Wild 2 Nite"

Shaggy feat. Olivia "Wild 2 Nite" Geffen
X, director
Kate Sutherland, producer
HSI, production co
Robert Gantz, DP
Michael Cromey, editor
Description: Shaggy and guest singer Olivia get people dancing going with this sultry reggae track. The action takes place inside a cool, blue-tinted  juke joint and in a hot alleyway. Little X fans should make special note that the director makes a lengthy cameo towards the end of this clip.

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.

SHOT: Barefoot - Marc Webb, director

Barefoot singer Chris Pearson learns about gravity the hard way in this video. A piano slowly hurtles through the air toward Pearson as he performs this tune on the street outside his band's rehearsal loft.

artist: Barefoot
song: "I See Rain"
label: Geffen
director(s): Marc Webb
production co: DNA

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: Beck "Girl"

Beck "Girl" Geffen/Interscope
Motion Theory, directors
Scott Gemmell, producer
Motion Theory, production company
David Morrison, DP
Description: This work of genius is an homage to cartoonist Al Jaffee's Fold-In pages from Mad Magazine. For those poor slobs who didn't have a subscription to Mad, the Fold-In appeared on the inside back cover of each issue and it's much easier seen than explained. The "Girl" video takes that concept and applies it to various scenes in the video. The first iterations of the effect are fairly simple, such as when Beck receives a flyer for a limosine rental company that says "Less Is More" when properly folded together. But, each successive Fold-In gets more and more complex to the point where the ground itself folds in on itself to form new scene. The Motion Theory directing team gets extra points for crediting their sources with a couple sly nods to Mr. Jaffee and Mad mascot Alfred E. Newman.

SHOT: Garbage - Sophie Muller, director

This is the fourth video that Sophie Muller directs for the new Garbage album Bleed Like Me.

artist: Garbage
song: "Sex Is Not The Enemy"
label: Almo Sounds/Geffen
director(s): Sophie Muller
production co: Oil Factory

NEW RELEASE: Common "Go"

Common"Go"  Geffen
Kanye West, MK12 and Convert, directors
Rosali Concepcion, producer
The Ebeling Group production company
Jason Webb, editor
Description: Common imagines enjoying his every female fantasy in this video for "Go." Most of the action takes place in a retro-designed CGI space that constantly morphs and bleeds into each successive scene. As the dream women pile up in his mind, Common realizes the absurdity of his desires and how a quest for beauty will never be diminished. So he snaps out of it and goes back to his original lover.

NEW RELEASE: Snoop Dogg "Ups And Downs"

Snoop Dogg "Ups And Downs"  Geffen
Anthony Mandler, director
Steve Stone, producer
Soul Assassin, production company
Eric Larson, DP
Jeff Selis, editor
Description: Welcome to a fairy tale, Snoop Dogg style. This b&w video shows the rapper chilling at a hood hideaway where a team of beautiful women take care of all his needs. This includes cooking his meals, braiding his hair and counting his piles of money. Snoop also hangs out in the yard where he works out and plays dominoes with The Game and some of his other boys. He eventually leaves to go to a club, at which point the video turns to full color and the track transitions to the song, "Bang Out."

BOOKED: Garbage - Sophie Muller, director

Shooting in Berlin, Paris and Istanbul...

artist: Garbage
song: "Run Baby Run"
label: Almo Sounds/Geffen
director(s): Sophie Muller
production co: Oil Factory

NEW RELEASE: Finch "Bitemarks And Bloodstains"

Finch "Bitemarks And Bloodstains" Drive-Thru/Geffen
Michael Palmieri, director
Mike O'Connor, producer
A Band Apart, production company
Matt Uhry, DP
Bill Yukich and Allen Colombo, editors
Description: Starting from this video's opening moments when a girl slices her hand open on the jagged edge of a glass, it's clear something is seriously amiss. While the band performs in a living room, the house's inhabitants (and everyone else in the neighborhood) are evacuating the area as quickly as possible. A traffic jam increases the tension until people realize there is no escaping the explosive vortex in the sky.

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

NEW RELEASE: Rise Against "Swing Life Away"

Rise Against "Swing Life Away" Geffen
Estevan Oriol, director
Steve Stone, producer
Soul Assassin Studio, production company
Pablo 2000, DP
Nicholas Wayman-Harris, editor
Description: Rise Against singer Tim McIllrath gets inspired with a new song while getting off Chicago's El Train. He quickly heads home to write the lyrics and record a demo. After meeting his bandmates to play them this melancholy, yet very catchy acoustic track, they all head to a bar. Unfortunately, Tim bumps into a bully who crushes the demo tape, thereby forcing the frontman to go back and re-record this hit.

NEW RELEASE: Garbage "Bleed Like Me"

Garbage "Bleed Like Me" Almo Sounds/Geffen
Sophie Muller & Shirley Manson, directors
Grant Jue, producer
Oil Factory, production company
Description: Although Garbage frontwoman Shirley Manson stars as a nurse in the video for "Bleed Like Me," fans shouldn't assume that they'll get to indulge their sponge-bath fantasies. About halfway through you realize there's a good chance that Manson is a deluded patient, rather than an actual nurse. This is a dark, sexy and clever video that lives up to Manson's equally smart lyrics.

NEW RELEASE: The Starting Line "Bedroom Talk"

The Starting Line "Bedroom Talk" Geffen
Corey Petrick, director
Steven Johnson, producer
Factory Features, production company
Pedro Castro, DP
Ken Mowe, editor
Description: Starting Line singer Ken Vasoli tries to put his knowledge of the birds and the bees to some practical use in this video for "Bedroom Talk." After knocking on a few wrong doors at a house party, he finally finds his girlfriend and lets her do as she pleases. Band performance takes place in a wooden box that rests beside the girl's bed .

SHOT: Finch - Michael Palmieri, director

artist: Finch
song: "Bitemarks"
label: Drive-Thru/Geffen
director(s): Michael Palmieri
production co: A Band Apart

BOOKED: Beck - Motion Theory, directors

Motion Theory have been tapped to direct a video for Beck. The 2-day shoot will take place in Los Angeles.

artist: Beck
song: "Girl"
label: Geffen/Interscope
director(s): Motion Theory
production co: Motion Theory

SHOT: Limp Bizkit - Fred Durst, director

This Documentary style video shows people arriving at what looks like a televangelist's stage for a dose of "The Truth." This will be the first video off Limp Bizkit's soon-to-be-released CD,  The Unquestionable Truth [Part One].

artist: Limp Bizkit
song: "The Truth"
label: Geffen
director(s): Fred Durst
production co: F.M. Rocks

SHOT: The Starting Line - Corey Petrick, director

artist: The Starting Line
song: "Bedroom Talk"
label: Geffen
director(s): Corey Petrick
production co: Factory Features

NEW RELEASE: Snoop Dogg "Signs"

Snoop Dogg featuring Justin Timberlake & Charlie Wilson "Signs"  Doggystyle/Geffen
Paul Hunter, director
HSI production company
Description: Snoop and Justin Timberlake live it up on the Vegas strip. A subplot involves a female boxing match that just may have been rigged by the two stars.  Also featured in the video are singer Charlie Wilson, producer Pharrell and lots and lots of beautiful women.

NEW RELEASE: Talib Kweli "Never Been In Love"

Talib Kweli "Never Been In Love"  Geffen
RT, director
John Nadalin, producer
235 Films, production company
Brendan Steacy, DP
Description: Brooklyn's Talib Kweli disobeys some very square TV producers when he performs this pop-laced rap track on a circa 1960's TV show.

NEW RELEASE: Weezer "Beverly Hills"

Weezer "Beverly Hills"  Geffen
Marcos Siega, director
Coleen Hayes, producer
Pusher Media, production company
Description: Weezer and a group of their actual fans go to the Playboy Mansion and perform for Hugh Hefner and his harem of babes. They rock the grotto, check out Hef's personal zoo, play some Twister and much more.

NEW RELEASE: Lifehouse "You And Me"

Lifehouse "You And Me"  Geffen
Bill Yukich, director
Steven Johnson, producer
Factory Features, production company
Description: A guy desperately tries to find his girlfriend at a train station and stop her from leaving him. Lifehouse leader Jason Wade performs acoustically at the train station and with his band against the night sky.

BOOKED: Garbage - Sophie Muller, director

Sophie Muller is scheduled to shoot a video for the title song off Garbage's new CD Bleed Like Me. This is Sophie's second video for the band's new disc.
 

artist: Garbage
song: "Bleed Like Me"
label: Almo Sounds/Geffen
director(s): Sophie Muller
production co: Oil Factory

NEW RELEASE: Trust Company "Stronger"

Trust Company "Stronger"  Geffen
Estevan Oriol, director
Steve Stone, producer
Soul Assassin Studio, production company
Robert Morris, DP
Nicholas Wayman-Harris, editor
Description: Performance at a skate park where skateboarders zip all Trust Company.

BOOKED: Slim Thug - Fat Cats, directors

artist: Slim Thug
song: "Incredible Feelin' "
label: Geffen
director(s): Fat Cats
production co: F.M. Rocks

NEW RELEASE: Garbage "Why Do You Love Me"

Garbage "Why Do You Love Me" Almo Sounds/Geffen
Sophie Muller, director
Grant Jue, producer
Oil Factory, production company
Description: Garbage singer Shirley Manson forgets about an unfaithful lover by taking a bath and rocking out with her band.

NEW RELEASE: New Found Glory "Truth Of My Youth"

New Found Glory "Truth Of My Youth" Drive-Thru/Geffen
Meiert Avis, director
Description: Taken from the band's This Disaster: Live In London DVD. Multiple hand-held cameras further amp up the intensity of this energetic performance.

NEW RELEASE: Instruction "I'm Dead" Geffen

Instruction "I'm Dead" Geffen
Rich Newey , director
Karma, production company
Matthias Koengiswi, DP
Meg Decker, editor
Brass Knuckles, editorial company
description: Band performs this anthemic rocker while the singer's girlfriend loads up her car and drives away.

SHOT: Snoop Dogg - Paul Hunter, director

artist: Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell, Justin Timberlake & Charlie Wilson
song: "Signs"
label: Geffen
director(s): Paul Hunter
production co: HSI Productions

NEW RELEASE: Common

Common featuring The Last Poets "The Corner" GOOD/Geffen
Kanye West, director
Bill Boyd, producer
@radical.media, production company
Vance Burberry, DP
Lenny Mesina, editor
Brass Knuckles, editorial company
Description: Common and The Last Poets perform in various parts of Chicago.

NEW RELEASES: Papa Roach

New Releases for the week ending Sunday, Feb 12

Papa Roach "Scars" Geffen
Motion Theory, directors
Anghel Decca, DP
Lenny Mesina, editor (Brass Knuckles)
Description: Band performs in a barren forest while lead singer Jacoby Shaddix cuts loose a girlfriend with a drinking problem. Unfortunately, she inadvertently starts a fire on the way out - thus explaining the forest's charred appearance.

All music videos received by Video Static from record labels will be listed as New Releases. For servicing information, please send us an email

SHOT: Lifehouse - Bill Yukich, director

Shot at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood...

artist: Lifehouse
song: "You And Me"
label: Geffen
director(s): Bill Yukich
production co: Factory Features

BOOKED: Garbage - Sophie Muller, director

artist: Garbage
song: "Why Do You Love Me"
label: Geffen
director(s): Sophie Muller
production co: Oil Factory