RESEARCH: DIRECTORS LABEL AND LONDON CALLING.

Directors Label is a series of DVDs showcasing short films, music videos and video art. I have looked through the DVDs that showcase the work of several directors including Spike Jonze, Chris Cunningham and Michel Gondry. 

I found it interesting that these directors have made short films as well as music videos. It seems to me that several of the music videos are like short films that tell stories, often with a sort of artistic leeway that the music video form allows. 

For example, Michel Gondry in Human Behaviour for Bjork develops a fantasy narrative that relies heavily on visuals built on commonly recognised fairy tales. It takes narrative to a new level where visual aesthetics are just as important as the narrative. Film makers often cut their teeth on music videos and short films in order to establish themselves. 

      

For example, I studied some recent short films by new film makers in London supported by Film London's production scheme London Calling. Nour Wazzi is one filmaker who cut her teeth producing and directing a number of short films and music videos, including the Film London-backed, award-winning short Habibti with Hiam Abbass (The Visitor), Jimmy Akingbola (Rev) and Yasmine Almassri (Caramel).