The artistic and technical achievements that went into the making of the year’s best music videos were recognized by the Music Video Production Association (MVPA) Awards at the organization’s ninth annual ceremony, held last Friday (4/7) at the Directors Guild Association (DGA) Theater, Hollywood.
Addressing the crowd that had gathered, Catherine Finkenstaedt, MVPA president and executive producer of Los Angeles-based A Band Apart Music Video, said she looks forward to continuing the MVPA’s initiative to improve working conditions and relationships within the clip industry.
More than 800 people turned out for the event, which honored producers, directors, cinematographers, editors, choreographers, stylists, art directors, special effects artists, colorists, hair and make-up artists in 29 categories. Director Richard Kenworthy of Oil Factory, Hollywood and London, won the SHOOT award for best music video made for under $25,000 for Quannum’s "I Changed My Mind."
The founders of bicoastal/ international Propaganda Films received the Eastman Kodak-sponsored lifetime achievement award. Five of the six founders turned up for the event: director Nigel Dick, now with A Band Apart Commercials and Music Videos; Greg Gold, now partner/ executive producer of Hollywood-headquartered Milk & Honey Films; Steve Golin, now founder/executive producer of bicoastal Anonymous; Propaganda director Dominic Sena; and Joni Sighvatssen, now president/CEO of Palomar Pictures, Los Angeles. (Anonymous director David Fincher was unable to attend the ceremony.)
A complete list of MVPA Award winners follows:
Pop Video of the Year: Blink 182, "All the Small Things," directed by Marcos Siega, Bonfire Films of America, Los Angeles.
Adult Contemporary Video of the Year: Macy Gray, "I Try," directed by Mark Romanek, Satellite, bicoastal/international.
Soundtrack Video of the Year: R.E.M., "Great Beyond," directed by Liz Friedlander, DNA, Hollywood.
Best Direction of a Female Artist: Bjork, "All is Full of Love," directed by Chris Cunningham, Black Dog Films, bicoastal.
Best Direction of a Male Artist: D’Angelo, "Untitled," directed by Paul Hunter, HSI/Mars Media, bicoastal.
Hip Hop Video of the Year: Rahzel, "All I Know," directed by Spencer Susser, Black Dog Films.
Electronic Video of the Year: Chemical Brothers, "Let Forever Be," directed by Michel Gondry, Partizan, bicoastal/international.
SHOOT Award for Best Video Made for Under $25,000: Quannum, "I Changed My Mind," directed by Richard Kenworthy, Oil Factory, Hollywood and London.
Rap Video of the Year: Q-Tip, "Vivrant Thing," directed by Hype Williams, HSI/Big Dog, bicoastal.
Alternative Video of the Year: Foo Fighters, "Learn to Fly," directed by Jesse Peretz, X-Ray Productions, bicoastal.
Sony Pictures Studios Award for Directorial Debut of the Year: Triggerpimp, "Medicine," directed by John Richards, Palomar Pictures.
Long Form Concert Video of the Year: Metallica with the San Francisco Philharmonic, "S & M Live," directed by Wayne Isham, A Band Apart Music Video, bicoastal and Minneapolis.
Brass Knuckles Award for Rock Video of the Year: Foo Fighters, "Learn to Fly," directed by Jesse Peretz, X-Ray Productions.
R&B Video of the Year: Lauryn Hill, "Everything is Everything," directed by Sanji, Little Minx, Los Angeles.
Country Video of the Year: Faith Hill, "Breathe," directed by Lili Zanuck, DNA.
International Video of the Year: Supergrass, "Pumping on Your Stereo," directed by Hammer & Tongs, Hammer & Tongs, London.
Method Award for Director of the Year: Hammer & Tongs, Hammer & Tongs, and Anonymous, for Fatboy Slim’s "Right Here, Right Now," Supergrass’ "Pumping on Your Stereo" and Blur’s "Coffee & Tea."
Video of the Year: Chemical Brothers, "Let Forever Be," directed by Michel Gondry, Partizan.
Eastman Kodak Lifetime Achievement Award: The Founding Fathers of Propaganda Films: Nigel Dick, David Fincher, Greg Gold, Steve Golin, Dominic Sena, Joni Sighvatssen.
Panavision Award for Best Cinematography: Madonna, "Beautiful Stranger," Thomas Kloss, directed by Brett Ratner, Villains, bicoastal and Chicago.
525 Studios Award for Best Editing: Chemical Brothers, "Out of Control," Bill Yukich, Scratch, Venice, Calif., directed by Wiz, Oil Factory.
L.A. 411 Publishing Award For Best Art Direction: Chemical Brothers, "Let Forever Be," KK Barrett, directed by Michel Gondry, Partizan.
Best Styling: Ricky Martin, "Livin’ La Vida Loca," Frank Chevalier, directed by Wayne Isham, A Band Apart Music Video.
Riot Award for Best Colorist/ Telecine: Maxwell, "Fortunate," David Hussey of Company 3, Santa Monica, directed by Francis Lawrence, DNA.
Gearhouse Los Angeles Award for Best Special Effects: Blur, "Coffee & Tea," Wes of VTR, London, directed by Hammer & Tongs, Hammer & Tongs.
Best Choreography: Ricky Martin, "Livin’ La Vida Loca," Tina London, directed by Wayne Isham, A Band Apart.
Best Hair: Jennifer Lopez, "Waiting for Tonight," Oribe, directed by Francis Lawrence, DNA.
MAC Award for Best Make-up: Jennifer Lopez, "Waiting for Tonight," Kevyn Aucoin, directed by Francis Lawrence, DNA.
MVPA Hall of Fame Award: Herbie Hancock, "Rockit," directed by Godley + Creme.
