Creative studio HOUND has added choreographer JaQuel Knight to its roster of directorial talent for representation worldwide spanning commercials, branded content and music videos. Known for both imagery and movement that transcend to become cultural statements, Knight will bring his indelible style to commercials for the first time.
Knight has created singular statements for N.E.R.D., Cher, Zara Larsson, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Pharrell Williams, and Jay-Z, among others. He has joined forces with Beyoncé multiple times, from the creation of the instantly-recognizable dance moves in Single Ladies to choreographing her two Super Bowl Halftime Shows, from creative directing her epic Spirit music video to choreographing her Coachella performance which has been described as historic. Knight was the creative director behind Shakira’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, incorporating everything–lighting, wardrobe, and choreography–into his expansive vision. He has also choreographed for major television shows such as Dancing with the Stars, The X Factor, and The Voice, among others. A self-professed “dance geek,” he has been profiled by CNN and was the first choreographer to ever be named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list.
His directorial credits include Victoria Money’s “Freak” and Megan Thee Stallion’s video for the BET Awards.
Raised in an Atlanta home filled with music, Knight describes his distinctive creative stamp as “backyard, country fried chicken, hip hop lovin’, R&B, and soul dance.” In addition to his roles as choreographer and creative director, Knight has become an image architect of sorts, collaborating on shoe designs with Adidas and on artistic ventures with a who’s who of today’s top talent. Recently, he has been instrumental in leading fundraising efforts with legendary dance studios and personalities to care for dancers impacted by the cancellation of concerts and shows through the end of the year due to COVID-19.
Missy Galanida, EP/partner at HOUND, said, “JaQuel is bold and he gets it done. He’s already blown us away with the music videos he has directed, and we can’t wait to bring his particular brand of creativity to the world of commercials.”
“My journey so far has been beyond humbling,” says Knight. “I’m grateful for the success I’ve had and I’m ready to challenge myself in a new way. It’s about touching people’s souls–no matter what the medium. We’re going to make great content together.”
Knight’s first project with HOUND is a three-minute film with Pharrell Williams for CBS’s John Lewis tribute, hosted by Oprah Winfrey, which premiered Tuesday, August 4.
HOUND is a branded content studio headed by Joby Barnhart, Missy Galanida, and Jamie Miller. Specializing in music videos, commercials, and content, HOUND’s roster of directors include Amanda Demme, Cameron Duddy, Isaac Rentz, Jay Martin, Sarah Mccolgan, Philippa Price, Joseph Toman, James Brown, Craig Moore, Aya Tanimura, Bryan Schlam, Diane Martel, Jason Harper, Ken Karpel, Rackaracka, Karina Taira, Marc Klasfeld, Mauri Chifflét, and Dano Cerny.
Review: Writer-Director Aaron Schimberg’s “A Different Man”
Imagine you could wake up one morning, stand at the mirror, and literally peel off any part of your looks you don't like — with only movie-star beauty remaining.
How would it change your life? How SHOULD it change your life?
That's a question – well, a launching point, really — for Edward, protagonist of Aaron Schimberg's fascinating, genre-bending, undeniably provocative and occasionally frustrating "A Different Man," featuring a stellar trio of Sebastian Stan, Adam Pearson and Renate Reinsve.
The very title is open to multiple interpretations. Who (and what) is "different"? The original Edward, who has neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes bulging tumors on his face? Or the man he becomes when he's able to slip out of that skin? And is he "different" to others, or to himself?
When we meet Edward, a struggling actor in New York (Stan, in elaborate makeup), he's filming some sort of commercial. We soon learn it's an instructional video on how to behave around colleagues with deformities. But even there, the director stops him, offering changes. "Wouldn't want to scare anyone," he says.
On Edward's way home on the subway, people stare. Back at his small apartment building, he meets a young woman in the hallway, in the midst of moving to the flat next door. She winces visibly when she first sees him, as virtually everyone does.
But later, Ingrid (Reinsve) tries to make it up to him, coming over to chat. She is charming and forthright, and tells Edward she's a budding playwright.
Edward goes for a medical checkup and learns that one of his tumors is slowly progressing over the eye. But he's also told of an experimental trial he could join. With the possibility — maybe — of a cure.
So... Read More