The Music Video Production Association (MVPA) honored the artistic and technical achievements that went into the making of the year’s best music videos, at the 11th Annual MVPA Awards show, held (5/22) at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. The ceremony was hosted by comedian Andy Dick, who directs spots and music videos through Los Angeles-based Squeak Pictures.
Among this year’s honorees was director Marcus Nispel of bicoastal/international Morton Jankel Zander (MJZ), who was given the Eastman Kodak Award for Lifetime Achievement. Since he began helming videos in 1989, Nispel has directed more than 150 clips for artists such as Gloria Estefan, C+C Music Factory, P. Diddy, the B-52s, Billy Joel, the Spice Girls, k.d. lang and Elton John.
Nirvana’s "Smells Like Teen Spirit," directed by Samuel Bayer of bicoastal Mars Media, was inducted into the MVPA Hall of Fame, while director Francis Lawrence of DNA Inc., Hollywood, received the Crest National Award for Director of the Year, based on his videos for P.O.D., Aerosmith and Janet Jackson with Missy Elliot.
This year’s awards show also saw the inauguration of a memorial award in the name of Douglas Kratz, a Warner Bros. Records music video commissioner who was killed in the plane crash that also claimed the life of recording artist Aaliyah. The first Kratz Award for Creative Excellence, which recognizes creative ingenuity and the courage to take risks and foster new talent, was given to Warner Bros. video commissioner Randy Skinner, who has directed clips for R.E.M. and the Replacements. Following is a complete list of winners:
Pop Video of the Year
Nelly Furtado, "Turn off the Light," dir. Sophie Muller, Oil Factory, Hollywood.
Brass Knuckles Award for Rock Video of the Year
P.O.D., "Alive," dir. Francis Lawrence, DNA Inc., Hollywood.
Country Video of the Year
Willie Nelson & LeeAnn Womack, "Mendocino County Line," dir. Mark Seliger, Little Minx, Los Angeles.
Adult Contemporary Video of the Year
Jewel "Standing Still," dir. Darren Grant, Palomar Pictures, Los Angeles.
Hip Hop Video of the Year
Ludacris, "Roll Out," dir. Jeremy Rall, Propaganda Films, now defunct. (Rall is now with Black Dog Films, bicoastal/international.)
R & B Video of the Year
Artists Against AIDS, "What’s Going On," dirs. Jake Scott and Malik Sayeed, Black Dog Films.
Hollywood Digital Award for
Rap Video of the Year
Jay Z, "Guilty Until Proven Innocent," dir. Paul Hunter, HSI Productions, bicoastal.
Electronic Video of the Year
Basement Jaxx, "Where’s Your Head At," dir. Traktor, Partizan, bicoastal/international.
Alternative Video of the Year
Radiohead, "Knives Out," dir. Michel Gondry, Partizan.
Soundtrack Video of the Year
U2, "Elevation," from Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, dir. Joseph Kahn, Supermega/Palomar, Los Angeles.
Delapse Award for Video
of the Year
System of a Down, "Chop Suey," dir. Marcos Siega, Palomar Pictures.
Illumination Dynamics Award for Directorial Debut
Basement Jaxx, "Where’s Your Head At," dir. Traktor, Partizan.
Slamdance Award for Best Video Produced Under $25,000
Tahiti 80, "Love from Outer Space," dir. Duffy Culligan, Rock Fight, Los Angeles.
International Video of the Year
Fatboy Slim, "Ya Mama," dir. Traktor, Partizan.
Crest National Award for
Director of the Year
P.O.D., "Alive"; Aerosmith, "Jaded"; Janet Jackson with Missy Elliot, "Son of a Gun"; dir. Francis Lawrence, DNA Inc.
Eastman Kodak Award for
Lifetime Achievement
Dir. Marcus Nispel, MJZ, bicoastal/interntional.
Best Direction of a Male Artist
DMX, "Who We Be," dir. Joseph Kahn, Supermega/Palomar.
Best Direction of a
Female Artist
Mary J. Blige, "No More Drama," dir. Sanji, Believe Media, bicoastal/international.
Best Editing
DMX, "Who We Be," editor Life Garland, Superior Assembly, Santa Monica; dir. Joseph Kahn, Supermega/Palomar.
Universal Studios Production
Services Award for Best Art
Direction
Aerosmith, "Jaded," art director Laura Fox; dir. Francis Lawrence, DNA Inc.
Best Colorist/Telecine
Incubus, "Wish You Were Here," colorist Beau Leon, R!OT Santa Monica; dir. Phil Harder, Harder-Fuller, Minneapolis/A Band Apart Music Videos, Los Angeles.
Panavision Award for Best
Cinematography
Matchbox 20, "Mad Season," cinematographer Matthew Libatique; dir. Phil Harder, Harder-Fuller/A Band Apart Music Videos.
Kratz Award for Creative
Excellence
Randy Skinner, Warner Bros.
PSL Los Angeles Award for
Best Special Effects
The White Stripes, "Fell in Love with a Girl," visual effects coordinator Sebastian Fau, Twisted Labs, Paris; dir. Michel Gondry, Partizan.
Best Choreography
Missy Elliott, "Get Ur Freak On," choreographer Hi-Hat; dir. Dave Meyers, F.M. Rocks, Santa Monica.
Best Styling
Mya, Pink, Christina Aguilera, ‘Lil Kim, "Lady Marmalade," stylist Trish Summerville; dir. Paul Hunter, HSI Productions, bicoastal.
Fred Segal Beauty Award for
Best Hair
Elton John, "This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore," hair stylist Barbara Lorenz; dir. David LaChapelle, Venus Entertainment, bicoastal.
Fred Segal Beauty Award for
Best Make-Up
Janet Jackson with Missy Elliott, "Son of a Gun," makeup artists Fran Cooper and Billy B; dir. Francis Lawrence, DNA Inc.
Best Direction of a New Artist
Tenacious D, "Wonderboy," dir. Spike Jonze, Satellite Films, now defunct. (Jonze is now with MJZ.)
