Spike Jonze

Spike Jonze is a director who has worked alot in skateboard films, advertising and music videos, and has directed one feature film (Being John Malkovich, 1999) and is currently working on the film 'Where the Wild Things are'. He has become well known for his originality and style, and has made many very interesting music videos. Personally I love his work and it has been one of my biggest inspirations in film, and in the build up to this project.

These are two of his music videos which I think are effective and have in some way influenced me, I do not intend to copy straight from these videos but the real influence is the originality of these videos and how Jonze works as a director.

Wax - Southern California

This concept based video is extremely unusual, it revolves around a running man on fire, and that is really the only subject of the music video. It is shot in only one shit, a long maintained shot which slowly zooms out to reveal more, and it is shot in a track to the side of the subject. Then at the end the burning man runs off and the camera turns to reveal a very bored looking girl daydreaming in her car, this could be why noone particularly reacted to the burning man. It is also reference to childhood, a theme which is always present in the work of Spike Jonze.

I like the video because it is so simple, yet so powerful. I think that it shows how videos can be shot simply and edited simply and cheaply.

Drop - Pharcyde

Also concept based, Jonze films the video and then reverses it for effect, however the concept element is used in synergy with the performance aspect of the video. Again Jonze uses only one shot, cutting only to move location quickly. This video relies on the performance and to take full advantage of the reverse play editing Jonze has his performers do things which look interesting backwards.

I like this video because of the originality and simplicity, a bit like the previous video. I think that even though the video is quite repetetive and does not change much the audience is still drawn in to the end.

Spike Jonze's directing is all about subject and concept, he uses minimalistic camerawork and editing which takes a backseat and does not interfere with the audiences interaction with the subject. In terms of how we can be influenced by his style and direction, he always uses a cheap homemade look, using minimal equipement, he tends to shoot his music videos using the streets as his location with people still around and he does not use much if any narrative. All of these are things we can do, for example the way he allows his videos to interact with their surroundings and the people around is something we can do, as we may aswell work with our surroundings as we cant shut off roads or anything like that, if we decide to shoot out in the street.