Director X knows music videos. From working under Hype Williams on the set of the 1998 classic film “Belly” to directing music videos for hip-hop heavyweights like Kendrick Lamar and Drake, the visual artist – whose real name is Julien Christian Lutz – has been delivering standout visuals for over three decades.
Today, Lutz’s production company Fela, in conjunction with Insight Production, has announced the launch of a new series called “Video Star.” The show will explore the behind-the-scenes processes and cultural impact of the most groundbreaking and innovative music videos of the ’70s. It will also feature videos from the ’90s (when seven-figure budgets were introduced) through to modern examples, including some of Director X’s innovative creations.
“We talked about doing something that really celebrates the history of music videos and gives this genre of entertainment the recognition it deserves because it has so much cultural influence and also serves as a sandbox for new directions in filmmaking,” Lutz says. Diversity. “There’s a great reverence for old films and old television shows, but this show will look at the history of music videos and talk about the contribution they’ve made to shaping culture and filmmaking.”
Fela, which Lutz co-founded with talent manager Taj Critchlow, specializes in culture-defining content, while Insight Productions has produced some of Canada’s highest-rated programs as well as popular music-related series and specials. Together they are developing “Video Star,” with each episode aiming to explore the artistry, craft and legacy of video rooted in the musical zeitgeist.
“When we were designing show concepts, we looked at ‘Hotline Bling,'” Lutz says of the 2015 video he directed. “Not only did that video become a huge success, but after its release, artist James Turrell, one of the most iconic artists of our time, released a statement saying that while his work wasn’t featured in the video, he was flattered to provide visual inspiration – and in his statement he even quoted from Drake’s lyrics. It’s that magical intersection between art and music and cultural impact that we want to delve into in the show.”
On Video Star, music writers and pop culture experts will put each video into historical context, while the artists and creative teams will explain production elements such as directing, production design, cinematography and choreography. The creators will also reflect on the inspiration for each video and the collaboration process between artist and director.
Regarding the impact of “Video Star,” Lutz comments, “This show will be an opportunity for a kid like me who loves this art form to learn how videos are made. When you look behind the scenes of these projects, you find so much depth, and we need to make sure these stories are not forgotten.”
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