Case Study 2: Emil NavaEmil is a music video director who started off as a Runner for film companies, particularly Blink Productions. He is now a freelance director working for OB Management.
From a Runner, he became an Assistant Director (or A.D.), who is responsible for managing video shoots. He then signed to different music and film companies, like Academy Films (signed first), Between the Eyes (signed second) and Pulse Films (currently signed).
Emil Nava's first directing job and budget was for the band KiD BRiTiSH and their song "Our House is Dadless". The song is a sample of the song "Our House" by Madness. The budget was £20,000. It was filmed in Manchester. The cast consisted of the band members and the local people of the neighbourhood the video was filmed in. It took 1 day for filming, 2-3 days for editing and 10 days for pre-production (13-14 days in total), meaning the production for this video was on a tight schedule.
Emil Nava gives career advice on icould.com
He talks about how he became a music video director, who he has worked with, e.g. Jessie J, Tinchy Strider, etc, and what his life is like as a music video director.
Emil Nava interview on set of Jessie J music video
He talks about his first ever music video (himself rapping to 50 Cent) and how his mood on the filming days affects the entire crew, including the artist, so he has to keep a clear head.
Examples of the music videos he has directed include:-
Jessie J - "WILD" (video includes playlist of his other music videos)
Behind the Scenes of "Domino" by Jessie J
The busiest he has ever been was when he made 24 music videos in 1 year. For music videos for songs that are signed by independent record labels, he makes the budget as low as £5,000-£10,000. His most expensive video was for Jessie J, which cost £160,000 to make.
Emil Nava has also directed several adverts, which have a higher budget and production value but have less creative freedom. For example, the L`Oreal "Dare To Be Different" advert.
Other examples of his music videos include:-
Paloma Faith - "30 Minute Love Affair"
Client Record Label: Sony Music
Paloma Faith - "Picking Up the Pieces"
Client Record Label: Sony Music
Budget: £80,000
Ed Sheeran - "Lego House"
Client Record Label: Atlantic Records
Jessie J - "Do It Like A Dude"
Client Record Label: Island Records
Budget: £25,000
Rita Ora - "R.I.P."
Client Record Label: Roc Nation
Ed Sheeran - "You Need Me"
Client Record Label: Atlantic Records
Budget: £35,000
Jessie J - "Price Tag"
Client Record Label: Island Records
Emil Nava's Top Tips (on making Music Videos)
- Use Extreme Close-Ups on the singers' faces as much as possible.
- Do NOT use Medium or Long Shots for the whole of the video.
- He used these videos (and possibly others) as inspiration for these tips and some of his videos:-
Sinead O'Connor - "Nothing Compares 2U"
Godley and Creme - "Cry"
OB Management
The production company that Emil Nava works for, OB Management, often works in collaboration with other production companies, like:-
- Pulse Films (currently signed)
- Rocket Pictures
- Agile Films
- Friends Film Company
- Wanda Productions
The company works to be hired by music video directors to be their "agents". They often call themselves "three straight up dudes who work out of Denmark Street, London". The company works to:-
- Nurture talent
- Work with different production companies
- Work with different record labels
- Pair the right director with the right artist
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