Directors Label DVD series
By Keavin Wiggins

Typically bands will put together a collection of their videos and release them on DVD. But what if you wanted to see the work of the directors behind those videos? Normally you would be out of luck. But thanks to Palm Pictures you can now get a clear picture of the style and work of three significant directors in the world of music video � Spike Jonze, Chris Cunningham and Michal Gondry in their new Directors Label DVD series.

Now we can delve into the creative mind of these famed music video directors that have left their indelible stamp on the art form. But there is more! The DVDs go beyond the music video work of these directors and also showcase their other work including film shorts and television commercials. They are loaded with other goodies as well! So let's take a closer look at each of these DVD packages and see what they have to offer.

Spike Jonze

In the 90's Jonze really helped the evolution of music video, which at that point had already evolved from performance pieces to what amounts to short films. Jones just took that concept further. His distinct vision and style was seen in some of the most significant and talked about music videos of the past decade. Some of his videos have reached legendary proportions and are considered keystones of the field. Among those keystone videos are the action adventure of the Beastie Boys "Sabotage", the clever melding of Weezer into footage from the hit 70's sitcom "Happy Days" in the video for "Buddy Holly" and who can forget Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice" video that features a dancing Christopher Walken?

Aside from his most memorable videos the disc comes with some rarities clips including the Oasis video that never happened. Don't forget about the documentaries, the best of the bunch is "What's Up Fatlip?" a fun documentary that cronicals Spike's collaboration with Fatlip.

DVD Details:

Music Videos:
California � WAX
Sure Shot � BEASTIE BOYS
Drop � THE PHARCYDE
Cannonball � THE BREEDERS
Sabotage � BEASTIE BOYS
Da Funk � DAFT PUNK
What's Up Fatlip? � FATLIP
Undone (The Sweater Song) � WEEZER
Praise You � FATBOY SLIM
Feel The Pain � DINOSAUR JR.
If I Only Had A Brain � MC 900FT JESUS
Sky's The Limit � THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G.
Weapon Of Choice � FATBOY SLIM
Buddy Holly � WEEZER
Elektrobank � THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS
It's Oh So Quiet � BJORK

Rarities:
How They Get There � a short film with Mark Gonzales
Mark Paints � Another short film with Mark Gonzales
The Oasis Video That Never Happened
Rockafella Skank � Richard Koufey's audition tape for Fatboy Slim
The Woods � a short film excerpt from Mouse, a Girl Skateboards film.

Documentaries
What's Up Fatlip? (the documentary) � After Fatlip left The Pharcyde, outrageous rumors began circulating. This candid documentary happened as Spike and Fatlip worked together on a music video, and Spike let his curiosity take over. (31 min)

Amarillo By Morning � While filming probull riders at a national rodeo in Houston, Spike befriended two suburban teenagers who aspired to be cowboys. This chronicles a day in their life. (29 min)

Torrance Rises - Torrance Community Dance Group on the road to their grand performance at the MTV Video Music Awards. (34 min)

Includes a 52 Page Book with Spike's Photographs, Drawings and Interviews.

Purchase The Spike Jonze DVD online

Watch the trailer for the DVD
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Michel Gondry

To call Michel Gondry a visionary is an understatement. Some of the most buzzed about videos of the past decade have come from his creative mind. The best thing about Gondry is with every video you get a unique glimpse into that mind. He is best known for his work with Bjork and bringing her left of center music to life visually, that is perhaps best typified with the video for "Human Behavior" with the giant Teddy Bear stalking Bjork.

Most recently Michel has turned heads with his exceptional work with the White Stripes, from the brilliant double visions of "The Hardest Button to Button" to the ingenius lego work of "Fell In Love With a Girl", a video that opened more doors for the White Stripes and had everyone sit up and pay attention.

The viewer gets to go deeper into Michal's world with the two part documentary "I've Been 12 Forever", a fun look at this most unusual of directors. You also get a look at his unusual and striking work on television commercials as well as a grab bag of other goodies. This is definitely a DVD that will appeal to anyone that has ever admired Michal's work.

DVD Details:

Music Videos:
The Hardest Button To Button � THE WHITE STRIPES
Come Into My World � KYLIE MINOGUE
Dead Leaves & The Dirty Ground � THE WHITE STRIPES
Fell In Love With A Girl � THE WHITE STRIPES
Star Guitar � THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS
Joga � BJORK
Deadweight � BJORK
Bachelorette � BJORK
Everlong � FOO FIGHTERS
Around The World � DAFT PUNK
Sugar Water � CIBO MATTO
Hyperballad � BJORK
Like A Rolling Stone � THE ROLLING STONES
Army Of Me � BJORK
Isobel � BJORK
Protection � MASSIVE ATTACK
Lucas With The Lid Off � LUCAS
Human Behavior � BJORK
Le Mia � I AM
La Tour De Pise � JEAN FRANCOIS COEN
Ma Maison � OUI OUI
Bolide � OUI OUI
Junior Et Sa Voix D'Or � OUI OUI
Les Cailloux � OUI OUI
Un Joyeux Noel � OUI OUI
La Ville � OUI OUI

Shorts/Documentaries:
I've Been 12 Forever (part 2 Age 12-12)
A 75 minute film, including interviews with Michel, the artists and collaborators, as well as extensive behind the scenes footage, drawings and storyboards.

I've Been 12 Forever (Part 1 Age 12 � 12)

Stories & Things:
"La Lettre"
"One Day"
"Lacuna Inc"
"Drugstore" Levi's Commercial
"Smarienberg" Schmirnoff Commercial
"Resignation" Polaroid Commercial
"Drumb & Drumber"
"Pecan Pie" A short film starring Jim Carrey
"Three Dead People"
"My Brother's 24th Birthday"
"Tiny"
"Spin Art"
Oui Oui Livec concert footage
And more. . . .

52 page color book of Michel's stories, drawings, photographs & interviews.

Purchase The Michel Gondry DVD online

Watch the trailer for the DVD
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Chris Cunningham

Chris Cunningham brought us one of the most memorable videos ever made, one that is equaled only by Michael Jackson's "Thriller". I'm talking of course about the unforgettable video for Bjork's "All Is Full Of Love". What makes this DVD a must watch is not only the video but the behind the scenes making of documentary that is also included on the disc and features interview with both Cunningham and Bjork.

Like Jonze and Gondry, Chris's videos come across as more mini-movies than what you typically expect from music videos. And while "All Of Full Of Love" is the showcase of this DVD, Chris has made everyone one of his videos count and we get a chance to look into his mad little world with the videos for Aphex Twin and Squarepusher.

And that world is rather macabre with a post modern feel he brings to the disturbing visions. That is best typified with the "Come To Daddy" video for Aphex Twin, a true landmark in video creation with it's rather unsettling visuals that one would expect from a feature length horror film. He also directed one of Madonna's most unusual videos to date with "Frozen".

We glimpse into an insane world with Squarepusher "Come on My Selector" with it's evil Dogman. With Portishead's "Only You" we get a bizarre yet beautiful cinematic little epic.

Chris Cunningham not only pushes the boundaries of music video, his work would be spellbinding on the silver screen as well. His rather stunning short film "Flex" is included on the DVD, but sadly some of his most outstanding music video work is not included like his unforgettable videos for Auteurs Lodestar's "Another Day".

Once Chris makes the jump to the silver screen and if he is given the freedom to explore his artistic vision, he will leave most of the competition in the dust.

DVD Details:

Music Videos:
Second Bad Vilbel � AUTECHRE
Come To Daddy - APHEX TWIN
Only You � PORTISHEAD
Frozen � MADONNA
Afrika Shox - LEFTFIELD feat. AFRIKA BAMBAATAA
Come On My Selector � SQUAREPUSHER
Windowlicker - APHEX TWIN
All Is Full Of Love � BJORK

Making All Is Full Of Love
Featuring behind the scenes footage and interview with Bjork and Chris Cunningham

Other Work:
Monkey Drummer � video installation. Featuring music by Aphex Twin
Flex � excerpt from video installation. Featuring music by Aphex Twin
Mental Wealth � Sony Playstation commercial
Photocopier � Never seen Levis commercial
Engine � Nissan commercial. Featuring music by Boards of Canada
Windowlicker � Bleeped version

52 page color book:
including behind the scenes photographs, storyboards, sketchbook drawings, record cover art & interview.

Purchase The Chris Cunningham DVD online

Watch the trailer for the DVD
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Conclusion:

While it is unfortunate that we are lucky to see this striking body of work on television thought the usual music video sources, we are fortunately that Palm Pictures had the insight to put these director's series DVDs together.

These are three remarkable visionaries that have taken the music video art form to an undreamed of level of sophistication and artistry, often outshine the music that they are supposed to be promoting. Palm did a real bag up job on these collections and these DVDs are essential viewing for any and all that are interested in music video as an art form.

Get more info on the Directors Label Series DVD's on the official site.

Check out the Directors Labels Series DVD eCard