Bridging Hemispheres

A couple of days ago I got the opportunity to attend a seminar titled Creating Music Videos, offered by award-winning director Nigel Dick through the UCLA Extension School. In addition to Nigel’s long list of music video credits over the last 25 years (among them Guns N’ Roses, Cher, Sting, Sheryl Crow, Britney Spears, Pussycat Dolls, Ricky Martin, Def Leppard, Paul McCartney, John Mayer, Elton John, Backstreet Boys, Tina Turner, Celine Dion, R.E.M.), he apparently also holds a degree in architecture which he never put to use professionally. Or is that true? I guess it depends on how you look at it. While it is true that Nigel did not make architecture his vocation at any point following college, it is the case that he was able to apply what he learned to what may seem to be an entirely different and unrelated field.

During the seminar he shared with us his “treatments” (written descriptions) and “sketches” (showing the actual series of shots with comments about the type of camera angle or other details) of music videos to show us the process of how he communicates his ideas before any filming takes place. Towards the end of the day, in response to one of the questions, he made a comment about how directing a music video bears some similarity to being an architect. The gist of what he said was the following: As an architect, you are required to bring to life something that exists on paper. Your success depends both on your ability to communicate your idea clearly to the people who are hiring you, as well as being able to get the best work out of the various people who serve in different functions and capacities on the job in order to make sure that the idea in real life matches the idea on paper as closely as possible. Architects work with brick layers, carpenters, painters, etc. Music video directors work with musicians, actors, set designers, costume designers, make-up artists, cameramen, etc.

Furthermore, Nigel taught himself or took classes to learn the various skills that help him either in communicating his ideas to others when submitting a proposal and/or working with others after he’s got the job. For example, the architecture program in which he studied did not emphasize drawing, so that was something he taught himself in order to better convey the shots he had in mind. Also, he always felt comfortable working with musicians, since he is a guitarist himself. However, in order to become more proficient in working with actors, he took acting classes. Keep in mind that he was not out to become an actor. His purpose was clear – he set out to better understand the actors’ perspectives, so he could use the right language and techniques in getting the best performances possible.

After observing Nigel’s example of what I call “bridging hemispheres”, I was thinking about how so many of us limit ourselves in this world of increasing experts and expertise. I’m not necessarily advocating becoming a jack-of-all-trades, unless that’s what you want and that’s great if it works for you. My message here is to the focused people: If you are focused on something, I imagine that it wouldn’t hurt to look through the panoramic view of your lens to see how your skills might be applied elsewhere, at least so you have a good understanding of what is transferable. And, although you might be very busy looking through your lens, it might be worthwhile to take a break for just a moment to look through someone else’s lens.

I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to explore the world through a variety of lenses and also to explore how far and wide my own lens can see. And I’m definitely not done yet. You might ask: Well, what were YOU doing in that class? Some of you might not know this, but I was into video back in the day. For the time being, we won’t say how far back in the day that was. Still, I really had no idea about how this world of music video works, other than as a spectator.

Sometime ago, one of my 9-year old students who was intrigued by my music asked me, “Do you have a music video?” He was appalled to hear that I did not. Ever since then – and especially in the course of wrapping up my next album – I think about what he said in all his wisdom. “You should really have a music video – everybody will love to watch it. . .”

So I thought – why not? And, better yet, if there’s someone out there who wants to add a music video to his or her “reel” (filmmaker lingo for portfolio), well then here I am to further the cause! Double the pleasure, double the fun, I say, when two people create synergy through their combined work or meeting of minds.

From what I could tell, I was the only performing artist and songwriter present. My interest in meeting others for a potential partnership was well received and, though I’m encouraged, I can’t say for sure what will come of my sidebar adventure. What I can do is laugh a little about how worried I was about taking time out of my schedule to go to this seminar about a topic that is not my focus. To top off the experience, I attended the seminar on a complimentary basis as a guest of the department (which is another story), so there was no issue of money. So, all in all, I’m glad I took a moment to look at life through the lens of a music video director.