List of filmmakers that directed music videos of songs for Academy Award nominated movies: An Oscar Legends spin-off list.
Newest Updated!: For that is not on this list is somethings both related and not related to this topic are video game to publishing companies that had famous product placement in or did tie-ins to Academy Award nominated movies that are:
* Interplay Entertainment (Total Recall and Waterworld)
* Ubisoft (The Fifth Element, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, The Emperor's New Groove, Ice Age, King Kong, Surf's Up, Avatar and The Adventures of Tintin)
* JumpStart Games (Quest for Camelot, How to Train Your Dragon 2 and How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World)
* D3 Publisher (Coraline and The Croods)
* Titus Interactive (Dick Tracy and Quest for Camelot)
* Psygnosis (Bram Stoker's Dracula, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Toy Story and A Bug's Life)
* Argonaut Games (Days of Thunder, The Emperor's New Groove and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)
* TDK Mediactive Inc. (Shrek and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl)
* Take-Two Interactive Entertainment (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
* High Voltage Software (Lilo & Stitch, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Iron Man 2)
* Crave Entertainment (Babe: Pig in the Big City)
* SouthPeak Games (Men in Black)
* Sunsoft (Platoon, Batman and The Mask of Zorro)
* Data East (Robocop)
* Universal Interactive Studios (How the Grinch Stole Christmas)
* Fox Interactive (Independence Day, Anastasia and Ice Age)
* Post Consumer Brands (The Polar Express)
* Keebler Company (Spider-Man 2)
* Ferrero SpA (Despicable Me 2, Big Hero 6, Inside Out, Zootopia, Moana, Frozen II and Avatar: The Way of Water)
* Pepperidge Farm (Toy Story 4 and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)
* Conagra Brands (Surf's Up)
* KFC (Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and Superman Returns)
* Wendy’s (Quest for Camelot, American Beauty, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
* Jack in the Box (Meteor, Total Recall and Babe)
* Sbarro (The Godfather)
* Papa John's (Superman Returns)
* Little Caesars (The Batman)
* Dairy Queen (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2)
* Denny's (The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and Solo: A Star Wars Story)
* Applebee's (Ad Astra and Top Gun: Maverick)
* Panda Express (Turning Red)
* Ralph’s (Die Hard)
* 7-Eleven (Back to the Future Part II and Sherlock Holmes)
* Toys 'R' Us (Back to the Future)
* Viz Media (Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Cruella and Turning Red)
* Yen Press (Big Hero 6 and Mirai)
* Boom! Studios (Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and Dune: Part One)
* Titan Magazines (Blade Runner 2049)
* IDW Publishing (Monster House, Transformers and Star Trek)
* Dynamite Entertainment (Django Unchained, The Lone Ranger and No Time to Die)
* Papercutz/Mad Cave Studios (Trolls)
* Tokyopop ("Monsters, Inc.", Finding Nemo, Shrek 2, The Incredibles and Cars)
* eBay.com (Ralph Breaks the Internet)
* Aflac (Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, Up and Toy Story 3)
* State Farm (Inside Out)
* Instagram (No Time to Die)
* Facebook (The Social Network and No Time to Die)
New Newest update! I am now adding directors that made commercials for tie-ins to Academy Award nominate movies now.
* Interplay Entertainment (Total Recall and Waterworld)
* Ubisoft (The Fifth Element, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, The Emperor's New Groove, Ice Age, King Kong, Surf's Up, Avatar and The Adventures of Tintin)
* JumpStart Games (Quest for Camelot, How to Train Your Dragon 2 and How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World)
* D3 Publisher (Coraline and The Croods)
* Titus Interactive (Dick Tracy and Quest for Camelot)
* Psygnosis (Bram Stoker's Dracula, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Toy Story and A Bug's Life)
* Argonaut Games (Days of Thunder, The Emperor's New Groove and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)
* TDK Mediactive Inc. (Shrek and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl)
* Take-Two Interactive Entertainment (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
* High Voltage Software (Lilo & Stitch, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Iron Man 2)
* Crave Entertainment (Babe: Pig in the Big City)
* SouthPeak Games (Men in Black)
* Sunsoft (Platoon, Batman and The Mask of Zorro)
* Data East (Robocop)
* Universal Interactive Studios (How the Grinch Stole Christmas)
* Fox Interactive (Independence Day, Anastasia and Ice Age)
* Post Consumer Brands (The Polar Express)
* Keebler Company (Spider-Man 2)
* Ferrero SpA (Despicable Me 2, Big Hero 6, Inside Out, Zootopia, Moana, Frozen II and Avatar: The Way of Water)
* Pepperidge Farm (Toy Story 4 and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)
* Conagra Brands (Surf's Up)
* KFC (Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and Superman Returns)
* Wendy’s (Quest for Camelot, American Beauty, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
* Jack in the Box (Meteor, Total Recall and Babe)
* Sbarro (The Godfather)
* Papa John's (Superman Returns)
* Little Caesars (The Batman)
* Dairy Queen (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2)
* Denny's (The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and Solo: A Star Wars Story)
* Applebee's (Ad Astra and Top Gun: Maverick)
* Panda Express (Turning Red)
* Ralph’s (Die Hard)
* 7-Eleven (Back to the Future Part II and Sherlock Holmes)
* Toys 'R' Us (Back to the Future)
* Viz Media (Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Cruella and Turning Red)
* Yen Press (Big Hero 6 and Mirai)
* Boom! Studios (Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and Dune: Part One)
* Titan Magazines (Blade Runner 2049)
* IDW Publishing (Monster House, Transformers and Star Trek)
* Dynamite Entertainment (Django Unchained, The Lone Ranger and No Time to Die)
* Papercutz/Mad Cave Studios (Trolls)
* Tokyopop ("Monsters, Inc.", Finding Nemo, Shrek 2, The Incredibles and Cars)
* eBay.com (Ralph Breaks the Internet)
* Aflac (Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, Up and Toy Story 3)
* State Farm (Inside Out)
* Instagram (No Time to Die)
* Facebook (The Social Network and No Time to Die)
New Newest update! I am now adding directors that made commercials for tie-ins to Academy Award nominate movies now.
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- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Anderson was born in 1970. He was one of the first of the "video store" generation of film-makers. His father was the first man on his block to own a V.C.R., and from a very early age Anderson had an infinite number of titles available to him. While film-makers like Spielberg cut their teeth making 8 mm films, Anderson cut his teeth shooting films on video and editing them from V.C.R. to V.C.R.
Part of Anderson's artistic D.N.A. comes from his father, who hosted a late night horror show in Cleveland. His father knew a number of oddball celebrities such as Robert Ridgely, an actor who often appeared in Mel Brooks' films and would later play "The Colonel" in Anderson's Boogie Nights (1997). Anderson was also very much shaped by growing up in "The Valley", specifically the suburban San Fernando Valley of greater Los Angeles. The Valley may have been immortalized in the 1980s for its mall-hopping "Valley Girls", but for Anderson it was a slightly seedy part of suburban America. You were close to Hollywood, yet you weren't there. Would-bes and burn-outs populated the area. Anderson's experiences growing up in "The Valley" have no doubt shaped his artistic self, especially since three of his four theatrical features are set in the Valley.
Anderson got into film-making at a young age. His most significant amateur film was The Dirk Diggler Story (1988), a sort of mock-documentary a la This Is Spinal Tap (1984), about a once-great pornography star named Dirk Diggler. After enrolling in N.Y.U.'s film program for two days, Anderson got his tuition back and made his own short film, Cigarettes & Coffee (1993). He also worked as a production assistant on numerous commercials and music videos before he got the chance to make his first feature, something he liked to call Sydney, but would later become known to the public as Hard Eight (1996). The film was developed and financed through The Sundance Lab, not unlike Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs (1992). Anderson cast three actors whom he would continue working with in the future: Altman veteran Philip Baker Hall, the husky and lovable John C. Reilly and, in a small part, Philip Seymour Hoffman, who so far has been featured in all four of Anderson's films. The film deals with a guardian angel type (played by Hall) who takes down-on-his-luck Reilly under his wing. The deliberately paced film featured a number of Anderson trademarks: wonderful use of source light, long takes and top-notch acting. Yet the film was reedited (and retitled) by Rysher Entertainment against Anderson's wishes. It was admired by critics, but didn't catch on at the box office. Still, it was enough for Anderson to eventually get his next movie financed. "Boogie Nights" was, in a sense, a remake of "The Dirk Diggler Story", but Anderson threw away the satirical approach and instead painted a broad canvas about a makeshift family of pornographers. The film was often joyous in its look at the 1970s and the days when pornography was still shot on film, still shown in theatres, and its actors could at least delude themselves into believing that they were movie stars. Yet "Boogie Nights" did not flinch at the dark side, showing a murder and suicide, literally in one (almost) uninterrupted shot, and also showing the lives of these people deteriorate, while also showing how their lives recovered.
Anderson not only worked with Hall, Reilly and Hoffman again, he also worked with Julianne Moore, Melora Walters, William H. Macy and Luis Guzmán. Collectively, Anderson had something that was rare in U.S. cinema: a stock company of top-notch actors. Aside from the above mentioned, Anderson also drew terrific performances from Burt Reynolds and Mark Wahlberg, two actors whose careers were not exactly going full-blast at the time of "Boogie Nights", but who found themselves to be that much more employable afterwards.
The success of "Boogie Nights" gave Anderson the chance to really go for broke in Magnolia (1999), a massive mosaic that could dwarf Altman's Nashville (1975) in its number of characters.
Anderson was awarded a "Best Director" award at Cannes for Punch-Drunk Love (2002)."Across the Universe" from Pleasantville- Producer
- Director
- Writer
David Fincher was born in 1962 in Denver, Colorado, and was raised in Marin County, California. When he was 18 years old he went to work for John Korty at Korty Films in Mill Valley. He subsequently worked at ILM (Industrial Light and Magic) from 1981-1983. Fincher left ILM to direct TV commercials and music videos after signing with N. Lee Lacy in Hollywood. He went on to found Propaganda in 1987 with fellow directors Dominic Sena, Greg Gold and Nigel Dick. Fincher has directed TV commercials for clients that include Nike, Coca-Cola, Budweiser, Heineken, Pepsi, Levi's, Converse, AT&T and Chanel. He has directed music videos for Madonna, Sting, The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Aerosmith, George Michael, Iggy Pop, The Wallflowers, Billy Idol, Steve Winwood, The Motels and, most recently, A Perfect Circle.
As a film director, he has achieved huge success with Se7en (1995), Fight Club (1999) and, Panic Room (2002)."Storybook Love" from The Princess Bride
"She's Like the Wind" from Dirty Dancing- Producer
- Director
- Actor
A graduate of Wesleyan University, Michael Bay spent his 20s working on advertisements and music videos. His first projects after film school were in the music video business. He created music videos for Tina Turner, Meat Loaf, Lionel Richie, Wilson Phillips, Donny Osmond and Divinyls. His work won him recognition and a number of MTV award nominations. He also filmed advertisements for Nike, Reebok, Coca-Cola, Budweiser and Miller Lite. He won the Grand Prix Clio for Commercial of the Year for his "Got Milk/Aaron Burr" commercial. At Cannes, he has won the Gold Lion for The Best Beer campaign for Miller Lite, as well as the Silver for "Got Milk". In 1995, Bay was honored by the Directors Guild of America as Commercial Director of the Year. That same year, he also directed his first feature film, Bad Boys (1995), starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, which grossed more than $160 million, worldwide. His follow-up film, The Rock (1996), starring Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage, was also hugely successful, making Bay the director du jour."I'll Be Holding On" from Black Rain
"Heart in Trouble" from Days of Thunder- Producer
- Director
- Actor
Antoine Fuqua is an American film director, known for his work in the film Training Day as well as The Replacement Killers, Tears of the Sun, King Arthur, Shooter, Brooklyn's Finest, Olympus Has Fallen and The Equalizer.
He has directed music videos for such artists as Arrested Development, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Toni Braxton, Pras Michel and Usher. He was nominated for MTV's Best Rap Video for Heavy D & the Boyz. He also won two Music Video Production Awards: The Young Generators Award, for his work on Coolio's rap video "Gansta Paradise" and the Sinclair Tenebaum Olesiuk and Emanual Award for the trailer to the hit feature film Dangerous Minds (1995). Among his many commercial credits are Wings for Men, Big Star Jeans, Miller Genuine Draft, Reebok, Toyota, Armani and Stanley Tools."Someday" from The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996 film)- Director
- Producer
- Actor
Felix Gary Gray is an African-American music video director, film producer and film director from New York City known for directing films such as Friday, Men in Black: International, Be Cool, The Fate of the Furious, Set It Off, The Negotiator, Straight Outta Compton and The Italian Job. He directed 22 music videos."Call Me a Mack" from Poetic Justice
"I Believe in You and Me" from The Preacher's Wife- Director
- Producer
- Actor
Ted Demme was born on 26 October 1963 in New York City, New York, USA. He was a director and producer, known for Blow (2001), Beautiful Girls (1996) and A Decade Under the Influence (2003). He was married to Amanda Scheer-Demme. He died on 13 January 2002 in Santa Monica, California, USA."Streets of Philadelphia" from Philadelphia- Director
- Writer
- Editor
Albert Magnoli graduated from the Film School at the University of Southern California. While there he completed ten student films, culminating with his Thesis Film project Jazz (1979), which he wrote, produced, edited, and directed. Focusing on the lives of three Los Angeles jazz musicians, "Jazz" went on to win 15 filmmaking awards in this country and abroad, including a Student Academy Award. The 23-minute film is listed in the 1983 edition of "The Encyclopedia Britannica" as "the most honored student film made in this country in the last twenty years."
After graduation, Magnoli was asked to edit the MGM film Reckless (1984), which was being directed by his former USC classmate, James Foley. While editing the film, rock star Prince and his manager, Robert Cavallo, came looking for a director to helm Prince's feature film debut. Foley passed on the project, but suggested Magnoli. Prince and Cavallo screened "Jazz" and offered the project to him. Magnoli went to Prince's hometown, Minneapolis, and sequestered himself in a hotel room for four weeks. There he researched and wrote the script for Purple Rain (1984).
As director, writer and editor, Magnoli delivered "Purple Rain" to the theaters eleven months later. The "Hollywood Reporter" described "Purple Rain" as "sensational and highly visual -- an accomplished and sophisticated example of storytelling." Released by Warner Bros. in 900 theaters, "Purple Rain" topped the box office in its first weekend, knocking Ghostbusters (1984) from the #1 position. To date, "Purple Rain" has grossed over $125 million worldwide.
Magnoli followed with the Lorimar-Columbia feature American Anthem (1986) and directed the critically acclaimed concert film Sign 'o' the Times (1987) for Prince. Magnoli was then commissioned to develop the sequel to "Purple Rain" for Warner Bros., which began a four-year association with Prince, culminating with Magnoli becoming Prince's manager and handling his personal and creative affairs for two years. The soundtrack album for Batman (1989) was created during this union, and two #1 videos, "Batdance" and "Partyman", were written and directed by Magnoli to promote the "Batman" film and soundtrack.
Mark Canton and Jon Peters then asked Magnoli to take over the directing reins from Andrey Konchalovskiy on Tango & Cash (1989) starring Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell. The $65-million film was behind schedule and over budget, and Magnoli was asked to begin shooting immediately. Four days later he arrived on the set, shot for 40 days and delivered the picture to the studio in time for a Christmas release just two months later. "Tango & Cash" was a commercial success, grossing over $150 million worldwide. Magnoli then directed Born to Run (1993) for Fox Television, starring Richard Grieco. Filmed in just 24 days, the $3.4-million film was critically acclaimed.
Magnoli then completed Dark Planet (1997) a science-fiction film for producers John Eyres and Barnet Bain and the Sci-Fi cable channel. Starring Paul Mercurio, Harley Jane Kozak and Michael York, "Dark Planet" was shot in 8 days with a budget of $800,000.00. Magnoli then directed "Deliverance", an episode of Nash Bridges (1996) for CBS. He then wrote "Captain Blood," "World Without End," "The Taken," "Johnny Blackout" and "Primal Scream.""Partyman" from Batman
"Scandalous" from Batman- Producer
- Director
- Music Department
Brett Ratner is one of Hollywood's most successful filmmakers. His diverse films resonate with audiences worldwide and, as director, his films have grossed over $2 billion at the global box office. Brett began his career directing music videos before making his feature directorial debut at 26 years old with the action comedy hit Money Talks. He followed with the blockbuster Rush Hour and its successful sequels. Brett also directed The Family Man, Red Dragon, After the Sunset, X-Men: The Last Stand, Tower Heist and Hercules.
Ratner has also enjoyed critical acclaim and box office success as a producer. He has served as an executive producer on the Golden Globe and Oscar winning The Revenant, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Black Mass, starring Johnny Depp; and as a producer on Truth, starring Robert Redford and Cate Blanchett; I Saw the Light, starring Tom Hiddleston and Elizabeth Olsen; and the upcoming film Rules Don't Apply, written, directed and produced by Warren Beatty. His other produced films include the smash hit comedy Horrible Bosses and its sequel, and the re-imagined Snow White tale Mirror Mirror.
His additional producing credits include the documentaries Author: The JT LeRoy Story, Catfish, the Emmy-nominated Woody Allen - A Documentary, Helmut by June, I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale, Chuck Norris vs. Communism, the 5-time Emmy nominated and Peabody Award winning Night Will Fall, Bright Lights and National Geographic's upcoming Untitled Leonardo DiCaprio Environmental Documentary, directed, produced by and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. He also executive produced and directed the Golden Globe-nominated FOX series Prison Break, and executive produced the television series Rush Hour, based on his hit films.
Brett, along with his business partner James Packer, formed RatPac Entertainment, a film finance production and media company, in 2013. RatPac has a first-look deal with Warner Bros. and joined with Dune Capital to co-finance over 75 films including Gravity, The Lego Movie, American Sniper, and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. RatPac Entertainment also co-financed The Revenant and Birdman with New Regency. Internationally, Warner Bros. and RatPac have formed a joint venture content fund with China's Shanghai Media Group to finance local Chinese content. In partnership with New Regency, RatPac also finances the development and production of Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment.
Since inception, RatPac Entertainment has co-financed 52 theatrically released motion pictures exceeding $9.3 billion in worldwide box office receipts. RatPac's co-financed films have been nominated for 51 Academy Awards, 20 Golden Globes and 39 BAFTAs and have won 21 Academy Awards, 7 Golden Globes and 17 BAFTAs.
Brett is a Board of Trustees member of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance. He sits on the boards of Chrysalis, Best Buddies and Do Something, while serving on the Dean's Council of the NYU Tisch School of the Arts and on the Board of Directors at Tel Aviv University's School of Film and Television. In 2017, he will receive a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame."Beautiful Stranger" from Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me- Director
- Production Designer
- Producer
Hardwicke's first film as a director was the Sundance winner THIRTEEN which explored the transition into teenage years with an authenticity that still captures young audiences (1.3 billion Tik Tok engagements.) Hardwicke directed LORDS OF DOGTOWN before she became best known as the director of TWILIGHT, which launched the blockbuster franchise and has since earned over three billion dollars. Recently her indie film PRISONER'S DAUGHTER premiered at TIFF 2022 and DREAMS IN THE WITCHHOUSE dropped on Netflix October 2022 as part of Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities. MAFIA MAMMA premieres in theaters on April 14 2023."Till It Happens to You" from The Hunting Ground- Actress
- Producer
- Director
Trudie Styler was born on 6 January 1954 in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England, UK. She is an actress and producer, known for Filth (2013), Moon (2009) and The Next Three Days (2010). She has been married to Sting since 20 August 1992. They have four children."My Funny Friend and Me" from The Emperor's New Groove- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Steve Barron started in films as a camera assistant on epic productions such as Richard Donner's 'Superman', Richard Attenborough's 'A Bridge Too Far' and Ridley Scott's The Duellists (1977). He began directing music videos in the early eighties for The Jam, Human League, and Adam & the Ants, his work helping to inspire the formation of MTV. In 1982 he conceived and directed the award winning 'Billie-Jean' - the first single of Michael Jackson's incredible 'Thriller' album. More seminal videos followed. Dire Straits' 'Money for Nothing' won Best Video at the 1986 MTV Awards and A-Ha's 'Take On Me' was awarded Best Director.
Steve's debut feature film was the music-led romantic comedy 'Electric Dreams' starring Virginia Madsen, released worldwide in 1984.
In 1987 his foray into network television won an Emmy for 'Hans My Hedgehog' - the 'Jim Henson - Storyteller' pilot for NBC. His second show 'Fearnot' gained immense critical acclaim after broadcast in 1987, while a third, 'Sapsorrow', broadcast in 1988, was similarly revered. The Washington Post said of 'Fearnot' - "This fantasy turns the television screen into Alice's looking glass, Snow White's magic mirror and The Thief of Baghdad's all-seeing eye. It is so seductively imaginative that you can almost feel it pulling you into a bottomless tube".
In 1990 Steve's second movie stunned the movie industry by becoming the first independent feature to break the 100 million-dollar theatrical barrier in the U.S. 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' grossed over 350 million dollars worldwide. A Grammy nomination followed for Dire Straits' 'Calling Elvis' and the Billboard Best Director award for Natalie Cole's 'Unforgettable' duet with her father, which reached No.1 across the world, selling over 12 million albums on the way.
In the mid-nineties Steve directed the Dan Ackroyd feature 'Coneheads' for Paramount and he was Executive Producer on the Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone picture 'The Specialist', and the highly successful 'While You Were Sleeping' starring Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman. He was also Executive Producer on 'ReBoot', the first fully computer animated network series.
In 1996 he directed 'The Adventures of Pinocchio', starring Oscar winner Martin Landau and Jonathan Taylor Thomas. Alexander Walker said in the London Evening Standard "Director Steve Barron's blend of human stars with the eponymous animatronic wooden hero has produced an amazing movie rooted in timeless fairyland but incorporating state-of-the-art wizardry.... The inventiveness lasts through the fable: it really is something to goggle at, whatever your age." Responses across the Atlantic in the U.S. were equally warm. The Washington Post wrote of the film, "The Adventures of Pinocchio evokes the look and language of traditional European picture book tales, and does so with so much charm that it offers a fresh new delight, not just a pale live-action imitation, of the Disney animated classic."
In autumn 1998, Steve directed 'Merlin', a $30 million television mega-series produced by Hallmark for NBC in America. Merlin attracted a stellar cast including Sam Neill, Helena Bonham-Carter, Miranda Richardson, Isabella Rossellini, Martin Short, Alan Bates, Sir John Geilguid and Rutger Hauer. In the US alone 58 million people tuned in to watch 'Merlin' and the critical reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Entertainment Weekly wrote... "Merlin cast a new spell on history posting the highest ratings in adults 18-49 since 1984... the result is nothing less than an instant classic - a four -hour TV movie that deserves to be shown annually, the way it used to be a tradition to broadcast 'The Wizard of Oz' every year. It's that good - that scary, that rich, that much fun."- 'Merlin' was nominated for 15 Emmy's, 4 Golden Globes and a DGA nod for outstanding Directing.
In 1999 Steve completed 'Arabian Nights', this time for the ABC network in America. Photographed in Turkey and Morocco its stars include Alan Bates, Jason Scott Lee, John Leguizamo, Dougray Scott and Rufus Sewell. The show aired to rave notices on ABC TV in the USA and BBC1 in the UK simultaneously, earning 5 more Emmy and a US National Television Critics nomination.
In October 2000 the Universal movie 'Rat' had it's theatrical premiere in Dublin. This dark comedy, co-produced and directed by Steve Barron, is the bizarre story of a Dublin man who comes home from the pub one day 'not feeling very well' and turns into a rat. Starring Imelda Staunton and Pete Postlethwaite the Irish press greeted the film with an ecstatic response. Brian Reddin of the Dublin Evening Herald said - "To miss this superb surreal comedy would be to miss one of the greatest Irish films ever made and perhaps the funniest."
Steve's next comedy was 'Mike Bassett-England Manager' a spoof documentary feature film starring Ricky Tomlinson as the national soccer coach. The film had a wide UK theatrical release in November 2001, through the government funded Film Council and Entertainment distributors, taking $6m and charting at number three in it's first four weeks.
Next was a $24m American Indian mini-series epic for ABC and Hallmark. 'Dreamkeeper' is the first big scale attempt to bring to life the myth's and legends of the Native American people. Tribes all across the United States were consulted and ninety-five speaking roles all cast with Native people. The production won Steve a Gold for Directorial Achievement at the Chicago International TV Festival and an Emmy for best visual effects.
In 2005 Steve wrote and directed the New York based independent feature film 'Choking Man' starring Mandy Patinkin and Aaron Paul. The contemporary feature follows the fortunes of an acutely shy Ecuadorian dishwasher. Set in an old traditional diner in Jamaica, Queens the movie's backdrop is the largest, most diverse immigrant population in North America.
Steve was presented with an 'Outstanding Achievement in Music Videos' award at the Hammersmith Palais in London. 2007 also brought a prestigious Gotham Award for his first original screenplay Choking Man. Through these years Steve Exec-Produced two feature documentaries for 'Peace One Day' and 'The Day After Peace' with Jude Law and Angelina Jolie, which premiered at the Edinburgh Film Festival and Cannes respectively. The film charts Jeremy Gilley's incredible journey to create a day of peace in the world calendar.
2009 Steve directed the Sci-Fi internet sensation Slingers, starring Sean Pertwee, with visual effects by the acclaimed company he was a founder of, Framestore. 2011 he Directed the miniseries Treasure Island, for Sky and SyFy, starring Eddie Izzard, Elijah Wood and Donald Sutherland. Filmed in Dublin and Puerto Rico Steve kept up his unbroken Emmy Nomination sequence for television with two more Emmy nods.
Steve completed the Artificial Intelligence thriller mini-series for Sonar Entertainment - 'Delete' premiering in 2013. Through Riley Productions he has signed a development deal with the British Film Institute to make a sequel to his now cult 'Mike Bassett' soccer movie."For Your Eyes Only" from For Your Eyes Only- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Mark Romanek was born on 18 September 1959 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is a director and producer, known for One Hour Photo (2002), Never Let Me Go (2010) and Michael Jackson feat. Janet Jackson: Scream (1995). He is married to Brigette Romanek."Can't Stop the Feeling" from Trolls- Director
- Writer
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
David Hogan was born on 14 August 1948 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. He is a director and writer, known for Barb Wire (1996), Batman Forever (1995) and Life in a Basket (2003)."New Attitude" from Beverly Hills Cop- Director
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Writer
Phil Joanou was born on 20 November 1961 in La Cañada, California, USA. He is a director and assistant director, known for State of Grace (1990), U2: Rattle and Hum (1988) and Three O'Clock High (1987)."When You Believe" from The Prince of Egypt- Director
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Anton Corbijn was born on 20 May 1955 in Strijen, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands. He is a director and actor, known for Control (2007), A Most Wanted Man (2014) and The American (2010)."Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" from Don Juan DeMarco- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Julien Temple was born on 26 November 1953 in London, England, UK. He is a director and writer, known for Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan (2020), Vigo (1998) and Earth Girls Are Easy (1988)."(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves- Director
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Mary Lambert was born in 1951 in Helena, Arkansas, USA. She is a director and writer, known for Pet Sematary (1989), Madonna: Like a Prayer (1989) and The in Crowd (2000). She has been married to Jerome Gary since 28 September 1991. They have one child."When You Believe" from The Prince of Egypt- Director
- Producer
- Camera and Electrical Department
Francis Lawrence is an American filmmaker. He started directing over sixty music videos before he directed the cult classic Keanu Reeves film Constantine, I Am Legend and Water for Elephants. He also directed The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2, and Red Sparrow, which all starred Jennifer Lawrence."Ghetto Superstar (That is What You Are)" from Bulworth
"I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" from Armageddon- Producer
- Director
- Writer
Marc Webb is an American film and music video director. He directed over 100 music videos before he made his film directorial debut with 500 Days of Summer, a romantic comedy. He later directed The Amazing Spider-Man and its 2014 sequel starring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. He also directed Gifted and The Only Living Boy in New York."21 Guns" from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen- Director
- Producer
- Cinematographer
Bille Woodruff has worked with some of the biggest names in entertainment. Raised in Virginia, Bille attended University of Maryland, College Park, as a National Merit Scholar on a full academic scholarship with plans of becoming an anthropologist. Things took an unexpected twist once he began an internship at Black Entertainment Television (BET) in Washington, DC, and switched his major to film. Bille's career in show biz began as he worked his way up through the ranks at BET, where he initially acquired practical production knowledge and experience, topping off his rise from intern to Executive Producer of Specials and Original Programming. It is while at BET that Bille also began directing EPKs and Music Videos for up-and-coming artists.
After his successful stint at BET and a rapidly growing list of credits, Bille felt that it was time for a change. That change came with an offer from Atlanta-based LaFace Records, the label started by L.A. Reid and Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds, to serve as Senior National Director of Music Videos and Video Production. Spending three years at LaFace, Bille felt that it was time yet again to move on in his career. Backed by a solid reputation as one of the most desired music video directors in the business, Bille relocated to Los Angeles to venture off on his own.
Bille's distinct searing visuals have earned him a special place in the Industry. He has directed some of the most memorable videos for artists such as Jessica Simpson, Lil' Kim, Britney Spears, Céline Dion, R. Kelly, Nas, OutKast, Aaliyah, Missy Elliott, TLC, Toni Braxton, Trisha Yearwood, and Usher, among many others. He has been nominated for numerous MTV video awards, and won a VH-1 Fashion award.
Bille's foray into feature films was Universal Pictures' _Honey (2003/I)_, starring Jessica Alba and Mekhi Phifer, which has grossed US$60 million worldwide. Most recently, Bille directed the MGM feature Beauty Shop (2005), starring Queen Latifah, with Djimon Hounsou, Kevin Bacon, Andie MacDowell, Mena Suvari, Alicia Silverstone, and Alfre Woodard. This highly anticipated feature spin-off from the hit BARBERSHOP films was released in the Spring of 2005.“My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic
“Then You Look at Me” from Bicentennial Man
“You’re Where I Belong” from Stuart Little
"The World's Greatest" from Ali- Director
- Producer
- Actor
Kevin Bray is a director and producer known for his work on Succession, Insecure, Run, The Americans, Snowfall, and the pilot of Suits. Bray began his film career directing the classic urban action comedy, All About the Benjamins, as well as the 2004 remake of Walking Tall, starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. He has also directed over one hundred music videos and commercials, ranging from Whitney Houston to the Beastie Boys.“Because You Loved Me” from Up Close & Personal- Director
- Writer
- Actress
Floria Sigismondi is a photographer and director. Apart from her art exhibitions she is best known for directing music videos. Her trademark dilating, jittery camerawork, noticeable as early as her video for Marilyn Manson's "The Beautiful People", has been replicated by a great number of directors since. Her parents, Lina and Domenico Sigismondi, were opera singers. Her family, including her sister Antonella, moved to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada when she was two. In her childhood she became obsessed by drawing and painting. Later, from 1987 she studied painting and illustration at the Ontario College of Art, today's Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD). When she took a photography course, she became obsessed once more, and graduated with a photography major. Floria started a career as a fashion photographer. She came to directing music videos when she was approached by the production company The Revolver Film Co., and directed music videos for a number of Canadian bands. Her very innovative, but also very disturbing video works, located in sceneries she once described as "entropic underworlds inhabited by tortured souls and omnipotent beings", attracted a number of very prominent musicians. With her photography and sculpture installations she had solo exhibitions in Hamilton and Toronto, New York, Brescia, Italy, Göteborg, Sweden and London. Her photographs also were included in numerous group exhibitions, together with those of photographers like Cindy Sherman and Joel-Peter Witkin. The German art press Die Gestalten Verlag has published two monographs of her photography, "Redemption" (1999) and "Immune" (2005)."I've Seen It All" from Dancer in the Dark
"Sledgehammer" from Star Trek Beyond- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Rupert Wainwright is an award-winning director who brings a unique visual style and driving sense of storytelling to the worlds of features, tv and commercials.
His feature "Stigmata" (MGM) starring Patricia Arquette, Gabriel Byrne and Jonathan Pryce, is an original vision of a classical horror film blended with a personal search for faith. Praised for its striking imagery, "Stigmata" opened #1 in the US and made over $100 million worldwide.
"The Fog" (Sony Pictures) starring Tom Welling, Maggie Grace and Selma Blair also opened #1 in theatres in the US. "The Sadness of Sex" a festival favorite, was described by the Los Angeles Times as "an inspired tour de force" and Wainwright's debut feature "Blank Check" (Disney) is an evergreen kid's favorite bringing a few hours of peace to parents around the world. In the TV world, Wainwright has directed for ABC, FOX, NBC, CBS, History as well as producing the Fox Sports coverage of the Sochi Winter Olympics, and developing programs at Hulu.
His newest feature project is the New York Times best-seller "Not Without Hope", a true life thriller of endurance in the face of an ocean tragedy, shooting spring 2020.
Born in England, Wainwright studied at Oxford University while acting in British films such as "Another Country" and "Dreamchild." He attended UCLA on a Fulbright scholarship where he started directing music videos most notably for NWA, Michael Jackson and MC Hammer. His commercial collaborations include Reebok, Gatorade, Sprite, Footlocker ATT etc., and he has directed winning bid films for the Olympics and FIFA World Cup.
Wainwright has won numerous awards for his work, including two Grand Effies (one for his work with Reebok), several MTV Video Music Awards, several Cannes Gold Dolphins and a Grammy."The Addams Groove" from The Addams Family- Director
- Cinematographer
- Editor
Joseph Kahn was born on 12 October 1972. He is a director and cinematographer, known for Bodied (2017), Detention (2011) and Torque (2004)."If You Can't Rock Me" from Stuart Little
"Chrysler" from Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens- Director
- Producer
- Cinematographer
Doug Nichol is known for California Typewriter (2016), Sunshine (2011) and Sting: Ten Summoners Tales (1993)."Stir It Up" from Beverly Hills Cop- Director
- Cinematographer
- Camera and Electrical Department
Dominic Sena was born on 26 April 1949 in Niles, Ohio, USA. He is a director and cinematographer, known for Kalifornia (1993), Whiteout (2009) and Swordfish (2001)."Top Gun Anthem" from Top Gun- Director
- Producer
- Art Director
Nigel Dick was born on 21 March 1953 in Catterick, Yorks, England, UK. He is a director and producer, known for S Club Seeing Double (2003), Band Aid: Do They Know It's Christmas? (1984) and Dead Connection (1994)."Music from the Heart" from Music from the Heart- Director
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Darren Grant is an award winning director with an extensive career spanning music videos, commercials, TV and feature film.
A Seattle native, Grant grew up behind the camera studying his mother's artistry as she made her mark as an indie filmmaker. After graduating film school, Grant took the industry by storm. His meteoric rise includes an expansive catalog of award winning music videos, a number one feature film and a big splash into the TV space with titles such as The Chi, God Friended Me, Queen of the South, Empire, Suits and many more.
His signature style has created timeless pieces for Beyonce, TI, Common, Jay Z and Aaliyah to name a few. Grant's vast body of work includes commercials for a variety of global brands, such as Budweiser, McDonalds, Major League Baseball, Victoria's Secret and the award winning anti smoking PSA "Hitman."
Grant's first feature film exploded onto the big screen. "Diary of A Mad Black Woman" (Lions Gate) debuted at #1. A fan favorite, it grossed over $75 million domestic/DVD/VOD. His sophomore feature, "Make it Happen" a dance film set in the world of modern burlesque (The Weinstein Company) followed shortly after, solidifying his position in the feature film arena.
Grant also served as Co-Executive Producer on the hit show Saints and Sinners for 16 episodes, where he was instrumental in its success. Darren's more immediate goals are to continue to make great TV and dive further into the creation/producing realm. He is a graduate of the School of Cinema & Television Arts at California State University, Northridge (CSUN)."I Will Get There" from The Prince of Egypt- Director
- Producer
- Writer
ANDY MORAHAN - Short Bio
Andy Morahan is one of the most renowned directors the UK has produced receiving accolades across every genre of filmmaking from his legendary Guns n' Roses music videos to his Guess Jeans commercial starring Harry Dean Stanton and Juliette Lewis, one of the most awarded Ads of all time, including a Cannes Golden Lion, 5 D&AD's & 6 Clios amongst many others.
From already being an MVT award winning director, this was the platform that launched Andy's commercials career, where his client list includes Ford, Carling, Lynx, Bacardi, Miller, Barclays, Vodafone, VW, Canon, GHD and others. More recently he was recruited by Toyota for their Prius campaign, featuring Leonardo Di Caprio.
Andy has constantly diversified as a director turning his hand from features to 'live shows' as well as 'Event cinema' This includes directing many 'live satellite broadcasts' for the English National Opera (from the Coliseum in London) into over 400 cinema screens in Europe; he also shot a groundbreaking 3D concert film for JLS and filmed George Michael's last ever concert at the Garnier Opera House in Paris.
In 2018 he directed his own co-penned movie 'Boogie Man' about a 18yr old British Indian boy who is obsessed with Saturday Night Fever and 70's disco culture. After winning over 40 Festival awards, this was released in 2019 and is now available on many digital platforms such as Amazon Prime and Sky Movies.
In 2022/23 he is slated to direct 3 movies: 'Severance', a heist movie set in London and 'Toilers of the Sea', a Victor Hugo novel about the single-handed salvage of a shipwreck off the coast of Guernsey in the 1800's and 'Alright Kev', a film based on the myth of the Lambton worm but set in a modern context. Think 'Tremors' meets 'This is England' up north!
He is also developing 3 Prime Time TV Drama series, 'Salvator' - an action based show that explores the illegal ivory trade in Africa and South East Asia. 'The Seventh' - An environmentally driven drama set in a surfing community in Southern California and 'Marshall Law' - A period drama detailing the life and times of the notorious barrister Edward Marshall Hall."I Want Your Sex" from Beverly Hills Cop II
"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
"Where Do We Go From Here?" from Eraser- Producer
- Director
- Additional Crew
Jerry Kramer is known for Moonwalker (1988), Comic Justice (1993) and Michael Jackson: Leave Me Alone (1989)."The Music of Goodbye" from Out of Africa- Producer
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Josh Goldstein is known for Jungle Cruise (2021), American Dreams (2002) and Sweet Valley High (1994). He has been married to Marleah Leslie since 16 February 2002."A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got)" from The Great Gatsby (2013 film)- Producer
- Writer
- Director
Joe Carnahan is an American film director and screenwriter. He was born in California in 1969. He attended Fairfield High School in Fairfield, California. He graduated in 1987, at the age of 18. He first attended the San Francisco State University, and later transferred to California State University, Sacramento. He gained a Bachelor of Arts in Filmography.
Following his graduation, Carnahan was hired by the television station KMAX-TV in Sacramento. He produced short films and television spots for the station. In 1997, Carnahan directed his first-feature length film "Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane". The film was screened at 1998 Sundance Film Festival, and won some acclaim.
In 2002, Carnahan directed the neo-noir crime film "Narc". It earned about 13 million dollars in the worldwide box office, a minor box office hit. He subsequently directed or wrote the screenplays for several crime films. His name was attached to several projects that ended in development hell,
In 2010, Carnahan directed the action thriller "The A-Team", a film adaptation of the hit television series "The A-Team" (1983-1987). It earned 177 million dollars at the worldwide box office, becoming Carnahan's highest-grossing film."Sony Smartphone XperiaT" from Skyfall- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. is known for The Forgotten Battle (2020), The Thing (2011) and Red Rain (1996)."Heineken" from Skyfall- Camera and Electrical Department
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Director
Alexander Witt was born in 1952 in Santiago, Chile. He is an assistant director and director, known for Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004), No Time to Die (2021) and The Bourne Identity (2002)."Land Rover Defender" from No Time to Die- Actress
- Director
- Writer
Amma Asante is a British BAFTA award winning screenwriter and director, known for Belle (2013), and A Way of Life (2004). She is a former child actress, who began her writing career at the age of 23 with a script deals from both Channel 4 in the UK and BBC. Her first movie, A Way of Life, which she wrote and directed won her numerous awards, both in the UK and internationally, including FIPRESCI prizes and the Carl Foreman BAFTA Film Award. In 2017 Amma was awarded an MBE on the Queen's New Year's Honours List, for her services to film as a writer and director."Noika" from No Time to Die