- Melina Matsoukas
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Melina Matsoukas (born January 14, 1981) is an American music video director.
Contents
Life and career
Matsoukas is of Greek, Jewish, Jamaican and Cuban descent.[1] Both her name and surname are Greek: Μελίνα Ματσούκα. She is a graduate of the American Film Institute and New York University. Her graduate thesis there was on music videos.[2]
Matsoukas started out at the now-defunct Gorilla Flix film production company, and currently works for Black Dog Films/RSA, which she has been signed to since 2006.
Her work is described as, "chalk full [sic] of bright colors or crisp black and white images, smooth spotlights, and tasteful retro video models."[3] Matsoukas says that expensive equipment is not necessary for a quality video and one should never think that way: "A good video has the right visuals, a well conceptualised story and should be exciting and elicit reaction."[4] In an interview for Venus Zine's Fall 2010 issue, she says about being part of the music video world, "I love it. The quick turnaround, the creativity."[5] Regarding the concept of Solange Knowles' video "I Decided", Matsoukas stated: "This is her concept so I've definitely just developed it and put my mark on it."[6]
Music video filmography
- 2006
- "Dem Girls" - Red Handed feat. Paul Wall & Scooby
- "Go 'Head" - Ali & Gipp feat. Chocolate Tai
- "Need a Boss" - Shareefa feat. Ludacris
- "Cry No More" - Shareefa
- "Hey Hey" - 216
- "Money Maker" - Ludacris feat. Pharrell
- "Dangerous" - Ying Yang Twins feat. Wyclef Jean
- "Help" - Lloyd Banks feat. Keri Hilson
- 2007
- "Because of You" - Ne-Yo
- "Green Light" - Beyoncé
- "Kitty Kat" (co-directed by Beyoncé Knowles) - Beyoncé
- "Suga Mama" (co-directed by Beyoncé Knowles) - Beyoncé
- "Upgrade U" (co-directed by Beyoncé Knowles) - Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z
- "Tambourine" - Eve feat. Swizz Beatz
- "Do You" - Ne-Yo
- "Give It to You" - Eve feat. Sean Paul
- "Bleeding Love" - Leona Lewis (UK version)
- "Hold It Don't Drop It" - Jennifer Lopez
- "Sensual Seduction" - Snoop Dogg
- "How Do I Breathe" - Mario
- 2008
- "In My Arms" - Kylie Minogue
- "Wow" - Kylie Minogue
- "Modern World" - Anouk
- "Closer" - Ne-Yo
- "I Decided" - Solange
- "Just Dance" - Lady Gaga feat. Colby O'Donis
- "Energy" - Keri Hilson
- "Good Good - Ashanti
- "Beautiful, Dirty, Rich" - Lady Gaga
- "Go Girl" - Ciara feat. T-Pain
- "Return The Favor" - Keri Hilson feat. Timbaland
- "Diva" - Beyoncé
- "Thinking of You" - Katy Perry
- 2009
- "I Will Be" - Leona Lewis
- "So Good" - Electrik Red
- "Not Fair" - Lily Allen
- "Sweet Dreams" (I Am... Tour interlude video) - Beyoncé
- "Touch My Hand" - David Archuleta
- "Work" - Ciara feat. Missy Elliott
- "I Look To You" - Whitney Houston
- "Million Dollar Bill" - Whitney Houston
- "Sex Therapy" - Robin Thicke
- "Never Knew I Needed" - Ne-Yo
- "Hard" - Rihanna feat. Young Jeezy
- 2010
- "Rude Boy" - Rihanna
- "Put It in a Love Song" - Alicia Keys feat. Beyoncé
- "Why Don't You Love Me" (co-directed by Beyoncé Knowles) - Beyoncé
- "Rockstar 101" - Rihanna feat. Slash
- "Gimmie Dat" - Ciara
- 2011
- "S&M" (co-directed by Rihanna) - Rihanna
- "Move Your Body" - Beyoncé
- "I'm Into You" - Jennifer Lopez feat. Lil Wayne
- "We Found Love" - Rihanna
- "You Da One" - Rihanna
References
- ^ http://www.honeymag.com/2010/uncategorized/females-freakin-the-industry/
- ^ Kamuzu Banda, Tim. Saturday, September 6, 2008 at 22:01. "Video queen: Melina Matsoukas", Daily Nation.
- ^ "Visionary: Melina Matsoukas", WatchLookListen.
- ^ "Video queen: Melina Matsoukas", p. 2
- ^ "Venus Zine: Melina Matsoukas" Venus Zine Fall 2010 Issue No. 44
- ^ "Dir. Melina Matsoukas, on the video concept", Truveo.
External links
- Official site at Black Dog Films/RSA
- Melina Matsoukas at the Internet Movie Database
- Melina Matsoukas (Melina) at Music Video Database
- Melina Matsoukas at Clipland
- Melina Matsoukas on Twitter
- Melina Matsoukas on Facebook
Categories:- American music video directors
- American people of Greek descent
- American people of Jewish descent
- American people of Jamaican descent
- American people of Cuban descent
- Greek music video directors
- American Film Institute Conservatory alumni
- 1981 births
- Living people
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