Jake Davis Blog

Music Video Premiere: Vanessa Carlton "Hear The Bells"

 

I haven't directed that many music videos this year because I've been struggling with what I can contribute to the genre. I've passed on almost everything that's been sent to me. If I make something, I want it to be special. I want to touch people. I want to take people on an emotional ride. When Vanessa played me her album, "Hear The Bells" stood out as a record that really touched me. When she asked me to create something visual for it I was really excited because I thought maybe I could make something different for the song.

I tried to create a fragmented beautiful dream of memories instead of a music video for my friend. A huge thank you to my team who helps my dreams come true everyday, especially Mr. Black, Kerri Kleiner, Tracey Moulton, Kellen Dengler, Mike Berlin and John McSwain. I hope you enjoy...

Music Video Premiere: Vanessa Carlton "Carousel"

 

Music videos are born in a lot of different ways. This one for Vanessa Carlton was about as organic as they come. My manager Chris Black ran into an old friend of his, Tracey Moulton, who's Vanessa's stylist on a flight. They both thought we should connect. Vanessa happens to live down the street from me, so we met up and she played me the new album. I instantly thought we have to go to my hometown of Woodstock and shoot a progression of my Test Shots series, which she loves. Each frame of the video would feel like a vintage fashion editorial photograph. Really I just wanted to get out of the city for the weekend with my friends and make something beautiful.

Navajo blankets, Ralph Lauren Collection gowns, chambray (with no pants), nature, bonfires... Just a few of my favorite things. We stayed at a cabin on the top of a secluded mountain and brought our two teams together. I had a ton of fun making the video. I hope you guys like it. Special thanks to Mr. Black, Kerri Kleiner, Tracey Moulton, Kellen Dengler, Ashlea Hartz, Alex Christenson, Kurt Nishimura, the rest of our teams, and the incredibly talented Vanessa Carlton. Enjoy...

Music Video Premiere: Wiz Khalifa "Roll Up"

 

Another music video for my homie Wiz Khalifa. He wanted a laid back Cali vibe for this one. We thought it was important to have a narrative featuring a really cool leading lady in Cassie, but also play with some interesting camera techniques and post effects. The idea was to create a "Roll Up" effect that made you feel like the camera was literally rolling. I've always loved the way Spike Lee puts his actors on the dolly to create a hyper sense of reality. It was also important to consistently throw light into the anamorphic lenses so the video didn't feel too polished. I wanted it to feel cinematic and capture another side of Wiz that we didn't see in "On My Level."

When you shut down Venice Beach it takes a small army that I have to thank... Wiz Khalifa, Cassie, Kerri Kleiner, Emmanuelle Cuny-Panicker, Zvi Edelman, Benjy Grinberg, Fatima B, Capricorn, Lauren Bratman, Gabriel Lewis, Kevin Kim, and Kurt Nishimura. I hope you like it.

Official Wiz Khalifa link

Premiere: The Walkmen "While I Shovel The Snow"

It's been a dream of mine to work with one of my favorite contemporary bands The Walkmen. It was an absolute pleasure directing this video for them and having the support of the coolest twins in the music business Jonathan and Justin Eshak of Mick Management. Creatively we wanted to make something in the style of a Test Shot but still be a music video. My biggest inspiration were those classic New York City souvenir postcards. The song has a lot of emotion in it and I wanted to capture that visually.

We've had one of the harshest Winters in recent memory in NYC so it was serendipitous that we were able to shoot this particular song in the snow. Here's a subtle and simple love letter to my city and one of the great bands of our generation. Special thanks to Kerri Kleiner, Kevin Hayden, and David Feinberg. I hope you all enjoy...

On Set: Wiz Khalifa "Roll Up"

                 

So I wanted to give you guys a more stylish look of what it feels like to be on set. I invited one of my favorite contemporary photographers and good friend, Nick Maggio to our closed set for Wiz Khalifa's "Roll Up" music video with Cassie in Venice. I love Nick's eye and the way he captures people in their natural environment. He sees things just a little differently than most and that's what makes his photos special.

The video comes out real soon but thought I'd give you a glimpse through the talented eye of A Time To Get.

Music Video Premiere: Wiz Khalifa "On My Level"

 

It was a lot of fun directing this music video for Wiz and a really refreshing departure from what I usually get the opportunity to do. I got to play with a few different camera rigs and visual styles for this one. We used a SnorriCam, DogieCam, and tilt shift lenses to create this sort of extreme "under the influence" look. In post we utilized cross processing techniques and speed ramping to further accentuate the feel.

I looked at two of my idols work Darren Aronofsky and Tony Scott and thought if they made a hip-hop video what would it look like. There are certain guidelines within the genre I had to stick to and then I tried to put my own little spin on it. The biggest challenge was turning a warehouse in downtown L.A. into a nightclub but I think my team did a really great job. These things take a small army to pull off but I have to thank the major players Wiz Khalifa, Too Short, Nipsey Hussle, DJ Drama, Kerri Kleiner, Emmanuelle Cuny-Panicker, Jason Walker, Gabriel Lewis, and Kurt Nishimura. I hope you like it.

Official Wiz Khalifa link

Premiere: Hypebeast TV Jake Davis: Motion Man

  

Being the one behind the lens, I always find it kind of funny when we get a request for an interview. I guess I just don't think I'm all that interesting. Maybe what I do is interesting... Sometimes... Big thanks to Hypebeast, Eugene Kan, Kellen Dengler, and Chris Black for making this happen. God knows it would've just remained an idea without their execution.

Also an amazing thank you to every client of mine and every person that's let me shoot them. Ultimately, that's why people are interested. I'm trying to get better everyday and without you guys that wouldn't be possible. Thanks again...

Official Hypebeast TV Jake Davis: Motion Man link

Thank You Now

This past weekend we were up in Toronto for the MuchMusic Awards. We won both awards I was up for... Hip-Hop Video of the Year and Cinematography of the Year for Drake & Trey Songz "Successful." The whole experience was completely surreal and amazing. But I couldn't help feel guilty when the graphic on the monitor came up and it only had the artist and director name. Music videos take a small army to pull off. So I thought this would be a cool time to thank all of the people that made the video possible...

Huge thanks to MuchMusic, the city of Toronto, Drizzy (all we have are moments right now), Trey (push-ups before every set-up made the difference) Oliver (thanks for believing and pushing every step), 40 (craziest beat of the year), and the rest of the Red Wing Boot Gang. Love you guys. 

Executive Producer Kerri Kleiner, U.S. Producer Karen Lin, Canadian Producer Cherie Sinclair of The Field, DP Samy Inayeh and his entire team, PM Collin Wiancko, 1st AD Nick Edwards, and the entire crew. My rep Tommy Labuda, Commissioners Manny and Chaka...

My New York team that's with me even when I'm not... Jim Larer, Max Edward, Anthony Hernandez and Mike Berlin. Everybody that visited the edit and gave a little inspiration. My Supreme fam and my real fam Mom, Dad, Mama, Rachel, and my broken angel. 

Success really is a motherfucker and the people that come and go along with it... "I want the money, money and the cars, cars and the clothes, the hoes, I suppose..." I especially thank all of you for the daily support. Many more to come... It's all love...

Music Video Premiere: Drake & Trey Songz "Successful"

"Making your mark on the world is hard. If it were easy, everybody would do it. But it's not. It takes patience, it takes commitment, and it comes with plenty of failure along the way. The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won't. it's whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere." 

- Barack Obama

Director | Jake Davis

Executive Producer | Kerri Kleiner

U.S. Producer | Karen Lin

Canada Producer | Cherie Sinclair 

Director of Photography | Samy Inayeh

Editor | Jake Davis

Colorist | Milan Boncich

Wardrobe Stylists | Oliver El-Khatib | Becca Alexis | Shea Hurley

Inside The Edit: Drake & Trey Songz "Successful"

  

Shot at the Ace Hotel in New York City below is an interview with the kid about what it's like to be a director. You'll also get a short glimpse into the edit of my new music video for Drake & Trey Songz "Successful." 

We're all incredibly excited about how the video came out and can't wait for the 360 premiere Monday, August 31st on MTV, MTV2, MTV Hits, MTV Jams, MTV U, and BET. There's been plenty of coverage and behind the scenes through out the process. The first 30 seconds leaked on MTV late last week while I was still in the coloring session putting the final touches on the video. Needless to say, there's amazing anticipation for this video and I hope we exceed everyone's expectations. It's been incredible to be a part of it. This feel right, right here... It's like it's supposed to happen...

Video Premiere Party: U.S. Royalty "Every Summer"

And we're back ladies and gentlemen... I haven't left the edit in days... But the guys from U.S. Royalty were nice enough to pay me a visit last night at my campsite, the beautiful Ace Hotel. I have two pieces of information for you. The music video I directed for their amazing song "Every Summer" premieres today at A Continuous Lean. I'm really excited about this one so please check it out. I really hope you all love it.

We also decided to have a video premiere party in New York City, Wednesday August 19th at 11pm. Norwood is a fantastic club and me and the guys will be on hand tomorrow night. Come through to enjoy the good vibes, music, and watch the video on the big screen.

U.S. Royalty "Every Summer" Music Video Premiere link

On Set: Drake & Trey Songz "Successful"

Back in NY for a couple days from a week of prepping and directing in Toronto with October's Very Own. Drake, Oliver and 40 are the truth. We just shot something epic! So ruff, so tuff. I'll be back in Toronto at the end of the week for a few weeks to edit, vibe with them, and make sure this is the video. Drake and Trey Songz were amazing. Nothing like hearing "Successful" blast through the city streets at 3am on a process trailer while fans run and scream in tow.

On the style side Oliver killed it with pieces from Barbour, Comme des Garçons, Red Wing, V::Room, Wings + Horns, Ransom, and (a brand he introduced me to that I love) Klaxon Howl. Oliver's vision was classic heritage done with a gritty, modern edge, which looked sick.

Check an excerpt from an interview with MTV's Sway and me. Consider it my excuse for lack of posts... I am fully cognitive of the moment and will do everything in my power to make this THE VIDEO... And I never use all caps... And it's true, I do seldom talk... Except when I have something to say...