July 4th Break

Sometimes the eagle soars. Sometimes it cries.

Happy July 4th. See you next week.

WATCH IT: Drake "Best I Ever Had"

Can chicks with Double-D's play D? Can these Round Mounds Of Rebounds make coach proud with a 2-minute drill? Can I make another basketball/sex pun? [ed: No]. The much hyped hip-hop newbie and former Degrassi star Drake does it real big in this comedic T&A romp "Best I Ever Had," directed by his mentor, Kanye West. The clip's basic conceit is Drake as the pervy coach of a women's basketball team. While he may give them emotional support, he gives them very little in the way of bosom support and actual basketball knowledge. Let's just say it's safe to assume that the Degrassi basketball team was nothing like this one --> watch "Best I Ever Had"

Drake "Best I Ever Had" (Young Money/Universal Motown)
Kanye West, director | Justin Benoliel, producer | Ghost Town Media, production co, | Derek Lee, editor

SHOT: Young Money - J. Panzer, D. Carter + K.S. Stuckwisch, directors

• artist: Young Money
• song: "Every Girl"
• label: Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Motown
• director(s): Jefrrey Panzer, D. Carter + Kimberly S. Stuckwisch
• production co: Panzermania/Rockhard Films
• rep: LaBuda Management

SHOT: Birdman - Jeff Panzer + Kevin Layne, directors

• artist: Birdman f/ Lil Wayne, Rick Ross & Young Jeezy
• song: "Always Strapped" (remix)
• label: Cash Money/Universal Motown
• director(s): Jeffrey Panzer + Kevin Layne
• production co: Panzervision/DNA
• rep: LaBuda Management

WATCH IT: Death Cab For Cutie "Little Bribes"

While it's not too unusual for a fan or spec clip to get props from the recording artist, that's usually all they get: A post on a blog, or a mere tweet. Director/Cinematographer Ross Ching wins the jackpot with this unsolicited clip for Death Cab For Cutie "Little Bribes" getting acquired by the band and its record label Atlantic as the "official" video for the song. That may sound like a meaningless distinction, but it's really not, since Ching's video will now get a shot at being seen on TV and will be included in the DCFC official videography (ie: archived on the band's site, potentially used in future DVDs, blah, blah, etc, etc). The clip itself is damn good even as it mines some familiar MV tropes: We've got the time-lapse Koyannasqatsi busy city vibe, a spell out the lyrics motif á la director Kris Moyes' video for the Softlightes "Heart Made Of Sound" video, and a bit of moving light animation. Nothing you haven't seen before, but impressive to see it all done so well in a DIY production. --> watch "Little Bribes" (hi res Quicktime download links, plus Making-Of notes via rossching.com)

Death Cab For Cutie "Little Bribes" (Atlantic)
Ross Ching, director

SHOT: Alice In Chains - Stephen Schuster, director

First video from the reformed Alice In Chains with new singer William DuVall. A teaser for the video is below...

• artist: Alice In Chains
• song: "A Looking In View"
• label: Capitol
• director(s): Stephen Schuster
• production co: Bucks Boys
• DP: Michael Lohmann
• commissioner: Danny Lockwood

BOOKED: OTEP - Robby Starbuck, director

• artist: OTEP
• song: "$mash The Control Machine"
• label: Victory
• director(s): Robby Starbuck
• production co: RSM
• DP: Greg Ephraim

QUICK CLIP: There For Tomorrow "A Little Faster"

If the Jonas Bros were an emo band, they'd probably be There For Tomorrow, a group of pretty boys from Orlando. This video from new production company Variable Films mixes performance with a rapidfire storyline in which singer Maika Maile romances a waitress who is far prettier than the usual help at classic NJ eatery, the Bendix Diner. --> watch "A Little Faster"

There For Tomorrow "A Little Faster" (Hopeless)
Variable Films, director | Brad Burke, producer | Variable Films, production co | Jonathan Bregel + Khalid Mohtaseb, DPs  | Marcus Small, editor

NEWS: Robot Films Signs Benny Boom

Chris Robinson's Robot Films has announced the signing of BET's 2009 Director of the Year Benny Boom to its roster. His music video credits include:

• Akon f/ Eminem "Smack That"
• Pussycat Dolls "Beep"
• Keyshia Cole "You Complete Me"
• Nas "Made You Look"

Robin Frank Management (RFM) is also now representing the director...

NEWS: Walter Robot Wins LA Film Fest For DCFC Vid

Merge @ Crossroads directing/creative team Walter Robot is now officialyl award-winning. The Walter Robot clip for Death Cab For Cutie "Grapevine Fires" snagged the Audience Award for Best Music Video at the 2009 LA Film Festival. Video is embedded below. And that's Walter Robot principal Christopher Louie (right) in the photo swapping conspiracy theories with actor Jon Voight at the awards ceremony.