NEWS: MVPA Award Winners

The winner of the 16th Annual MVPA Awards are as follows:

• Lifetime Achievement: Wayne Isham, director
  (see photo at right of Isham and Merge @ Crossroads executive producer Joseph Uliano)
• MVPA Hall Of Fame Video: Prodigy "Smack My Bitch Up" — Jonas Akerlund, director
• Kratz Award For Creative Excellence: Devin Sarno and Lydia Sarno, Warner Bros.
• Video of the Year: Christina Aguilera "Hurt" — Floria Sigismondi & Christina Aguilera, directors (Revolver Film Co)
• Director of the Year: Chris Milk of Radical Media
• Directorial Debut: Neon of Partizan for Common "A Dream"
• Best Video/Under $25,000: Plain White T's "Hey There Delilah"
  — Jay Martin, director
• Direction of a Male Artist: Justin Timberlake "My Love"
  — Paul Hunter, director (HSI)
• Direction of a Female Artist: Christina Aguilera "Hurt"
  — Floria Sigismondi & Christina Aguilera, directors (Revolver Film Co)
• Direction of a New Artist: Lily Allen "Smile"
  — Sophie Muller, director (Factory @ Oil Factory Inc.)
• Direction of a Band: Muse "Knights Of Cydonia"
  — Joseph Kahn, director (HSI)
• Adult Contemporary: The Fray "How To Save A Life"
  — Mark Pellington, director (Merge @ Crossroads)
• Alternative: Beck "Cellphone's Dead"
  — Michel Gondry, director (Partizan)
• Electronic Music: Faithless "Bombs"
  — Howard Greenhalgh, director (Believe Media)
• Hip-Hop: Kanye West "Touch The Sky"
  — Chris Milk, director (Radical Media)
• Pop: Justin Timberlake "SexyBack"
  — Michael Haussman, director (HSI)
• R & B: Beyonce f/ Jay Z "Déjà Vu"
  — Sophie Muller, director (Oil Factory)
• Rock: U2/Green Day "The Saints Are Coming"
  — Chris Milk, director (Radical Media)
• International: Damien Rice "9 Crimes"
  — Jamie Thraves, director (Factory @ Oil Factory)
• Animated: Guster "One Man Wrecking Machine"
  — Drew Lightfoot, director (Revolver Film Co)
• Cinematography: Muse "Knights Of Cydonia"
  — Christopher Probst, DP
• Editing: Gnarls Barkley "Crazy"
  — Ken Mowe, editor
• Colorist / Telecine: My Chemical Romance "...Black Parade"
  — Beau Leon
• Special Effects: U2/Green Day "The Saints Are Coming"
  — Sway, effects artists
• Computer Effects: Dashboard Confessional "Don't Wait"
  — Rich Lee (Proof Inc./IEVFX)
• Art Direction: The Raconteurs "Steady As She Goes"
  — Trae King, art director
• Choreography: Pussycat Dolls "Buttons"
  — Robin Antin & Mikey Minden, choreographers
• Styling: My Chemical Romance "Welcome To The Black Parade"
  — Colleen Atwood, stylist
• Hair: Gwen Stefani "Sweet Escape"
  — Danilo, hair stylist
• Make-Up: AFI "Love Like Winter"
  — Maranda Widlund, make-up artist

Witty commentary and photos may follow...

BOOKED: Rise Against - Neon, directors

artist: Rise Against
song: "The Good Left Undone"
label: Geffen
director(s): Neon
production co: Partizan

SHOT: Dresden Dolls - Andrew Bennett, director

artist: Dresden Dolls
song: "Shores Of California"
label: Roadrunner
director(s): Andrew Bennett
production co: Highway 114

NEW RELEASE: Justice "D.A.N.C.E."

This is the second video from the daft French punks of Justice, and it's as remarkable as their Kanye-pwning first [see the drama here]. "D.A.N.C.E." showcases some truly incredible, if currently impossible, T-shirt designs sported by a few blokes as they walk through a trendy European nightclub. Directors Jonas & Francois just about close the lid on the creative T-shirt genre with inspired tracking work that one-ups all previous T-shirt vids. (review by Kevin Holy) --> watch "D.A.N.C.E."

Justice "D.A.N.C.E." (Ed Banger/Vice)
Jonas & Francois, director | El Nino/Soixante Quinze, production co

BOOKED: Hell Rell - Dale "Rage" Resteghini, director

artist: Hell Rell
song: "Streets Gonna Love Me" 
label: Diplomat/Koch
director(s): Dale "Rage" Resteghini
production co: Raging Nation Films

SHOT: Spoiler NYC - Kevin Custer, director

New band fronted by former Life Of Agony bassist Alan Robert.

artist: Spoiler NYC
song: "Suicide Hotel"
label: SOS
director(s): Kevin Custer
production co: Raging Nation Films

NEW RELEASE: State Radio "Camilo"

The best statements against the ridiculousness of the current, or any war are usually the most personal — from Cindy Sheehan to videos (even the oddly funny ones) sent home by grunts stationed far from home and comfort. It is in that spirit of interpersonal connection that State Radio and a high profile, yet anonymous director presents the clip for "Camilo" – an achingly individual ballad about a U.S. soldier stationed in Iraq who came home on leave and decided he simply could not, in good conscience, go back. The song and the clip certainly tell the story of Camilo Mejia, but it also does an even better job of communicating how, at least for one sergeant, it was a far braver act to refuse to serve. (review by Doug Stern) --> watch "Camilo"

BOOKED: Neurosonic - Lex Halaby, director

artist: Neurosonic
song: "So Many People"
label: Bodog Music
director(s): Lex Halaby
production co: Refused TV

PHOTO: Meg & Dia & Director Lex Halaby

Meg of Meg & Dia and Refused TV director Lex Halaby discuss a shot on the set of "Roses," which will support the Doghouse/Warner Bros. re-release of Something Real.

NEWS: DNA Signs Adria Petty

Production company DNA has announced the signing of director Adria Petty, whose credits include:

• Mat Kearney "Undeniable"
• Regina Spektor "Us"
• Ditty Bops "Wishful Thinking"

She will continue to be represented by Robin Frank Management, in conjunction with DNA.